My Guitar Songbook
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Memories of 'The Pearl'  
Background [This Page is Under Construction]

The Pearl was a local Ottawa Rock Band founded in the late sixties. Members included Geoff Manchester (front man and lead vocals), Ron Hodgins (lead guitar and vocals), Jim Blackler (bass guitar, keyboards, tenor sax and vocals), Robbie Skaff (drums) and Bill Charrette (rhythm guitar).

The Pearl morphed from the garage bandThe Lost Soulsafter signing Geoff and Ron. It became clear right away that the group had something worthwhile to offer.

Geoff’s unique style of vocal melodies and memorable stage presence, Ron’s powerful leads and vocal harmonies, Jim’s melodic bass lines and backing vocals, Robbie’s feel for the groove and Bill’s strong sense of rhythm and timing all defined the band’s sound.

The band played at numerous bars, church halls and community centers, including performances at private weddings and banquets in and around the Ottawa and Gatineau areas (Robbie scheduled most gigs, practices and concerts). The band became quite popular after winning several ‘Battle of the Bands’ competitions (Canterbury Community Centre [Ottawa On], the Gyrostat Club [Hull QC] and the Manor Park Centre [Ottawa On]). See Set List below.

The group often performed with attractive and talented go-go dancers to help entertain the patrons at nightclubs and other venues.  Janice Watson, Wanda Kemp and Gail Azar formed part of this creative and classy dance troupe. Their appearances helped put energy in the party as well as encouraged people to come to the gigs.

Rehearsals were carried out at various locations in Ottawa; the Officers Mess - Wurtemburg/Rideau St., Hillcrest High School - Dauphin Rd. and at both Geoff's and Robbie’s homes in the Alta Vista area.

Sadly, many of the photographs and other band remembrances perished when the band broke up. However, pictures and other memorabilia will be added to this page when they become available.

Pics Etc. [Click to Show/Hide]
Set List [Click to Show/Hide]
Hanky Panky
Tommy James & The Shondells
 Audio
 Video
Crimson and Clover
Tommy James & The Shondells
 Audio
 Video
Gloria
Shadows Of Knight
 Audio
 Video
Happy Together
The Turtles
 Video
She's Not There
The Zombies
 Video
Time of the Season
The Zombies
 Video
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
The Animals
 Audio
 Video
The Last Time
The Rolling Stones
 Audio
 Video
Get Off of My Cloud
The Rolling Stones
 Video
You Really Got Me
The Kinks
 Video
Tired of Waiting
The Kinks
 Audio
 Video
A Well Respected Man
The Kinks
 Audio
 Video
Wild Thing
The Troggs
 Audio
 Video
With a Girl Like You
The Troggs
 Video
Love is All Around
The Troggs
 Video
The Letter
Box Tops
 Audio
 Video
All Day and All of the Night
The Kinks
 Video
Louie Louie
The Kinks
 Video
Just Like Me
Paul Revere and The Raiders
 Video
Time Won't Let Me
The Outsiders
 Audio
 Video
96 Tears
Question Mark and The Mysterians
 Video
Dirty Water
The Standells
 Video
Hey Joe
Jimi Hendrix Experience
 Audio
 Video
Pay You Back With Interest
The Hollies
 Video
Steppin' Out
Paul Revere and The Raiders
 Audio
 Video
Hang on Sloopy
The MaCoys
 Audio
 Video
House of the Rising Sun
The Animals
 Video
 Video
Devil with the Blue Dress
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
 Video
The Pied Piper
Crispian St. Peters
 Video
Foxy Lady
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
 Video
I Can't Explain
The Who
 Audio
 Video
The Kids Are Alright
The Who
 Audio
 Video
My Generation
The Who
 Video
Substitute
The Who
 Audio
 Video
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
 Audio
 Video
Little Red Riding Hood
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
 Video
Around and Around
The Rolling Stones
 Audio
 Video
Eve of Destruction
Barry McGuire
 Audio
 Video
For Your Love
The Yardbirds
 Video
Ferry Cross The Mersey
Gerry and The Pacemakers
 Audio
 Video
Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
Gerry and The Pacemakers
 Audio
 Video
Good Lovin
The Young Rascals
 Audio
 Video
Sunshine of Your Love
Cream
 Video
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