Arguably one of the most unique acts in the world of music is a capella. Out of Toronto emerged one of the world's best. Formed by Marc Connors, Paul Cooper, Dennis Simpson & Claude Morrison, The Nylons' humble roots stem to getting together after acting classes & jamming for kicks in the late 70's.

By the time they were signed to Attic Records in 1981, the group had already gone through some personnel changes. Simpson left and was replaced by Ralph Cole, who in turn was replaced by Arnold Robinson. With their lineup finalized, their self-titled debut was released in '82 and instantly won the praise of critics. The majority of the album was made up of masterful a capella versions of some of rock and roll's true classics. With veteran Peter Mann behind the controls, from the lead track, a wonderful impresario of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", it was quickly realized the album, and the group, was something special. Renditions of "Love Potion #9", and "Duke Of Earl", recorded in front of an outdoor audience in Vancouver's Stanley Park, all helped shoot the debut up the charts, eventually earning platinum here in Canada, selling over 100,000 units.

The band released ONE SIZE FITS ALL later the same year. Unlike its predecessor, it contained all original recordings. Again Mann oversaw the production, along with Steve Negus from Saga to assist in prgramming the electronic perscussion. The lead single, "That Kind Of Man", was featured in the Disney film "The Tin Man", and along with "Up The Ladder To The Roof", which was used in the movie "Made In Heaven", "Silhouettes" and "Bop Til You Drop" helped propel the album gold, selling 50,000 copies.

Their third release SEAMLESS from 1984, followed the path laid forth by the first 2 albums. Tight harmonies and superb arrangements were the groundwork for the group's third consecutive gold album, bolstered by the success of the singles "Take Me To Your Heart", a cover of the '83 song by the Eurythmics and "Perpetual Motion". Two other hits came from the record, "Combat Zone" and "Stepping Stone".

Nearly 3 full years would pass before the next Nylons lp. Produced by Juno-Award winner Bill Henderson of The Collectors, Chilliwack and UHF fame, HAPPY TOGETHER is considered by many to be the group's finest. Also contributing was mainstay Peter Mann, as well as Brian Allen of Rose and Toronto. The band's trademark renditions of rock & soul classics again made their mark, with the lead-off title track originally by The Turtles, the Sam cooke classic "Chain Gang" and what would become a swan-song for the group, the rehashed 1969 Steam classic, "(Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey) Kiss Him Goodbye". As well, the group also gained critical reviews for their originals, "Grown Man Cry" and the moody "Dance Of Love", as well as Brian Allen's composition "A Touch Of Your Hand".

ROCKAPELLA was next for the band, released in 1989. The lead single was an original number written for the group, "Wild Fire". Again the band payed homage to their roots by releasing a version of Dobie Gray's 1972 classic "Drift Away" and re-doing The Everly Brothers' "All I Have To Do Is Dream" as well as covering The Parachute Club's "Rise Up". Several experienced hands helped in the making of the record, including Mann's overseeing of the project again, and Hank Medress, John Morales and David Foster all contributing to the production.

Cooper left the group the next year and was replaced by Micah Barnes. FOUR ON THE FLOOR hit the shelves in '91 and though still a great album, some of the chemistry didn't seem to be there. Nonetheless, two singles were released, "Call My Name" and a version of the Motown classic "One Fine Day". Prior to the album's release, Marc Connors left the group to spend time with family after being diagnosed with cancer. The world was saddened when he succumbed to the disease in March of that year.

THE BEST OF THE NYLONS was released the same year and in one package defines the history of the group, including all the hits that had made the name The Nylons synonymous with world class pop/a capella. Billy Newton Davis, who'd been dubbed in his solo career as Canada's answer to Terence Trent D'Arby (as if it was a question burning to be answered) replaced Connors and with a new deal with BMG Canada, released LIVE TO LOVE in 1992. "Don't Look Any Further" was released as a single, but again, it was noted that the chemistry wasn't the same.

Attic Records released another greatest hits package in '93 called ILLUSTRIOUS. Meanwhile the group itself was undergoing more personnel changes. Barnes and Newton Davis were replaced by Garth Mosbaugh and Gavin Hope in '94, the same year that saw the release of two new records, BECAUSE and HARMONY - THE CHRISTMAS SONGS. RUN FOR COVER was the next release, put out in '96. Member changes happened again, this time with the departure of Hope, replaced by Mark Cassius. With the new lineup, they released FABRIC OF LIFE on Shoreline Records in 1997. That same year saw PERFECT FIT, a re-release of their greatest hits package, ILLUSTRIOUS.

Describing The Nylons as merely an a capella group is to do one of the country's most original acts an injustice. Forged from their love of the doo-wop era, where vocal harmonies first made their mark, they combined straight forward pop with percussion and electronic programming to create a sound not rivalled since. They've crossed the plain into the pop music world, garnered international fame, had their music included in film scores, and played host to countless sporting and cultural events. All the while earning their reputation as one of the world's most talented musical groups.