BLUESTONE

Melbourne singer Terry Dean formed country rock band Bluestone in 1972. Terry had enjoyed an extremely successful solo career recording a number of hit records, performing regularly in Melbourne and interstate and appearing nationally on TV shows including The Go!! Show, and Happening 70. The band's line-up included Terry Dean on lead vocals and guitar, Col Millington on drums (who played on the 6-track demo tape the band recorded at Laurie Arthur Studios at East Brunswick but had left the band when they recorded their debut album), John Creech (ex -The Mixtures) on drums and vocals, Ted Fry on bass and vocals (ex-Blues Rags 'n' Hollers) plus Mike Burke on pedal steel.

Bluestone was heavily influenced by west coast American country rock including artists such as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris and numerous other influential songwriters as well as performing and recording much of its own material. It was renowned for its strong vocal harmonies and was also one of the first Australian country rock bands to feature pedal steel guitar on stage and in the recording studio. They were signed to the Bootleg label. The band's first album, self-titled 'Bluestone', was released to excellent reviews in 1974 and helped to cement the band as a major force in Australian country music.

The single from the album, ''Wind and Rain'', was a hit across Australia. Gavan Anderson (lead guitar and vocals) and Nigel Thompson (bass and vocals) who had both been members of The New Dream, joined the band in 1975 and this line up remained together until Bluestone disbanded in 1984. The band toured and recorded in the US in 1979 and 1982 and released a number of singles on the Scotti Brothers label. It also released its second album, 'The Closer You Get' in 1982. During its twelve years together the band performed regularly on Australian television (Hey, Hey It's Saturday, The Daryl Somers Show, Shirl's Neighbourhood and Countdown) and was invited to support a number of international acts including Cat Stevens, Dolly Parton and America on their Australian tours.

Members

Terry Dean (vocals, guitar), Mike Burke (guitar, banjo), Ted Fry (bass), John Creech (drums, vocals), Gavan Anderson (lead guitar, vocals), Nigel Thompson (bass, vocals), Col Millington (drums)

SINGLES 
''Wind And Rain (#19) / Road To Nowhere'' 1973 Bootleg 
''The Singer Sang The Song / Sing Me A Rainbow'' 1973 Bootleg 
''Stagecoach / Sing Me A Rainbow'' 1974 Bootleg 
''Ride On (Edited Version) / The Only Girl'' 1975 Bootleg 
''Hear The Bang / Country Fair'' 1975 Bootleg 
''Cool Clear Air / Knowing You'' 1976 Bootleg 
''Rock 'N Roll Crazy / Say That You Need Me'' 1977 Bootleg 
''One Step Out Of Time (Keep On Dancin') / Baby, Just Don't Change'' 1978 Bootleg 
''Single Again / Keep On Dancing'' 1981 Avenue 
''Remember / Oh How She Loves Me'' 1982 Avenue 
''The Same Party / Time Won't Change A Thing'' 1984 Avenue 

ALBUMS 
'Bluestone' 1974 Bootleg 
'The Closer You Get' 1982 Avenue 

References

http://www.tarahall.com.au/gavanandersson/bluestone/index.html

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/