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Lewis "Butch" Skinner (guitar)
Bob Battiste (guitar)
Art Bragg (drums)
Winston Blackmore
Joe Boulos
Jim Crewe
Claude Caines (lead vocals)
Bill Smith
Dave Parsons (drums)
Greg O'Blenis
Rob Crewe (keyboards; 2008)

Originally known as The Orange Marmalade Referendum from Port-Aux-Basques, Newfoundland, The Ducats (named after a candy bar) first performed to help raise money for victims of the Springhill Mining Disaster. Realizing that people would pay to see them play, they changed their name and began performing regularly in their hometown and beyond.

While touring the east coast and New England, they cut their first 7" single in Boston, Massachussetts called "Hey Woman" b/w "Stay Awhile". They were scouted by Motown and Smash Records and offered record deals by both. They rubbed elbows with the likes of Leslie Gore, Little Richard, Scotty Moore and stars of Motown. Following conversations with the legendary Bill Haley - who was in his late 30's and near destitute - their distrust of the music industry and homesickness brought them straight back to Newfoundland.

They would perform garage rock, country and even psychedelic tunes over the course of their career depending on what the audiences desired. They made several local TV appearances as well as a 1968 appearance on CBC TV's 'Where It's At' performing cover tunes by Hendrix, The Beatles, The Bee Gees Deep Purple and Little Richard and acting as backing band for singer Melinda Abbus.

Instead they cut another single (The Rolling Stones' "Off The Hook") - this time with RCA Victor in Canada - which made them household names in throughout the province and across the Maritimes.

The band did one of their many reunions as a four piece with Skinner, Blackmore, Caines and Bragg in 1995 for a gala celebration of the town's 50th anniversary at the Port-Aux-Basques stadium. Eleven of the thirteen alumni in the band made it out to guest perform (two members have passed away). The Port-Aux-Basques museum now has a permanent display featuring the band's memorabilia.

In 2007, The Du-Cats were honoured with the Stompin' Tom Award from the East Coast Music Association (ECMA).

In 2009, The Du-Cats were given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Music Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.


Singles
196? Hey Woman/Stay Awhile (Rock It) 200.186
1965 Off The Hook/Good Thing Going (RCA Victor International Canada) 57-3375

Albums
1965 The Du-Cats (RCA Victor International Canada) PC-1018

Video


Compilation Tracks




Official Ducats Website