THE UNICHORDS / SOUTHERN FOLK THREE / THE BILLABONG THREE

 

The Unichords, formed in Melbourne in the late ’50s while studying at Melbourne University, quickly made a name for themselves with numerous TV appearances and a couple of singles on the W&G label in 1959. Their hit ''Tell Him No'' reached #3 on the local charts, and they became regular performers at lunchtime rock ’n’ roll concerts at Melbourne Town Hall. In the early ’60s, they lent their backing vocals to recordings by Frankie Davidson, Heather Horwood, and Denis Gibbons. Embracing the growing folk scene, they rebranded as The Southern Folk Three for the W&G album 'Gotta Travel On', and later as The Billabong Three for 'Outback', an EP of bush songs commissioned by the Golden Fleece Petrol Company. I am unsure when they disbanded and have no idea what later happened to them. Any additional info is welcome. Cheers

Members

Charles Conlan (vocals / guitar), Vincent Campbell (vocals / guitar), Laurie Arter (bass)

SINGLES
''Tell Him No / Rock Mister Piper'' 1959 W & G
''Tweet Tweet Beat / Bone Dome'' 1959 W & G
''Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)'' [with Denis Gibbons] 1959 W & G
''Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye / A Teenager In Love'' [with Heather Horwood] 1959 W & G
''Dream Lover'' [with Frankie Davidson] 1961 W & G
''I Care For You / You’re Driving Me Crazy'' [with Frankie Davidson] 1961 W & G
''Jezabel'' [with Frankie Davidson] 1961 W & G
''Tina / The Skye Boat Song'' [with Denis Gibbons] 1962 W & G

EPs (as The Billabong Three) 

'Outback' 1965 Golden Fleece

ALBUMS (as The Southern Folk Three)

'Gotta Travel On' 1963 W & G