Died On This Date (April 3, 2011) Richard Patterson / Respected Canadian Rock Drummer
themusicsover Richard Patterson
1944 – April 3, 2011
Richard Patterson was a Canadian drummer who is perhaps best remembered for his time playing in the Esquires, a popular Ottawa band during the 1960s. Formed in 1962, the band also included Bruce Cockburn at the tail end of its run. A year after forming, the band signed with Capitol Records, making them one of the first if not THE first Canadian band to sign with a major label. Over the next few years, the band released such hit records as “Atlantis” and “So Many Other Boys.” In 1964, the band won an RPM award, which was basically a Canadian Grammy in those days. And when major recording artists of the day came to Canada, it was likely that the Esquires opened for them. Such acts included the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, and the Dave Clark Five. The band broke up in 1967, but briefly reunited in 1987. Richard Patterson, who had been suffering from a neurological disorder, passed away on April 3, 2011.
Thanks to Gerald Dewan for the assist.