Zon

Formed in Toronto in 1977 the band consisted of vocalist Denton Young, guitarist Brian Miller, bassist Jim Samson, drummer Kim Hunt and keyboard player Howard Helm. They released three albums over five years. Don V. Lorusso produced the band's first album, "Astral Projector", which was released on blue vinyl. The album became an FM radio staple in the late '70's. The album garnered the band a 'Best New Group' Juno Awards[1] nomination.

Don V. Lorusso produced the band's first album, "Astral Projector", which was released on blue vinyl. The album became an FM radio staple in the late '70's. The album garnered the band a 'Best New Group' Juno Awards[1] nomination. The band would find themselves opening up gigs for the likes of The Tubes at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, and with Styx and with Foreigner at CNE Stadium getting opening slot encores on all occasions.

1979's "Back Down to Earth" was produced by Don V. Lorusso and the late Vancouver keyboard whiz Dale Jacobs. The band played Toronto as headliners where a hometown crowd swelled to 17,800 people. A reporter for "The Globe and Mail", who had only stayed to see the opening act, wrote a scathing review thinking he had seen Zon. The negative review was the headline of the entertainment page, nationally in Canada. CBS demanded compensation for the impact on Zon's popularity but neither the band, nor the label, ever recovered.

Zon was dropped from CBS after a thorough corporate housecleaning of the A & R Department despite Zon already having their contract picked up for a third album.

The ensuing legal battle took much of the heart out of the band, but they did manage one more album for Falcon Records called "I'm Worried About The Boys", produced by then former CBS A & R man Bob Gallo. The record featured a cover version of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane".

As part of the 1980 tour to support the album, Zon did an opening slot for Alice Cooper at Toronto's CNE Stadium. When Cooper failed to appear minutes before showtime, Denton Young was given the onerous task of telling the audience. A riot ensued and police had to be called out. The band broke-up shortly after despite the 1981 single "For You" reaching #2 on CKOC in Hamilton (higher than any of the previous singles on CBS Records).