Born Gary Hildred in Dubbo in 1943, Digger is credited with pioneering Australian rock and roll. One of Digger’s first shows was his regular teen age dances at the Blue Danube Ballroom at Richmond way back in 1958. Then followed regular appearances on Six O’Clock Rock, Teen Time and Bandstand, at the Sydney Stadium, Festival Hall and over 60 national TV shows. He also fronted the band The Denvermen with whom he had a few hits with. Digger performed with some of the greats, including Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Wayne Newton and Johnny O’Keefe.
Digger did more tours of war-torn Vietnam, than any other entertainer worldwide. He appeared on stage with Bob Hope on six occasions and made a total of 11 tours. He also did a tour of the USA with his band, staying for more than three years touring 38 states. He performed with Ike and Tina Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Guy Mitchell, Fats Domino, B.B.King, and Anne Margaret. D.J. Fontana, Elvis’ drummer played in Digger’s band for many of the American shows. Digger is still performing to this day.
SINGLES
''Building Castles In The Air (#47) / The Habit Of Loving You'' [with The Denvermen] 1963 HMV''Over The Rainbow (#75) / I'm Gonna Make You'' [with The Denvermen] 1963 RCA
''My Little Rocker's Turned Surfie (#32) / Tip Of My Tongue'' [with The Denvermen] 1964 RCA
''Just Call On Me (#90) / Mr. Moon, Mr. Cupid And I'' [with The Denvermen] 1964 RCA
''Don't You Know / C'mon Let's Go'' 1964 RCA
''Jenny, Jenny (#71) / I Love The Way You Love Me'' 1964 RCA
''A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues / Take Your Time'' 1965 RCA
''My Prayer (#25) / High School Confidential [with The Denvermen] 1965 RCA
''Twilight Time (#19) / I'm Gonna Send You Back To Georgia'' [with The Denvermen] 1965 RCA
''You'd Better Move On / As Long As She Needs Me'' 1966 RCA
''Worried Man / You Got What It Takes'' 1966 RCA
''Our Love Is Slipping Away / It's So Easy'' 1966 RCA
''My Mammy / You Won't Find That Kind In Me'' (#48) 1966 RCA
''Funny How Time Slips Away / Who Cares'' 1967 RCA
''All For The Love Of A Girl / Sunshine On My Shoulder'' 1967 RCA
''Mary Jane / Satisfied Man'' 1971 RCA
''Road To Nowhere / Colour Of Love'' 1972 RCA
''Take A Look / Road To Nowhere'' 1972 RCA
''Castles In The Air / I've Got A Feelin' [with The International Revue Band] 1977
''The World's Gone Crazy Cottillion / Let's Hear It For The Working Man'' 1982 Country Man
''You Make It Easy / Baby I Would'' 1984 RCA
''Midtown Motel Midday Matinee Blues / Rockaway'' 1985 RCA
EPs
'You Belong To Me' 1967 RCA
ALBUMS
'To Whom It May Concern' 1966 RCA''Alive & Kicking' 1982 Country Man
'You Just Get Better All the Time' 1985 RCA
References
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
Knew Digger well,The Denver men would play at the Parramatta Rively Ballroom, Lidcombe and Hurstville paradance 3 times a week Me and a guy John Bell and Stevie Wright { pre Easybeats} would get up and sing a song or two with the Denvermen. Digger would appear later in the evening to do a show wth the guys, Allen Crow { bass} took me and his younger bro to see The Beatles in Sydney he was given free tickets, Les Greens { lead } father taught me my first music lessens Those were the days. Just saying :)
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