THE THUNDERBIRDS

The Thunderbirds achieved an enormous level of popularity. They were the bastions of Melbourne's early 1960s rock scene alongside The Phantoms, The Strangers, The Chessmen, The Breakaways, The Saxons, The Blue Jays, The Marksmen and The Playboys. The Thunderbirds backed many solo singers on the Melbourne dance circuit, and' virtually became resident session band for Ron Tudor's W&G label during the early 1960s. Interestingly The Thunderbirds were not the first Melbourne rock'n 'roll group to record: (Henri Bource All Stars are credited with having issued the very first Australian rock'n 'roll album, 'Rock'n 'Roll Party', on the Planet label in 1958). The line-up was Colin Cook (sax), Grahame Lyall (sax), Harold Frith (drums), Laurie Bell (guitar), Peter Robinson (bass) and Murray Robertson (piano).

In late 1959, The Thunderbirds were signed to Festival's Rex label which resulted in the release of two EP's and two singles. Billy Owen, Billy O'Rourke and Judy Cannon sang a song each on the band's debut EP, 'Rex 4 Star' (completed by one instrumental track, Henry Mancini’s ''Peter Gunn'' later covered by Duane Eddy). 

Owen and O'Rourke sang two songs each on the second EP, 'The Thunderbirds', and the debut single ''Running Bear /`Blue Woman'' (1960). Judy Cannon took vocal honours on the second single, ''Laughin' On The Outside / Ma (He's Making Eyes At Me'' (April 1960). Laurie Bell left the group shortly after these recording sessions to pursue a career as a jazz guitarist and Musical Director. By the end of 1960, The Thunderbirds' line-up comprised Frith and Robertson, plus newcomers Henri Bource on sax and flute (ex-Henri Bource All Stars) Gordon Only on bass (ex-Malcolm Arthur and the Knights) and 17-year-old Charles Gauld on guitar. Colin Cook had left the Thunderbirds by this time and went on to enjoy a very successful solo career. Peter Robinson joined Sydney band Ray Hoff and Offbeats and eventually went on to become a founding member of The Strangers in 1961.

The Thunderbirds left the Rex label and with help from top Melbourne DJ Stan Rofe, signed a new deal with the W&G label. The Thunderbirds recorded for W&G as an instrumental outfit only. The band's run of singles comprised ''Teen Scene / Machine Gun'' (1960), ''Wild Weekend / Theme From The Rat Race'' (February 1961), ''New Orleans Beat / Delilah (The Man With The Golden Arm)'' (April 1961), ''Royal Whirl / Yippee Hoedown'' (December 1961), `'Dardanella / What! Me Worry?'' (1962), ''Wild Weekend'' (reissued 1963), ''Amarillo Stomp / One Degree North'' (1963) and `Pink Dominoes / Walk On The Wild Side'' (1964). An EP 'The Thunderbirds' Big 6' was released in late 1961. English label Oriole issued `'Wild Weekend'' and '`New Orleans Beat'' in the UK. The Melbourne label also issued ''Wild Weekend'' in the USA. 

''Wild Weekend'' must rank alongside The Atlantics 1963 hit ''Bombora'' as one of the most successful Australian instrumental singles of all-time. At the end of 1961, The Thunderbirds supported and provided the musical backing for Roy Orbison, Jack Scott, Ray Peterson , Dion and Johnny Chester on their package tour of Australia. That was followed with a support slot to Cliff Richard and the Shadows, alongside The Allen Brothers, Andy Ellis and Judy Stone. In 1962 The Thunderbirds appeared on the live album 'Quite a Party' issued on W&G's budget Gem label. The band featured on three instrumental tracks, as well as providing backing for Johnny Chester, Noel Watson and Jillian Buckley.

By that stage, The Thunderbirds had backed a number of solo artists both on record and on tour. They included Johnny Chester, Colin Buckley, Betty McQuade ''Midnight Bus'', Bobby Cookson and the Thin Men. Tony Buchanan (ex-Premiers, Planets) played sax on the Thin Men's single ''Here She Comes'' having replaced Henri Bource, who joined The Planets. Normie Rowe and Marcia Jones also began their singing careers fronting The Thunderbirds at the Preston Town Hall dances who were augmented by a brass section of Ken Jones (baritone sax), Norman Robertson (tenor sax) and Ivan Cocking (trombone). The Thunderbirds went on to appear with Helen Shapiro, Fabian, Lonnie Lee, Johnny O'Keefe, Lucky Starr and The Bee Gees at various concerts. In 1964, Terry Clark replaced Murray Robertson on piano. A year later, Clark and Gordon Onley left The Thunderbirds and by the end of 1965, the band had called it a day. Charles Gauld died on 1 June 2016.

Members

Colin Cook (sax), Grahame Lyall (sax), Harold Frith (drums), Laurie Bell (guitar), Peter Robinson (bass), Murray Robertson (piano), Henri Bource (sax, flute), Gordon Only (bass), Charles Gauld (guitar) Tony Buchanan (sax) Terry Clark (piano)

SINGLES
''Teen Scene / Machine Gun'' (#40)1960 W&G
''Wild Weekend (#36) / Theme From The Rat Race'' 1961 W&G
''New Orleans Beat (#30) / Delilah (The Man With The Golden Arm)'' 1961 W&G
''Royal Whirl / Yippee Hoedown'' 1961 W&G
''Dardanella / What! Me Worry?'' 1962 W&G
''Wild Weekend / Yippee Hoedown'' 1963 W&G
''Amarillo Stomp / 1° North'' 1963 W&G
''Pink Dominoes / Walk On The Wild Side'' 1964 W&G

EPs

'The Thunderbirds With Billy O'Rourke and Billy Owens' 1960 Rex

'Rex 4 Star' 1960 Rex
'The Thunderbirds' Big 6' 1961 W&G

References

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