KING HARVEST

Melbourne band active in the early 70s, featuring the fine soulful vocals of New Zealander Leo De Castro. Leo was regarded by many in the industry as having the best soul voice around. He was praised for his vocal abilities and was always able to gather quality musicians around him. Obviously the record companies didn't agree as nobody offered him a recording contract. Bad mistake, as he went on to do wonderful things in Australia. In 1969 Leo headed for Sydney and joined the Browns, which included Ronnie Peel from the Pleazers.

That band broke up at the start of 1970, so in September 1970 he formed King Harvest with Jimmy Doyle, Mark Kennedy, Duncan McGuire and Steve Yates. This band, made up of members of In Focus, Rush and Spectrum, recorded two singles - "Wichita Lineman" and "Jumping Jack Flash". They immediately earned acclaim as one of the leading 'heavy' bands on the burgeoning Melbourne progressive rock circuit. There were lots of line-up changes and eventually King Harvest broke up in September 1971, when De Castro formed Flite for a couple of months, but by December 1971 he had formed a different group called Friends. Leo De Castro, Jimmy Doyle, Duncan McGuire and Tim Partridge have all since died.

Members

Leo De Castro (vocals), Jimmy Doyle (guitar), Steve Yates (keyboards), Duncan McGuire (bass), Mark Kennedy (drums), Billy Green (guitar), Ray Oliver (guitar), Gary Clark (bass),
Kevin Murphy (drums), John Williams (guitar), Rob MacKenzie (guitar), John Capek (piano), Jeremy Noone (piano, saxophone), Tim Partridge (bass), Barry Harvey (drums)

SINGLES

Wichita Lineman

22 FEB '71

#33

Jumping Jack Flash

24 MAY '71

#93

References

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