Moxy-Moxy (1975)

Moxy were one of the most promising Canadian hard rock bands of the 1970s, and although they achieved recognition in the American Midwest and their native Canada, their career didn't last long beyond a few years and four highly regarded albums that went largely unnoticed by the general public. Formed from the merger of several local Toronto-area bands (Leigh Ashford and Outlaw Music), the band eventually brought together vocalist Buzz Shearman, guitarist Earl Johnson, bassist Terry Juric, and drummer Bill Wade. After signing with Polydor Records, the band moved to California where they recorded their self-titled debut LP, released in 1975. Deep Purple's new guitarist, Tommy Bolin, played on this first album, as he was in the same studios at the time, recording his solo album, "Teaser". In this debut album, Moxy showcases an electrifying, heavy, and dark hard rock sound, with standout tracks like the powerful hard rock anthem "Fantasy", the blues rock track "Train", the energetic "Time To Move On" and "Still I Wonder", the country rock anthem "Sail On Sail Away", and the captivating "Moon Rider". Following this album, which achieved moderate success thanks to the radio hits "Can't You See I'm A Star" and "Moon Rider", the band expanded with guitarist Buddy Caine and recorded their second full-length album, "Moxy II". This album proved more commercially successful, reaching respectable high positions on the North American charts thanks to tracks like "Take It or Leave It" and "Midnight Flight", and also due in part to their frequent tours in Canada and the United States supporting bands like Boston and Black Sabbath. After a third and fourth album, "Ridin' High" and "Under The Lights", with the latter they were even proclaimed as the most promising group of the year, a series of problems and events began within the band, reasons which would precipitate their definitive dissolution in 1983.