The Dark Side

circa 1968 - circa 1971
The Dark Side was one of the Sault’s most popular rock ‘n roll dance bands in the late 1960’s. The band actually got its start under the name, Plus Five. Three of the band members: Sam Coletti, Joe Marino and Jerry Rutledge had played in a band called the Sneakers before that.

With Jack Potvin as lead singer, Mick Chapman on the drums, Joe playing lead guitar, Sam on rhythm guitar and Jerry on bass, Plus Five was born. Their popularity grew and they soon became regulars at high school dances. They played every weekend throughout the school year, from Sadie Hawkins Dances to end of the year proms.

In order to play some of the hit tunes of the day, the band needed a keyboard player. That’s when Don Kelly joined the band. With Don on board, they expanded their repertoire to include songs by bands such as the Animals, the Doors, Spencer Davis and others.

And this is when they changed the name of the band to The Dark Side. Their popularity soared and they regularly played at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25, other venues in the Sault and surrounding towns, at the Dew Drop Inn on St. Joseph’s Island and as far away as Manitouwadge in northwestern Ontario.

The Dark Side disbanded in 1969. Jerry and Sam moved to the Ottawa area. Joe moved to Markham, and Mick now lives in Waterloo. Jack and Don were the only band members who stayed in the Sault.

Forty years later in 2009, the band reunited when they played at the Elk’s Hall for family members and friends. The following year, they played to a sold-out crowd at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25. The next day they were thrilled to see the band on the front page of the Sault Star. No other local band has ever achieved that kind of recognition. Don Kelly produced a two-DVD set of the 2010 performance.

Sadly, Don passed away in 2020.