This is the Holy Grail of Canadian Rock Collectibles. Far and away the rarest and most sought after record to come out of Canada. The “A” side is “Aurora”and the “B” side is “The Sultan” (Neil Young's first 45 at the age of 17). The 1963 recordings are instrumentals in the style of the Shadows, recorded at CKRC studios and produced by Bob Bradburn. According to John Einarson’s book “Aurora: the Story of Neil Young and the Squires”, Neil wrote both tunes.

The condition of the item is M-, a stunningly beautiful single. It is shinny and new looking with perfect labels and vinyl. The vinyl has a couple of very light scuff marks on one side and that is the only flaw in a perfect record.

Many consider this to be the rarest 45 in the world. Fewer than 300 were ever pressed and these were sold only at shows in Winnipeg in 1963. Very few copies are known to exist today and this is one of them.

Here is a history of the Squires surf and garage rock sound and their only recording.

In 1963, Neil Young attended Kelvin High School in Winnipeg, Canada. There, he formed the group "The Squires", heavily influenced by guitarist Hank Marvin of The Shadows. In fact, during their shows in the local club circuit they covered many Shadows instrumentals. Local fan and CKRC DJ Harry Taylor offered the band studio time in the radio station's two-track facility to cut a single. This July 23, 1963 recording session of two songs written by Neil Young was released on Canada's V Records when Neil was only 17 years old. Both were instrumentals featuring Neil's primitive Duane Eddy-like guitar. Neil says of this session "It was my first recording session and I was just glad to be there for the experience, but I was still searching for the right sound". There were later recording sessions at CKRC but no other records were ever issued.

The 45 will be very securely packaged and insurance is required. If high bidder is from southern California, record can be picked up (from Palm Desert) or personally delivered. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Bid with confidence as all of my 100% feedback has come from vinyl record sales.  

NOTE: SHIPPING TO USA $4 VIA USPS Media Mail , TO CANADA $24, AND OVERSEAS $32. THE COST OF INSURANCE WILL BE ADDED BASED ON SELLING PRICE.

All records are strictly graded and come with a 100% money back guarantee. All records are original, first pressings unless otherwise noted. If the record is an LP, EP or has a picture sleeve, the record is graded first, followed by the cover or sleeve.

Grading is based on the following criteria

Mint = store stock new

Mint- = near new with only one or two small insignificant defects

VG++ = extremely nice. Would be Mint-, except for a couple of light scratches or scuffs, which do not affect play

VG+ = a nice, but used record that may have a series of light scuffs or scratches. It probably plays with a few pops, but has no serious problems.

VG = a well-used record that still sounds OK when played, but may have moderate surface noise, pops, etc.

VG- = a very well-worn record that plays through without skipping, but will do until a better copy comes along.

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