Five Man Electrical Band are a rock group from Ottawa, Ontario that formed in 1963 as The Staccatos.

Les Emmerson (vocals, guitar)
Brian Rading (bass)
Ted Gerow (keyboards)
Rick 'Bell' Belanger (drums)
Mike 'Bell' Belanger (2nd drums)

In the mid-late 60s, they gained popularity in Canada with a brief run of hits that earned them several RPM Gold Leaf Awards (since 1970 known as the Juno Awards; Canada's version of the Grammy Award).  In 1968, they changed their name to Five Man Electrical Band (which was the title of their second album) and continued their run of hits in Canada, while simultaneously breaking the International market, scoring a pair of US Top 40 hits with "Absolutely Right" and "Signs", the latter which was also a smash hit in Australia. 

In 1975 after 10 years of hits, the group parted ways, but over the years have reunited for several concerts a year



The Staccatos
Year 1965196519661966196619671968

Song Title Small Town Girl Move to California It's A Long Way Home C'mon Everybody Let's Runaway Half Past Midnight Didn't Know the Time

Canada #20 #26 #22 #20 #35 #10#59


Five Man Electrical Band
Year 1969 1969 1969 1970 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972197319731974 1975

Song Title It Never Rains on Maple Lane Private Train Sunrise to Sunset Moonshine (Friend of Mine) Hello Melinda Goodbye Signs Absolutely Right Julianna Devil and Miss Lucy Money Back Guarantee Baby Wanna Boogie I'm A Stranger Here Werewolf Johnny Get A Gun

Canada #27 #37 #56 #56 #55 #4 #3 #17 #65#17#77#2 #28 #69

United States -- -- ------#3#26----#72--#76#64 --


Les Emmerson
Year 197319731974 1975

Song Title Control of Me Cry Your Eyes Out Clichés Watching the World Go By

Canada #5#18 #75 #26

United States #51 -- ----

Signs rocks.  A real gem.  Absolutely Right, too.  I'm not familiar with the majority of their catalog, but I generally like what I've heard of their lesser US hits that I've heard.

"Signs" is the one that I like and the only one that I know.

I heard a real good parody of  "Signs". I almost fell off my chair when I heard it. The part about a sign that says  'trespassers will be shot on sight"...and it goes on to say "so I jumped over the fence and said what gives you the right". All of a sudden you hear the sound of an automatic rifle firing.  ;D

Five Man Electrical Band are a rock group from Ottawa, Ontario that formed in 1963 as The Staccatos.

and "Signs", the latter which was also a smash hit in Australia. 



Too right !  It was HUGE here  :o :P :)

Zella introduced me a few years ago to "I'm A Stranger Here" which is a clever number  :)

So I'm watching that infomercial for Time Life's 'Flower Power' collection, and Peter Fonda talks about artists who had that one big hit, then 'Signs' comes on.  I swear, I almost threw my shoe at the TV lol.  When aired in Canada, Time Life infomercials have a Canadian website you can order the CDs through.  If they are going to call FMEB a one hit wonder, then they shouldn't be allowed to sell the CDs in Canada. lol


The classic hits station I listen to on the way to work ALWAYS plays 'Money Back Guarantee' atleast once a day

Signs is the only one I'm familiar with but it's a great song - Tesla's cover version from 1990 rocks too!  8)