Thee Deuces

Originally from the small town of Almonte (about 40 km south-west of Ottawa), Thee Deuces started out as an instrumental combo, in 1964. A forty-seven week residence at the Inter-Provincial Hotel in Hull, Quebec, allowed them to seriously improve their skills. In 1965, they relocated to Ottawa and acquired a manager in Don Billows, the owner of the Oak Door Club. Around this time, they were approached by a Hollywood producer, who offered them a role in one of his teen exploitation movies. They had to refuse, however, when they realized that they had to make their own way to California. As the "summer of love" rolled around, they opted for a slightly more current name and became The Heart. Often regarded as one of the city's most influential and imaginative groups, The Heart nonetheless failed to capitalize on their popularity. Several key members left to form M.R.Q., so former Five D members Marc Corbin and Jack Arseneault, as well as other veterans, were invited to fill the void. The rekindled formation released its final single, on RCA Victor, in late 1968. By the following spring they had disbanded.