BAY CITY UNION

Bay City Union formed in Brisbane in the mid-sixties, as a rhythm & blues outfit. The lineup was Trevor Bagnall on bass, Matt Taylor on guitar and harmonica, Paul Johnson on lead vocals, Jimmy Brelsford on lead guitar and Peter Miles on drums. Paul Johnson left the band after a few months with Taylor taking on lead vocal duties. Matt Taylor’s stage presence became so powerful that people stopped in their tracks to hear him. It was he who gave the band a most distinctive style, and soon they were playing to packed houses at venues such as The Scene, which ran in a huge old basement at Petrie Bight.

By the end of 1966 the band consisted of Tony Beuttel on drums (who replaced Peter Miles), Trevor Bagnell on bass, Matt Taylor on vocals/harmonica, Jim Brelsford on guitar and Glenn Wheatley on guitar. The band relocated to Melbourne in December 1966 and soon after Phil Manning joined on guitar. The band achieved some success playing in dance halls and clubs. They recorded a single "Mo’reen / Mary Mary" which was released on the Festival label in 1968. The Bay City Union had one last up change before they disbanded in May 1968 with guitarist Glenn Wheatley leaving the band being replaced by Matt Croke to join The Masters Apprentices and Trevor Bagnall departing being replaced by Neil Young. Matt Taylor and Phil Manning would team up again in the legendary blues band Chain. Jim Brelsford and Paul Johnson have since died. Glenn Wheatley died in 2022.

Members

Paul "A.P." Johnson (vocals), Matt Taylor (vocals, harmonica, guitar), Jimmy Brelsford (guitar), Trevor Bagnall (bass), Peter Miles (drums), Glenn Wheatley (guitar, bass), Tony Buettel (drums), Phil Manning (guitar), Matt Croke (guitar), Neil Young (bass)

SINGLES

''Mo'reen (#70) / Mary, Mary'' 1968 Festival

References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/