AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Motherlode

Artist:Motherlode

Song:When I Die

Album:The Buddah Box

The 1969 single When I Die was a top twenty hit. But it topped the Canadian charts and the song is still a beloved oldie. I think many listeners have heard this song and don't know who the band is.  Motherlode is from London, ON. It all started in London's Blue Note club in 1964. Saxophonist Steve Kennedy was in the group The Silhouettes led by pianist Doug Riley. Riley would go on to be a major figure in Canadian music as leader of Dr. Music. Kennedy was dating the band's singer Dianne Brooks at the time. Keyboardist William "Smitty" Smith was in a different band but he and Kennedy planned to start their own band. They moved to Toronto and started The Soul Searchers in 1966 with Dianne and Eric Mercury as lead singers. After that band split up, Kennedy and Smith got together again in 1968 in Grant Smith and the Power. David Clayton-Thomas was lead singer. They released a 1968 album. But Kennedy, Smith, guitarist Kenny Marco and drummer Wayne Stone were unhappy with the album and moved back to London to form Motherlode. They signed with Revolver Records and the debut single When I Die reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Canadian charts. It was released on Buddah Records in the US. Kennedy and Smith wrote When I Die and most of the songs on the album. Doug Riley produced. Motherlode did not have a bassist so Carol Kaye of The Wrecking Crew played bass. By the time Motherlode had recorded their second album Tapped Out, the band split up and Kennedy, Marco and Stone joined Riley's new band Dr. Music. So that means When I Die is officially a one hit wonder. You can get it on this 3CD box set that is a history of Buddah Records. Revolver Records owned the name Motherlode so they formed new versions of the band. Smith was the only original member involved. Every version of Motherlode was different. That kind of thing never works. Smith went on to be a session musician. He died in 1997. Kennedy went on to be a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears and Lighthouse. Marco also went on to be a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears. It looks like Stone quit the music business. Here's Motherlode performing When I Die on a 1970 CBC show.