THE TOWN CRIERS

The Town Criers were a pop band formed in 1964 by guitarist Paul Anderson and vocalist Kevin Davidson. Their first single was a cover version of the Kinks' album track, "The World Keeps Going Round", which was issued in 1965 on the obscure Trend label but did not chart. In 1966 Anderson left the band and joined The Moods replacing Mick Hamilton who had joined The Vibrants. By 1967 their line-up was Andy Agtoft on lead vocals, Mark Demajo on bass guitar (ex-Gemini 5), Sam Dunnin on lead guitar (ex-Gemini 5), Chris Easterby on drums, and George Kurtiss on keyboards. Over the next three years they gigged around Melbourne without a record contract. Finally, being picked up by Astor they released a cover version of American singer, Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love", as a single in February 1968, which reached #17 on the Go-Set National Top 40 alongside United Kingdom's Love Affair's rendition which peaked at #23 on the same chart at the same time. George Kurtiss left the group in May 1968 and was replaced on keyboards by John Taylor (ex-Strings Unlimited). Their next single, "Unexpectedly", did not reach the top 40.

Agtoft was replaced early in 1969 by Barry Smith from Adelaide and Taylor left without being replaced. The Town Criers released further singles, "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)" (March 1969), "Love Me Again" (October 1969) and "Living in a World of Love" (May 1970), ''Laughing Man'' and ''Love, Love, Love'' (1971) before disbanding in 1972. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, opined, "they made a name for themselves with a melodious, commercial pop sound and squeaky-clean teen idol image... By the end of 1971, their sound had become outmoded, and the members went their separate ways." Drummer Chris Easterby died in 2020.

Members

Andy Agtoft (vocals), Mark Demajo (bass), Sam Dunnin (guitar), Chris Easterby (drums), George Kurtiss (keyboards), Barry Smith (vocals), John Taylor (keyboards)

SINGLES

''The World Keeps Going Round / Big Deal'' 1965 Trend
''Everlasting Love (#13) / I Can't Help Myself'' 1968 Astor
''Unexpectedly / It's Hurting Badly'' 1968 Astor
''Any Old Time (Your Lonely And Sad) (#53) / Rene'' 1969 Festival
''Love Me Again (#35) / Hey Girl'' 1969 Festival
''Living In A World Of Love (#42) / The Roundabout'' 1970 Festival
''Laughing Man / Living In A Dream World'' 1971 HMV
''Love, Love, Love / Chorus Girl'' 1971 HMV

EPs

'Everlasting Love' 1968 Astor
'Love Me Again' 1970 Festival

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_Criers_(band)

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