Les Emmerson (born 17 September 1944 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Five Man Electrical Band. He also recorded as a solo artist, charting in Canada with "Cry Your Eyes Out".
He is best known for the song "Signs", which was a hit for the 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, Emerson earns enough money from royalties on "Signs" that he can support an average lifestyle without working.
"Cry Your Eyes Out" was released as a solo single on the Lion label, while Emmerson remained active with Five Man Electrical Band. The song reached a peak of #18 on RPM Weekly's Top Singles chart in September 1973.
Emmerson remains based in Ottawa as of mid-2009
