JOHN E BROOME AND THE HANDELS

John E Broome and the Handels were one of Adelaide's most accomplished mid-1960s bands, despite their unusually quirky name. Formed by guitarist Kevin Peek, the group featured an impressive lineup of musicians who would later achieve significant success in the Australian and international music industries. Bassist Alan Tarney went on to play with the James Taylor Move and the Tarney-Spencer Band, worked alongside The Shadows, and became a celebrated songwriter and producer for artists including Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John. Drummer Laurie Pryor later performed with The Twilights, Healing Force, Genesis and Chain, while Peek himself gained international recognition as a member of the acclaimed pop-classical ensemble Sky alongside guitarist John Williams. Frontman John E Broome, whose real name was Dave Reekes-Parsons, later moved into record production, working with acts such as The Vibrants.

Most of the band's members came from Adelaide's northern suburbs, and during the mid-1960s they became regular attractions at venues including The Octagon and the Salisbury Youth Centre in Elizabeth. In 1964, they released the single "Do's And Don'ts / Didn't Know Her Name" on the W&G label. Recorded at Visound Recording Studios in Hindley Street, Adelaide, both songs were written by guitarist Frank Tarney. The release enjoyed local success, reaching #41 on radio station 5DN's Big 60 chart and remaining there for four weeks.

The band's growing reputation attracted the attention of Ken Pitt, manager of Manfred Mann and The Animals, who invited them to London in 1965 for a season at the legendary Marquee Club. Upon returning to Australia, the group evolved into the influential James Taylor Move, a band that would become a launching pad for several of its members' distinguished careers. Several members are no longer with us. Laurie Pryor died in 2010, Kevin Peek died from cancer in 2013, and Dave Reekes-Parsons died in 2018. Despite a relatively brief recording career, John E Broome and the Handels remain an important chapter in the history of South Australian rock music and a remarkable starting point for a group of musicians who went on to leave a lasting mark on the industry.

Members

John E Broome [Dave Reekes-Parsons] (vocals) Kevin Peek (guitar), Frank Tarney (guitar), Laurie Pryor (drums), Alan Tarney (bass)

SINGLES

''Do's And Don'ts / Didn't Know Her Name'' 1964 W&G