The Phantoms legend to be immortalized in book
October 29, 2024
Our region’s first rock and roll band, which has captivated generations, will soon be recalled in a new book.
The Phantoms, who were formed in Chéticamp in 1966 and disbanded with a 50th anniversary celebration in 2016, have boasted 25 different members over those five decades.
But even though the band is no more, the Phantoms name can still draw a crowd, as evidenced by the wildfire relief fundraiser held at the Doryman Tavern last summer, when the lineup included siblings Sylvia, Clarence and Roland LeLièvre, and fellow band member Adrien Aucoin.
“The crowd that came, of course they were there to support the fundraiser, but they also came because these four Phantom members were going to be there,” recalls Rosie Aucoin-Grace, who is working on a book about the band. “Wherever you see the word ‘Phantoms’ you’re going to draw a crowd.”
She says there are many reasons for writing the book, key among them the fact that “they deserve it.”
“But deep down inside, it’s also my love for this band, my love for its members – I have a deep friendship with many of them,” Rosie explains. “It’s amazing what they’ve done for our community.”
“Even if they’re not playing as The Phantoms, many of these members are still doing the same for the community,” she adds. “Sylvia will be one of the first people they’re going to ask to perform at those benefits, and she won’t say no. Bruno Bourgeois has organized countless benefits. You reach out to them and they’re always ready to help out.”
“Our respect for the community has always been there,” Sylvia says. “Somehow what you give out comes back to you.”
The band formed after Sylvia and her father visited the United States in 1966, where Sylvia bought four of the Beatles’ earliest records.
“I brought them home and we got together,” Sylvia remembers. “Marcel was only 12 at the time, Simon Joe (Larade) was my brother Clarence’s age, probably 14, and I was 15.”
“My uncle had a barber shop, but he had to let it go, because he was working for Canada Post,” she adds.
“So he said, ‘if you guys want to be good, and you can gather a little bit of money to be able to use the furnace, you can use my old barber shop.’”
They began practising and, with the help of Marcel’s father, Médéric LeFort, a music teacher at the local school, they worked out the chords for several tunes.
“My aunt bought Clarence some drums for around $100,” Sylvia says. “He used to play drums on Mom’s old button boxes and stuff.”
With Clarence on drums, the rest of the lineup had Simon Joe on lead guitar, Sylvia on rhythm guitar and Marcel on bass. Simon Joe and Clarence looked after the lead vocals, while Sylvia provided harmonies.
“The Beatles were the ones who influenced us most at the time,” Sylvia says, noting that they got good enough that by Hallowe’en of 1966, teacher Alphonse Saulnier encouraged them to play their first gig during a dance at the Acadian Centre.
During a break in the dance, they sang four songs – When You Walk in the Room by The Searchers and three Beatles’ classics, Roll Over Beethoven, From Me to You, and Rock and Roll Music – and the legend of The Phantoms was born.
For the next 50 years, The Phantoms played dances, weddings, benefits – just name a life event and they provided the soundtrack. Along with the four founding members, other band members included, at various times, Jimmy LeBlanc, Roger Boudreau, Tommy Poirier, Ronnie Bourgeois, Roland LeLièvre, Gervais Cormier, Pierre Joseph Larade, Bertrand LePage, Andre Aucoin, Steven LeFort, Clarence Deveau, Gerard LeLièvre, Glen Bourgeois, Dale Martin, Martin Aucoin, Bruno Bourgeois, Lola LeLièvre, Brian Doyle, Adrien Aucoin, Glenn MacEachern and Marcel Doucet.
The group celebrated a 30th anniversary reunion in 1996, which Sylvia holds especially dear, as it included Simon Joe, who passed away before the band marked its 50th reunion.
“The 30th reunion with him on stage was magic,” Rosie recalls. “Just to watch him, how much he enjoyed being there. The other members would see him, and it was contagious. As a fan, I had never seen Simon Joe play until that reunion, but I really felt that magic and the band’s appreciation of his participation.”
Sylvia says the 50th reunion provided some unforgettable memories, but the absence of Simon Joe was certainly felt.
“It was very difficult for some of the members because it was all about nostalgia and it was all about going back to when it first started,” she explains. “And of course, when it all started, Simon Joe was with us.”
“Because I was with them throughout the whole planning of the 50th reunion and throughout the whole week, I knew how much they were feeling that huge void,” she adds.
Rosie says her earliest memory of the band was as a teenager in the 70s, when she saw them in a concert.
“I remember thinking, ‘I can’t wait till I can go to those dances at the Acadian Centre,’” she says, noting that her mother eventually let her go. “I don’t think I ever missed a dance at the Centre after that. I was hooked.”
“They’ve been a huge part of my life. When I think of The Phantoms, my heart is happy.”
She says Simon Joe was actually the first person to chronicle the band’s exploits, in a school project, and that report was part of what inspired her to write the book.
“It’s maybe 12 pages long and it’s hand-written,” Rosie says. “This was written when they first played. He started this, and I want to do this in his honour.”
Although she’s already gathered a lot of stories and photos for the book, Rosie says she still welcomes any contributions, and can be reached at minniemoine@hotmail.com, on Facebook or by calling 902-224-7942.
“I’m really enjoying it. It’s not work. It’s a labour of love. Although there have been many personal circumstances beyond my control which has substantially delayed bringing this project to fruition, slowly but surely, it’s getting there. I can’t wait to see it published.”