They had many hits in Canada, including the top 10 entries "Half Past Midnight" (1967) (as The Staccatos), "Absolutely Right" (1971) and "I'm a Stranger Here" (1972).

Also in 1968, The Staccatos issued a joint album, A Wild Pair, with The Guess Who?, each band taking up one side of the LP.

Around the same time, while recording their second full album, the band was prompted to change their name by producer Nick Venet's comment that the name The Staccatos sounded "dated".

[12] After discussing various possibilities, bassist Rading seized upon a song Emmerson had written called "Five Man Electrical Band", claiming it's exactly what the group was.

[13][14] The group's new single "It Never Rains On Maple Lane"[15] with B side "Private Train"[16] was a mild success in Canada; the A-side appeared at No.

The album, meanwhile, contained a mixture of new material and older recordings originally released under the Staccatos name (including "Half Past Midnight") and was similarly successful in Canada.

Emmerson, Gerow and Rick Belanger attempted to keep things going with new players for a time, producing singles in 1974 and '75, with minimal chart success outside of Canada.

Rick Belanger left the group in 1974, leaving Emmerson and Gerow as the only remaining permanent members of the ostensibly "Five Man" band.

In 1986 the Five Man Electrical Band reunited with all five original members: Les Emmerson, Brian Rading, Ted Gerow and Rick and Mike Belanger (joined by Vern Craig on the Staccatos numbers) for the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada charity fundraiser at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

This was supposed to have been a one time only deal, but the reformed band continued on, playing a series of concert and festival appearances each year after that.

Rick Belanger left after playing the Canada Day 1997 Celebration at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa on 1 July of that year.

Brian Rading retired in 2004, making way for Rick Smithers, while Mike Belanger departed in 2013, leaving Les Emmerson and Ted Gerow as the lone original members.

Brian Rading, bassist and founding member, died of cancer, age 69, on 8 June 2016 at his home in Hull, Quebec.

[19][20][21] Les Emmerson died at his home in Ottawa at age 77 on 10 December 2021 of COVID-19 after suffering from several other health issues that weakened his resistance to the virus, according to his family.