CAESAR 1956
Formed in 1956 in
Toronto, Ontario, and originally called The Consuls after a British sedan,
they changed their name by adding the 'Little Caesar' after many commented
on Morshead's appearance being similar to Edward G. Robinson's from the
movie of the same name.
Early members also featured future “The Band” guitarist Robbie
Robertson, and "Snowbird"/"Put Your Hand In The Hand"
songwriter Gene MacLellan.
The group recorded several Canadian hits including 1958’s “Runaway”
on Able records, 1963's "If I Found A New Girl" on Columbia
and then switched to Red Leaf in 1965 for "My Girl Sloopy,"
#1 in Canada & Top 50 in The U.S.A. and Smokey Robinson's "You
Really Got A Hold on Me". again #1 in Canada.
I965’s “Hang on Sloopy “ was a big hit for the band and they performed on shows with The Rolling Stones, Sonny & Cher, The Dave Clark Five and The Beach Boys, to name a few. They had offers to perform on American Bandstand and a thirty day American tour with The Beach Boys, but they declined as all but Wilson were committed to full time jobs in Toronto.
1965
Rolling Stones Show 1965
In 1976 they recorded The McCoy's version of "Hang On Sloopy" and toured across Canada with The Bay City Rollers.
1970 to 1972
1992 saw Norm Sherratt, Garry Wright, Tom Wilson, Vic Wilson, Steve Macko, Bruce Morsehead and newcomer Tony Crivaro get together, recorded the album 'Since 1956'. and performed around Southern Ontario including a concert date at Wonderland with The Beach Boys.
1992 to 1995
THE BEACH BOYS SHOW
August 2, 1992
Kingswood Theatre, Wonderland
In 2008, 52 years later CAESAR is still performing throughout Southern Ontario with Norm Sherratt, Tom Wilson, Vic Wilson, Steve Macko, Tony Crivaro, and newcomers Sonny Milne on drums (formerly with Robbie Lane and Lorretta Lynn) and Walter Taylor on vocals & keyboard.
Little Caesar & The Consuls Since 1956
to 2008
A list of the muscians that performed with the band over the years
BruceMorshead(vocals,keyboards)(1956 to 1967 & 1992 to 1999)
Peter DeRemigis (Drums)(1956 to 1958)
Gene MacLellan (vocals,guitar)(1956 to 1958)
Ken Pernokis (vocals, guitar)(1959 to 1976 & 1996 to 1999)
Norm Sherratt (vocals, sax)(1956 to 1972 & 1992 to 1998 & 2003)
Robbie Robertson (vocals, guitar)(1957 to 1958)
Tom Wilson (vocals, bass)(1960 to 1970 & 1992 to 1995 & 2003)
Gary Wright (drums)(1963 to 1976 & 1992 to 1998)
Wayne Connors (vocals, drums)(1958 to 1963)
Paul Denyes (vocals, keyboards (1973 to 1976)
Tommy Graham (guitar; 1973)
Mike Holman (vocals, guitar)(1975 to 1977)
Sandy White (vocals, bass)(1976 to 1977)
Steve Macko (vocals, keyboards, tenor sax)
(1967 to 1976 & 1992
to 1995 & 2003)
John Bradley (vocals, guitar; 1976)
Bob Olliffe (vocals, bass)(1976)
Vic Wilson (vocals, sax)(1968 to 1970 & 1992 to 1995 & 2003)
Tony Crivaro (vocals, guitar)(1992 to 1995 & 2003)
Sonny Milne (drums)(2003)
Walter Taylor (vocals, keyboards)(2003)