Allen-Ward Trio

The picture below is of the Allen-Ward Trio at the Penny Farthing on February 21 1967. This was their first public performance with electronic amplification as they were purely acoustic folkies - according to The Toronto Star, Robin Ward said that night: “We’re probably the most unhip group they’ve had in this place in a long time“. The review mentioned technical difficulties with amps and feedback, and also that this was their first gig with new singer - that’s Donna Marie (Daisy) DeBolt, not the original singer, Lynn Ward.

Not a stellar review of The Allen-Ward Trio, but it goes on to gush about the follow up act - Joni Mitchell on her only Canadian appearance until August that year: “Every one of her songs last night was followed by a sighing silence before the burst of applause.“

Here’s The Allen-Ward Trio’s cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Dear Brothers and Sisters and Friends”:

A picture of the trio with Lynn Ward, date unknown:

Craig Allen
Lynn Ward
Robin Ward

Photos courtesy of Toronto Public Library.