The first rock and roll album released by a Newfoundlander were The Keatniks on Melbourne AMLP 4011 in 1965.
The Keatniks were based out of Labrador City, Labrador.
The founding member of the band was William Keating (Conception Harbour, Newfoundland) on lead guitar; Pierre Lajeunesse (St Therese, Quebec) on piano; Maurice Caines (Port Saunders, Newfoundland) on rhythm guitar; and Basil Haire (St. John's, Newfoundland) on drums.
The album was recorded in Montreal.
William Keating played with Wilf Doyle's Orchestra and recorded with Rodeo Records and worked at the Iron Ore Company in Labrador City, Newfoundland.
Pierre Lajeunesse studied at the Quebec Conservatory of Music and also worked at the Iron Ore Company in Labrador City.
Maurice Caines worked on the radio in Stephenville and was also employed the at the Iron Ore Company in Labrador City.
Basil Haire was employed as a teacher at Wabush Collegiate, Wabash, Labrador. He has a Bachelor of Arts from St Dunstan's in Prince Edward Island.