Canadian Sweethearts

Bob Regan and Lucille Starr were the first husband and wife recording artists on A&M Records. They moved to Los Angeles where Dorsey Burnette introduced them to Herb Alpert.  Alpert and Jerry Moss signed the duo in Spring 1963 and Alpert produced their only album for A&M Records. Jerry Moss handled promotion for their singles and albums. In 1963, that meant sending letters to trade magazines touting sales. 

"Freight Train" was released in July 1963.

Lucille stayed with A&M Records and enjoyed international success with her solo album. The Canadian Sweethearts album was retitled Lucille Starr: South Africa's Sweetheart.

 

THE CANADIAN SWEETHEARTS SELECTED SESSIONOGRAPHY

OCTOBER 29, 1963INTERNATIONAL SOUND
Half-Breed
Hootenanny Express
Love
Herb Alpert--trumpet
Hal Blaine--drums
Russell Bridges
Dorsey Burnette
Carol Kaye--bass
M. R. Pohlman--bass
Tommy Tedesco
MARCH 23, 1964UNITED RECORDERS
Rocky Mountain SpecialHerb Alpert
Hal Blaine
James Bond
Howard Roberts
Leon Russell
AUGUST 18, 1964GOLD STAR RECORDING
Blue Canadian RockiesHerb Alpert
Dennis Budimir
George Callender
Robert Florence
Jerry Williams
AUGUST 21, 1964GOLD STAR RECORDING
Blowin' In the WindHerb Alpert
Hal Blaine
Ervan Coleman
Ray Pohlman
Tommy Tedesco
Julius Wechter
Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
We're Gonna Stand Up On the Mountain
Herb Alpert
Hal Blaine
Russell Bridges
Ervan Coleman
Lew McCreary
Bill Pitman
Ray Pohlman
Tommy Tedesco
Julius Wechter
David Wells
Jerry Williams

 

The "Freight Train" single was released before August 1963. Billboard rated it a four-star single.

"Hootenanny Express" entered the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart at #45 on February 1, 1964.It was the first A&M single to enter the country chart. On February 15, 1964, Billboard rated it a four-star single.

On November 7, 1964 the album Introducing the Canadian Sweethearts was rated a four-star album by Billboard.

The Canadian Sweethearts' first single release in Australia was "Blowin' in the Wind". It was followed by "Looking Back to See" in August 1965.

Billboard predicted "Don't Knock on My Door" would reach the Top 10 of the Hot Country Singles Chart.

Sources
  1. Billboard
Recording Years / Label
1963-1966 -  A&M Records
Name Member Years Instruments
Bob Regan vocals
Lucille Starr vocals
Name Birth Death
Bob Regan 1931-03-13 1990-03-15
Lucille Starr 1938-05-13 2020-09-04
Name See associated acts
Bob Regan Bob Regan & Lucille Starr
Lucille Starr Bob Regan & Lucille StarrLucille Starr

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