Origin: Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

EVEREST

Frank Reid - Ric McDonald - Jim MacLellan - Don Gaze

Everest discography:

st - 1984 (with lyrics)

One step away - 1995 (with lyrics)

Notes about Everest:

- Everest is one of the most brilliant, yet lesser-known, bands within the 1980s Canadian melodic progressive rock and AOR scene. Formed in Toronto, Ontario, the group maintained an unbroken, solid four-piece lineup featuring Ric McDonald on lead vocals, bass, and bass pedals; Don Gaze on guitars; Jim MacLellan on drums and percussion; and Frank Reid on keyboards and backing vocals. Together, they forged a rich musical approach defined by a distinctly symphonic edge and highly sophisticated keyboard arrangements. This unique style allowed them to bridge the melodic accessibility of North American rock with British progressive rock of the era, drawing strong comparisons to bands like Saga or Pallas during their The Wedge album period.

The band's major breakthrough came in 1984 when they signed a record deal with Epic Records to release their self-titled debut album. For this project, they secured the production talents of Paul Gross, a highly respected industry figure who had previously helmed Saga's first three albums, ensuring a pristine and polished sound for Everest's compositions. Recorded at Toronto's legendary Phase One Studios and originally mastered in New York by iconic engineer Bob Ludwig, the album stood out due to the high quality of tracks written mostly by Ric McDonald, such as "Right Between The Eyes" and "Hold On." However, one of the debut's biggest highlights was its direct link to rock giants Rush, as bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee closely collaborated by mixing the closing track, "Don't Know What To Do." Although initially uncredited on the original release, this song would later become a highly sought-after bonus track on future digital editions of the album.

Riding the momentum of their first full-length record, the quartet quickly returned to Phase One between 1985 and 1986 to track their second studio album. During these recording sessions, their connection to the Rush camp grew even stronger, as guitarist Alex Lifeson took over mixing duties for the entire album at Lerxst Manor, his private studio in Stouffville. Additionally, they received guidance and direction from Terry Brown, the historic producer behind Rush's most emblematic albums. Despite boasting material with immense commercial and technical potential—including strong original tracks and a remarkable cover of the song "How Does It Feel" by Toto—various contractual hurdles and industry setbacks prevented the album from being released at the time, leaving the master tapes shelved for an entire decade.

In mid-1986, the band caught a second wind by winning the prestigious Canadian radio contest Q107 Homegrown. The grand prize provided them with valuable free studio time at the renowned Metalworks Studios and the opportunity to release an official promotional single through MCA Canada. Unfortunately, despite the massive local recognition and the status this award carried in their home country, the lack of solid commercial backing for a full-length release ultimately stalled the group's momentum, leading to their definitive breakup shortly thereafter.

The story of Everest was revived thanks to European collectors and a growing interest in rescuing lost AOR gems from the 1980s. In 1995, the German record label Long Island Records acquired the band's licenses and finally issued that shelved second album under the title One Step Away, utilizing the original Canadian mastering done by engineer George Graves at The Lacquer Channel Studios. To complement this long-awaited release, the German label also reissued the 1984 debut album on CD, which underwent a digital remastering process at Bauer Studios in Ludwigsburg. This rescue effort saved Everest's valuable musical legacy from obscurity, permanently cementing the band's name as a highly prized cult classic for melodic progressive rock fans around the globe. -