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George Olliver is a Canadian musical
institution. Audiences have been raving about his stage show for years. He has
been described as a dynamic performer, great soulful voice and probably the best
showman in Canad
a! What is often overlooked is that he is a prolific writer,
producer, and successful recording artist. Olliver's career shot to stardom as
the lead singer of the now legendary R&B band Mandala, with TOP TEN hits
"Opportunity" and "Give and Take". Each new recording since then has been met
with critical acclaim and nation-wide sales. Nicknamed "The Blue-Eyed Prince of
Soul"
he has remained one of the most popular
performers on the Canadian music scene. George's extensive touring over the
years has brought him international success, acknowledged by fans and industry critics
alike. Having performed on tours with such band's as The Who, Rolling Stones and
The Cream, George learned the importance of live performance. Moving on into the
seventies, Olliver formed Natural Gas with the bands self-titled album charting
in the TOP 10 in Canada and TOP 50 in the U.S.
"I've known George for years and
he was and STILL is
the hardest workin' man in the business!"
-- rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins
Inthe ei
ghties George co-owned and
performed at The Bluenote in Toronto from 1982-92. During that time
Quality Records (Domenic Troiano producing) recorded George
Olliver and Gangbuster - LIVE @ THE BLUENOTE, an amazing live album,
featuring him and his band Gangbuster and special guests. It was one of
the finest live records made in Canada up to that point. In the middle of
his run at the club, he recorded his first studio solo album
Dream Girl
which brought him
a Juno nomination for best R&B album. As well George was able
to book and perform with some of his idols such as Wilson Pickett, Etta James,
Sam and Dave and Martha Reeves. "Whitney Houston broke her first album at the Bluenote in 1985 when no one had heard of her yet!" says Olliver. "I've got
hours of live recordings to be released from the Bluenote that is timeless.
"Now a devoted father of 3 (two sons and daughter) and with a renewed faith in God,
Olliver is back performing and recording his brand of "white hot soul"
which has become part of what's called
the Toronto Sound.