Effective period / Period of releases: 1969 - 1975

Members: James Johnson (9), Adam Mitchell, Mike McKenna, Tony Nolasco, Mike Harrison (3), Joe Mendelson (2), Zeke Sheppard, Denny Gerrard, Bob Adams (12), Edward William Purdy

Canadian progressive blues rock band founded in Toronto in 1968, breaking up in 1972 with reunions in 1975, 1990s-2000s, sometimes using the name "Mainline" or "The Mainline".

Founded by singer/songwriter/guitarists Mike McKenna and Joe Mendelson (2), shortly joined by drummer Tony Nolasco. American bass player Timothy O'Leary was fired within the first month, replaced by Denny Gerrard, who left in the fall of 1968, replaced by Mike Harrison (3), who was replaced by Zeke Sheppard in 1971, who was later replaced by Ted Purdy.

Mendelson left in 1972. The band continued briefly as "The Mainline", joined by American Rick James. McKenna & Mendelson reunited briefly in 1975, joined by Adam Mitchell. McKenna, Nolasco, Harrison and Purdy reformed "The Mainline" in the 1990s, joined by harmonica player Bob Adams (12). This lineup remained active until the late 2000s.