Barry Allen

Canadian rock artist Barry Allen started his musical career working as a background singer and guitarist for the '60s group Wes Dakus and the Rebels. After Allen left the Rebels, he went on as a solo artist to earn a couple of hits, a gold record, and a Juno Award. When his solo career fizzled, he teamed up with a few other bands in the '70s, before opening up a recording studio of his own, Homestead Recorders. Allen was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He grew up with a love for music that was only fueled by the new rock & roll tunes he heard on the radio. It was like a dream come true when little gigs earned him enough experience to land a job performing and touring with Wes Dakus and the Rebels. In the early '60s, Allen's singing style caught the attention of a producer, Norm Petty. With Petty's help, Allen recorded a few solo numbers and around 1965, Capitol Records put him under contract. That same year, he released his first two singles, "It's All Right With Me Now" and "Easy Come Easy Go," and a debut album titled Goin' Places. A year later he had a hit with the title song from the album Love Drops. The single became a chart topper for weeks and went on to become Allen's first gold-seller. In 1967, Allen finished two more singles for Capitol Records, "I Know You Don't Want Me No More" and "Armful of Teddy Bears." Neither song received the same sell marks as the earlier singles. Soon Capitol lost interest in Allen and he was released from his contract. Not ready to give up, he formed a band called Barry Allen and the Lords. By 1970, he was working under a new label, Molten Records, and with a new band, Painter. The group offered up one single and one self-titled album before Allen left. Later, he put together a recording studio in his hometown.
— Charlotte Dillon , All Music Guide