THE PHANTOMS

The Phantoms arrived from the UK in 1961 with Dave Lincoln on lead guitar, Alan Fenton on drums, Peter Watson on bass and Gene Taylor on rhythm guitar. At first they found the going as hard here as it was at home. They began playing around Melbourne performing Shadow type instrumentals before catching the eye of a local promoter who gave them the chance of playing at local dances. They soon became very popular. Young entrepreneur, Bruce Stewart took over their management and landed them a recording contract with W&G Records. In 1962 they hit the charts with Dave Lincoln's ''Stampede''. A few months later they hit the charts a second time with ''The Rumble''. Gene Taylor left the band and was replaced by Bob Garde. 

The band also worked with vocalist Steve Denver and together they made a name for themselves at the Sunday afternoon charity shows at Festival Hall. The highlight of their career came in 1964 when they toured Australia with The Beatles. By now they had started singing and their style was changing to comply with the onslaught of the new Mersey sound. Before breaking up in 1965 Mike Brady joined when Lincoln broke his arm. When the band finally split Mike Brady and Pete Watson formed the highly successful but short-lived MPD Ltd. Drummer Alan Fenton died in 1970 in a road construction accident. Bass player Pete Watson died in 1972 after a long illness.

Members

Dave Lincoln (vocals/guitar), Bob Garde (guitar), Alan Fenton (drums), Pete Watson (bass), Mike Brady (vocals/guitar), Gene Taylor (guitar)

SINGLES

''Stampede (#57) / Midnight'' 1962 W&G
''The Rumble (#65) / The Two Forty-Two'' 1963 W&G

''It's Gonna Take Magic / That's The Love'' [with Steve Denver] 1963 W&G

''Money / Keep On Dancing'' [with Steve Denver] 1964 W&G
''Hava Nagila / Round And Round'' 1964 W&G
''I Want You / Move It'' 1964 W&G
''My Babe / The Cruel Sea'' 1964 W&G

EPs

'Instrumental Hits By The Phantoms' 1963 W&G

ALBUMS

'The Two Sides Of The Phantoms' 1964 W&G

References

Noel McGrath

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