The secret of the Scimitars / Pentagons’ success was their versatility.  The group had many sides, being equally at home playing the latest rock tunes, jazz standards or Latin American favourites.  They could also, with the aid of Bill Welburn’s trombone, grind out some great Dixieland.  Another difference between the group and other bands of the day, was that they had no predetermined sets.  They quickly “got a read” on what the audience wanted to hear and went with that.  This enabled them to please almost any type of crowd. 

They played weekends in the Laurentians and evenings in the city of Montreal and at clubs on the south shore.  Latterly they did a weekly radio show on radio station CJMS, live from Centre Paul Sauvé, backing up such well-known artists as, Robert De Montigny, Ginette Reno, Les Baronets and Normand Frechette.

If you enjoyed the club scene in Montreal in the 60s, or spent your weekends in the Laurentians at places like Colford Lodge or Round Lake Inn or if you were a teenager at Saturday afternoon dance parties featuring the big name French performers of the day, chances are you experienced, the many sides (and sounds) of The Scimitars.

If you remember the band and the wonderful 60s and would like to reconnect, drop me a line at daforema@cogeco.ca