THE HI-FI's / THE CICADAS / THE GIBSONS

The Cicadas were among the first Australian bands influenced by The Beatles. Other early Beatle-inspired groups included Melbourne’s Flies, which introduced Ronnie Burns to the world; Sydney’s Rajahs, who evolved from 50’s rocker Dig Richards’ backing band, The R’Jays, by donning Beatle wigs and turbans; and The D-Men, notable for being the first resident band at Sydney’s first disco, Beatle Village, and hailing from the suburb of Liverpool. Their lead singer, Freddie Cooke, later moved to Melbourne, joined The Vibrants, and changed his name to Marc Leon.

Managed by Horrie Dargie and originally called The Hi-Fi’s—with Geoff Dart (bass), John Kaye (vocals/guitar), and John Rigby (vocals/guitar)—they formed around 1960, appearing on TV variety shows like Bandstand and Sing Sing Sing, and recorded a few singles on the Astor label, including ''I Want The World To Know'' and ''Step By Step''. In 1964, The Hi-Fi’s signed with RCA Victor, embraced the Beatles craze, and released a cover of British band The Marauders’''That’s What I Want''. Produced by Johnny Devlin, the group was renamed The Cicadas and backed by The Denvermen. This became their most successful release, with the single also issued in Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, and the USA.

The Cicadas toured across Australia and New Zealand with Billy J Kramer, Robbie EG, and Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs, while continuing to perform at nightclubs, RSL clubs, and leagues clubs. Their second single, ''I Need You'', written by Devlin and reminiscent of a Beatles title, became a minor hit in Sydney. After releasing another single without success—a cover of the Marauders’ ''Always on My Mind'' followed by their own ''Is It Love''—they set off for the UK in December 1964, bringing along longtime friend and former Rondels drummer John Bromell. Like many Aussie bands of the era, they worked their passage aboard the P&O ship SS Canberra.

The group was managed by Phillip Solomon, who disliked the name The Cicadas (since no one in the UK knew what a cicada was) and renamed them The Gibsons. In September 1966, John Rigby left to return to Australia and was replaced by Paul Stevens from Rochdale, Manchester, as lead singer. The Gibsons kept busy with BBC radio and TV, and performed at American bases, including in Tripoli and North Africa (before Gadhafi). They released several singles across Europe on various labels—though none in Australia—including the catchy ''Magic Book'', which climbed the charts with help from radio. They also played at the grand Blackpool Opera House alongside stars like Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and Engelbert Humperdinck. In February 1968, Stevens left to resume his solo career, and John Bromell went back to Australia. Geoff Dart and John Kaye were then joined by Jim Shaw from Salford, Manchester, on banjo. The Gibsons shifted to an unplugged trio—banjo, guitar, and double bass—and continued performing, including a stint at an American air base in Berlin, where they crossed Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin, an unforgettable experience at the time. The group came to an abrupt end almost exactly a year later, in September 1969, when Jim had to leave.

Tired of constant changes in the band, Geoff and John invited their wives, Pam and Gaye, to join. Pam was a former Tivoli dancer, while Gaye had never sung before. After a month of intense rehearsals, they headed to American Bases in Germany and Spain. Musically, they weren’t as strong as past line-ups, but they made up for it with their visual appeal, which the Bases loved. Though they stopped doing radio and recording, they added theatre seasons to their usual venues, enjoying long runs of 5, 12, or even 14 weeks.  

Following a 20-week season in Jersey, Channel Islands, and a three-week stint on Bases in the UK and Germany, they returned to Australia in 1970 aboard the P&O Orsova via the Panama Canal, arriving in Sydney on December 20. Back home, Geoff and Pam settled in Melbourne while John and Gaye continued performing as the duo Gaye & Johnny Kaye. Managed by Tony Brady, their work included Leagues and RSL Clubs, Mike Walsh shows, country tours, and Australian tours with Jimmie Rogers and Val Doonican, followed by a West Coast USA tour with Jimmy Rodgers.  

John Bromell served as managing director of Warner Chappell Australia for 17 years and had previously launched Rondor Music in the country. Over his career, he boasted an impressive track record, with 60 of his signings achieving Top 10 hits in Australia. One of the most notable was Cold Chisel, who in 1977 struck a handshake deal with him for $750 over three years to assign their publishing rights to Rondor. The band had moved from Adelaide to Sydney a year earlier seeking a record deal, but no label had shown interest.Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes recalled, “John told Warner Records that a couple of other labels were interested and Warners rushed us into a contract.” Other signings included INXS, Midnight Oil, Lee, Tania and Fiona Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Swanee, Garth Porter, Gina Jeffreys and The Radiators. John Rigby died in Byron Bay in 1986. John Bromell died in a car crash near his home in Coffs Harbour in 2013.

Members

John Bromell (drums), Geoff Dart (bass), John Kaye (vocals/guitar), John Rigby (vocals/guitar), Paul Stevens (vocals), Jim Shaw (banjo), Pam Dart (vocals), Gaye Kaye (vocals)

SINGLES (as The Hi-Fis]

''I Want The World To Know / Bing Walla Bang'' 1960 Astor
''Step By Step / Just Give Me A Ring'' 1960 Astor

SINGLES (as The Cicadas)
''That's What I Want (#45) / Hey Wha 'd' Ya Say'' 1964 RCA
''I Need You (#86) / I'll Prove It'' 1964 RCA
''Let's Try Again / Always On My Mind'' 1964 RCA
''Is It Love / I Am'' 1964 RCA

References

Alpha Video Productions

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