W.D. Fisher's roots date back to 1966 when the Savard brothers, Denis (bass) and Marc (technician), teamed up with Pierre Kirouac (vocals) and Marcel Périgny (rhythm guitar), and were joined a year later by Guy Desrochers (lead guitar) and Jean-Pierre Bernard (drums).
Together they played under the name South Gate 24. In 1968, the band based itself at Desrochers' in the Quebec City area. Kirouac left the band in 1969, with various vocalists replacing him. In 1970, Serge Perrault joined with his Hammond B3 keyboard giving the band's music a richer sound, followed by Claude Lépine on guitar and flute. The combination of an expanded group with new influences from the progressive rock movement in England promoted the evolution of new ideas. The band thus began writing original compositions. It also adopted a new name, William D. Fisher, based on a fictitious military character from colonial times.
In the summer of 1971, W.D. Fisher played at the inauguration of La Petite Bastille and the University of Laval during the St-Jean festivities in Quebec City, and at Man And His World in Montreal. Lépine departed thereafter. That fall, Pierre Gravel, a well-known promoter took charge of the band and the Savard brothers left along with Bernard, replaced by Gilles Laverdière on bass, René Laurendeau on drums and Bob Letourneau on vocals. In February 1972, the revamped W.D. Fisher recorded its only eponymous album (a rarity), followed by the band's break up, a fate that befell many other groups.
W.D. Fisher's music has a distinctive late 1960's psych/pop feel to it in the sound of Desrochers' clean sometimes jazzy guitar licks, venturing into the progressive realm with Perrault's organ playing. Several long suites heighten the progressive feel, including the over 12-minute "William D. Fisher's Adventures". The music sounds a little like very early Yes. Most noticeable however is Letourneau's high pitched shrill vocals (sung in French-accented English), similar to Geddy Lee (bassist of future Canadian group Rush). Overall, an interesting and unique sounding album from the very early days of Quebec prog.
http://www.progquebec.com/wdfisher.html
Tracks
1. Beggar - 4:42
2. I Do Love You - 5:47
3. Eden's Dream - 8:05
4. You - 5:00
5. William D.Fisher's Adventure - 13:20
All compositions by Gilles Laverdière, René Laurendeau, Guy Desrochers, Serge Perreault, Bob Létourneau
W. D. Fisher
*Gilles Laverdière - Bass Guitar, Vocals
*René Laurendeau - Drums
*Guy Desrochers - Guitar
*Serge Perreault - Organ, Piano, Clavinet, Vocals
*Bob Létourneau - Vocals