GORDON PARSONS

 

Gordon Parsons was born in Paddington, an eastern suburb of Sydney in 1926, and moved with his parents to Cooks Creek near Bellingen, NSW, in 1929. At age 14, he left his parents' farm and subsequently worked as a sleeper-cutter. Around this time, he entered a well-known radio talent quest, Terry Dear’s Australian Amateur Hour, and was awarded second prize. Regal Zonophone Records, as a result of hearing him on Amateur Hour, recorded six songs with him in 1946. As a performer, he then toured widely in rural Australia with a number of travelling shows, including Goldwyn Brothers Circus. While touring he met and married his first wife, Zelda, of the Ashton's Circus family. They had a daughter (Gail) in 1949, but the marriage soon ended.

He continued to tour regularly with major country acts such as Slim Dusty, Chad Morgan, and Tex Morton, and between tours went bush to write more songs, fish, and do menial farm work. He changed labels and recorded on John Mystrey's. (Australian label founded in the late 1940's by Lester Basil Sinclair (aka John Mystery) who was well known for his Australian publications of children's books. In 1956, someone handed Parsons a scrap of paper with the words of a poem, "A Pub Without Beer" (written in 1943 by Queensland farmer Dan Sheahan, on finding that his local pub, the Day Dawn Hotel in Ingham, QLD, had been drunk dry by US servicemen stationed in the area), and suggested that it might be a basis for a song. 

Parsons wrote "A Pub With No Beer", fleshing the poem out with word-portraits of patrons of his own local pub, the Cosmopolitan Hotel at the tiny settlement of Taylors Arm, about 25 km inland from Macksville, NSW. Slim Dusty heard the song while touring with Parsons, and he asked if he could record it as a novelty filler for his upcoming 1957 recording date, as he was one song short of the required four. Dusty's recording was released as the B-side of his 78 rpm release, "Saddle Boy", and much to Slim's surprise, the B-side was soon getting huge airplay, particularly on Sydney radio station 2UE. In 1958 it became a massive hit all over Australia and remains the first and only 78 to be certified an Australian gold record. In 1959, it reached #3 in the UK and #1 in Ireland, as well as becoming popular in Canada and the USA. Besides Regal Zonophone Gordon recorded on other labels including Hadley, Columbia and Selection. In 1978, he married his third wife, Jeanette, and they settled in Sydney.

In 1979 Parsons was inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth and then elevated to the Roll of Renown. His wax likeness was part of a collection at the Gallery of Stars Wax Museum in Tamworth.  In 1990 he was hnducted into Rocky Page’s Hall of Fame and Avenue of Honour in Barmera, SA. Parsons died on 17 August 1990, at age 63, and is buried in Pinegrove Cemetery.

SINGLES
''The Happy Bushman / My Mother In Heaven'' 1946 Regal Zonophone
''The Australian Bushman / Back To Those Rolling Plains'' 1946 Regal Zonophone
''Where The Bellinger River Flows / The Passing Of Cobber Jack'' 1946 Regal Zonophone
''Rhythm Of The Range / The Parent's Song'' 1951 Regal Zonophone
''Please Tell Me Darling / Way Up North'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''Lovely Young Aust. Girl Of Mine'' 1953 John Mystery's
''The Parents Song'' 1953 John Mystry's
''My Best Girl's Just Walked Right Out On Me / S.W.Y. (The "Two Up" Song)'' 1965 Hadley
''Men Who Are Lost / That's The Kind Of Life I Live'' 1967 Columbia
''Back To Those Rolling Plains / Slightly Used'' 1968 Columbia
''Where The Bellinger River Flows / Jody'' 1968 Columbia
''Baby's Not Walking / A Mangled Mass Of Steel'' 1969 Columbia
''Pub With No Beer / Another Day, Another Town'' [with Slim Dusty] 1983 Columbia
''Joe The Crow'' 1985 Selection

EPs

'Gordon ''Pub With No Beer'' Parsons 6 Great Songs' 1965 Hadley

'Yesterday's Kisses' 1975 Hadley

ALBUMS
'Rhythm Of The Range' 1970 Columbia 
'Bluey Francis Meets Gordon Parsons' 1975 CM
'Gordon Parsons' 1976 Hadley 
'The Old G.P.' 1980 Selection 
'Just Passin' Through' 1982 Selection 
'Throw In A Line' 1983 Selection 
'Just Driftin' Along' 1985 Selection 

 

References

Gordon Parsons (singer-songwriter) - Wikipedia

BLITZ BABIEZ

 

Blitz Babiez was a five-piece band formed by Joanne Lanzon and Ziad Beydoun in 1993 during the heyday of '90s Sydney punk. They added Ian on bass, Jamie Dack on guitar and Grant Dirckze on drums. Joanne and Ziad had previously been in a band called Dream Riot. Ian didn't last long and was replaced by bassist Errol Alley. They released a three-track single ''Time's Ticking / Monkey Grip / Emotions'' on No Deal Records. The band played hundreds of shows including the Sandringham Hotel the Lewisham Hotel, The Phoenician Club and The Metro to name a few.

They embarked on a European tour in 1995 at the invitation of its European record distributor after releasing their first album, 'On The Line'. They played at the Dynamo Open Air Festival in the Netherlands and famously became one of the only Australian bands to play war-ravaged Serbia in this time. In 1996 the band decided to remain a four piece after successively losing two guitarists (both named Jamie). After recording a second album, 'Thought Spawn' the band embarked on another European tour. On return they played at the Big Day Out in NZ. A third European tour was planned in 1997 but, when this fell through due to a dodgy promotions company, the band decided to call it a day as drummer Grant Dirckze was moving to England.

Members

Errol Alley (bass), Grant Dirckze (drums), Joanne Lanzon (vocals), Ziad Beydoun (guitar), Jamie Dack (guitar), Jamie Brusard (guitar)

SINGLES
''Times Ticking / / Monkey Grip / Emotions'' 1993 No Deal

EPs

'Feel This' 1995 Spent Music
'Worlds Apart' 1996 Onefoot Records
'Try Hard' 1997 Derek Records

ALBUMS
'On The Line' 1994 Spent Music
'Thought Spawn' 1996 Onefoot Records 

References

Noise Levels: Blitz Babiez

JOHN JOSEPH JONES

John Joseph Jones born 3 February 1930 was a poet, folk singer, musician, playwright, and theatre director. Born in London, Jones first arrived in Australia in 1948. Between 1950 and 1952, he worked briefly in England, Canada, and Fiji, but settled permanently in Australia in 1952. He graduated from University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology and English (1959).

After graduation Jones worked as a journalist for the Albany Advertiser, and a lecturer in the Western Australia's TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes for 20 years. He performed at the first Winthrop Folk Festival, and at the 1964 Adelaide Festival of the Arts, which led to him to recording five EPs in the 60s focusing on Australian outback life. He lived in Parkerville and developed and sustained the Parkerville Amphitheatre during his lifetime The amphitheatre became the site for a number of 1970s concerts, including John Farnham, Cold Chisel, and Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons. A documentary on the Parkerville Amphitheatre, Sets, Bugs & Rock n Roll, by Tempest Productions, was shown at the Revelation Film Festival in Perth in July 2015. Jones died in 2000.

EPs
'Five Australian Ballads' 1964 EMI [Custom Pressing] 
'Australian Songs And Ballads' 1965 EMI [Custom Pressing] 
'Songs And Ballads Of Australia' 1865 EMI [Custom Pressing] 
'Australian Ballads By Durack And Sorensen' 1965 EMI [Custom Pressing] 
'Australian Ballads - Songs Of John Shaw Neilson' 1965 EMI [Custom Pressing] 

References

John Joseph Jones (writer) - Wikipedia

BIGSTORM

 

Bigstorm comprised of Bjarne Ohlin on guitar, Don Miller-Robinson on guitar and bass, Huey Benjamin on drums and Stewart D’Arrietta on vocals and keyboards. The members of Bigstorm came from varied backgrounds. Ohlin had appeared as an actor in episodes of Bluey and Case for the Defence in 1976 and 1978 and played guitar with Divinyls from 1980-1986 and recorded some albums with them. Miller-Robinson had also acted, appearing in the 1982 film, Monkey Grip, and released three singles as a solo performer. ''Who Kissed The Usherette?'' did the best charting at #61. Benjamin had moved from Canberra to Sydney to play drums with G Force and later the Tasmanian band, The Innocents. D’Arrietta had released a solo album, 'Side Effects', in 1985 and had also been a member of The New Republic.

In 1988 Bigstorm released the single ''Rubber Love''. In January 1989 they released ''Happy New Year'' followed, in February, by ''Not Guilty''. Their debut album 'Living in Exile' followed and was recorded at The Rockfort in Sydney (with additional recording at Rhinoceros Studios). It was produced by Miller-Robinson. The music was melodic, arena-ready in the vein of  Noiseworks. 

One more single followed, ''Once In Bed” and, like those which preceded, failed to sell significant numbers. Soon after Bigstorm dissipated and the members went their separate ways. Miller-Robinson went on to score several films, including 2005’s Tennis, Anyone…? in which he also appeared as an actor. Benjamin continued to perform as a session musician, including on Grant McLennan’s solo debut and with later Ian Moss of Cold Chisel and Yothu Yindi. He also went on to score films and ballets. D’Arrietta has worked as a musical director in theatrical productions and has scored television series including Ocean Star, The Cut, and Trapped.

Members

Bjarne Ohlin (guitar), Don Miller-Robinson (guitar / bass), Huey Benjamin (drums), Stewart D’Arrietta (vocals / keyboards)

SINGLES
''Rubber Love / Not Guilty'' 1988 WEA
''Happy New Year / Rubber Love (Live)'' 1989 WEA
''Not Guilty / Rubber Love (Live)'' 1989 WEA
''Once In Bed / Not Waiting'' 1989 WEA

ALBUMS

'Living In Exile' 1989 WEA

One Album Wonders: Bigstorm – Eric Brightwell

COL HARDY

 

Colin Hardy, musician and Gamilaraay man, was born in July 1940 and raised at Brewarrina, north-western New South Wales, one of eleven children. Hardy won a talent quest in Walgett NSW, and did a short tour with the Willie Fennell Travelling Show. He stated ''I grew up with music all around me,” he says. “Before I moved to Sydney, I worked in the shearing shed with my dad and we used to listen to the radio at night. In those days one of my favourite singers was Roy Orbison''.

In 1962, Col moved to Sydney to pursue a career in music. During the 1960's he was part of the Opals a little country outfit, which at times became house-band for Jimmy Little's travelling All Coloured Revue. In Sydney, he worked for the Water Board, while still performing at parties, dances and charity shows. In 1963, he appeared on Bandstand. 

In 1971 he recorded his first EP 'Protest; Protest! on Opal Records based in Tamworth. In 1973 Col recorded his debut album 'Black Gold'. In the same year the first Australasian Country Music Awards was held in Tamworth. Col was the first Aboriginal singer to be awarded with a Golden Guitar. He won the Radio Listener Award, which has not been awarded since. The song ''Black Tracker'' from his second album 'Country' tells its own story of the days when black trackers were called upon by the police to track bushrangers, convicts. Other singers have written songs about black trackers. Brian Young recorded ''Black Man Jacky Jacky'' for his album 'Brian Young Country' in 1976. Throughout the 1970s he toured Australia extensively and performed with some of the biggest names in country music. He would often do club work with Auriel Andrew. In 1979 he was inducted into the Hands of Fame at Tamworth.

In 1983 he released his third album 'Black and White Tangle' followed by 'Remember Me'. In 1990 during NAIDOC Week, Hardy was voted Aboriginal Artist of the Year for New South Wales. In 2007 he won an OAM for service to country music and in 2011 he won the Jimmy Little Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 he recorded his last album 'I Am Me' of songs that were his favourites and held special meaning.

SINGLES

''Don't She Look Good / (A Land They Call) Down Under'' 1972 Opal
''Excuse Me / Words'' 1976 Opal
''Black And White Tangle'' 1983 Opal

EPs
'Protest; Protest!' 1971 Opal 

ALBUMS
'Black Gold' 1973 Opal 
'Country' 1978 Opal 
'Black & White Tangle' 1983 Opal 
'Remember Me' 1991 Opal 
'I Am Me' 2014 Swingin Doors Studio

GEOFF ACHISON

 

Geoff  Achison was born on Phillip Island in 1965 and raised in the rural town of Malmsbury, Victoria—the third of five siblings. His musical spark ignited when he discovered an old guitar beneath the family stairwell. Encouraged by his trumpet-playing father, Geoff began lessons and got his first taste of performance playing in his dad’s old-time dance band. A chance mentorship with local jazz musician Alan Watson introduced Geoff to the world of jazz, improvisation, and rhythm. Watson encouraged him to switch to bass for a time, broadening his musical foundation before Geoff returned to guitar with a newfound appreciation for groove and feel.

In the quiet isolation of the Australian countryside, Geoff developed his own approach to sound and tone, improvising effects and techniques that helped define his unique voice on the instrument. Geoff moved to Melbourne in 1987 and quickly found his place in the city's blues scene, landing the role of lead guitarist with Dutch Tilders. His talent and drive soon pushed him to pursue a solo career, and in 1994 he released 'Big Machine', the first in a string of acclaimed albums.

The following year, Geoff represented Melbourne at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, taking home the Albert King Award for Most Promising Guitarist. That pivotal moment launched a truly international career. He began touring the US and UK regularly, often assembling local versions of his backing band, The Souldiggers to overcome the prohibitive costs of touring as an independent artist.

On his first major US tour, Geoff received a custom acoustic guitar from the famed Gibson Guitar Company— a gesture that reflected his rising status. After recording the album 'Gettin’ Evil' in the U.S. with an American lineup of The Souldiggers, Geoff returned to Australia and assembled an all-star local version of the band featuring Mal Logan on keyboards (ex-Chain, Healing Force), Roger McLachlan on bass (ex-Little River Band, Stars), and Gerry Pantazis on drums (ex-Stylus). This powerhouse ensemble became known as The A-Team, providing the perfect vehicle for Geoff’s musical vision to truly take flight. Known for their exhilarating live performances, The Souldiggers captivated audiences with their extended jam sessions—transforming tight, four-minute songs into epic, ten-minute sonic journeys that left fans wanting more.

Whether fronting the full band or playing solo, Geoff Achison is a commanding presence on stage. His acoustic showsshowcase delicate fingerpicking and slide guitar mastery, while his electric performances with The Souldiggers channel the raw power of blues and funk into a thrilling, live-wire experience. Geoff is also a gifted storyteller with a dry, witty stage presence that keeps audiences engaged between songs. His sets are equal parts musicianship and entertainment. A respected educator, Geoff conducts guitar workshops across Australia and internationally. He’s been a regular guest instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio, USA, sharing his knowledge with players of all levels.

With dozens of albums, international tours, and countless live performances under his belt, Geoff Achison remains a driving force in the Australian blues and roots scene, inspiring a new generation of musicians. In 2020, he was honored with induction into the Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame - a fitting recognition of his influence and contributions to the genre.

SINGLES

''Eyes On The Prize'' [with The Souldiggers] 2020 Jupiter 2 Records
''Dragon Wings'' [with The Souldiggers] 2020 Jupiter 2 Records
''Footy Cards'' [with The Souldiggers] 2020 Jupiter 2 Records
''Secret To Life'' [with The Souldiggers] 2022 Jupiter 2 Records
''Capricorn Pilot'' [with The Souldiggers] 2022 Jupiter 2 Records

ALBUMS
'Big Machine' 1994 Jupiter 2 Records
'Genevieve' 1995 Jupiter 2 Records
'Mystery Train' 1996 Jupiter 2 Records
'Gettin’ Evil' [with The Souldiggers] 1999 Jupiter 2 Records
'Chasing My Tail' [with The Souldiggers] 2002 Jupiter 2 Records
'Little Big Men' [with The Souldiggers] 2005 Jupiter 2 Records
'One Ticket, One Ride' 2008 Jupiter 2 Records
'Box Of Blues' [with Chris Wilson] 2012 Jupiter 2 Records
'Another Mile, Another Minute' [with The Souldiggers] 2016 Jupiter 2 Records
'Sovereign Town' 2018 Jupiter 2 Records

References 

About — Geoff Achison

SWOOP

 

Swoop was an Australian seven-piece rock, funk and disco band established in 1991 in Sydney as a funk and rap duo by Joshua Beagley on guitar and keyboards and Roland Kapferer on lead vocals (rapping, MCing). The pair had met as students at Marryatville High School, Adelaide in 1987 before relocating to Sydney. The duo were joined by "an ever-changing line-up that has featured a collection of rappers, DJs, musos and dancers". The band released two early singles "Positivity's Groove" (May 1992) and "Jelly Funk" (August). Fiona Ta'akimoeaka joined Swoop on lead vocals before August 1992 and by November the other members of the seven-piece were Chris Brien on drums, Armando Gomez on percussion, Alex 'Gob' Hewetson on bass guitar and Breadman St Ledger III on keyboards.

For their third single "Everybody Loves the Sunshine", which appeared in November 1992, they were briefly joined by Terepai Richmond (also a member of Directions In Groove) on percussion. Rebecca Lang of The Canberra Times described their sound, "Drawing on the '70s funk, dipping into '90s acid jazz and adding a blend of '80s rap." In August 1993 the group issued "Do It", which became a disco hit in Japan; it was also listed at #87 on national radio station Triple J's popularity poll, Triple J Hottest 100, 1993. It was followed with their debut studio album, 'Thriller' via Freakzone Records/MGM Distribution in October. Beagley recalled "we released it on our own label purely through frustration of not being able to get a deal. The end result was a deal so it was worth all the pain."

In October 1994 Swoop released "Neighbourhood Freak", which became the group's first charting single, peaking at #62 on the ARIA singles chart. That track appeared at #74 on Triple J Hottest 100, 1994. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 they were nominated for Best New Talent for 'Thriller'. During 1994 and 1995 the group played regular gigs in the Gershwin Room at St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel. The group released "Rock Dog" in July 1995 and followed in October with "Apple Eyes", which peaked at #9 on the ARIA Charts and was certified gold by ARIA in the following year for shipment of 35000 copies. "Apple Eyes" was listed at #32 on Triple J Hottest 100, 1995.

In November 1995 Swoop released their second studio album 'The Woxo Principle' via Mushroom Records/Festival Records. It reached #51 on the ARIA albums chart. The Canberra Times' Liz Armitage felt, "it does embrace the spontaneity and spirit that makes a really good band. Lyrically, Swoop has always been dodgy... and this shows no sign of changing." Simon Woodridge of Juice Magazine observed, they "contrived a cheesy amalgam of funk/rock/disco/pop on this album, and they've put it together with enough skill to make overlooking the amount of second hand riffage totally painless." Two further singles were released from the album, including their cover version of Captain & Tennille's "Do That to Me (One More Time)" (September 1996). At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 they were nominated for Song of the Year and Best Video for "Apple Eyes", and Best Pop Release for 'The Woxo Principle'.

The group took a six-month break from touring and performing while Kapferer finished his PhD. During that break Ta'akimoeaka left the band in 1996 and was replaced by Rebekah Jane (later known as Rebekah LaVauney) as lead vocalist in 1997. Brien was replaced by American-born Allen Murphey. By 1998 latter-day members included drummer Calvin Welch and Japanese-born keyboard player Tetsushi Morita. Swoop issued "Blood Runs Hot" (May 1998), the lead single from their third studio album 'Be What You Is', which was released in January 1999. Also in that month they provided "Remedy". The group performed "Angel Eyes" at Mushroom 25 Concert in November 1998 and disbanded thereafter.

Members

Joshua Beagley (guitars), Roland Kapferer (vocals), Fiona Ta'akimoeaka (vocals), Chris Brien (drums), Armando Gomez (wood block), Alex Hewetson (bass), Breadman St Ledger (keyboards), Terepai Richmond (percussion), Rebekah Jane a.k.a. Rebekah LaVauney (vocals), Allen Murphey (drums), Tetsushi Morita (keyboards), Calvin Welch (drums)

SINGLES
"Positivity's Groove" 1992 Freakshow
"Jelly Funk" 1992 Freakshow
"Everybody Loves the Sunshine" 1992 Freakshow
"Do It" 1993 Freakshow
"Neighbourhood Freak" (#62) 1994 Freakshow
"Rock Dog" (#83) 1995 Mushroom
"Apple Eyes" (#9) 1995 Mushroom
"(It Could Happen) Any Day Now" (#74) 1996 Mushroom
"Do That to Me (One More Time)" 1996 Mushroom
"Remedy" 1998 Mushroom
"Blood Runs Hot" 1998 Mushroom

EPs
'The Raw Funk Power' (#96) 1994 Freakzone

ALBUMS
'Thriller' 1993 Freakzone
'The Woxo Principle' (#51) 1995 Mushroom 
'Be What You Is' 1999 Mushroom

References

Swoop (Australian band) - Wikipedia

URBAN PRINCIPLE

 

Formed in Melbourne in 1984, Urban Principle was an electronic pop band that had a vision to write and fashion songs and music about the spirit of the human condition on a planet under pressure from urbanization/industrialization, the march of technology and the mediascape. The band was a major project and commitment of time and energy until they disbanded in 1990. The band went through a number of members before settling on two definitive line ups. The band performed many live shows and produced videos, films, photographs and releases. Based in Richmond then North Fitzroy just off Brunswick Street in a rambling shared house, band members shared a dream, ideas and long conversations. 

Soundtracks were composed and recorded for Swinburne student films and independent film makers. In 1987 ''Something Inside'' was released as a single on the Cleopatra label followed by an EP with the same title. The lineup for these recordings was: John Phillips (vocals / guitar), Mark Bernsons (keyboards), Nick Kharitou (keyboards), Sai Ferran-Lucas (vocals, guitar / synthesizer), Rex Delaney (vocals / guitar). More recordings were released on cassette. In 1998 a fictionalised account of the band and their lives: The Unexpected Salami was written by New York author Laurie Shapiro with her partner and ex member of the band Paul O'Leary then published and released in USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. A film script was developed, and the screen rights were sold. 

Members

John Phillips (vocals / guitar), Mark Bernsons (keyboards), Paul O'Leary (vocals / bass), Mark O'Leary (guitar), David Rogerson (drums), Rex Delaney (vocals / guitar) Philip Rienhardt (bass), Nick Kharitou (keyboards), Sai Ferran-Lucas (vocals, guitar / synthesizer), Steve Carter (bass), Patrick Quinn (bass), Michael Rumpf (drums), Steve Henderson (drums), Tony Italia (drums)

References

John Phillips

DONITA DEY

 

Born in Victoria, Donita Dey (real name Helen Turner) attended school at Warrnambool and Mortlake. Teaching herself to play guitar and having some lessons to learn bass, Dey performed her first gig singing solo, live, to air on Radio 3YB for their Hospital Appeal Day at age 17. Soon after local band The Western Ramblers was formed with Ray Batten and Hilton Boyle plus Dey singing vocals and playing bass. They released an EP 'Introducing The Western Ramblers' in 1969 on the local Tower Hill label. Another EP 'Many Happy Hangovers' followed by their album 'The Western Ramblers With Their All Original Country Music'. The Westerners were very successful in Victoria with their own weekly half hour radio program on 3CS out of Colac as well they made appearances on the Reg Lindsay Country & Western Hour TV Show.

In 1971 Donita left the group to go touring with country star Buddy Williams for six months. On return she moved to Sydney to try the club scene. During this period, she changed her name to Donita Dey, performed around the Club Circuit in New South Wales where her style of entertainment in playing both modern and county music and hits from all-time greats of that time, proved a great delight to her audiences. Donita then went on to tour throughout Australia to perform alongside such greats as Frank Ifield, Jay Justin, Col Joye, Digger Revell, Buster Noble, Lucky Star, Johnny Chester, Jade Hurley, Chad Morgan, Slim Dusty, Jimmy Little, Reg Lindsay, Judy Stone, Dinah Lee and Little Pattie and also with other well-known Australian artists. Many of Donita's tours included small towns with the venues being mostly in halls. Touring the Aboriginal Missions was such a learning experience, as Donita says, "it was an experience I wouldn't have missed, how different and what wonderful audiences".

Donita says that Tamworth was a part of her life for a few years. There she appeared on the Must Be Country TV Show which was as Donita says "Lots of fun". Donita only ever entered one of her singles at the Tamworth Awards and was placed in the finals of Best Female Vocalist. The song was "Warm Sheets, Can't Cover Up Your Cold, Cold Heart" which didn't win, but what an honour to reach the finals. Donita's many trips to America prevented her entering more of her singles in the years to follow, for which she is very regretful.

In the US she had a hit in California with her Tamworth nominated single "Warm Sheets, Can't Cover Up Your Cold, Cold Heart". Donita's trips to the US back then were not the done thing and she lost some popularity at home for doing so. Donita worked in the US on TV with Hank Williams Jnr and with David Allan Coe riding in David's touring bus. When Donita did her spot on the show David would stay on stage and play along on guitar. Donita recorded on Pike Records in the U.S. While in America Donita interviewed many great American artists for various radio stations in Sydney and some of these artists were Emmy Lou Harris, Carl Perkins, Oakridge Boys, The Osmonds, Joe Diffie, The Belamy Brothers, The Statler Brothers, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, John Schneider, Stella Parton, Mary Reeves (wife of Jim), Richard Carpenter, Robert Fuller, James Burton (lead guitarist for Elvis Presley), Faron Young, Ray Peterson, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, Tom T. Hall, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Rodriquez, Skeeter Davis, Cliff Richards, Chuck Connors, Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins. She also agreed to interview Garth Brooks to coincide with the release of his first album.

Donita specialised in both Country and 50/60s Rock ‘n Roll and her lively stage performances brought out the best in the songs which her audiences loved. While performing at Clint Eastwood’s Hogs Breath Inn at Carmel on the San Francisco Bay, Donita was fortunate enough to spend some time conversing with the superstar and to coin a phrase to make her day.  Back in Australia Donita was the guest artist on the Mike Walsh Show on several occasions and in the 1980s and 1990s she worked on television productions and commercials. She also became an extra for various movies which included the television show A Country Practice during its last five years of production. Donita also appeared regularly on various Country TV shows out of Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Tamworth and also performed for many charity events and concerts. In 1995 Donita organised a successful benefit concert at the Wentworthville Leagues Club in Sydney for her old friend Reg Lindsay who at that time was critically ill in hospital. After Donita retired in 1998, she and her husband returned to live in her hometown of Mortlake, and this is where they now still live happily together.

SINGLES
''Blue Jeans On My Chair / I Can't Help Myself'' 1981 SL Soundlab 
 ''Too Much Is Not Enough'' [with Digger Revell] / Wasn't That Love'' 1989 Rockabilly 

References

Donita Dey Website

LEE SELLERS

Singer from South Australia from the early 60s. Her first performance was at the Boomerang Club in Brighton. After singing and winning at the Hi-Fi Coca-Cola Talent Quest in 1961 she was signed to the Festival label. Her first record was ''In The Chapel In The Moonlight'' backed by popular Adelaide band The Penny Rockets. She also recorded on the RCA label. Sellers was one of the pioneers of the early rock shows on television such as Teentime and Reg Lindsay's Country Hour plus Adelaide Tonight and Six O'Clock Rock.

SINGLES
''In The Chapel In The Moonlight / Oh, Dear, What Can The Matter Be'' 1961 Rex 
''If You Try To Steal My Baby / Tell Him I'm Not Home'' 1964 RCA 

JONNIE RUSSELL

 

Johnnie Russell was born in Guildford, NSW in 1942. By the time he was 5 years of age, Jonnie Russell knew beyond a doubt that he wanted to be a country music star. At the age of 14, he made his very first radio performance on Sydney radio 2SM which was broadcasting a weekday early morning Country & Western program. Then, at the age of 17, he entered Alan Toohey's Amateur Hour which was conducted by Radio 2UW. He won the quest by an easy majority which led to offers of work in hotel lounges around the suburbs of Sydney. It was here that Jonnie gained a lot of valuable experience - something he would need a lot of if he were to succeed in the highly competitive Australian entertainment industry.

Rock 'n' roll was just becoming popular in Australia and so for the next few years; after forming his own rock group, he performed at hotel lounges and dances in the evenings and weekends and worked a clerical job by day. He gave away his office job in 1969 and decided to "take the plunge" on a fulltime career in country music. In 1972 he met well known steel guitarist Norm Bodkin who was to influence his career even more. Norm arranged a meeting for Jonnie with Opal Records in Tamworth and he subsequently signed a 2 1/2-year contract with them. In 1971 he released the EP, 'Girls In My Life' and the album, 'My Heart’s In A Prison'.

In May 1974, the Jonnie Russell All Star Variety Show was the first concert of its kind in the Sydney Opera House Music Room. It was compered by Greg Evans, who went on to host the national TV show, Blind Date. Jonnie signed with the Melbourne label W&G and released a single with backing by the Capital Three Ranch Band containing the self-penned ''Transport Blues'' and ''Till The End''. It was recorded at Angelwood Studios, Currabubula. Radio 2UE’s Mike Carlton loved the song and gave it quite a few spins. During this period Jonnie appeared at a number of festivals including Mildura, Gympie and Kempsey and toured with various musicians such as the late pedal steel guitarist Norm Bodkin and Dave Tyne of Cedar Creek fame.

In March, 1981, Jonnie decided to make one of his dreams come true and headed for Nashville, Tennessee. While in Nashville, he was invited to appear on the Carl Tipton Show on WTVF Channel 5 which had a large viewing audience and could be seen each morning on the local Nashville station. He also worked the Vagabond Inn in Nashville and proved once and for all the Aussies "have what it takes". He also cut two brand new songs in Nashville, produced by good buddy Andy King, and they feature him with the Nashville Edition and Lloyd Green on steel and dobro. Jonnie Russell could justifiably be called one of our great pioneers of country music in Australia and this was acknowledged in 1985 when he was inducted into The Hands Of Fame Park in Tamworth. Over the years, Jonnie has produced his own Country Package Show and has played many of the Sydney major clubs, as well as a successful performance at the Sydney Opera House. In 199 he was inducted into Rocky Page’s Hall of Fame and Avenue of Honour in Barmera, SA. 

SINGLES
''Transport Blues / Till The End'' 1976 W & G 
''Truck Drivin' School Teacher / This Lonely Man'' 1978 Emertone
''I Feel Loved / Make My Coffee Black'' 1981 Bunyip 
''The Immortal Southern Cross / The Immortal Aussie'' 1982 Bunyip 
''Dustie Rhodes'' 1984 Rockabilly 
''When We're Alone Tonight / If You've Got The Money (I've Got The Time)'' 1989 Bunyip 
''Solo Woman / The Immortal Southern Cross'' 1991 Pinewood 

EPs

'Girls In My Life' 1973 Opal

ALBUMS
'My Heart's In A Prison' 1979 Opal 
'Most Requested' 1987 Bunyip 

References

JONNIE RUSSELL on AirPlay Direct

ONE MILLION PIECES

 

Indie band, One Million Pieces was formed in Sydney in the 1980s by Richard Quiggin (guitar, vocals), Grant Jackson (drums) and Nick Turnbull (bass). They signed to Phantom records, a well-regarded Sydney indie label known for acts including the Hoodoo Gurus, Hummingbirds and Def FX. The band released three singles on vinyl and album 'Smother Mary' on CD. All these single releases made it into the top 20 in various Australian indie charts and ''Deep Dark Hole'' was widely played on alternative radio station Triple J. The original membership changed and the band split around 1994.

Members

Richard Quiggin (guitar, vocals), Grant Jackson (drums), Nick Turnbull (bass), Edmund Ludwig (guitar), Mick (drums)

SINGLES
''So Sure / Picture Of You'' 1989 Phantom
''Deep Dark Hole / I Think I'll Take My Own Life'' 1989 Phantom
''Nothing Will Change / Sorry'' 1991 Phantom

ALBUMS

'Smother Mary' 1991 Phantom

References

Nick Turnbull

NO

No was a Melbourne band, active during the late 1980s. They blended electronic music with nihilistic punk rock, in a similar fashion to New York's Suicide. Ollie Olsen (ex-Whirlywirld) formed No in late 1986, performing on keyboards, vocals, drum machine and sampler, with Marie Hoy on keyboards, vocals, samples alongside Michael Sheridan on guitar. Both Hoy and Olsen had been members of post-punk group Orchestra of Skin and Bone. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described them as "the ultimate crossover act due to its confrontational fusion of hardcore energy, abrasive heavy metal guitar riffs, electro-funk beats and acid-house grooves."

In August 1987, the band supported Big Black when they toured Australia. In November they released their first album, 'Glory for the Shit for Brains', on Ultimate Records. The songs were all written by Olsen, recorded at Jam Tin Studios in Cheltenham, Victoria, in late 1986/early 1987, and produced by Olsen and Gus Till (Beargarden and Models). The LP was dedicated to musician Ben Wallace-Crabbe who had committed suicide.

The album was followed in September 1988 by a self-titled EP, on Au-Go-Go Records, which featured a re-working of Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?". Sheridan later recalled working with Hoy and Olsen, "Surrounded by players of technology I decided to use the hold function on a BOSS DE 200 delay unit to achieve a way of sampling real-time phrases. I'd play these back through a second amplifier. This was a great way to play, having the best of 'hands on' the instrument and off while manipulating ones own sounds via a machine." The remaining songs on No were written by Olsen, recorded in late 1987 at Jam Tin Studios, and produced by the band and Gus Till.

In 1989 the band released its second album, 'Once We Were Scum, Now We are God', on Au-Go-Go Records with Kevin McMahon now on bass. The album was recorded live on 9 September 1988 at the Carlton nightclub, Tiger Lounge, and then mixed and produced by the band, Till and Simon Polinski at the Powerplant Studios in Carlton. Byron Colley, in the July 1989 edition of Spin, described the "center of the band's sound is something like a huge Martin Rev automaton, bloated to intensity and gorged with diesel amphetamine. Heaped on top is scittery, scuzzed up, feedback-guitar and Ollie's aggresso-rant-voice-stug. On extended tunes, like "Glory For The Shit For Brains", this has the same intenso-scrunch wallop as Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop" but with only about as much deviation-in-spatial characteristics as a flaming car rolling end over end down a hill. Just beautiful." In a subsequent Spin article/interview with Michael Hutchence, Joel Levy states the album "collapses skittering despair and ranting fury into a swirling cacophony."

While still a member of No, Sheridan formed Dumb and the Ugly (1987–93) with John Murphy on drums and noise tapes (ex-the Wreckery) and David Brown on bass guitar. No disbanded in September 1989 with Olsen and Michael Hutchence collaborating on a musical project, Max Q, co-producing a self-titled album combining electronic music with orchestra, bass, guitar and backing vocals. Max Q also included Sheridan and Murphy, with Hoy supplying backing vocals for the album. Ollie Olsen died in 2024.

Members

Ollie Olsen (vocals / machines / keyboards), Marie Hoy (keyboards /machines / backing vocals), Michael Sheridan (guitar), Kevin McMahon (bass)

EPs
'No' 1988 Au Go Go

ALBUMS
'Glory For The Shit For Brains' 1987 Ultimate Records 
'Once We Were Scum Now We Are God' 1989 Au Go Go

References

No (band) - Wikipedia

MIGHTY BIG CRIME

 

Mighty Big Crime was an Australian hip hop duo formed by Tricky J (Julien Lodge) and Gumpy (Andrew Phillips) (ex-Battle Happy) in 1986 in Melbourne. According to British record producer, David Courtney, he saw the pair MCing at an early performance in a pub, he got them signed to Virgin Records and provided their name. In 1987 they issued one of the first hip hop recordings in Australia, "16 Tons" and "Humber Mania Time". "16 Tons" is a rap cover version of Merle Travis' country song, "Sixteen Tons". "Humber Mania Time" was co-written by Lodge and Phillips; both tracks were recorded at Metropolis Studios and Pig Pen Studios, Melbourne with Courtney, and John Phillips producing. From March to July 1987 Tricky J also worked as a member of I'm Talking.

Michael Wellham of The Canberra Times described "16 Tons", "after listening to this it seems hard to believe that no one thought of doing a rap version of it before, no song was more deserving of the treatment. When you think about it Australia has been absolutely crying out for some rap artists of its own and is now in the position where it can sigh with relief as the void is filled." Wellham's colleague, Stuart Coupe, reviewed Australian rap and hip hop in June 1988. He observed that Mighty Big Crime are, "the first Australians to make a record in this style... who seem to fancy themselves as the southern hemisphere's version of the Beastie Boys."

Their third single was a cover of Alice Cooper's "Schools Out". Their music video for "Dr. Dynamite" (1990) was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Video at the ARIA Music Awards of 1991. From 1991 to 1993 both Gumpy, on guitar and vocals, and Tricky J, on synthesiser, were members of Freaked Out Flower Children.

Members

Gumpy [Andrew Phillips] (MC, guitar, vocals), Tricky J [Julien Lodge] (MC, synthesiser)

SINGLES
''16 Tons / Humber Mania Time'' 1987 Virgin 
''Outta My Face (Hey You) / Happy Hour On Hamburger Hill'' 1988 Virgin 
''Schools Out / 2 Quick Too Catch'' 1989 Virgin 
''Dr. Dynamite / Keep On Keepin' On'' 1990 Virgin 
''Sugar Daddy / Groovy Garoo'' 1991 Virgin 

References

Mighty Big Crime - Wikipedia

CLOCKWORK ORINGE

 

Clockwork Oringe was one of the finest bands to come out of the Apple Isle. Formed in Hobart in 1968 the initial lineup was Chris Norris from Devonport on guitar (ex-Once Loved), bassist Paul Studdert who hailed from Burnie (ex-The Cavemen), locals Carey Wilkins on drums and Paul Warren on vocals. The band played covers of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, John Mayall, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin and rearranged Beatles tracks. The band was extremely popular at all the local disco dances. With the help of their manager Greg Lode, Carey Wilkins acquired a double kick drum for extra dynamics. This would have to be one of the first set ups in Australia for the period. I don't recall any other band having two bass drums at this time. If there was, please advise.

The band entered the Tasmania heat of the 1968 Hoadleys Battle Of The Sounds. Although they didn't win a lot of punters stood up and took notice that this new band in town was the real deal. Subsequently the band came in first place the following year. They went on to represent their state at the national final at Festival Hall in Melbourne but couldn't beat the likes of Doug Parkinson in Focus. The band signed with local label Van Diemen and released their first single ''Rock Me'' a cover of the Steppenwolf track and Spooky Tooth's ''That Was Only Yesterday'' in 1970. The B side managed to get to #24 on the local charts. Their second single was interesting with the B side ''Piece Of Me'' being written by Jim Keays and Doug Ford from The Masters Apprentices. One more single followed.

There were a few lineup changes over the course of the band's life. Paul Warren was replaced by Gary Rizzolo on vocals in 1969 and guitarist David Tumney joined the band along with some others. I'm not sure when they disbanded but it must have been around 1972 as Wilkins and Tumney ended up in Bronco. Gary Rizzolo went on to become a well-respected luthier based in Melbourne. Dallas McDermott joined Glenrowan a short-lived band formed in the mid 70s out of Melbourne who recorded a single on the Wizard label in 1974. Clockwork Oringe got back together at a 40th anniversary reunion show. The tracks ''Baby It's Not The Same'' and ''Viva Bobby Jo'' were added to the 1999 compilation album 'Dancin' With The Devil - Tasmanian Groups 1999' issued by Spectangle Productions. Chris Norris died in 2023.

Members

Gary Rizzolo (vocals), Chris Norris (guitar), Paul Stutterd (bass), Carey Wilkins (drums), Paul Warren (vocals), David Tumney (vocals, guitar), Dallas McDermott (guitar), Roy ''Paddy'' Gearman (bass),

SINGLES
''Rock Me / That Was Only Yesterday'' 1970 Van Diemen 
''Viva Bobbie Joe! / Piece Of Me'' 1971 Van Diemen 
''Baby It's Not The Same / A Taste Of Honey'' 1971 Van Diemen 

MEN OF COUNTRY

 

Men Of Country were formed in the early 70s. After releasing a single on Troubadour, they were signed to RCA and recorded their first album 'Free Country' in 1975. The lineup was Max Richards on vocals/guitar, multi-instrumentalist Wes Grady on guitar, pedal steel, banjo and harmonica, Neil Barlow on drums and Bruce McCumstie on bass. The album was produced by Johnny Ashcroft. McCumstie left the band after the album release to fill in as bass player on occasion at the Texas Tavern with Nev Nicholls and his Country Playboys. He eventually became a member of Wildwood.

After leaving RCA they linked up with the Bunyip label and recorded their second album 'Country Concept' (1977) adding Nelson Arentz on bass. In 1979 at the prestigious Mo Awards in Sydney, they were voted by their fellow entertainers as "Best Country Showgroup". In 1981 at the same awards, they won ''Best Country Group''. Add to these the dozens of appearances on every major TV show, including The Mike Walsh Show and Travellin' Out West, touring with Jimmy Little, Johnny Ashcroft & John Cootes, playing to packed houses with their versatile style which included bush ballads, comedy & country rock they were immensely popular wherever they played. 

Members

Max Richards (vocals / guitar), Wes Grady (guitar / pedal steel / banjo / harmonica), Neil Barlow (drums) Bruce McCumstie (bass), Nelson Arentz (bass)

SINGLES
''Mrs. Newman's Thirty Months / Bills'' 1972 Troubadour 
''Heavy On My Mind / Loaded Gun'' 1974 RCA
''Nudist Beach / No One Knows Midnight Like Melinda'' 1975 RCA
''Lusty Lady / All The Kings' Horses'' 1979 Bunyip 
''Woman Of The World / A Part Of My Life'' 1980 Bunyip 
''It Doesn't Matter Any More / Country Casanova'' 1981 Bunyip 
''Dig A Little Deeper In The Well / Do I Ever Cross Your Mind'' 1982 Bunyip 

ALBUMS

'Free Country' 1975 RCA
'Country Concept' Bunyip 1977
'Lusty Lady' 1978 Bunyip
'Whole Lotta Country' 1983 Bunyip

GUY McDONOUGH

 

Guy Gillis McDonough (born 17 October 1955) was an Australian rock musician best known for rhythm guitar and singer-songwriter with the iconic band Australian Crawl. McDonough's parents were William Morris (1929–1966) and June-Eva (née Sturzaker) McDonough (c. 1931–2013). Together with his elder brother Bill McDonough, he grew up in Mount Eliza on Mornington Peninsula south east of central Melbourne. McDonough attended The Peninsula School and formed Spiff Rouch in 1976 with Bill McDonough (drums) and other locals James Reyne (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Brad Robinson (guitars, keyboards), Paul Williams (bass guitar), Robert Walker, Mark Hudson (guitars) and Simon Binks.

By early 1978 Spiff Rouch had separated into two groups: The Flatheads and Clutch Cargo. The Flatheads had Guy and Bill McDonough, and Walker, who were joined by Sean Higgins (synthesisers) and Nigel Spencer (bass guitars, synthesisers). Clutch Cargo was renamed Australian Crawl and David Reyne (drums) soon left to be replaced by Bill McDonough. Guy McDonough had co-written "Downhearted", with Higgins and Bill McDonough, for the Crawl's third single from debut 1980 album 'The Boys Light Up'.

Guy McDonough joined Australian Crawl in October 1980, supplying rhythm guitar, vocals, and songwriting. The Crawl released their second album 'Sirocco' in 1981, which became a #1 album on the National charts. McDonough wrote or co-wrote five of its eleven tracks including two singles "Errol" and "Oh No Not You Again". He sang lead on "Oh No Not You Again" and on "Errol". "Errol" reached #18 on the Australian Singles Chart and was voted their third most popular song by listeners of Triple M in 2007.

1982 saw the release of 'Sons of Beaches' with McDonough again writing or co-writing five of its tracks. This album also reached #1 but the singles had less success. After its release, Bill McDonough left the Crawl. He was briefly replaced by Graham Bidstrup (ex-The Angels) on drums for the 1983 EP release 'Semantics'. This four-track EP contained no tracks written by McDonough but did feature the #1 Australian Singles Chart success "Reckless (Don't Be So)". The live album 'Phalanx' released later that same year saw drummer John Watson (ex-Kevin Borich Express) replacing Bidstrup. The Crawl's biggest overseas break came when Duran Duran took the band as support on an international tour.

Prior to his death in 1984, Guy McDonough recorded a series of demos with his brother, Bill McDonough (drums), Sean Higgins (keyboards) and Nigel Spencer (bass) (all former bandmates in The Flatheads), Mick Hauser (saxophone) and Michael Bright (guitar). Bill McDonough then assembled the tapes and Wheatley Records issued Guy McDonough's posthumous album, 'My Place', in April 1985.The singles were "My Place / Things Don't Seem" and "What's In It For Me / Hook, Line and Sinker". Seven of the tracks from 'My Place' were later remastered and released in 1996 as part of the Australian Crawl compilation 'Lost & Found'. Compilers and producers of 'Lost & Found' were Bill McDonough and Peter Blyton.

In the early months of 1984, McDonough decided to detox in an attempt to break away from alcohol and heroin addiction. McDonough booked into rehab with family support but then decided to not finish his program and returned home to follow a naturopathic procedure provided by a 'qualified' friend. Unfortunately, this was an error of judgment as this treatment exacerbated his health situation rather than improve it, leading him to contract viral pneumonia and to be admitted to hospital in Melbourne, forcing Australian Crawl off the road. McDonough was in the Intensive Care Unit for many weeks and improved enough to return home; but due to extreme physical deterioration from months in hospital and a weakened immune system, he contracted a secondary infection and was placed back into the Intensive Care Unit. Despite intense medical intervention, on 26 June 1984, he died at the age of 28.

SINGLES
''My Place (#76) / Things Don't Seem'' 1985 Wheatley 

''What's In It For Me / Hook Line And Sinker'' 1985 Wheatley

ALBUMS

'My Place' (#52) 1985 Wheatley   

References

Guy McDonough - Wikipedia

ATHOL McCOY

 

Athol McCoy was born in Sheffield, Tasmania in 1925. During the 1930s Athol played piano at local dances and when he left school, he worked on his father’s farm and as a farmhand on neighbouring properties. During this period Tex Morton and Wilf Carter’s music gained his attention. In 1947 he got his first break when asked to sing on a program at Radio 7AD Devonport. The program ran for more than three years. In 1950 he moved to Melbourne to work on his career as an entertainer. He won the novelty section on the radio show P&A Parade which brought him constant radio work and live performances. To supplement his income, he worked as a barman in Connell’s Railway Hotel until 1958.

In 1956 he topped the poll on Terry Dear’s Australia’s Amateur Hour with more than 10,000 votes. On the strength of that, he went to Sydney for a Regal Zonophone audition. The first track he recorded was Wilf Carter’s ''My Swiss Moonlight Lullaby'' and his own composition, ''Tassy Tears''. The recordings made him the first Tasmanian to sing on 78rpm. In the latter part of the 1950s he undertook a promotional tour of the eastern states on Noel George’s Australian Wild West Show, which featured American Indian wrestler Big Chief Little Wolf. He also toured with Reg Lindsay, Chad Morgan and Rick & Thel Carey. He recorded a couple of singles on the Columbia label.

In the early 60s he organised his own travelling show, the best days for this type of entertainment had passed, so he returned to Tasmania. Athol began touring again in 1966. He teamed up with his boyhood idol, Tex Morton – as The Mortons and McCoys. The tour started in Morven, QLD, through to Mount Isa, across to Alice Springs, back through the settlements to Darwin where they did a three-week season showing nightly, across the Kimberley, down to WA and across the Nullarbor. After these shows ended, he toured with Terry Gordon, Ray ‘The Hat’ Hasler and Lindsay Butler. Back in Sydney, he recorded for RCA with Eileen Wood on fiddle, who also toured with him and they married. 

At the end of the year in 1969, he had a break from touring and gained a job with the Reserve Bank in Melbourne. In 1972 he released the album 'Tassie Tears' on the Hadley label and during this time made his last tour of Australia. Hadley Records in Tamworth acquired the rights to most of Athol’s recorded output and issued a compilation album 'Your Tassie Mate'. Athol and Eileen settled in Bega, NSW where they had their own business. They also worked clubs occasionally as The Real McCoys duo. In 1980 he was inducted into the Hands of Fame, Tamworth and was elevated to the Roll of Renown in 2005. Athol died June 6 in Bega Hospital in 1995.

SINGLES

''Tassy Tears / My Swiss Moonlight Lullaby'' 1956 Regal Zonophone
''The Shepherd's Lament / The Hut Beside The Trail'' 1958 Columbia 
''The Freight Train Yodel / Tassie Is The Star'' 1959 Columbia 
''The Land Where The Crow Flies Backwards / Darling Nellie Gray'' 1965 RCA
''The Answer To "How Are Ya Mate" / Give Me The Life Of A Rambler'' 1965 RCA
''Scobie's Hangover / Things Are Really Changing'' 1965 RCA
''We're Going To The Old Barn Dance / Pick Me Up On Your Way Down'' 1966 RCA

''The New Tassie Waltz / Just Because'' 1975 Hadley

ALBUMS
'Tassie Tears' 1972 Hadley 

References

ATHOL McCOY ; ATHOL McCOY; HOF_1980_MCCOY | eHive

PETER McLEAN

Born in Melbourne, Peter McLean started out as a rock n roll singer in the late 50s fronting Henri Bource's All Stars. In 1958 they cut the first rock n roll album 'Rock n Roll Party' ever recorded in Australia. He also recorded a couple of singles with the band ''Hard Headed Woman / Don't Ask Me Why'' and ''Reet Petite / Your Book Of Life''. McLean was known for his numerous TV, radio, stage and nightclub appearances and he toured the USA in the early 60s. In 1964 his old band mate Henri Bource was attacked by what is believed to have been a 2.4 metre long great white shark off Lady Julia Percy Island in Australia in November 1964. He lost his left leg but survived the attack and went on to retell the story in his 1969 documentary film, Savage Shadows. Peter contributed to the soundtrack with a couple of songs backed by an orchestra led by Frank Smith. 

In 1973 McLean released a children's album 'Snips N' Snails, Sugar & Spice' on Don Burrows Cherry Pie label. The single ''Tom'' was lifted from the album and charted. The following year he signed with Polydor and moved into more folk country orientated music releasing a couple of albums. The first album was McLean singing traditional Australian country folk ballads. The next album 'Gently' was self-written that had a stellar lineup of musicians on it including drummer Russell Dunlop (Levi Smiths Clefs, Ayers Rock), guitarists Jim Kelly (SCRA, Crossfire) and Terry Walker (The Strangers) plus session musician maestro Tony Ansell.  Not much is known about Peter McLean after this time. Any additional info would be most helpful.

SINGLES
''Hard Headed Woman / Don't Ask Me Why'' [with the Henri Bource All Stars] 1957 Planet 
''Jealous Heart'' 1960 Planet 
''Clementine / Starbright'' 1960 Planet 
''Rollin' Old River (Swan River Song) / Wonder Welcome To The West'' 1962 Talent City 
''Savage Shadows / And The Rain Came Down'' 1969 RCA
''Tom (#48) / Fantasy Child'' 1973 Cherry Pie 
''Freedom / Thunder Boy'' 1974 Polydor 

''Ben Boyd / It's You I Gotta Be Near'' 1975 Polydor

''Morganna / City Folk'' 1975 Polydor 

EPs

'Sincerely Peter McLean' 1960 Planet

ALBUMS
'Rock N' Roll Party' [with The Henri Bource All Stars] 1958 Planet 
'Snips n' Snails, Sugar & Spice' [as Peter McLean's World Of Children] 1973Cherry Pie 
'Fair Dinkum Folk (A Collection of Australian Colonial Ballads)' 1974 Polydor
'Gently' 1974 Polydor