Les Emmerson

Who is Les Emmerson?

Robert Leslie "Les" Emmerson is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Five Man Electrical Band, and their predecessor band The Staccatos. He also recorded as a solo artist, charting three top 40 hits in Canada, including the #5 hit "Control Of Me".

He is best known for writing the song "Signs", which was a hit for Emmerson's Five Man Electrical Band in 1970 and also a hit for the band Tesla in 1990. Both versions of the song sold approximately 1.5 million copies at the time of each release. In 2006, the song was sampled by Fat Boy Slim in the platinum-selling song, "Don't Let The Man Get You Down". Particularly as a result of the Fat Boy Slim sampling, Emmerson earns enough money from royalties on "Signs" that he can support an average lifestyle without working.

Emmerson started his solo career while still a member of Five Man Electrical band. His first solo hit "Control Of Me" was released in late 1972, and peaked at #5 in early 1973. Follow-up single "Cry Your Eyes Out" reached a peak of #18 on RPM Weekly's Top Singles chart in September 1973.