SSARB

SSARB (brass backwards) was formed out of a young instrumental band The Young Brass in 1965. Members were - Brendon Darby on trumpet aged 13, Clive Hodson on trumpet aged 13, Keith Robinson on trumpet aged 14 and Ric Whittle on drums aged 12. The Young Brass won many competitions run by the radio station 6IX in Perth and reached the semi-finals of National talent TV show Showcase hosted by Gordon Boyd on two occasions (1966/1967). The band was joined by Greg Schultz on piano aged 14 in 1967. In 1968 the band changed their name to SSARB and recruited guitarist/singer Brenton Fosdike. They were in demand as a backing band and studio session work for national artists such as Johnny Farnham due to their ability to read music.

In 1970, Brenton Fosdike left the band and John Worrall (ex-Bakery), Roy Daniel and Phil Pruitti joined to make the band an eight piece (three horns). They continued to be in demand at all the clubs in Perth and were chosen to support both national and international artists most notably Osabisa and Paul McCartney & Wings. Although the band started out playing covers of their obvious influences – Tower of Power, Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, Sly & the Family Stone they quickly added more original material written by both John Worrall and Brendon Darby.

SSARB made only one commercial single “Bubalunga/Reach Out”, which was released on EMI's Columbia imprint during 1970 however several recordings were made at Martin Clarke Studios and played on Radio 6PM – ''Tell Me Where I Stand/Lorraine/Mothers & Fathers''. By 1970 SSARB were considered to be one of the most popular bands in Perth along with Bakery. In 1971 Clive Hodson left the band. That year SSARB went on to win the WA final of Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds defeating Bakery. Their winning composition was a John Worrall composition ''Hey People''. SSARB represented WA in the National Awards which Flying Circus eventually won. In the same year they supported The Kinks in Perth.

In 1972 Roy Daniel, Ric Whittle and Greg Schultz left the band and SSARB became a more hard edge rock/horn band with ex-Blackfeather players Bob Fortesque and Al Kash joining and Clive Hodson reuniting with John Worrell, Brendon Darby & Phil Pruiti. By the end of 1972, SSARB had disbanded. Keith Robinson died in 2019. Roy Daniel died in 2020. John Worrall died in 2022,

Members

Brendon Darby (Trumpet), Clive Hodson (Trumpet), Keith Robinson (trumpet), Ric Whittle (drums), Roy Daniel (bass), Greg Schultz (piano/Organ), Brenton Fosdyke (guitar/vocals),
John Worrall (vocal/flute), Bob Fortesque (bass), Al Kash (drums), Phil Pruiti (guitar)

 

References

http://www.music-industrapedia.com/band-outfit:ssarb