1972 - 1973
In autumn 1972, Greg Leskiw, Hermann Fruhm, Bill Merritt and Gord Osland find themselves at Greg’s house, learning and preparing Greg’s songs in hopes of recording them. Greg has just completed a stint in the Guess Who and Hermann has just returned from 6 weeks in Europe.
The band lands at Century 21 Studios in Winnipeg, where recording begins with the very able Rick Inglis on the console. Armed with these demos, Jim Millican, the band’s manager, secures a recording contract.
In September and October of 1973, MJJ begins recording their album at A&R Studios New York with Phil Ramone, who was recording Paul Simon and Phoebe Snow earlier in the day.
1974
In April, 1974, the Mood Jga Jga album is released and the band tours non-stop cross Canada in support.
MJJ opens for Kiss at Tache Hall at U of Manitoba, and sees guitarist Paul Stanley fall off his new platform boots.
Through the summer, MJJ opens for both Mahavishnu Orchestra and Mashmakhan at the Playhouse to great reviews.
In October they open for Quicksilver Messenger Service in Toronto and the crowd throws beer bottles.
1975 - 1976
In 1975, Bill Merritt leaves the band and Ian Gardiner takes up the bass chair.
In January 1976, the new band travels to LA for 2 months in search of a new record deal and performs at the legendary Troubadour to great acclaim. They continue to play some very bad gigs at USC and high schools and shop their records all over Hollywood... to no avail.
In April, Gord and Ian are invited to play on Burton Cummings new solo album project in LA. This effectively contributes to the demise of MJJ.
Hermann and Greg form a new band, Crowcuss, with Larry Pink, Bill Wallace and Marc Lafrance.
1994 - 2024
After a 20-year hiatus, John Mackie writes an article in the Vancouver Sun titled “Mood music rises from the Vault” coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the original release date of the album.
MJJ releases a 20th year special limited edition of the original album - 1000 numbered signed copies.
In 1995, Bill Merritt comes back on board and the original line-up records Boys Will Be Boys at Greg’s studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
On October 17, 2023, CBC Jazz Producer, Ross Porter emails Gord Oslund about a new documentary film, “The Lost Weekend A love Story”, about the relationship between John Lennon and May Pang in the mid 70s. a screen shot from the movie features May Pang wearing a MJJ t-shirt with the Jim Millican penned cutline, DON’T BITE THE BAND THAT FEEDS YOU.
In 2024, MJJ celebrates the release of the 1974 album with a limited edition 100 piece run of the original album and TShirt.
As Featured On:
The Band, L to R: Hermann Fruhm, Bill Merritt, Gord Osland, Greg Leskiw. Photo: Hans Sipma
MJJ Photo Gallery
Blast from the Past
The Boys
