Lucky Starr was born as Leslie William Morrison in 1940. His father was a motor mechanic, and his mother was a housewife, and he had a younger sister and an adopted older sister (who was his cousin but adopted into the family when her parents passed away). He attended Canterbury High School before starting an apprenticeship as an electrician. Two-and-a-half years later he began his rock and roll career in 1957 as Les Starr, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, of the Hepparays in Sydney. Other members were Tony Caperero on lead guitar, Bruce Gurr on piano, Dave Taylor played bass guitar and Owen Smith provided drums and percussion. Starr recalled how, "the guitarist in his band taught him how to play in five months." After winning several talent quests, "someone idly punned that he was 'a lucky Star'."
Late in 1959, as Lucky Starr, he signed as a solo artist to Festival Records and he and his band released four singles and an EP 'Sentimental Journey'. He was a regular performer on television music and variety shows, Bandstand and Six O'clock Rock, and took over from Johnny O'Keefe as host of the latter for a brief period in 1960, while O'Keefe was touring the United States.
Starr released his cover version of the novelty, tongue-twisting single, "I've Been Everywhere", in early 1962, it was written by Geoff Mack, which name-drops numerous Australian towns. It peaked at #1 in Sydney in April. "Spinner" from The Biz described the track, "It's a hard-hitting novelty number with a slight C and W flavour. Full of gimmicks it features high velocity lyrics in which Lucky recites 120 towns in the Commonwealth. He sings each verse in one breath and you'll wonder how he does it when you hear it." Adapted to American towns, it became a United States country music hit for Hank Snow after being released in September of that year.
Starr released a compilation album, 'I've Been Everywhere', in June 1962, which included his early singles and their B-sides. "Spinner" opined, "it shows his versatility to the foil, which is evident in the tracks, 'Candy Pink Lips,' 'Suspense' and "Sweet Georgia Brown.' Other tracks include: 'Heart-Break,' 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans,' 'I See You as an Angel' and others. In our opinion this LP is worthy of a place in the libraries of both young and the young at heart alike — it's a beauty." According to the journalist, "he has worked at his profession perfecting his musicianship, taking voice training, learning acting and dancing — in a word, learning enough to make the most of his 'break' when it came." In July of that year, he issued a four-track EP, 'Lucky's Been Everywhere', with his four versions of "I've Been Everywhere": the Australian one, the US one, the British one and a newly written New Zealand one.
During 1963 he travelled to the US where he played the Nevada circuit, opening in mid-1963 at the Mapes Hotel Casino Room, Las Vegas. According to The Australian Women's Weekly's Robin Adair the tour was organised by US entertainer, Norman Kaye (of the Mary Kaye Trio). Starr signed with local label, Dot Records, which released three of his singles, however proposed American movie roles and major record deals never happened. He returned late that year to Australia and appeared in Once Upon a Surfie, a Christmas-themed surfing musical alongside Dig Richards, Jackie Weaver, Bryan Davies, Jay Justin, Rob EG, Jan Green and The Delltones.
Starr issued another solo album, 'The Silver Spade Digs Lucky', in 1964. He subsequently toured the USA, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Italy. According to Daily Mercury's correspondent, "he was the first Australian performer to entertain the troops in Vietnam; in fact paying his own way there and made five subsequent trips into the war zone." During the late 1960s Starr performed as a country musician and took his travelling show around the Australian bush. In 1980 he was inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame with their Hands of Fame. In September 2015 Starr released a re-working of "I've Been Everywhere" titled, "We're Going Everywhere... On the Old Hume Highway". He has two children and a grandchild. He is still performing regularly.
''Somebody Touched Me (#94) / When You Come Back To Me'' [with The Hepparays] 1959 Festival
''The Big Hurt / Way Down Yonder In New Orleans'' [with The Hepparays] 1960 Festival
'' Wrong (#27) / Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home'' [with The Hepparays] 1960 Festival
''Yeah -- That's How (#50) / Sweet Georgia Brown'' 1960 Festival
''I See You As An Angel / You Still Look Good To Me'' (#91) 1960 Festival
''Someone Else's Roses (#45) / Bouquet Of Roses'' 1961 Festival
''Suspense / Heart-Break'' 1961 Festival
''Candy Pink Lips (The Lisping Song) / They Won't Leave Us Alone'' 1961 Festival
''June In Junee (#57) / I Love You So'' 1962 Festival
''Hot Rod / Say You Want Me'' 1962 Festival
''I've Been Everywhere (#1) / Cuddle Closer'' 1962 Festival
''Come On In / Honey Darlin' 1963 Festival
''Mule Skinner Blues / Rat Race (You Got Me Hooked)'' 1963 Festival
''Blisters / Poor Little Jimmy Brown'' 1963 Festival
''Say You Do / We Know'' 1964 Festival
''The Three Trees (#32) / Don't Ask Me Why'' 1964 Festival
'''ow Yer Goin' Mate / My Mammy'' 1965 Festival
''Down At The T.A.B. / No More Little Joeys'' 1965 Festival''My My How The Time Goes By / You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You'' 1965 Festival
'' A Man's Gotta Be Free / I've Seen This Place Before'' 1970 Festival
''Blow Up Your TV / Give Me Wheels'' 1973 Image
''Snakebite Sam / Girl Like You'' 1973 RCA
''Mama Hated Diesels / Sunday Morning Street'' 1974 RCA
''Hello Virginia / Sweet Memories'' 1974 RCA
''I Am The Words / Whiskey And The Lonely'' 1975 RCA
''All I Can Do / Don't Come Running Back'' 1976 RCA
''Peggy Sue / Old Friends'' 1977 RCA
EPs'Sentimental Journey' [with The Hepparays] 1960 Festival
'Starring Lucky Starr' 1961 Festival
'Lucky's Been Everywhere' 1962 Festival
'Mule Skinner Blues' 1964 Festival
'The Three Trees' 1965 Festival
'Hello Virgina' 1975 RCA
Starr released his cover version of the novelty, tongue-twisting single, "I've Been Everywhere", in early 1962, it was written by Geoff Mack, which name-drops numerous Australian towns. It peaked at #1 in Sydney in April. "Spinner" from The Biz described the track, "It's a hard-hitting novelty number with a slight C and W flavour. Full of gimmicks it features high velocity lyrics in which Lucky recites 120 towns in the Commonwealth. He sings each verse in one breath and you'll wonder how he does it when you hear it." Adapted to American towns, it became a United States country music hit for Hank Snow after being released in September of that year.
Starr released a compilation album, 'I've Been Everywhere', in June 1962, which included his early singles and their B-sides. "Spinner" opined, "it shows his versatility to the foil, which is evident in the tracks, 'Candy Pink Lips,' 'Suspense' and "Sweet Georgia Brown.' Other tracks include: 'Heart-Break,' 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans,' 'I See You as an Angel' and others. In our opinion this LP is worthy of a place in the libraries of both young and the young at heart alike — it's a beauty." According to the journalist, "he has worked at his profession perfecting his musicianship, taking voice training, learning acting and dancing — in a word, learning enough to make the most of his 'break' when it came." In July of that year, he issued a four-track EP, 'Lucky's Been Everywhere', with his four versions of "I've Been Everywhere": the Australian one, the US one, the British one and a newly written New Zealand one.
During 1963 he travelled to the US where he played the Nevada circuit, opening in mid-1963 at the Mapes Hotel Casino Room, Las Vegas. According to The Australian Women's Weekly's Robin Adair the tour was organised by US entertainer, Norman Kaye (of the Mary Kaye Trio). Starr signed with local label, Dot Records, which released three of his singles, however proposed American movie roles and major record deals never happened. He returned late that year to Australia and appeared in Once Upon a Surfie, a Christmas-themed surfing musical alongside Dig Richards, Jackie Weaver, Bryan Davies, Jay Justin, Rob EG, Jan Green and The Delltones.
Starr issued another solo album, 'The Silver Spade Digs Lucky', in 1964. He subsequently toured the USA, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Italy. According to Daily Mercury's correspondent, "he was the first Australian performer to entertain the troops in Vietnam; in fact paying his own way there and made five subsequent trips into the war zone." During the late 1960s Starr performed as a country musician and took his travelling show around the Australian bush. In 1980 he was inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame with their Hands of Fame. In September 2015 Starr released a re-working of "I've Been Everywhere" titled, "We're Going Everywhere... On the Old Hume Highway". He has two children and a grandchild. He is still performing regularly.
SINGLES
'' Christmas Rock Medley'' [with The Hepparays] 1959 Festival''Somebody Touched Me (#94) / When You Come Back To Me'' [with The Hepparays] 1959 Festival
''The Big Hurt / Way Down Yonder In New Orleans'' [with The Hepparays] 1960 Festival
'' Wrong (#27) / Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home'' [with The Hepparays] 1960 Festival
''Yeah -- That's How (#50) / Sweet Georgia Brown'' 1960 Festival
''I See You As An Angel / You Still Look Good To Me'' (#91) 1960 Festival
''Someone Else's Roses (#45) / Bouquet Of Roses'' 1961 Festival
''Suspense / Heart-Break'' 1961 Festival
''Candy Pink Lips (The Lisping Song) / They Won't Leave Us Alone'' 1961 Festival
''June In Junee (#57) / I Love You So'' 1962 Festival
''Hot Rod / Say You Want Me'' 1962 Festival
''I've Been Everywhere (#1) / Cuddle Closer'' 1962 Festival
''Come On In / Honey Darlin' 1963 Festival
''Mule Skinner Blues / Rat Race (You Got Me Hooked)'' 1963 Festival
''Blisters / Poor Little Jimmy Brown'' 1963 Festival
''Say You Do / We Know'' 1964 Festival
''The Three Trees (#32) / Don't Ask Me Why'' 1964 Festival
'''ow Yer Goin' Mate / My Mammy'' 1965 Festival
''Down At The T.A.B. / No More Little Joeys'' 1965 Festival''My My How The Time Goes By / You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You'' 1965 Festival
'' A Man's Gotta Be Free / I've Seen This Place Before'' 1970 Festival
''Blow Up Your TV / Give Me Wheels'' 1973 Image
''Snakebite Sam / Girl Like You'' 1973 RCA
''Mama Hated Diesels / Sunday Morning Street'' 1974 RCA
''Hello Virginia / Sweet Memories'' 1974 RCA
''I Am The Words / Whiskey And The Lonely'' 1975 RCA
''All I Can Do / Don't Come Running Back'' 1976 RCA
''Peggy Sue / Old Friends'' 1977 RCA
EPs
'Starring Lucky Starr' 1961 Festival
'Lucky's Been Everywhere' 1962 Festival
'Mule Skinner Blues' 1964 Festival
'The Three Trees' 1965 Festival
'Hello Virgina' 1975 RCA
ALBUMS
'I've Been Everywhere' 1962 Festival'The Silver Spade Digs Lucky' 1965 Festival
'Big Wheels' 1974 RCA
'I Am The Words' 1974 RCA
'Wheels' 1976 RCA
'I Am The Words' 1974 RCA
'Wheels' 1976 RCA
'Lucky Starr And Some Old Friends' 1977 RCA
'Mister Truck Driver' 1978 RCA
'Mister Truck Driver' 1978 RCA
My father, Ernie Davidson, was the composer of the music of the song Lucky Starr recorded in 1961 titled 'Someone Else's Roses' The lyrics were by Ken Taylor. I have the sheet music with a picture of Lucky Starr on the cover. Ernie Davidson and Ken Taylor were the composers of the first 'all Australian' song reviewed and listed by American Billboard on 31 January 1948. Ernie Davidson composed the music and Ken Taylor wrote the lyrics.
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