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Five Man Electrical Band

The Five Man Electrical Band (known as The Staccatos from 1963 to 1968) is a Canadian rock band from Ottawa, Ontario. They had many hits in Canada, including the top 10 entries "Half Past Midnight" (1967) (as The Staccatos), "Absolutely Right" (1971) and "I'm a Stranger Here" (1972). Internationally, they are best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs".

Initial success as The Staccatos (1963–1968)
The band The Staccatos was formed in Ottawa in 1963. It initially included singer Dean Hagopian, guitarist Vern Craig, bass player Brian Rading and singer/drummer Rick Bell (born Rick Belanger). Hagopian left after about a year, and was replaced by vocalist and guitarist Les Emmerson, who would become the band's prime songwriter, while Bell and Emmerson split lead vocal duties.

The Staccatos made their debut as a recording act in 1965, with their early singles being written by Craig and Emmerson. After releasing a non-charting single on a small independent label, the group signed to Capitol Records of Canada, and their second single, "Small Town Girl", made it into the Canadian top 20. Several follow-ups also cracked the top 40, and The Staccatos were rising stars in their native country. Their debut album, Initially, came out in 1966, and featured their hits to that point as well as several new recordings.

In the summer of 1966, Mike Bell (Rick's brother) joined the group as a second drummer and third vocalist. Shortly thereafter, the group had their biggest hit to date with "Half Past Midnight", which rose to No. 8 on the Canadian charts. It was the second Staccatos single written solely by Emmerson, who by this point was writing most of the band's original material. Also in 1968, The Staccatos issued a joint album with The Guess Who?, each band taking up one side of the LP.

The Staccatos follow-ups to "Half Past Midnight" did not meet with as much success in Canada. In the US, the situation was worse – the band's singles (released by Capitol and Tower) failed to chart at all. Looking for a new direction, at the end of 1968, Ted Gerow was added to the line-up on keyboards, and shortly thereafter, Vern Craig left. Around the same time, while recording their second full album, the band was prompted to change their name by producer Nick Venet's comment that the name The Staccatos sounded "dated". After discussing various possibilities, bassist Rading seized upon a song Emmerson had written called "Five Man Electrical Band", claiming it's exactly what the group was. The band's name was duly changed: Five Man Electrical Band released their self-titled album in early 1969.

Rebirth as Five Man Electrical Band (1969–1975)
The group's new single "It Never Rains On Maple Lane" with B side "Private Train" was a mild success in Canada; the A-side appeared at No. 67 on the charts, but after two weeks on the charts the single was flipped over and B-side "Private Train" made it into the top 40, peaking at No. 37. The album, meanwhile, contained a mixture of new material and older recordings originally released under the Staccatos name (including "Half Past Midnight") and was similarly successful in Canada. Follow-up singles failed to chart. At the end of 1969, the band ended their relationship with Capitol and signed with MGM Records.

The band's first two singles on MGM (released in 1970) both charted in the mid-1950s in Canada. The group's 1970 album Good-byes and Butterflies created a minor controversy with a front cover picture that featured a marijuana plant; the album was withdrawn and subsequently reissued with a new cover.

In 1971, the band had their first international success when their label reissued the second MGM single "Hello Melinda, Goodbye/Signs", originally recorded in Los Angeles, with the sides reversed. Disc jockeys and the public immediately took to "Signs" (written by Les Emmerson); it reached No. 4 in Canada, No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and went to No. 1 in Australia for nearly two months. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in August 1971.

In the next few years a number of charting singles were released: "Absolutely Right", "Money Back Guarantee", "Werewolf", "I'm A Stranger Here", and a few others, all written by Emmerson. Outside of Canada, most were minor hits, but the band continued with a steady flow of releases and concert dates. In 1972, the band issued Coming Of Age, their third album as Five Man Electrical Band. Emmerson, who was more interested in recording in the studio than in playing live, also established a parallel solo career in 1972.

Mike Bell, now going by his birth name of Michael Belanger, left the group partway through the recording of their 1973 album Sweet Paradise, and bassist Brian Rading left just as the album was being finished. The album produced several hit singles, including "I'm A Stranger Here", their highest-ever charting hit in Canada. Emmerson, Gerow and Rick Belanger attempted to keep things going with new players for a time, producing singles in 1974 and '75, with minimal chart success outside of Canada.

Rick Belanger left the group in 1974, leaving Emmerson and Gerow as the only remaining permanent members of the ostensibly "Five Man" band. Shortly thereafter, when 1975's "Johnny Get A Gun" peaked at a lowly No. 69 in Canada, Emmerson and Gerow decided to disband the Five Man Electrical Band.

Reunions
In 1986, Emmerson reformed the band for a series of concert and festival appearances, and continued to tour with them over the following decades. From 1986 through about 2019, the band typically played a few shows a year as a sextet, usually consisting of Les Emmerson (guitar, lead vocals), Ted Gerow (keyboards), Brian Sim (lead guitar), Rick Smithers (bass), Steve Hollingworth (drums, vocals), Mike Belanger (drums, vocals) and Wes Reed (Percussion).

Emmerson also retained the rights to the band's recordings, and licensed several best-of compilations on CD.

Tesla scored a hit with a cover of the song "Signs" on their album Five Man Acoustical Jam in the 1990s. In 2005, Fatboy Slim released a single called "Don't Let the Man Get You Down", based mostly on a looped sample from "Signs", specifically the opening line, "And the sign said long-haired freaky people need not apply."

Brian Rading, bassist and founding member, died of cancer, age 69, on 8 June 2016 at his home in Hull, Quebec.

Les Emmerson died at his home in Ottawa at age 77 on 10 December 2021 of COVID-19 after suffering from several other health issues that weakened his resistance to the virus, according to his family.

Lineups

 * Ted Gerow – Keyboards (1970 - 2022)
 * Brian Rading – Bass (1969 - 2005)
 * Rick Smithers - Bass (2005 - Present)
 * Vern Craig – Vocals, Guitar
 * Mike Belanger - Drums, Vocals (1969 - 2013)
 * Rick 'Bell' Belanger – Drums and Percussion, Vocals (1969 - 1995)
 * Steve Hollingworth - Drums, Vocals (1998 - Present)
 * Wes Reed - Percussion (2003 - Present)
 * Les Emmerson – vocals, guitar

as The Staccatos

 * 1966 – Initially
 * 1968 – A Wild Pair (split album: one side by The Guess Who, the other by The Staccatos)

as Five Man Electrical Band

 * 1969 – Five Man Electrical Band (includes several tracks originally issued on 7" singles as by The Staccatos in 1967/68)
 * 1970 – Good-byes and Butterflies (#52 Canada) (#148 US Billboard)
 * 1972 – Coming of Age (#49 Canada) (#199 US Billboard)
 * 1973 – Sweet Paradise (#66 Canada)

Compilation albums

 * 1975 – The Power of the Five Man Electrical Band: Their Greatest Hits
 * 1995 – Absolutely Right: The Best of Five Man Electrical Band
 * 2008 – Half Past Midnight: The Staccatos and Beyond (CD release of 1969 Capitol LP, Five Man Electrical Band, plus numerous Staccatos singles.)
 * 2009 – The Staccatos – Five Man Electrical Band: First Sparks The Anthology (1964–1969) (2-CD Release of all the Staccatos singles, and all Five Man Electrical Band Capitol singles, all tracks from the two Capitol albums; the pre-Capitol Allied Records single; five tracks from the A Wild Pair album; and three songs never previously released.

title: Five Man Electrical Band


text:
Mivchar Hapeninim

The Mivchar Hepeninim is an ethical work, dated 1484, written by Rabbi Shlomo ben Yehudah in Spain.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Mivchar Hapeninim


text:
File:VCPeterLeitch.jpg

Photo of Victoria Cross recipient Peter Leitch, migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference site with permission. Photo submitted by Gerald Napier - (from the Royal Engineers Library with permission).

title: File:VCPeterLeitch.jpg


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Saturn Sky

The Saturn Sky is a roadster that was produced by Saturn, and was initially released in the first quarter of 2006 as a 2007 model. It uses the Kappa automobile platform shared with the Pontiac Solstice. The Sky concept was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, with the production version following at the 2006 show. It was built at GM's Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware, alongside the Solstice. The Sky featured 18-inch (457 mm) wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 inline-four engine that produced 177 hp, a new 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injected inline-four engine that made 260 hp as well as an optional dealer-installed turbo upgrade kit that made 290 hp. Both five-speed manual and automatic transmissions were available.

The styling for the Sky, penned by Franz von Holzhausen, was based on the Opel Speedster's design. It was available in some European markets as the Opel GT. A rebadged version named the Daewoo G2X was unveiled as a concept vehicle for the South Korean market in 2006. The production version was released in September 2007.

The Wilmington Assembly plant closed in July 2009, ending production as both the Pontiac and Saturn nameplates were retired.

Sky Red Line
A Red Line model of the Sky was introduced on April 11, 2006 at the New York Auto Show. It uses the same 260 hp turbocharged Ecotec engine as the Pontiac Solstice, as well as the same standard 5-speed Aisin manual transmission. An automatic transmission is optional.

The Red Line had a standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential, standard StabiliTrak stability control, and an enhanced sport suspension over the standard Sky (available as a dealer-add on for regular models). Other exterior enhancements included dual exhausts, 18-inch wheels, and a specific front fascia modeled for the Red Line. On the inside, the Red Line had a special leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, special embroidery on the seats and floor mats, metallic door sill covers and stainless steel pedals, special tachometer and gauges, and a digital boost gauge in the Driver Information Center. The Red Line model started shipping in the third quarter of 2006, with a retail price starting at $29,795.

Specifications
2007 Saturn Sky (Base model) specifications:
 * 0–60 mph: 6.9 seconds
 * 0–100 mph: 21.9 seconds
 * 1/4 mile: 15.2 seconds @ 88 mph
 * Top speed: 123 mph drag limited
 * 70 mph-0 mph braking: 174 ftOpel GT front.JPG
 * 300 ft skidpad: 0.86 g
 * EPA fuel economy: 20 mpgus city/28 mpgus highway

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line specifications:
 * 0–60 mph: 5.2 seconds
 * 0–100 mph: 14.7 seconds
 * 1/4 mile: 14.0 seconds @ 98 mi/h
 * Top speed: 141 mph drag limited
 * 70 mph-0 mph braking: 168 ft
 * 300 ft skidpad: 0.87 g
 * EPA fuel economy: 19 mpgus city / ?? highway

2008
For the 2008 model year, GM offered the Carbon Flash Special Edition Saturn Sky. Unlike the two Limited Edition models launched later in 2009, its production was slightly higher at 550 units. The Carbon Flash Special Edition featured a unique metallic Carbon Flash paint color, removable silver racing stripe standard, and Monsoon premium audio standard. The largest differentiator, however, is Carbon Flash Edition's silver inserts in the interior seating and steering wheel that provide a black-on-silver appearance.

2009
For the 2009 model year, GM launched two limited-edition Saturn Sky roadsters jointly; Ruby Red Special Edition and Hydro Blue Limited Edition. Both are VIN-coded and some blue books track it as a limited-edition vehicle. All limited editions featured Monsoon premium stereos.

The Ruby Red Edition featured the Ruby Red color and a unique, removable carbon racing stripe that was exclusive to the 500 Sky units produced in this trim.

The Hydro Blue Edition featured a Hydro Blue color, as well as matching blue-colored stitching in the seats and gear shifter. Also, the word Sky stitched into the seats is changed to matching-blue color as well. All Hydro Blue Edition Saturn Sky units were sold with the removable silver racing stripe.

GM had planned to make 500 Hydro Blue units to match the 500 Ruby Red Special Edition Sky build count. However, Hydro Blue units were being built as GM was declaring bankruptcy, resulting in the immediate termination of the Kappa platform. As such, only 89 Hydro Blue Edition Saturn Sky roadsters were built.

The Hydro Blue paint color (and seat/shifter blue stitching) was offered on the Pontiac Solstice. However, it is not VIN coded as a unique/limited edition, racing stripes were not standard, and seats do not have blue-colored lettering. Hydro Blue is the rarest color in all three vehicles; Sky Roadster, Solstice Roadster, and Solstice Coupe.

2010 production
In April and May 2009 the Wilmington, Delaware, plant built thirty 2010 model year VIN-coded cars on the Kappa platform. Of those, 8 were Saturn Skys. The other remaining included 12 Pontiac Solstice Coupes, eight Pontiac Solstice roadsters, and two Opel GTs. They were then used as GM company vehicles to be evaluated and also as special event display vehicles. These vehicles were built to the 2010 model year specs with 2010 model year changes and had legal 2010 VIN numbers. All 8 2010 SKYs were purchased by the same dealer in Minnesota and subsequently sold as used vehicles. Among changes to the SKY for the 2010 model year was the addition of remote start on automatic-equipped cars, option package changes and additions, and three new colors. Those colors were Kinetic Blue, Opus Green, and Dark Labyrinth Metallic.

2010 SKYs produced

 * SKY, Black Lt. Cashmere Leather Tan LE5 Auto Chrome Air
 * SKY Red Line, Kinetic Blue Black Leather Black LNF Auto Polished Air
 * SKY Red Line, Black Red Leather Black LNF Auto Polished Air
 * SKY Red Line, Dk Labyrinth Met Black Leather Black LNF Auto Chrome Air
 * SKY, Black Lt. Cashmere Leather Tan LE5 Manual Chrome
 * SKY Red Line, Black Black Leather Black LNF Auto Chrome Air
 * SKY Red Line, Dk Labyrinth Met Black Leather Black LNF Manual Chrome Air
 * SKY, Dk Labyrinth Met Black Leather Black LE5 Auto Chrome

Daewoo G2X
Daewoo had already shown a version of the Opel Speedster called the Daewoo Speedster, but this remained a one-off. In 2006, they showed a show car called the Daewoo G2X; simply a rebadge of the Saturn Sky. In September 2007 it entered production, for the South Korean market only. It remained on sale until early 2009 and 179 examples were delivered in total. The South Korean version was only offered with the turbocharged 264 PS engine from the Sky RedLine, combined with the five-speed automatic transmission.

title: Saturn Sky


text: User talk:65.121.37.144

title: User talk:65.121.37.144


text:
User:Darthmalt

I'm a new user from the Deep south that decided it was time to stop leeching and start contributing.

More to come when 1. somebody requests it 2. I get time / inclination 3. or I get bored in class

whichever comes first.

title: User:Darthmalt


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Peter Leitch (VC)

Peter Leitch VC (August 1820 – 6 December 1892) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life
Peter Leitch was brought up in Milnathort, Orwell, Kinross-shire in Scotland, becoming a carpenter and joiner. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in about 1844–45. After a number of postings, in 1854 he joined the Baltic campaign as one of 106 army sappers who accompanied the Royal Navy fleet. In the Baltic he took part in the Battle of Bomarsund where, as a corporal, he had charge of the carpenters who laid the platform of a British battery landed on Åland Island. Leitch returned to England at the close of the Baltic operations, and was soon sent to the Crimea, arriving early in 1855. Here he took part in the siege of Sebastopol, maintaining the gun platforms of the siege batteries of the British 'right attack'.

VC action
Leitch was a 34 year old colour-sergeant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

"On 18 June 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Colour-Sergeant Leitch, after approaching the Redan with the leading ladders, formed a caponniere across the ditch as well as a ramp by fearlessly tearing down gabions from the parapet and placing and filling them until he was disabled from wounds."

For his Crimea service, Leitch also received the 5th class of the French Legion of Honour.

Later career
After the Crimean War, Leitch served at Gibraltar before returning to England. Rising to the rank of sergeant major, he finally left the army after 28 years service in the Royal Engineers, of which 17 had been spent abroad. He was then employed in the Royal Engineers office at Dover, Kent, before retiring due to failing health.

He died in London on 6 December 1892 at the age of 72, and was buried in Margravine Cemetery (also known as Hammersmith Cemetery) in West London. Although the grave memorial was lost when much of the cemetery was levelled and cleared during the 1950s, a new headstone was placed on Leitch's grave site by the Victoria Cross Trust in 2016.

Leitch Row, a road in Brompton, Gillingham, Kent is named after him.

The medal
His Victoria Cross and other medals are displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, Kent.

title: Peter Leitch (VC)


text:
File:VCJamesEdwardIgnatiusMasterson.jpg

Photo of Victoria Cross recipient James Edward Ignatius Masterson, migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference site with permission. Photo submitted by Neil Hutton.

title: File:VCJamesEdwardIgnatiusMasterson.jpg