The Beau-Marks Explained

The Beau-Marks were a Canadian rock music group formed in 1958 in Montreal, Quebec. Their first release, the April 1959 single "Rockin' Blues" b/w "Moonlight Party", came out under the name The Del-Tones, but the group changed their name soon afterward in a nod to the Bomarc missile. Their breakthrough hit was "Clap Your Hands," which hit #1 in Canada and Australia,^[1] peaked at #45 on the US Billboard pop charts,^[2] and #40 on Cashbox.^[3] The tune was also released in French as "Frappe Tes Mains" and a Quebec version as "Tape des mains", lyrics by late Michel A. Lebel, as one of Rock n' Roll Queen Lucie Marotte's finale favorites. Their debut, ten-track full-length LP came out in 1960. They also appeared on American Bandstand and at a charity concert at Carnegie Hall soon afterwards. Two more albums followed before the group broke up in 1963; a 1968 reunion saw "Clap Your Hands" get a re-release which reached #74 on the RPM charts.^[4]

The Beau-Marks were the first Canadian band to be headliners at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City and to be invited to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Members

• Raymond "Ray" Hutchinson - guitar (Died early November, 2021 at age 81)
• Michel "Mike" Robitaille - guitar and bass
• Joseph "Joey" Fréchette - piano and vocals
• Gilles Tailleur - drums
• Phillip "Shakin" Baker - lead guitar and vocals (alt/back-up)

Discography

• The High Flying Beau-Marks (1960)
• The Beau-Marks in Person! Recorded on Location at Le Coq D'Or (1961)
• The Beau-Marks (1962)
• Lucie Marotte (1990) - Tape des mains

CHUM Chart singles

• Clap Your Hands (1960) #33^[5]
• Billy, Billy Went A Walking (1960) #39^[6]
• Classmate (1961) #4^[7]
• Little Miss Twist / Lovely Little Lady (1961) #17^[8]
• The Tender Years (1962) #18^[9]
• Clap Your Hands Once Again (1962) ^[10]

Notes and References

1. Biography
2. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-beau-marks-mn0000159257/awards Billboard Singles
3. Web site: CASH BOX Top 100 Singles . July 16, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101102203115/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/60s_files/19600709.html. November 2, 2010 .
4. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - July 20, 1968.
5. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - March 21, 1960.
6. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - November 21, 1960.
7. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - July 10, 1961.
8. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - January 22, 1962.
9. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - July 16, 1962.
10. mentioned and played on one episode of Roger Ashby Oldies Show

    See also

    • Canadian rock
    • Music of Canada

    External links

    • Beau Marks Biography
    • Beau Marks Discography I
    • Beau Marks Discography II
    • The Beau-Marks; The Canadian Encyclopedia
    • Article at canadianbands.com