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1974 - 2024

The MoodJgaJga
50 Year Anniversary Album Re-Release

Photo: James Bordass

Album Preview

08 Gimme My MoneyMood Jga Jga
00:00 / 03:59
01 Queen JealousyMood Jga Jga
00:00 / 02:50
06 Come And See Her Here My FriendMood Jga Jga
00:00 / 04:17
Benefits

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.

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As Featured On:

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Get your Limited Edition Album Package Here

It's a Canadian throwback to the past, with a re-issued CD, collector T-shirt and official 50th Anniversary sticker. Only 100 Packages available!

PLUS - The band will be donating $5.00 from every package sold to the Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada.

Reviews

Mood Jga Jga just might be the Great Lost Band of Canadian Rock, a CanCon equivalent to cult favorites like Big Star or NRBQ.”

John Mackie

Reviews
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The Band, L to R: Hermann Fruhm, Bill Merritt, Gord Osland, Greg Leskiw. Photo: Hans Sipma

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Articles

W have had some fun press over the years.
Check it out for a little light reading.

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MJJ Photo Gallery

Blast from the Past

The Boys

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