MULTIPLE BALLOON

Multiple Balloon, formed in the 60s were a cabaret-style band who played on the Sydney hotel and club and cruise circuit during the boom days of the American R&R scheme. Very little is known about this band but suffice to say they were together for about two years and during this period they recorded two singles for Jimmy Stewart's Sweet Peach label. These singles are of note because they are the first commercial recordings to feature renowned New Zealand-born singer and bassist Charlie Tumahai. Vocalist Lee Sanders had been a regular on Bandstand throughout the 60s and toured in Asia as lead vocalist with the In People appearing at the Hong Kong Hilton before she joined Multiple Balloon.

Their first, released in late 1969, was a cover of Paul McCartney's "Fool on the Hill", which had already become something of an MOR standard thanks to the bossa nova version recorded by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66. The B side was an original number titled "Multiple Balloon", written by drummer Barry Woods. Their second single came out some time during 1970; the A-side was a Jimmy Webb composition, "Girl's Song" which had been recorded by English singer Janie Jones in 1968 and the B-side was the song "Good News", written by the prolific American songwriting brothers Dick and Don Addrisi. 

After they disbanded Charlie Tumahai continued his stellar career by joining notable Australian bands including Chain, Healing Force, Friends and Mississippi (which later evolved into Little River Band). Tumahai traveled to the UK with Mississippi in 1974 and remained there when Mississippi broke up. Later that year he joined Be-Bop Deluxe, with whom he played and recorded until 1978. Joan Lozelle became the resident female singer at the South Sydney Leagues Club. She recorded an album with Reg Norton in 1974 titled 'Sunday At Souths'. Charlie Tumahai died suddenly on 21 December 1995, aged 46, after suffering a heart attack. Lee Sanders died in November 2021

Members

Barry Woods (drums), Charlie Tumahai (bass), Lee Sanders (vocals), Richard Holland (piano), Joan Lozelle (vocals)

SINGLES

''Fool On The Hill / Multiple Balloon'' 1969 Sweet Peach
''Girl's Song / Good News'' 1970 Sweet Peach