Brian Russell Winston

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Origin: Calcutta, India → England → Okanagan Valley, BC → Vancouver → Toronto → Penticton, BC, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Brian Russell (full name Brian Winston Russell) was born in Calcutta, India. He lived for a time in England before his family relocated to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley during the 1960s. Eventually settling in Vancouver, he became an early member of The Classics.

In 1966, Brian formed Three To One with singer/guitarist John Renton, bassist Derek Norris, and drummer Claudette Skrypnyk (formerly of The Shadracks). The group relocated to Toronto and recorded a single for Arc Records: “See Emily Play” b/w “Give Me Love”.

In 1968, the same lineup rebranded as The Raja, releasing “Drifting In the Wind” b/w “Realize” on Goodgroove, an Arc affiliate. Though they performed actively in Ontario and shared stages with groups like Mandala, the band failed to break through commercially.

By 1969, Brian became a house musician and arranger at Arc Sound Ltd., contributing heavily to Heads of Our Time – The Subtle Art of Self Destruction (1969), a studio project involving members of The Majestics. He not only played and arranged, but also designed the cover art.

Throughout the 1970s, Brian became a prolific session guitarist in Toronto, recording with Anne Murray, Roger Whittaker, and appearing on CBC's The Tommy Hunter Show. After moving back to the West Coast, he spent over a decade touring with Roger Whittaker, and appears in several live videos, including the instrumental showcase “Russelling Along.”

A technically gifted and highly underrated guitarist, Brian Russell continues to perform in British Columbia, often with his sister Gillian Russell.

Not to be confused with:
Brian Russell (Scottish-born, former husband of Brenda Russell)