Wes Dakus

Wesley "Wes" Dakus (April 2, 1938 – August 18, 2013) was a Canadian musician and the leader of Wes Dakus & The Rebels, Canada's most popular instrumental group of the 1960s.

Wes Dakus and The Rebels

Dakus was born in Mannville, Alberta and in 1958 formed Wes Dakus & The Club 93 Rebels. In 1960 they were signed with Quality Records, and released their first album in the same year titled El Ringo. They toured with such artists as Buddy Knox.

In 1965 The Wes Dakus Album - With The Rebels was released and helped the band create several singles. In 1967 their album was issued on KAPP as "Wes Dakus's Rebels". In Canada the album was split into singles. RPM Magazine voted the band "Top Instrumental Group" in 1964 and 1965. The 1968 single "New Sound Of Wes Dakus" had no band involvement whatsoever and was a group of session musicians from Gary Paxton Studios who had recorded demos. Wes licensed two instrumental tracks from his Paxton sessions to complete his Capitol contract.

Sundown Recorders and Vera Cruz Records