Rick Marquis, Allan Walker in WHSS music room.

Tom Walters, Rob Town, Larry Dickinson, Dave MacKay, seated Bob Walker.

Dave MacKay, Tom Walters, Bob Walker, Larry Dickinson, Rob Town

Larry Dickinson, Bob Walker, Tom Walters, Rob Town, Dave MacKay.

John Stadtlander currently of Thunder Bay played drums 1974-75.

The original Factory members were Bob Walker, Rick Marquis, Rob Town and myself. Factory practiced in the old Post Office basement in Owen Sound from around 1970 to 1973.

All members were cutting their teeth musically and it was very hard to sing and play at the same time. Some members would not even attempt to sing, so the duties were forced upon Rob and myself.

Upon hearing the screeching and moaning that was loosely resembled singing, the band was forced to realize that a real singer was needed.

Wilica Kuyvenhoven joined the group for a couple of live performances. One was at the Knox church basement. She really could sing, Janis Joplin was her idol.

Mike Dolphin also sang for a number of performances.
Mike was very versatile and could play guitar as well.

The vocalist who spent the most time with the band early on was George Prettie. He was little younger than the rest of us, had a good voice, played harmonica and great stage presence. A memorable performance was at the Coliseum were we played to skaters from the side seating area. Our cover of the "Lemon Song" included George squeezing a lemon shaped juice container with suggestive moves. I think if anyone actually could see or hear us we might have been discovered or charged with something.

The band played as a four piece regularly in Holland Center at the community hall. This was a great motivator and Factory improved each week.

Some of the bands we were copying at this time were:
Who, Alvin Lee, Beatles, Stones, Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin and others I’ve forgotten. I think I may have a song list around somewhere.

Factory had a faithful crew composed of Warren Jarl
(Chuck) and Joe Watson. They tinkered with blown fuses, amps and faithfully moved our PA, lights and equipment.

Equipment is fun to track, I think I started with a Winston purchased at Earl Georgas Ski and music shop for $35. Then upgraded to a used Gretch solid body guitar I purchased from Rick Zippel for $100, then I got a Gibson SG special just like Pete Townsend from Harry Parker for $325 with a case!

Amps came and went. I remember blowing up lots, especially Fender and Traynor amps of various sizes.

Bob also went through equipment. In the original Factory, he used a VOX Phantom IV bass and a Gibson
EB-1 violin bass.  As for amps, he had an Ampeg cube, a Traynor Bassmate with a 12" speaker, a blond Fender Bassman with 2x12"  speakers, a Traynor Bassmaster with two 15" speakers and a Garnet bass head with two 2x12" speakers.

Rick had a Tesco and then a Les Paul Jr. His amp was a Traynor Guitarmate.

Rob had a set of Sonar drums and then a Ludwig chrome-shell set.

Factory continued in various configurations into the 70's. Dave McKay, Tom Walters, Larry Dickinson joined Bob and Rob in the band.

Bob continued playing professionally and recording into the 80’s when an accident prevented him from continuing. His talents could not be suppressed however and he has continued working in the music field producing numerous books. Bob is also a quoted authority on the Beatles. Bob enjoys his family life in the Owen Sound area.

Rob enjoyed playing for various bands for a while, especially enjoying “Stokes Bay”. He got a job on the ships and moved away from Owen Sound.

Rick continued playing with various local bands including Steve Dickinson and always brought his enthusiasm for life and music.

We lost Rick Marquis in 2007 in a tragic accident. “Lay it down” from “the lost luggage” is dedicated to Rick.