THE CLAIRE POOLE SINGERS

Growing up in Kogarah, Claire Poole took dance lessons and studied singing and piano. Her professional career began on radio 2CH, followed in 1950 by a role with ABC radio. At 25, she married singer Stephen Baker, known on stage as Richard Gray, and they moved to London. There she played piano at the London Palladium and made her first television appearance. Returning to Australia during the early days of television, she formed The Claire Poole Singers, starting with eight members and eventually expanding to 20. In 1960 they appeared on Horrie Dargie’s BP Super Show, and in 1961 provided music for Channel Seven’s Revue ’61, followed by Revue ’62, working alongside stars like Barry Crocker and visiting performers such as Shirley Bassey and Ethel Merman. Over the years, they also worked on Channel Ten with The Mike Walsh Show and Barry Crocker’s Say It With Music and even backed Kevin McCann’s psychedelic single ''What A Scene''. Claire also taught singing and music from her home, a tradition now continued by her son Simon Baker, who has had his own successful singing career. Claire Poole died in 2017.

Members

Claire Poole, Annette Terrill, Sally Rogan, Joe Andre (other members unknown)

ALBUMS

'Songs Of A Sinner' [with Brother William] 1969 World Record Club

'Christmas Cards' 1975 RCA

'Mcauthur Park' 1979 Summit