A Grand Forks, B.C. man is living his rock and roll dream after a half-century on the shelf.

Danny Norton fronted a psychedelic rock band in the 1960's in Winnipeg.

He recorded a minor hit called Expedition to Earth, that small-towners grooved to back in the day.

That single was the end of his dream. The album was never cut.

Norton said a spat with his agent split the band and dashed his dreams of following fellow Winnipeggers like the Guess Who and Neil Young.

"I parted ways. They went their way and I went mine. They changed their name to Coloured Rain," said Norton, now 72.

The Expedition to Earth split up and their only 45 faded into obscurity.

Danny Norton (standing) looks on as Nelson B.C. producer John Tucker works on his new expedition back to earth album. (Bob Keating/CBC)

At least that's what they thought, until Norton's wife went hunting on eBay for the vinyl and found out it had turned to gold.

The orange-labelled disc fetched $900 from collectors.

Another copy appeared three months later. Bidding for that ended at $1137.

"This is absolutely crazy!" said Norton.

Buoyed by seeing his 50-year-old single sell for so much Norton booked a studio with independent producer John Tucker who could not resist the project.

"Dan is about 72 years old. And he's not playing golf. He's still rockin' and it's real," said the independent producer from Nelson B.C.

"How did he get that guitar sound? It sounds like a buzz saw through a bad speaker. Love it."

He's calling his venture: Expedition back to earth.

The album is set for release this fall.

"I have no delusions about being a rock star. I don't want to be. I never did. I just have some stories and if people are interested then — fine," said Norton who hopes to finish what he started so long ago.