BOBBY BRIGHT

Robert Bright was born on the 3rd February 1945 in Watford, Hertfordshire England. He moved to Australia with his mother when he was eight years old and lived in Adelaide with his grandmother. He began his career in as a solo artist and was one of the first rock singers to make an impression in Adelaide. Bright was seen regularly on TV show Teen Time with his band The Beaumen. Future recording star Doug Ashdown was his lead guitarist .The band played all major venues in and around Adelaide; however, never released any songs.

In 1963 Bobby went solo and was picked up by the W&G label recording two singles, ''Girls Never Notice Me / There's A Great Day A-Comin''' and ''Defeated By His Heart / You Won't Get A Chance''. Late in 1964, Bright and Laurie Allen appeared on The Go!! Show and soon teamed up to create a highly successful duo through their good looks, clean cut image and sharp performances. Originally billed as Laurie Allen and Bobby Bright, the duo became regulars on the show alongside The Strangers and were paid 50 pounds per appearance.

They had the first record on the new Go Records label with "I Belong With You", released with its 45 B-side "Trouble in Mind" in August 1964. The record was produced by English producer Roger Savage, who had just arrived in Australia from London where he had worked with the Rolling Stones. "I Belong With You" was a hit staying at number-one on the Melbourne charts for two weeks and won Laurie an Australian Record Award for 'Best Composition' in 1965. At this time, Bobby & Laurie started working with a Blackmore-managed backing band The Rondells (previously called The Lincolns and The Silhouettes). The duo reached their peak in late 1964, busily touring the country and appearing in numerous concert and television performances. They had dozens of engagements and personal appearances every week, with as many as six shows on a Saturday night. One unusual performance was playing 'Tweedledum' and 'Tweedledee' in a Christmas pantomime production of Alice in Wonderland at the Tivoli Theatre in Melbourne in December 1964.

In early 1965 the pair appeared on the Teen Scene music television show on the ABC, where they were famously dragged off the stage by screaming female fans. They appeared in the premiere episode of Channel 0's new children's program the Magic Circle Club on 23 January, playing characters 'Twoddle' and 'Boddle'. They released three more successful singles on the Go label during 1965: "Someone" (which reached #3 in Melbourne), "Judy Green" and "Crazy Country Hop" which reached #25. In May 1965 they supported a national tour by The Dave Clark Five, The Seekers and Tommy Quickly. Later in the year they supported American P. J. Proby on his national tour.

In 1966 they switched to Albert Productions (Their recordings were released through a deal with EMI's subsidiary label Parlophone) , releasing "Sweet And Tender Romance" and "Hitch Hiker", which gave them a national #1 hit for five weeks in May and June. At about this time they also changed management from Blackmore to Mal Fisher. On the strength of "Hitch Hiker", the ABC gave them their own television show, It's A Gas, which was later rebadged as Dig We Must. The name change was designed to attract a more sophisticated 'adult' market but lost the duo much of their 'teen' appeal which led to friction between the two singers. After recording their last album 'Exposaic', the pair officially split in early 1967 after just three years as Australia's chart-topping stars.

Bobby worked in cabaret as well as some acting parts, including an appearance on television cop-show Homicide. In 1968 he became a disc-jockey at Melbourne radio station 3XY. The pair reunited on the radio program in February 1968 and shortly after made a return to the charts with a country music styled song ''Carrol Country Accident''. In 1971 he released the single ''Who Will Bring The Rain'' on the Warner Bros label. In 1973, Bright performed as the Doctor in the Melbourne stage production of Tommy. In 1976 he released his self titled album on the RCA Label. In the intervening years, the pair performed occasionally as Bobby & Laurie until their final "Don't Let The Music Die" concert on 1 June 2002 at the Kingston City Hall. Sadly Allen died on the 13th of June 2002. Bobby Bright continues to work and has released an autobiography named Bobby Bright - Child of Rock and Roll.

SINGLES

''Girls Never Notice Me / There's A Great Day A-Comin'' 1963 W&G
''Defeated By His Heart / You Won't Get A Chance'' 1963 W&G
''Midnight Preaching / Would You Believe, Love (#47)'' 1967 CBS
''Who Will Bring The Rain / Wedge Tailed Eagle'' 1971 Warner Bros
''It Ain't Changed None / 20th Century Food Dispensary'' 1973 Sparmac

ALBUMS

'Bobby Bright' 1976 RCA

References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au