The Ormsby Brothers (Neville, the eldest sitting to the right. Adrian the youngest in the middle and Michael seated on the left) were a short-lived New-Zealand-Australian musical group, most famous for their version of "You Don't Own Me" which peaked at #5 in Australia in mid-1973. Producer Peter Dawkins would rate the track as one of his best early productions. The Australian public certainly agreed, as did the local radio industry. The Ormsby Brothers won the Easy Listening Vocal Award for 1973 from the Australian Federation of Commercial Broadcasters.
The Ormsby Brothers came from New Zealand's Waikato region. All in all, they released six singles and an album between 1972 to 1974. The chart run for the Ormsby Brothers was not long, but they made some very glossy pop while it lasted. After their recording career finished, they headed off on Mormon missions. Adrian currently lives in the United States, while Michael and Neville remain in Australia.
SINGLES
''I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus / The World Goes 'Round And 'Round'' 1972 HMV ''You Don't Own Me (#5) / Chugga Boom & Pockets'' 1973 EMI ''Sweet Virginia (#80) / It's For You We Sing'' 1973 EMI ''The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore (#93) / All I Have To Do Is Dream'' 1974 EMI ''Bad Day For Love / Hands Across The Sea'' 1974 EMI ''God Knows I've Tried (#76) / We Can Make Beautiful Music'' 1974 EMI
ALBUMS 'The Ormsby Brothers Featuring "You Don't Own Me" 1973 EMI
Rod Kirkham born in 1955, began his professional life at the age of 10 in the 1960s, appearing in a weekly musical entertainment television show in Melbourne called Brian and The Juniors. In 1971 he was chosen as one of the six original members of the much loved, nationally televised variety show, Young Talent Time. Rod went on to become a pop star in his late teens, achieving a top 40 hit with ''I Can't Get Sunday Out Of My Mind'' and hosting his own afternoon children's television show. He also appeared on most of Australia's television other variety shows before joining a cabaret show band and extending his already extensive musical abilities into the area of arranging and producing. He then hosted a 13-week series of the television talent show, Star Quest and also guest-hosted a regional television variety show.
After his marriage to Australian actress, Barbara Llewellyn, Rod opened his own singing school before moving into the advertising world and, in partnership with his talented wife, writing, arranging and producing some of Australia's most catchy jingles and promotional songs. In 1984 Rod and Barbara moved to Los Angeles and were very quickly signed to a music publishing contract and continued to pitch their extensive range of talents to the music and films industries. They returned to Australia in 1987 to begin their son's schooling and re-established their advertising music consultancy. In the early 1990's, Rod launched a training consultancy and divided his time between facilitating computer software and human resource training courses for corporate clients, and co-hosting personal development seminars with Barbara. Today, the consultancy consists of a small team who focus on project management and database application software development for some of Australia's most successful companies.
SINGLES ''Wobbly / Words'' 1971 Festival ''I Can't Get Sunday Out Of My Mind (#37) / I'm Talking To Myself Again'' 1973 Image ''That's When The Music Takes Me / Till Then I'll Walk The Line'' 1973 Image ''My Song / You're So Far Away'' 1974 Image ''That's The Way It Seems / I Just Need You'' 1976 Alberts
Olivia Newton-John was born in Cambridge, England on September 26th, 1948; her family moved to Australia when she was five. Her mother was German, daughter of the physicist Max Born, her father was Welsh, a professor of German at Cambridge and Melbourne. Despite the academic background, early on Olivia showed an interest in singing, forming a band called the Sol Four with some school friends, and later on singing at her brother in law's coffee bar in Australia. She appeared in several Australian TV shows such as The Go!! Show as a teenager also starred in a movie Funny Things Happen Down Under which was forgettable apart from some early promise shown in Olivia's delightful rendition of "Christmas Down Under".
A talent contest hosted by Johnny O'Keefe offered Olivia the prize of a trip to England, and she took this up in 1965. Her first introduction to making records was a one-off single deal with Decca Records. The single, 'Till You Say You'll Be Mine / For Ever', is extremely rare though these two songs were available on the British compilation CD 'Pop Inside the 60's'.
England did not make Olivia entirely happy - she missed Australia and her then boyfriend, Ian Turpie. In one interview she reports how she attempted to book her return flight without telling her mother, who had accompanied her to the UK. Fortunately for Olivia's fans and her future career her mother was not having her daughter waste this opportunity to broaden her horizons and Olivia's plans were thwarted.
Things improved when Pat Carroll, a fellow Australian, arrived in the UK. Dreaming of stardom the two girls played pubs and clubs as the vocal duo imaginatively called Pat and Olivia. New to the British music scene their initial hirings were not always a success - such as the duo's performance at Paul Raymond's Revue bar. They were somewhat taken aback by the scant attire of some of the other performers. Needless to say the duo who were dressed in high-necked frilly dresses were not asked back to what they later on discovered was a strip joint. In 1968 Bruce Welch of the Shadows fell for Olivia and they became engaged, something which was not entirely without problems as he was married at the time. Pat's visa ran out in December 1969 and she returned home. For Olivia, movie stardom beckoned as she was invited to join the band Toomorrow, which was to be Britain's answer to the Monkees. This manufactured group issued an eponymous album in 1970 to go with the film Toomorrow, but the public were not impressed and the movie closed quickly, leaving Olivia to concentrate on her solo music career.
The early Seventies was a prolific period for Olivia - her association with Cliff Richard and the Shadows brought her music to a wide audience. Cliff Richard had a regular TV show and Olivia was a regular guest. She released the albums 'Olivia Newton-John' (1971), and 'Olivia' (1972), 'Music Makes My Day' (1973). Bruce Welch arranged Olivia's first hit single, a cover of Bob Dylan's ''If Not For You''. This single was Olivia's first taste of success in America, something she was to experience a lot more of in the next few years. Olivia reached a turning point in her career with the release of ''Let Me Be There'' which charted at #6 in America. No longer engaged to Bruce Welch, John Farrar, another member of the Shadows, took up songwriting and arrangement for her and this was a successful team which was soon to take the United States by storm. John Farrar had known Olivia from the early days, and he later married Pat Carroll, Olivia's erstwhile singing partner and future business partner.
While holidaying in 1974 in the South of France, Olivia met Lee Kramer, who had a successful business import/export business. The romance developed, and Lee was Olivia's boyfriend and manager for much of the rest of the decade. Just before she moved to the United States to build on her burgeoning success there, Olivia represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. Both song and Olivia's costume on the night were selected by a poll of TV viewers, and the whole mess showed just what was wrong with vox pop artistic taste. A truly awful oompah - oompah song, ''Long Live Love'' was chosen, together with a long flowing baby-blue dress for the actual performance. This time Olivia was up against strong competition - 1974 was the year that ABBA stole the show with a barnstorming performance of their song "Waterloo", which launched their international career. Olivia came fourth.
America beckoned and Olivia left England in 1975 to a rapturous welcome for her next album "Have You Never Been Mellow". The title song charted at #1 and her next single from the album, 'Please Mr Please', reached #3. This was the start of a roll which continued throughout the 70s with a string of gold albums in the US. Olivia was to become a regular on shows like the Midnight Special, and in 1976 she had her own TV special by ABC - A Very Special Olivia Newton-John. Her US audience had loved her for her soft and delicate delivery of ballads and country songs, and she treated them to a string of albums beautifully sung - 'Clearly Love', 'Come On Over', 'Don't Stop Believin', and 'Making a Good Thing Better'. Olivia toured the United States with the album 'Clearly Love'.
Olivia captured hearts in Japan with her singing as well as in the US - she toured Japan in 1976 with the album 'Don't Stop Believin'. Japanese listeners had loved her ever since her performance in the 1971 Tokyo Music Fair, and the 1976 concert was released as a live album in Japan titled 'Love Performance'. She won a string of Grammys for her work, and settled in Malibu, near Los Angeles, with a ranch in the mountains. There she fulfilled a childhood ambition, keeping a number of dogs and horses on the property. As a child, she had not been able to keep many pets despite her love of animals. Her concern for animal welfare spilled over into her professional life when she refused to go to Japan until they amended tuna fishing practices to reduce the needless slaughter of dolphins in the nets.
Musically, it seemed as if Olivia was at the peak of her career, gathering awards effortlessly. In Los Angeles, a producer was looking for a female lead to play opposite John Travolta in his forthcoming movie adaptation of the stage musical Grease. Olivia was not totally sure about playing in another movie and requested a screen test after she was asked to star. The scene was the drive-in and Olivia wowed Allan Carr. Released in June 1978, Grease went on to become one of the biggest selling musicals of all time and the Grease soundtrack album stormed the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Her album, 'Totally Hot', also released in 1978 showed a new musical direction away from her early ballads to more upbeat rock. The album was a great success and Olivia toured America, Japan and Europe with it.
It was always going to be difficult to follow up such a huge success, and Olivia's next movie, Xanadu (1980), received a panning from the critics and did not draw the public into the cinema. However, the Xanadu soundtrack was a roaring success, with Olivia's song ''Magic'' topping the US charts, and the title song, a duet with ELO, also selling well. The movie has since become something of a cult classic, with a small but dedicated following. The movie did have a personal spin-off for Olivia - she met her future husband, Matt Lattanzi, who was a dancer on the set of Xanadu.
In 1981 Olivia released the album 'Physical'. The million-selling title track took up residence at #1 on the US charts for weeks - the second-longest run in the top spot. She had some trepidation about how her fans would like the new direction but she needn't have worried - they loved it! With the aerobic feel of the title track and accompanying video, Olivia's early 80's trademark was the short cropped hair and headband. With the album there was also a full-length video, which was unusual at the time when videos were normally just for individual songs. The album was so successful that when Olivia toured with Physical the next year she played all over America to sell-out audiences.
After reaching the pinnacle of her career with 'Physical', Olivia wanted to take things easier. She was starting to think about other directions - one of them was starting a store with Australian novelties, which was later to turn into the "Koala Blue" fashion chain. In an attempt to reproduce the box-office magic of 'Grease', Olivia was cast with John Travolta in the movie Two of a Kind. In interviews at the time Olivia said that this was her first opportunity to star in a non-musical movie, but the result was not a cinematic success. Once again, however, the soundtrack of Two of a Kind sold quite well with some strong tracks from Olivia and a pleasant duet with John Travolta.
Chloe was born early 1986, and this marked a hiatus in Olivia's music. The period 1986 to 1992 was a lean period in her entertainment career, as she dedicated herself to motherhood, and to developing her business venture, the Koala Blue chain of stores. Olivia transformed her original idea for a Australian speciality store into a fashion chain. This enterprise was established with fellow-Australian and wife of Olivia's long-time record producer, Pat Farrar, with whom Olivia had started out singing in Britain in the late Sixties and early Seventies. Koala Blue was to be a more family-friendly alternative to an intensive singing career, but it did not last the late '80s/early '90s recession. Olivia chose to expand the franchise chain just as consumers were reining in their expenditure on non-essentials, and the company filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy amid some recriminations.
Music was not totally neglected - in 1988, Olivia brought out 'The Rumour', with the title track penned by Elton John. 1988 was also the year of the Australian Bicentennial, and Olivia made a videogram titled "Down Under" for 'The Rumour', in which she performed the songs in some stunning Australian settings. The Australian version of the album features the song "It's Always Australia For Me" which is absent from international versions. 'Warm And Tender', released in 1989, was not really aimed for the mainstream pop market. An album of children's songs and lullabies, this was really meant for Chloe. It is Olivia's first real musical indulgence, which was released on the Geffen label after MCA refused to run it.
Geffen released 'Back To Basics, The Essential Collection' in 1992. This was to be Olivia's return to what she did best, a retrospective over her career but featuring four new songs, which Olivia promoted actively, and she was rehearsing to go on tour with the album in the late summer. The bombshell came on July 2 - Olivia Newton-John had breast cancer. She was taken to hospital and operated on, and then had to undergo a period of chemotherapy. In February the next year she got the all-clear, and went to Australia to recuperate.
'Gaia, One Woman's Journey', an intensely personal and upbeat album, was one of the fruits of Olivia's time in Australia out of the limelight. The album was not released in the United States but was widely issued on independent labels elsewhere. Olivia chose to talk about her experiences with breast cancer, so that other women in a similar position could see that survival was possible, and early detection was important. After her recovery, there were reports of difficulty in Olivia's marriage, which came to a head in 1995 with the announcement that Olivia and husband Matt Lattanzi, were to go their separate ways and eventually divorce. For the next two years Olivia's career was a medley of different directions, with her participating in beauty ads for Home Shopping, a bit part in a US sitcom, an Australian wildlife show titled "Human Nature", appearing in an Aussie TV series "The Man From Snowy River" and acting in the movie "It's My Party" directed by Grease director Randal Kleiser.
After two years of wandering in the wilderness professionally, Olivia began to feel her way musically once again, with some fine singing for the US Christmas movie "Snowden on Ice", and some private performances at events for CHEC, a charity dear to Olivia's heart. In July 1997 MCA-Nashville signed Olivia for a pop country album, and she recorded a duet with the Raybon Bros "Falling" on their eponymous album. 'Back With a Heart' released in May 1998, found Olivia in fine form with an excellent mix of pop and country. Teaming up with Cliff Richard in her first live performance for many years, Australian audiences were treated to Cliff and Olivia live in February and March 1998. The end of 1998 saw Olivia with two Australians for the Main Event Tour, a sellout show with extra dates added by popular demand.
It was America's turn in 1999 - starting on New Year's Eve 98/99 with a mini-tour Olivia treated audiences to a set of her greatest hits, followed by a much larger tour of the United States in the summer.Meanwhile, a new look and a new direction called, with an acting role in Del Shores independent production of the stage play Sordid Lives. A new millennium brought a 14-date American tour in the spring/early Summer with a new line-up of songs from her Greatest Hits. Fans in Asia were also thrilled to see Olivia performing in Hong Kong and Korea during the Summer. The Fall of 2000 saw Olivia singing to her largest audience yet - performing a duet with Australian superstar John Farnham at the Opening Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games. She also performed live at Australian's Carols By Candlelight on Christmas Eve.
2001 brought another tour of the United States in celebration of 30 years of music. Also filmed in Queensland, Australia was her next TV movie Wilde Girls. This also starred her daughter Chloe and premiered in November 2001 on Showtime channel. Olivia released 'Magic' - a best of compilation and her first Christmas album entitled simply "The Christmas Collection." Olivia toured the US in 2002 accompanied by a Symphony Orchestra to give a richer sound to her ballads. Olivia also released her first duet album entitled '2' in Australia. Olivia receives an ARIA Award for her contribution to Australian music. In 2003 Olivia goes full-out touring the world - including USA, Japan and Australia. This continues in 2004 in February and the Fall.
In 2004 Olivia released her 'Indigo' CD - a tribute to the women singers who have influenced Olivia in the early days of her career. Olivia toured the USA throughout 2004 and 2005, and Australia and Japan in 2006. Her philanthropic endeavors continue with the promotion of Livkit - a breast cancer awareness aid. She also started raising money for a cancer support centre in Melbourne, Australia to be named after her. In 2006 Olivia was awarded the Order of Australia,she's already received the OBE in 1979. In 2005 Olivia released 'Stronger Than Before', a CD of life-affirming songs with proceeds going to breast cancer awareness. She follows this positive music with a healing CD 'Grace and Gratitude' and her 2007 'Christmas Wish' album.
The mid-2000s brought challenges for Olivia - boyfriend Patrick McDermott disappeared while on a fishing trip though he was traced years later. However, things were to look up when she took a trip to Peru in 2007 and met John Easterling again. John founded the Amazon Herb Company which makes products using herbs and botanicals from the Amazon. John knows the Amazon well, he has been travelling to the Amazon for over three decades. Olivia married for the second time on June 21, 2008, to entrepreneur "Amazon John" John Easterling, who founded the Amazon Herb Company.
Olivia dedicated a lot of time to helping to raise awareness and treatment of cancer, particularly breast cancer, with the self-examination aid Livkit, establishing the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia and many appearances supporting cancer awareness and fundraising events. In 2010 Olivia rereleased the album 'Grace and Gratitude' with some new versions of the songs as Grace and Gratitude renewed. On 8 August 2022, Newton-John died from cancer at her home in the Santa Ynez Valley of California, at the age of 73.
SINGLES ''Sunny, Honey Girl'' [with Cliff Richard] 1971 Columbia ''If Not For You (#7) / The Biggest Clown'' 1971 Interfusion ''Banks Of The Ohio (#1) / Love Song'' 1971 Interfusion ''What Is Life / I'm A Small And Lonely Light'' 1972 Interfusion ''Just A Little Too Much / Changes'' 1972 Interfusion ''Take Me Home, Country Roads / Sail Into Tomorrow'' 1972 Interfusion ''Let Me Be There (#11) / Maybe Then I'll Think Of You'' 1973 Interfusion ''Long Live Love (#11) / Angel Eyes'' 1974 Interfusion ''I Love You, I Honestly Love You (#1) / Home Ain't Home Anymore'' 1974 Interfusion ''If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (#2) / Rosewater'' 1975 Interfusion ''Have You Never Been Mellow (#10) / Water Under The Bridge'' 1975 Interfusion ''Please Mr. Please (#35) / And In The Morning'' 1975 Interfusion ''Something Better To Do (#60) / He's My Rock'' 1975 Interfusion ''Don't Stop Believin' (#93) / Greensleeves'' 1976 Interfusion ''Let It Shine / He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother'' 1976 Interfusion ''Come On Over (#55) / Small Talk And Pride'' 1976 Interfusion ''Sam (#56) / I'll Bet You A Kangaroo'' 1977 Interfusion ''Jolene (#29) / Changes'' 1978 Interfusion ''You're The One That I Want'' (#1) [with John Travolta] 1978 RSO ''Hopelessly Devoted To You'' (#1) 1978 RSO ''Summer Nights'' (#6) [with John Travolta] 1978 RSO ''A Little More Love (#9) / Borrowed Time'' 1978 Interfusion ''Deeper Than The Night (#74) / Please Don't Keep Me Waiting'' 1979 Interfusion ''Totally Hot / Dancin' 'Round And 'Round'' 1979 Interfusion ''I Can't Help It'' (#62) [with Andy Gibb] 1980 ATA ''Magic (#4) / Fool Country'' 1980 Jet ''Don't Cry For Me Argentina (#32) / Gimme Some Lovin' 1980 Interfusion ''Xanadu [with Electric Light Orchestra] (#2) / Whenever You're Away From Me'' [with Gene Kelly] 1980 Jet
''Suddenly'' (#37) [with Cliff Richard] / You Made Me Love You'' 1980 Jet ''Physical (#1) / The Promise (The Dolphin Song)'' 1981 Interfusion ''Make A Move On Me (#8) / Falling'' 1982 Interfusion ''Landslide / Recovery'' 1982 Interfusion ''Heart Attack (#22) / Stranger's Touch'' 1982 Interfusion ''Tied Up (In Promises) (#54) / Silvery Rain'' 1983 Interfusion ''Twist Of Fate (#4) / Coolin' Down'' 1983 Interfusion ''(Livin' In) Desperate Times (Re-Mixed Version) (#81) / Landslide'' 1984 Interfusion ''Take A Chance'' [with John Travolta] / Love Make Me Strong'' 1984 Interfusion ''Soul Kiss (#20) / Electric'' 1985 Interfusion ''Toughen Up (#69) / Driving Music'' 1986 Interfusion ''The Best Of Me'' [with David Foster] 1986 Atlantic
''It's Always Australia For Me / Emotional Tangle'' 1988 Interfusion ''The Rumour (#35) / Winter Angel'' 1988 Interfusion ''Can't We Talk It Over In Bed / Get Out'' 1988 Interfusion ''Reach Out For Me (Edited Re-Mix) / The Flower That Shattered The Stone'' 1989 Interfusion ''I Need Love (LP) (#89) / I Need Love (Club Mix Edit)'' 1992 Interfusion
''"Deeper Than a River" 1992 Festival ''No Matter What You Do" (#35) 1994 Festival "Don't Cut Me Down" 1995 Festival "Had to Be" [with Cliff Richard] 1995 EMI "You're the One That I Want" (Martian remix) 1998 [with John Travolta] (#27) "I Honestly Love You" (1998 version) 1998 Festival "Back with a Heart" 1998 Festival "Precious Love" 1998 MCA "Change of Heart"[with Jim Brickman] 2000 Windham Hill Records "Valentine"[with Jim Brickman] 2001 Windham Hill Records "Instrument of Peace" 2006 ONJ "Christmas on My Radio" 2007 "Angel in the Wings" [featuring Jann Arden] 2008 "Hope Is Always Here" [featuring David Foster] 2009
EPs
'The Grease Mega-Mix' [with John Travolta] (#1) 1991 Polydor
ALBUMS 'If Not For You' (#14) 1971 Interfusion 'Olivia' 1972 Interfusion 'Let Me Be There' 1973 MCA 'Long Live Love' (#19) 1974 Interfusion 'Have You Never Been Mellow' (#13) 1975 Interfusion 'Clearly Love' (#39) 1975 Interfusion 'Come On Over' (#29) 1976 Interfusion 'Don't Stop Believin' (#88) 1976 Interfusion 'Making a Good Thing Better' (#33) 1977 Interfusion 'Totally Hot' (37) 1978 Interfusion 'Physical' (#3) 1981 Interfusion 'Soul Kiss' (#11) 1985 Interfusion 'The Rumour' (#94) 1988 Interfusion 'Warm and Tender' 1989 Interfusion 'Gaia: One Woman's Journey' (#7) 1994 Festival 'Back with a Heart' (#66) 1998 Festival 'Indigo: Women of Song' (#15) 2004 Festival 'Stronger Than Before' (#39) 2005 ONJ 'Grace and Gratitude' (#86)2006 ONJ 'Christmas Wish' 2007 'A Celebration in Song(Olivia Newton-John & Friends)' 2008 'This Christmas' [with John Travolta] (#33) 'Liv On' [with Amy Sky and Beth Nielsen Chapman] (#72) 2016 'Friends for Christmas' [with John Farnham] (#1) 2016
The Radiators were formed in Western Sydney in September 1978 as a pub rock band with Brendan Callinan on keyboards and vocals, Brian Nichol on lead vocals and guitar, Stephen "Fess" Parker on lead guitar, Chris Tagg on drums and Geoff Turner on bass guitar. Nichol and Parker grew up in Bega where they attended the local high school. They formed a local group, Undecided, and in 1969 they relocated to Sydney. Callinan, Nichol, Parker and Tagg were all ex-members of hard rockers, Big Swifty which had formed in 1975. Turner had been in Twister which had issued two singles in 1977 prior to disbanding. The Radiators signed with WEA Records and issued their debut single, "Comin' Home" in September 1979. It peaked at #33 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. A second single, "Gimme Head", appeared in February 1980. In March 1980 the group released their first album, 'Feel the Heat', which was produced by Charles Fisher (Radio Birdman, Ol' 55). They supported the Australian leg of a tour by United Kingdom rock group, The Police.
In 1981 Powderworks Records released "Up for Grabs" in October, which reached the top 40. They followed with "Nothing's Changed" in December. The Radiators signed with EMI Records and, in May 1983, issued the album, 'Scream of the Real', which peaked at #15 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. That month its lead single, "No Tragedy" reached the top 30. In 1984 they released 'Life's a Gamble', which became their third platinum album. In June Tagg was replaced on drums by Mick Buckley. The group toured constantly, averaging 200 gigs a year and by 1985 had performed an estimated 1500 times, Turner explained, "Your fingers and throat start hurting ... It's a bit of a grind and it seems never-ending... but there's nothing else we'd rather do than play rock and roll. I can't imagine life without the Rads".
In late 1986, they signed with Mercury Records and released 'Nasty Habits in Nice Children' in March 1987, which was produced by Peter Blyton (Chain). That June, Buckley was replaced on drums by Brad Heaney. Heaney was replaced in turn by Mark Lucas and then in 1988 Callinan left without being replaced. In January 1989 Heaney was a founding member of hard rock group, The Screaming Jets. By the early 1990s, the band's "boogie rock" style was outmoded and Turner noted that media referred to their fans as "mindless yobbos from the west". However, rock music author, James Cockington, felt "part of their appeal is their refusal to change their style, so that a 1978 gig and a 1998 gig are strangely similar experiences". Further albums include 'Radiators' (October 1993), 'Stone' (September 1995), 'In the Roar' (1997) and 'Smoke and Mirrors' (2000). In 2001 veteran Australian guitarist Ted Mulry was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and a series of tribute concerts, Gimme Ted, were organised. The Radiators' performance on 10 March was recorded with seven-tracks issued on a 2× DVD as 'Gimme Ted – The Ted Mulry Benefit Concerts by Various Artists' (2003).
The Radiators appeared in the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert series in Australia between late-August and early-September 2007. They sang two songs including "Comin' Home", which was issued on the associated 3× CD set, 'Countdown Spectacular Live – Volume Two' (2007). According to the band's website, as of 2008, the line up of Lucas, Nichol, Parker and Turner celebrated the group's 30th anniversary and toured throughout Australia. In June 2009 they performed at the 31st Annual Golden Stave Charity Luncheon at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion. Their best-known songs are "Comin' Home", "No Tragedy" and "Gimme Head" (covered in 2004 by Melbourne band, Your Wedding Night). Rock music historian, Ian McFarlane described the group as "an archetypal, hard-working pub-rock band capable of delivering tightly crafted, well-executed, hard-hitting metal-pop anthems backed by a playful sense of humour. The band toured constantly, racking up over 2500 gigs by the early 1990s".
Members
Brian Nichol (vocals), Stephen 'Fess' Parker (guitar), Geoff Turner (bass), Brent Dehn (guitar), Brendan Callinan (keyboards), Chris Tagg (drums), Mick Buckley (drums), Brad Heaney (drums), Mark Lucas (drums), Martin Cilia (guitar), Brent Dehn (guitar)
SINGLES ''Comin' Home (#33) / Numbers'' 1979 WEA ''Fess' Song / Gimme Head'' 1980 WEA ''Hit And Run / Lonely'' 1980 WEA ''Room Full Of Diamonds (#90) / Quit'' 1981 7 Records ''Up For Grabs / Brain Damage'' 1981 Powderworks ''Nothings Changed / Automatic'' 1982 Powderworks ''No Tragedy (#27) / Enough's Enough'' 1983 EMI ''You (#82) / Driving'' 1983 EMI ''Revolution (#41) / Sitting In My Armchair'' 1984 EMI ''Life's A Gamble (#47) / Night Slave'' 1984 EMI ''A Bit Of Pain Never Hurts / Scream Of The Real'' 1985 EMI ''One Touch (#58) / Dangerous'' 1986 Radiators ''Bring On The Crazy (#65) / Three More Restless Hours'' 1986 Mercury ''Dreaming (#91) / One Touch'' 1987 Mercury ''Love Ain't Love (Edited Version) / Promise Of Love'' 1987 Mercury ''Summer Holiday / Lonely'' 1988 Mercury ''Rock 'n' Roll All Night'' 1993 M Records "Ain't That Just Like Me" 1993 M Records
EPs 'You Have the Right to Remain Silent' (#58) 1981 WEA
ALBUMS 'Feel the Heat' (#22) 1980 WEA 'Up for Grabs' (#29) 1981 Powderworks 'Scream of the Real' (#15) 1983 EMI 'Life's a Gamble' (#47) 1984 EMI 'Nasty Habits in Nice Children' (#68) 1987Mercury 'Hard Core' 1991 M Records 'Radiators' 1993 M Records 'Stone' 1995 M Records 'Smoke and Mirrors' 2000 The Radiators
The Expression was an Australian synthpop band formed in Sydney in 1981 with local musicians Jason O'Donnell on bass and Steve Layton, who went on to work with Jon Anderson from Yes, on keyboards, although three of its members hailed previously from Western Australia. Tom Haran on vocals, Neville Dowling on keyboards, (ex-Dave Warner Band), and Andrew Wong-Yen on guitar had all played in the Perth band Visitor during the late 1970s.
By 1981 the trio had relocated to Sydney and formed The Expression, along with Stephen Manassah on bass and Steve Hopes on drums (ex-Renee Geyer Band). They quickly established themselves on the Sydney live circuit, with a cutting-edge brand of ‘new wave’ pop, combining sharp guitar riffs and haunting synthesizer melodies, topped off by Haran's unique vocal style. It was the early 1980s and a slickly produced brand of pop-rock was in order if a band/artist wanted to break into the charts, with a throng of up-and-coming bands all jostling for record deals and chart action (Eurogliders, Real Life, Machinations).
Mushroom Records signed The Expression to a recording deal during 1982 and the band set about working on their debut album. The band's first single was "With Closed Eyes", which entered the Australian charts in March 1983 and peaked at #27 nationally (#18 in Melbourne). The video, produced by Paul Goldman, first aired on Countdown in March 1983. The video is described as being 'worthy of some of the great Hollywood epics in terms of its cinematic scope and emotional resonance.'
The band's debut self-titled album, 'The Expression', recorded in Sydney and mixed in New York City, was produced by Charles Fisher (Radio Birdman, Hoodoo Gurus, Moving Pictures) was released in late 1983 and reached #55 on the album charts. The album was also released in the United States by A&M Records, with a different cover and slightly different track listing. A further two singles were released from the album, "Decisions", and "Total Eclipse", both of which did not chart into the top 50. During this period drummer Steve Hopes had been replaced by Guy Slingerland (ex-Eurogliders), and soon after the live line-up of the band splintered, leaving the future of The Expression up in the air.
Haran and Dowling opted to continue to work under The Expression banner, and recruited several English based session players, including drummer Gary Burke and bassist Steve Greetham, to record material for a second album which was recorded in London at the Abbey Road Studios and produced by Ben Rogan (Sade) and Wally Brill. In March 1984 a new single "Present Communication" was released but failed to chart. A period of almost fifteen months elapsed before the next single from The Expression saw the light of day. "Small Brave Land" was released in July 1985 and was quickly followed by The Expression's second album 'Conscience', but neither managed to secure a new audience or even retain the band's previous fan base to any great degree. Haran and Dowling recruited a new stage line-up, drummer Bill Heckenberg and bassist Tim Lumsdaine but by late 1985 the ever-evolving contemporary music scene had left The Expression behind, and soon thereafter the band called it a day.
In 2006, The Expression's two original albums were digitally remastered and released on CD by independent record label, What It Is Records, which was established by the band's former bass player, Stephen Manassah. The re-released version of 'Conscience' included three additional tracks from the 1984 London recordings. That was followed in 2007 by an album, 'Rare & Un-Released', a compilation of previously unreleased live/demo material, with a bonus DVD which featured all five of the band's music videos, including "With Closed Eyes". The albums were distributed in the United States and Europe by Almacantar Records.
Members
Neville Dowling (keyboard, vocals), Tom Haran (vocals, guitar, percussion), Bill Henkenberg (drums), Steve Hopes (drums), Tim Lumsdaine (bass), Stephen Manassah (bass), Guy Slingerland (drums), Andrew Wong-Yen (guitar) Gary Burke (drums), Steve Greetham (bass), Chris Jarret (guitar), Vinnie Zumo (guitar), Steve Layton (keyboards), Al Basch (drums)
SINGLES ''With Closed Eyes (#27) / Nothing Changes'' 1983 Mushroom ''Decisions (#91) / More Like A Feeling Than A Taste'' 1983 Mushroom ''Total Eclipse (Edited Version) (#65) / Round And Round'' 1983 Mushroom ''Present Communication / Three Four Day'' 1984 Mushroom ''Small Brave Land / Old Mankind'' 1985 Mushroom
ALBUMS 'The Expression' (#55) 1983 Mushroom 'Conscience' 1985 Mushroom
Redgum was formed in 1975 when three students at Flinders University, John Schumann, Michael Atkinson and Verity Truman collaborated for a musical assessment piece for their Politics and Art course. The trio quickly gained fame around the university community for their forthright songs, and by 1976 had been joined by violinist Chris Timms (ex-Quasar) who had previously attended Flinders University. The group were soon in demand for parties, pubs and rallies throughout South Australia and Victoria. Released in 1978 their first album, 'If You Don't Fight You Lose' Redgum showed it was one of the few Australian bands prepared to tackle domestic politics and culture. "One More Boring Night in Adelaide" for some will remain, despite some of its dated references, a classic analysis of Australian provincial parochialism. Initially a part-time band, performing weekends and school holidays (two members were teachers), it was only after they released their second album, 'Virgin Ground' (late 1980), to strong sales and critical acclaim, that the group became full-time and started touring nationally.
The group's success continued to grow with the release of their next three albums, 'Virgin Ground', 'Brown Rice and Kerosine' adding former Captain Matchbox bassist Dave Flett. Chris Timms left the band and was replaced by Hugh McDonald before they released their EP 'Cut to the Quick'. They released a songbook The Redgum Songbook: Stubborn Words, Flagrant Vices (1981). Collaboration with influential Australian folk producer Trevor Lucas (from UK folk group Fairport Convention) brought the high-point of their career – the live LP 'Caught in the Act' was released in May 1983 and "I Was Only 19" aka "A Walk in the Light Green" (March 1983) hit #1 on the Australian singles chart. The song precipitated a Royal Commission into the use and effects of chemical agents in the Vietnam War by the Australian military. The album included "The Diamantina Drover" and "The Last Frontier" which are indicative of their folk music style.
The band released their next LP, 'Frontline' (June 1984) with its single "I've Been to Bali Too" and started touring folk venues in the UK and Europe with some success. Late in 1985, Schumann announced that he had signed a solo deal with CBS Records and would be quitting. Michael Spicer on vocals, keyboards and flute replaced Schumann. Redgum released one more album of new material, 'Midnight Sun' (1986), and a last single "Roll it on Robbie" after which Atkinson left. There were plans to release another album but this did not occur. The album was recorded at Warrenwood in Melbourne but never released due to the studio going into liquidation. Redgum with the lineup of Hugh McDonald, Verity Truman, Michael Spicer, James Spicer and Tim Hannaford performed until 1990, when the band's considerable debts were cleared. After this was achieved Redgum disbanded.
Members
John Schumann (vocals, guitar), Michael Atkinson (bass, mandolin, piano, vocals), Verity Truman (vocals, flute, tin whistle), Chris Timms (violin), Bruce Barry (bass, guitar), Chris Boath (bass), Gordon McLean (drums), Tom Stehlik (drums), David Flett (bass), Geoff Gifford (drums), Russel Coleman (drums), Hugh McDonald (guitar, violin), Michael Spicer (keyboards, flute), Brian Czempinski (drums), Stephen Cooney (bass, didgeridoo, guitar, mandolin, banjo), Andy Baylor (guitar, fiddle), Peter Beulke (bass), Ray Rafael (drums), Darren Deland Darren (bass), Louis McManus (guitar), Malcolm Wakeford (drums), Bob Sender Bob (guitar), James Spicer (drums), Tim Hannaford (bass)
SINGLES ''100 Years On / Nuclear Cop'' 1981 Epic ''The Long Run / Little Hampton'' 1981 Epic ''Caught In The Act / Stewie / Lear Jets Over Kulgera'' 1983 Epic ''I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green) (#1) / Yarralumla Wine'' 1983 Epic ''ASIO / Hira'' 1984 Epic ''I've Been To Bali Too (#16) / Still Life'' 1984 Epic ''Friday Night (#82) / The Last Frontier'' 1984 Epic ''The Drover's Dog (#20) / It Doesn't Matter To Me'' 1985 Epic ''Just Another Moment On Your Own / Kerang (Moon Over Water)'' 1985 Epic ''Running With The Hurricane / A Street To Die'' 1986 Epic ''Roll It On Robbie (#34) / Empty Page'' 1987 Epic
EPs 'Cut To The Quick' 1982 Epic
'Four Play - Volume Nineteen' 1988 Epic
ALBUMS 'If You Don't Fight You Lose' 1978 Larrikin 'Virgin Ground' (#53) 1980 Epic 'Brown Rice and Kerosine' (#48) 1981 Epic 'Frontline' (#18) 1984 Epic 'Midnight Sun' (#77) 1986 Epic
In late 1980, Richard Zatorski placed an ad in a Melbourne newspaper as a keyboard player looking for a guitarist with whom to write songs, and David Sterry responded. The two formed a writing partnership and began work on the material that would eventually become the first songs by Real Life. First using the name, The Wires, Sterry and Zatorski started doing gigs accompanied by a primitive drum machine they named Gloria. In 1981, the pair decided to recruit more musicians, and through another newspaper ad, they found bassist Allan Johnson and drummer Danny Simcic. The group changed their name to avoid confusion with the English band Wire, and became known as A Private Life, which soon gained a loyal following, opening for bands such as INXS, Mi-Sex, The Church, Midnight Oil, and others. A band from Sydney called Private Lives threatened legal action over their name, which prompted them to change it once again, this time to Real Life.
After hearing an early version of "Send Me an Angel", the group's manager, Glenn Wheatley, was so impressed that he formed his own label, Wheatley Records, to release it as a single in early 1983. "Send Me an Angel" became a top 10 hit in Australia reaching #6 and led to Real Life being signed to the Curb Records label (which was distributed by MCA Records at that time) for the world outside of Australia. The song went on to top the charts in New Zealand and Germany and entered the top 30 in the US. The second single, "Openhearted", was released in August 1983 and peaked at #72. In November 1983, "Catch Me I'm Falling" was released, eventually reaching the top 10 in Australia and Germany, as well as the top 40 in the US. The band's debut album, 'Heartland' (produced by Steve Hillage), entered the top 40 in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland, and peaked at #58 in the US. "Always" was released in Europe in August 1984 as the album's fourth and final single, followed by the November 1984 release of Master Mix, an EP of remixes that peaked at #74 on the Australian charts.
In September 1985, they released "Face to Face" as the lead single from their second studio album, 'Flame', which came out the following month. "Face to Face" was a minor hit, peaking at #32 in Australia, while the album peaked at #42. The follow-up single "One Blind Love" fared less well, while the album and its singles went largely overlooked in the rest of the world.
In 1986, they recorded a handful of new songs, which were the band's first recordings not written by Sterry and Zatorski. "Babies", written by the songwriting team of Holly Knight, Michael Des Barres, and Mike Chapman, was released as a single, but failed to chart; another track, "Hammer of Love", was written by Steve Williams, who had replaced Zatorski earlier in the year. Both tracks were included on a compilation titled 'Down Comes the Hammer' (which also included another new song, a remix of the title track of 'Flame', and a handful of other tracks from the band's two albums), which was only released in North America and France. Also in 1986, the movie Rad featured "Send Me an Angel" on its soundtrack and featured it in a scene wherein riders on BMX bikes performed various freestyle stunts as the song played.
In 1989, Real Life released a new version of "Send Me an Angel", titled "Send Me an Angel '89", which fared slightly better than the original in the United States. The video for the 1989 version was identical to the original, except that Zatorski was edited out of all shots; another version for the Australian market was filmed in Ormond College, University of Melbourne, with Williams on keyboards.
The group released their third studio album, 'Lifetime', in 1990. This was their first album of all-new material in five years. The album spawned minor hits with "God Tonight" and "Kiss the Ground", both of which placed on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks and Dance Club Songs charts in the United States. After a falling-out occurred between Sterry and the remaining two original members, Johnson and Simcic, the band went on hiatus for several years.
In 1997, Real Life reemerged as a duo with Sterry and new member George Pappas on keyboards. Following the release of their fourth studio album, 'Happy', the band embarked on an extensive tour of the US, Germany and Australia, and were invited to perform at Salt Lake City's Synthstock2000 with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Berlin.
In 2003, the band signed to the American independent label A Different Drum, and released their fifth studio album, 'Imperfection'. They toured the west coast of the US in 2004 as a trio of Sterry and Pappas with drummer Scott Ingram. In November 2005, Pappas announced his departure from the band, leaving Sterry to continue as Real Life on his own, performing at various 1980s-themed events such as Australia's Absolutely 80s and the US' Lost 80's Live. Pappas began recording solo material under the name Alien Skin in 2007, and A Different Drum released his debut album, 'Don't Open Till Doomsday', the following year.
On 19 May 2009, Real Life released their sixth studio album, 'Send Me An Angel – '80s Synth Essentials', on Cleopatra Records in the US. In addition to another new recording (and two remixes) of "Send Me an Angel", the album also includes cover versions of twelve other 1980s new wave classics by acts such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, and Gary Numan. After another lengthy hiatus, Sterry resurrected Real Life again in 2020 with a new studio album, 'Sirens'.
Members
David Sterry (vocals, guitar), Richard Zatorski (violin, keyboards), Alan Johnson (bass), Danny Simcic (drums), Steve Williams (keyboards), George Pappas (keyboards), Scott Ingram (drums)
SINGLES ''Send Me An Angel (#6) / Like A Gun'' 1983 Wheatley ''Openhearted (#72) / Pick Me Up'' 1983 Wheatley ''Catch Me I'm Falling (#8) / Thrill Me'' 1983 Wheatley ''Face To Face (#32) / Flame (Instrumental)'' 1985 Wheatley ''One Blind Love/Love's Not Easy / The Longest Day'' 1985 Wheatley ''God Tonight (Radio Version) (#83) / God Tonight (Instrumental Dub)'' 1990 RCA "Kiss the Ground" 1990 Curb "Deep Sleep" 1996 Blah Blah Blah "Meltdown" 1997 "Like a Ghost" 1997 "Oblivion" 2004 A Different Drum "Way to Nowhere / Small World" 2015
ALBUMS 'Heartland' (#30) 1983 Wheatley 'Flame' (#42) 1985 Wheatley 'Lifetime' (#95) 1990 Curb 'Happy' 1997 Momentum 'Imperfection' 2004 A Different Drum 'Sirens' 2020
Their debut single, "Everywhere I Go", was released in December, which peaked at #19 on the national chart. QED performed it on Countdown on 1 April 1984. The follow-up single "Solo and More" was issued in March but failed to chart. The third single, "This One", appeared in August and reached #45 on the national singles charts. Additional musicians for QED’s first album, 'Animal Magic', included keyboardist Amanda Vincent (Eurogliders, who later joined the Jenny Morris band), drummer Steve Fearnly, saxophonist Tony Buchanan, and Fataar on drums. EMI released it in November 1984, but sales remained low, and the album did not chart. QED only released one album and disbanded by 1985, Morris later had a successful solo career. Ian Belton died in 1993.
Members
Jenny Morris (vocals), Rex Goh (guitar), Ian Belton (bass), Shane Flew (drums)
SINGLES ''Everywhere I Go (#19) / Checkmate'' 1983 EMI
''Solo And More / I'll Get It Right (Timmy's Mix)'' 1984 EMI ''This One (#45) / Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte'' 1984 EMI
Pat Wilson (born Patricia Mary Higgins; 11 June 1948) is an Australian singer and journalist. Little is known about Wilson's early years. She first saw Ross Wilson perform with his band The Pink Finks in about 1965, when she was sixteen. They met when he was working for the Department of Supply. In 1969, Ross left Australia for England to become a member of Procession. Wilson joined him there; they married and returned to Australia.
In 1975 Pat Wilson appeared on Australian band Skyhooks' second album 'Ego Is Not A Dirty Word' playing finger cymbals on the title track, "Ego Is Not A Dirty Word". Ross produced the album. In September 1983, Wilson released "Bop Girl", a song written by Ross which peaked at #2 in Australia; and achieved airplay in the United States, where it peaked at #104 on the Billboard pop chart. Ross also provided backing vocals and appeared in its music video. The single was also released in Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Sweden and the UK.
Eric McCusker of Mondo Rock, when interviewed in Juke Magazine in 1983, was asked whether he could have written something like "Bop Girl", he replied: "No, that's a very Ross Wilson song isn't it? That's been around for about four years. I think Ross did a demo with some guys from the first Mondo line up and we all liked the song but it was obvious it wasn't a Mondo Rock sound. But that's what I say about doing other things aside from Mondo Rock: it's healthy and you don't feel restricted as a result." A single "Strong Love" was released in May 1984 and peaked at #26. This was following by the 5-track mini-album 'Strong Love'. This mini album was issued in the US as 'Bop Girl'.
Mondo Rock was formed in November 1976 in Melbourne by Bob Bickerton on drums (ex-Rock Granite and the Profiles); Mike Clarke on bass guitar (ex-Mick Rogers and Eclipse); Greg Cook on keyboards and guitar (ex-Cam-Pact, Skylight, Phil Manning Band); Peter Laffy on guitar (ex-Fox, Freeway); and Ross Wilson (ex-Daddy Cool) on lead vocals and harmonica.
Personnel turnover in the band (except for Wilson) was a constant, and by mid-1978, the line-up consisted of Wilson, Laffy, guitarist Randy Bulpin, keyboardist Tony Slavich (ex-Ariel), bassist Simon Gyllies and drummer Iain McLennan. In September 1978, this line-up of Mondo Rock released their debut single, "The Fugitive Kind", on Oz Records which peaked at #49 on the Australian Kent Music Report. Slavich left shortly thereafter.
After recording and issuing another single "Love Shock", (which didn't chart), in May 1979 the band recorded live material for use on their debut album, which was to be an unusual mix of live tracks and studio recordings. A few months later in 1979, the line-up of Wilson, Gyllies, Randy Bulpin, Laffy, McLennan and new keyboardist Rex Bullen (ex-Bakery, Fatty Lumpkin) recorded the studio material for their debut album, 'Primal Park', which was issued on the Oz label via EMI Records and peaked at #40 in Australia. The album yielded two singles, "Searching for My Baby" (September) and "Primal Park" (November), neither of which charted. McLennan contracted hepatitis as the band was due to tour to promote the album, so he was replaced, first by Eddie Van Roosendael (ex-Stiletto), and then by Gil Matthews (ex-Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs) on drums, for the tour.
In February 1980, an almost entirely new version of Mondo Rock debuted. The new line-up consisted of Wilson, Matthews and James Black (ex-Rum Jungle, Russell Morris Band) on keyboards and guitar; Paul Christie (ex-Kevin Borich Express) on bass guitar; and Eric McCusker (ex-The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band) on guitar. Wilson's role as frontman and songwriter would remain an important part of Mondo Rock, but McCusker would come to be the other Mondo Rock mainstay, eventually becoming responsible for writing the majority of their material.
This line-up released their first major hit single, "State of the Heart" in October 1980, which peaked at #6 on the Kent Music Report. The track was written by McCusker, taking some of the pressure off Wilson, who was experiencing temporary writer's block. Matthews left after the single appeared and was replaced by Andy Buchanan (ex-Darryl Cotton Band) who stayed long enough to drum on a few cuts. Their next single, "Cool World", appeared in April 1981 and was also successful on the chart, reaching #8. Buchanan left shortly before the single was issued and was replaced by John James "J. J." Hackett (ex-Stars, the Fabulaires). The band's second album, 'Chemistry' was released in July 1981 and peaked at #2 on the Kent Music Report. Two more singles were released from the album with "Chemistry" peaking at #20 and "Summer of '81" at 31. The royalties from "Summer of '81" single were donated to Amnesty International.
In June 1982, Mondo Rock released "No Time", the lead single from the band's third studio album. According to McCusker, "No Time" was inspired by The Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down", as a tribute to John Lennon. The song peaked at #11 in Australia. In July 1982 the band released its third studio album Nuovo Mondo, on RCA / WEA, which peaked at #7 in Australia. Christie left the group in September and subsequently formed an all-star band, The Party Boys; he was replaced on bass guitar by James Gillard (ex-Western Flyer). Two additional singles were released, "The Queen and Me" and "In Another Love". The album also includes "A Touch of Paradise" which was released in February 1987 by Australian pop singer John Farnham, as his third single from his album, 'Whispering Jack' and reached the Australian top 30.
By 1983, the Mondo Rock line-up of Wilson, Black, Gillard, Hackett, and McCusker started recording their fourth studio album. In December, the album's lead single "Come Said the Boy" was released, which peaked at #2 in Australia. The song is a provocative tale about the loss of virginity and was banned by many radio stations including Sydney's then top-rated 2SM – which was affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. 'The Modern Bop 'was released in March 1984 and peaked at #5 in Australia. The album yielded two more singles, "Baby Wants to Rock" and "The Modern Bop". Black left the group later in the year, and was not immediately replaced, with Mondo Rock continuing as a four-piece band.
In June 1985 Polydor Records released the band's first compilation album 'Up to the Moment', which peaked at #5. The album produced two singles, "Good Advice" and "The Moment". On 13 July 1985 Mondo Rock performed four tracks for the Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program). The concert was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US.
The group's fifth studio album, 'Boom Baby Boom' was released in September 1986 with the line-up swelling to a sextet, as Wilson, Gillard, Hackett, and McCusker were joined by new members Andrew Ross on saxophone and Duncan Veall on keyboards. The album peaked at #27 in Australia. The album's second single "Primitive Love Rites" was released in October 1986 and peaked in the top 40 in Australia and in 1987, became a minor hit on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and reached the top 40 on its Mainstream Rock chart. In November 1987, the band released an EP titled, 'Aliens'. Wilson disbanded the group early the following year and recorded a solo album, 'The Dark Side of the Man', which included a top 40 single, "Bed of Nails", in June 1989.
In 1990 Mondo Rock—officially now simply the duo of Wilson and McCusker, aided by session players—reconvened and recorded the group's sixth studio album, 'Why Fight It?', which was issued in November 1990. Three singles were released from the album, "Why Fight It?", "I Had You in Mind" and "Soul Reason"; none peaked higher than #94 on the national charts. In 1991 Wilson dissolved the group again.
In 2006 the line-up of Wilson, Black, Christie and McCusker appeared in the 2006 Countdown Spectacular concert series and performing a medley of "Cool World" and "Summer of '81" and a full version of "Come Said the Boy". In June 2014, the band reunited to perform their 1981 album 'Chemistry'. The 2014 Mondo Rock line-up was exactly the same line-up that played on the 1980 single "State of the Heart", as well as a few tracks on 'Chemistry': Ross Wilson, Eric McCusker, James Black, Paul Christie and Gil Matthews. The band released 'Besto Mondo' in August 2015. The band toured nationally in 2019 and continue to play live. On 8 May 2020, the band released their first ever live album Summer of '81, Live at the Pier. Barry Sullivan died in his sleep 27 October 2003 at his Sunshine Coast home, aged 57. Drummer JJ Hackett died in 2019. Ian Belton died in 1993.
Members
Ross Wilson (vocals, harmonica), Peter Laffy (guitar), Ian Winter (guitar), Tony Slavich (keyboards), Chris Jones (guitar), Barry Sullivan (bass), Trevor Courtney (drums), Greg Cook (guitar, organ), Simon Gyllies (bass), Randy Bulpin (guitar), Iain McLennan (drums), Eddie Van Rosendaal (drums), Gil Matthews (drums), Eric McCusker (guitar), James Black (keyboards, guitar), Paul Christie (bass), Kerry Jacobsen (drums), Andrew Bell (guitar), John James "J. J." Hackett (drums, guitar), Andy Buchanan (drums), James Gillard (bass), Duncan Veall (keyboards), Andrew Ross (keyboards, saxophone), Colin Newham (keyboards), Sean Timms (keyboards), Bernie Worrell (keyboards), Simon Phillips (bass), Ian Belton (bass), Mitch Farmer (drums), Bob Bickerton (drums), Mike Clarke (bass), Gunther Gorman (guitar), Mary Azzopardi (backing vocals), Mark Williams (backing vocals)
SINGLES ''The Fugitive Kind (#49) / The Breaking Point'' 1978 OZ ''Love Shock / The Mood (Live)'' 1979 OZ ''Searching For My Baby / Send Me Someone'' 1979 OZ ''Primal Park / Live Wire'' 1979 OZ ''State Of The Heart (#6) / Mona Lisa [She Smiles]'' 1980 Avenue ''Cool World (#8) / Back On The Outside'' 1981 Avenue ''Chemistry (#20) / Searching For My Baby'' 1981 Avenue ''Summer Of '81 (#31) / Mona Lisa (She Smiles) / The Fugitive Kind'' 1981 Avenue ''No Time (#11) / Il Mondo Caffe'' 1982 WEA ''The Queen And Me (#40) / Domination'' 1982 WEA ''In Another Love (#86) / Is It Any Wonder?'' 1983 WEA ''Come Said The Boy (#2) / Gotta Get Out'' 1983 WEA ''Baby Wants To Rock (#18) / Winds Light To Variable'' 1984 WEA ''The Modern Bop (New York Remix) (#85) / Cost Of Living'' 1984 WEA ''Good Advice (#56) / Take Me Away'' 1984 Polydor ''Good Advice / Dark Secrets'' 1984 Polydor ''The Moment / Take Me Away'' 1985 Polydor ''Rule Of Threes (#58) / Roman Holiday'' 1986 Polydor ''Primitive Love Rites (#34) / Under Lights'' 1986 Polydor ''Boom Baby Boom / Do It Yourself (Health And Happiness)'' 1987 Polydor ''Why Fight It (#96) / You Got It Comin' 1990 RCA ''I Had You In Mind (#94) / Things Are Hotting Up'' 1991 RCA
''Soul Reason'' 1991 "The First Time" (Damon Boyd vs Mondo Rock) (#79) 2004
EPs 'Aliens' 1987 Polydor
ALBUMS 'Primal Park' (#40) 1979 OZ 'Chemistry' (#3) 1981 Avenue 'Nuovo Mondo' (#7) 1982 RCA 'The Modern Bop' (#5) 1984 RCA 'Boom Baby Boom' (#27) 1986 Polydor 'Why Fight It?' 1990 BMG
Kids in the Kitchen formed early in 1983 in Melbourne with the line up of Scott Carne on lead vocals, Bruce Curnow on drums, Greg Dorman on lead guitar, Craig Harnath on bass guitar, and Greg Woodhead on keyboards. The group played live for eight months before signing with Mushroom Records' White label. Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane,described how they had "attracted a great deal of attention. They had the right sound (contemporary synth pop with a dash of funk inspired by the likes of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Chic), the right looks and plenty of youthful appeal to make a grab for the charts".
The band's debut single, "Change in Mood", (produced by Ricky Fataar and Tim Kramer) reached #10 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart in October 1983. It was co-written by Dorman, Carne, Harnath, Curnow and Woodhead. The group toured nationally, initially as a support to Models, then as head liners. Kids in the Kitchen appeared regularly on Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV's pop music series, Countdown, with Carne often guesting as co-host, he was also a "popular cover boy"for the related Countdown magazine.
Their second single, "Bitter Desire", hit #17 in April 1984. It was produced by David Kershenbaum. After its appearance Dorman and Woodhead quit the band and were replaced by guitarist Claude Carranza and keyboardist Alistair Coia, respectively. On 15 April that year they performed "Bitter Desire" at the annual Countdown Music and Video Awards, they were nominated for 'Most Promising New Talent'and 'Best Debut Single' for "Change in Mood". The first single released under the new line up, "Something That You Said", was another Top 20 hit in April 1985. It was co-produced by the band with Thom Panunzio.
In September 1985 The Canberra Times ' Paul Gardiner, Rolling Stone 's Jane Gardiner and Toby Creswell predicted in "The Next Big Thing" that Kids in the Kitchen would be more prominent in the next five years. They were described as one of the "bands which attract support as either middling bands on the way up or potential big bands". Carne joined as guest vocalist with The Incredible Penguins late in 1985, for a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", a charity project for research on fairy penguins, which peaked at #10 in December.
During 1986 'Shine' was re-issued as Kids in the Kitchen by Sire Records for the European and United States markets. Late that year Curnow was fired from the band, he was temporarily replaced by Sterling Silver on drums (who left to join Cyndi Lauper Band) and more permanently by Jason Stonehouse. Curnow later told Matt Dowling of ABC Shepparton radio station that it "was a tour to promote the album Shine over in America... and when I got there they said 'well thanks for your services they are no longer required' ... as brutal as that... I spent six months getting over it".
In June 1986 they issued a non-album single, "Out of Control", which was disliked by The Canberra Times ' Lisa Wallace who described it as "brash, harsh and too, too heavy; overkill, senseless" and disputed promotional accolades from their record company "I beg to differ ... Somewhere down there lurks a melody line and some lyrics, but I'm not too sure how many people will be willing to cut through the crap to find it".
Kids in the Kitchen's second LP, 'Terrain', was released in August 1987, which did not chart. It was co-produced by Richard Gottehrer, Harnath, Kids in the Kitchen, Andy Wallace and Kershenbaum. McFarlane felt it was "patchy, but it displayed a more mature dance approach". Music journalist, Stuart Coupe, described it as "less heartfelt, more synthetic" and it was "about as scintillating as counting your toes for 40 minutes; Oh well, everything can't be great – we've got to have some yard stick for measuring the good Australian albums!" Late that year Simon Kershaw (ex-Go 101) joined on keyboards. The album provided more singles, but the group could not match the chart success of their earlier material.
In November 1987 Carne told Karen Middleton of The Canberra Times of his disappointment in their record company's choice of producers for 'Terrain' and their previous management, "we could've basically produced the album ourselves and probably done an equally good or better job, but unfortunately record companies want names of producers on the album and the guys we're dealing with on our level ... are just really average and you end up doing the job anyway".
Despite Carne indicating that the group was due to work on a third album in the new year, Kids in the Kitchen broke up in 1988. In 1988 Australian promoter Paul Dainty defended his approach of working with popular acts, John Farnham and Glenn Shorrock, at the expense of lesser known artists, "you just don't hear enough about new bands like Kids in the Kitchen whereas someone like Farnham or Shorrock ... The critics always say, 'Give new music and young groups a go' ... but, the point is, the people who are paying the money want established acts".
In June 2016, Kids in the Kitchen consisting of Scott Carne, Claude Carranza, Bruce Curnow and Craig Harnath were one of the support acts for Culture Club's 2016 Australian tour. They were also booked to play the Hunter Valley, supporting Culture Club's Encore Tour in December 2016. Scott Carne also announced that the band recently released a remastered edition of 'Shine' on CD. In late 2019, the group announced that they would appear at the Spiegeltent and The Palms at Crown Casino in early 2020, with their original line-up, appearing for the first time together since 1984. Greg Woodhead died in 2020.
Members
Scott Carne (vocals), Greg Dorman (guitar), Bruce Curnow (drums), Craig Harnath (bass), Greg Woodhead (keyboards), Claude Carranza (guitar), Alistair Coia (keyboards), Simon Kershaw (keyboards), Jason Stonehouse (drums), Silver Sterling (drums),
SINGLES ''Change In Mood (#10) / Far From Where'' 1983 White Label ''Bitter Desire (#17) / Hunting And Haunting'' 1984 White Label ''Something That You Said (#19) / The Cruel Tune'' 1985 White Label ''Shine (#40) / Hard'' 1985 White Label ''Current Stand (#12) / Current Stand (Instrumental)'' 1985 White Label ''My Life (Edited Version) (#74) / Fun - Take One / Frog'' 1985 White Label Out Of Control (#33) / Stop'' 1986 White Label ''Say It (#31) / White Love (Live At The Peking Cultural Centre)'' 1987 White Label ''Revolution Love (#44) / Cry'' 1987 White Label
ALBUMS 'Shine' (#9) 1985 White Label 'Terrain' (#39) 1987 White Label
