THE WILD COLONIAL BOYS

In the mid-1960s John Kevans regularly performed at Irish ceilidhs in Sydney, and at the Irish music sessions at Tommy Doyle's pub in Ultimo, learning from and playing alongside some of the great expatriate Irish musicians. In Canberra he collaborated with another talented young local musician, Bob McInnes, appearing as the Monaro Boys. In 1969 the Wild Colonial Boys were formed with Kevans, McInnes, Jim Fingleton (Canberra), Tony Lavin (Ireland) and Bill Morgan (Newcastle). Famed for both its music and fighting, this wild-by-name, wild-by-nature group was short-lived, yet helped establish the template, style and repertoire for what was to become the "New Bush Band" movement of the 1970s and '80s. The band had a bit part in Tony Richardson's Ned Kelly film (1969), starring Mick Jagger, and travelled to Papua New Guinea, Melbourne and regional centres. Kevans died aged 62 in 2005.

Members

John "Jacko" Kevans (accordion) Bob McInnes (banjo, mandolin, fiddle, tin whistle) Jim Fingleton (concertina, lagerphones, spoons), Tony Lavin (bush bass), Bill Morgan (guitars)

EPs

'Australian Folksongs' date unknown Ambassador

ALBUMS

'Glenrowan To The Gulf' 1971 Columbia