Canadian group originally formed in 1957 as The Corvettes by Tom Ambeau (drums, guitar), Milt Budarick (bass guitar), Bert DesRochers (piano), Larry French (lead guitar, vocals) and Gary French (lead vocals, drums) while they attended Midland-Penetang District High School. They were the backing band for Canada’s first teen idol Bobby Curtola as he toured the university circuit and changed their name to The Martells (after Curtola’s booking agent, Maria Martel (2)) in 1961.
After leaving Curtola, the band toured across Canada and recorded with stars as Del Shannon, The Stampeders and Chuck Berry, disbanding in the late 1960s. In 1979, the band reunited and continued playing together until disbanding in 2015. For their second incarnation, the band members also included Madeleine French on vocals & piano, Dr. Sax (a.k.a. Russ Strathdee) on saxophone and Bill Chambers, formerly of Canadian band Lisle, on guitar & vocals. The second incarnation disbanded at the end of 2015.
After leaving Curtola, the band toured across Canada and recorded with stars as Del Shannon, The Stampeders and Chuck Berry, disbanding in the late 1960s. In 1979, the band reunited and continued playing together until disbanding in 2015. For their second incarnation, the band members also included Madeleine French on vocals & piano, Dr. Sax (a.k.a. Russ Strathdee) on saxophone and Bill Chambers, formerly of Canadian band Lisle, on guitar & vocals. The second incarnation disbanded at the end of 2015.
