TONI AND ROYCE

 

Toni and Royce were a singing duo from the 60s through to the 80s. Toni McCann (born Susan Hutson) recorded two singles in 1965 on the Sunshine label. For more info on her solo career click here. She met her future husband Royce Nicholls [Royce Nicholas] during the recording session of her single ''My Baby / No''. Royce was the bass player in the Fabulous Blue Jays that backed her on this recording. After she abandoned solo career and Nicholls departed the Fabulous Blue Jays, they subsequently formed a performing and writing duo and made several recordings in the 1960s for the CBS label. Their first single ''Buy Some Love / Look On'' was released in 1966 followed by ''Happiness Is Just A State Of Mind / On The Road'' (1967) and ''The Streets Are Not Deserted Now / Even I Can Hear The Grass Growing'' (1967). During this period, they married. 

Toni and Royce toured England and Europe. Nonetheless, prior to their European sojourn, they toured Japan, playing Johnson Air force base and a variety of clubs. The tour came about after one of McCann’s former Sunshine stable mates, Frankie Davidson, pulled some strings and managed to secure the contract. In London UK in 1970 they recorded ''Here Comes The Day / The Sun Is Coming Out Again'' as Half Crown. The single was released in Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland but not in Australia. Whilst there they played in UK clubs and appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Returning to Australia they recorded ''Fraser Island / Australia Revisited'' in 1971 under the name The Meeples on the M7 label. Toni and Royce were popular on the club and cabaret scene and toured Queensland Arts Council children’s programs around Australian schools for nine years. They eventually recorded under the name of Toni McRae and Royce Edwards and released three albums. Sadly, in later years Royce was stricken with multiple sclerosis and eventually had to move into a nursing home and died on 8 Sept 2013. He selflessly urged Toni to make a new life, they divorced, and Toni later remarried. Amazingly, in 2021, under the name Sue Collier she is now working as a prison chaplain. Toni has released an EP of Christian songs titled 'You Might Be The One'.

SINGLES

''Buy Some Love / Look On'' 1966 CBS

''Happiness Is A State Of Mind / On The Road'' 1967 CBS

The Streets Are Not Deserted Now / Even I Can Hear The Grass Grow 1968 CBS

''Here Comes The Day / The Sun Is Coming Out Again'' 1979 Pirates *Recorded under the name Half Crown

''Fraser Island / Australia Revisited'' 1971 M7 * Recorded under the name The Meeples

Fraser Island / Australia Revisited 1975 M7

The Rainbow Serpent / The Tasmanian Devil Song 1984 Scorpion

ALBUMS

'The Dreamtime Show' 1975 M7

'Wind In The Wattle' 1982 RCA *recorded under the name Toni McRae and Royce Edwards
'The One That Got Away...And Other Unlikely Tales' 1987 Larrikin