THE HENCHMEN

Melbourne band originally known as The AMP Men after the insurance company where three members worked. They later became The Pacifics (not the Brisbane band of the same name) and, for a while, Kevin Thompson & The Henchmen. Vocalist Kevin Thompson left the band and was replaced by Rick Diamond. They entered into the 3UZ Sound Spectacular conducted by radio station 3UZ and won first prize, a recording contract with the Go!! label. Their first single, a cover of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin" issued in April 1965, put them on the map in Australia, reaching #5 in Melbourne and charting in Sydney as well. This single was also released in the USA and NZ. A successful trip to Sydney followed with appearances at leading night spots together with guest appearances on the Johnny O'Keefe Show and Jimmy Hannan's Saturday Date. 

This success led them to a support slot on the Dave Clark Five, Cilla Black and Freddie and The Dreamers tours of Australia. Their follow-up, "Can't You Hear Me Callin'," didn't do nearly as well. The group's lineup changed with the departure of guitarist Doug Osborne and vocalist Rick Diamond in late 1965, but the group remained cohesive enough to land a contract with the EMI, which yielded the powerful rocker "Keep On Going Back." By that stage, only Mann remained from the original line-up. The new members were Barry Roy (guitar, vocals), Roger Forward (guitar, vocals), Sperri Goupetta (bass) and Chris Riddell (drums). The Henchmen issued a final single on EMI/ Columbia in December 1968; a cover of Joe Tex's ''Baby I Need You / Come on Down to My Boat''. The Henchmen continued on for a few more years playing the Melbourne hotel circuit. Doug Osborne died in 2019.

Members

Rick Diamond (vocals), Duncan McKellar (guitar), Doug Osborne (guitar), Del Smeeton (bass), David Mann (keyboards), Mal "Frog" Payne (drums), Kevin Thompson (vocals), Barry Roy (guitar, vocals), Roger Forward (guitar, vocals), Sperri Goupetta (bass), Chris Riddell (drums).

SINGLES

''Rockin' Robin (#10) / Baby What's Wrong'' 1965 Go!!

''Can't You Hear Me Callin' (#57) / Easy Money'' 1965 Go!!
''Keep On Going Back / Stupid Girl'' 1966
''Baby I Need You / Come On Down To My Boat'' 1968 Columbia

EPs

'Rockin' Robin' 1965 Go!!

References

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