Skylark formed from one of Ronnie Hawkins’ backup groups and signed with Capitol Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1972 which spawned three singles. The group, whose alumni include renowned composer/arranger David Foster, disbanded after the lukewarm reception of their second album, 2, and its members achieved mixed success in other projects.
Their biggest single, “Wildflower”, was a 1972 number one hit in Canada on their RPM Adult Contemporary chart, reached #10 on the Canadian RPM singles chart and then peaked at #9 on Billboard Hot 100 chart the following spring, selling over a million copies. It was written by guitarist Doug Edwards and Dave Richardson, who was a Victoria police officer at the time. “Wildflower” is an early example of the power ballad, featuring a strong, emotional lead vocal, a blend of electric guitar, strings and harp, distinctive “slow dance” percussion, and almost-gospel background vocals. It has since been covered by Johnny Mathis, The New Birth, The O’Jays, Kenny Rogers, Aaron Neville, Gary Morris, Color Me Badd, Phil Perry, Lisa Fischer, Hong Kong superstar Sandy Lam, Lana Wolf and sampled by Tupac Shakur and Jamie Foxx. This song was also covered by Jodeci and Elliott Yamin.
Donny Gerrard was amongst the Canadian musicians who recorded the 1985 charity single for African famine relief entitled “Tears Are Not Enough”. He sang his solo line with Bryan Adams.
Discography
Wildflower
Collectables Records 1996
Tracks: Brother Eddie, What Would I Do Without You, A Long Way to Go, Suites for My Lady, I'll Have to Go Away (Saying Goodbye Is Not Easy), The Writing's on the Wall, Twenty-Six Years, I'm in Love Again, Wildflower, Shall I Fail, If That's the Way You Want It - (bonus track) & Virgin Green - (bonus track).
Musicians on the Wildflower album: Donny Gerrard, B.J. Cook, David Foster and others.
2
Capitol Records 1974
Tracks: You Remind Me Of A Friend, Love´s A River Flowing, It´s A Wonder, Wingless Bird, Wildflower, If That´s The Way You Want It, Foster Frees, The Love Affair Is Over & One More Mountain To Climb.
Musicians on the 2 album: Donny Gerrard, B.J. Cook, David Foster, Duris Maxwell, Brian Hilton, Steve Pugsley, Allan Mix, Gaye Delorme, Doug Edwards, Carl Graves, Bobby Torres & Bobby Taylor.
Skylark
Capitol Records 1972
Tracks: Brother Eddie, What Would I Do Without You, A Long Way To Go, Suites For My Lady, I´ll Have To Go Away, The Writing´s On The Wall, Twenty-Six Years, I´m In Love Again, Wildflower & Shall I Fail.
Musicians on the Skylark album: Donny Gerrard, B.J. Cook, David Foster, Duris Maxwell, Steve Pugsley, Doug Edwards, Robbie King, Bobby Torres, Patrice Holloway & Kitty Ditto.