The Blue Echoes were one of the longest surviving groups, having stayed together in various line-ups for twenty years spanning early 1964 to late 1983. Even though they were considered as one of Australia’s longest surviving groups, they never really got going until consolidating their lineup with: Ray Eames on guitar (ex-Fabulous Blue Jays/Jigsaw), Ray Quon on keyboards, drummer Ron Chapman, vocalist Phil Golotta and Chris Stuttard on bass (ex-Young Once). Phil Golotta was also a successful songwriter, penning Jamie Redfern’s ''Hitch A Ride On A Smile'', a song which won the 1973 Australian Popular Song Contest.
The band was extremely popular on the pub scene. Vocalist Phil Golotta, recalls The Blue Echoes appearing at Tottenham Hotel’s opening night. He remembers playing to crowds of 600 people at venues such as The Tarmac (now The Westside Hotel) in Laverton and the Altona Sports Club. “The queue to get in would be right around the entire hotel,” Golotta said.
Their only charting hit was with one song which hit #37 in 1973 and stayed on the chart for only one week and that was ''Going To A Party''. It sold particularly well amongst Melbourne hotel-goers. The band also released a few albums with 'Dancing In The Street' and 'High-Heeled Rock N Roll' being the most successful. In the early 80s vocalist Phil Golotta left and the remaining members recruited ex-soloists Rod Kirkham (Young Talent Time fame) and Robin Jolley into the lineup as well as changing the band's name to The Echoes. Ray Eames died in 2014.
Members
Ray Harris (guitar), Joe Paparone (guitar), John Rodgers (steel guitar), Russell Boyle (bass), Ron Backway (keyboards), Ron Chapman (drums), Phil Golotta (vocals), Larry Groves (keyboards), Andy Doig [Andy Scott] (guitar), Ray Eames (guitar), Don Mudie (bass), Doug Reece (bass), Chris Stuttard (bass), Ray Quon (keyboards), Rod Kirkham (vocals), Robin Jolley (vocals)
SINGLES
''Back Out On The Road Again'' 1973 Image
''Going To A Party (#37) / Don't You Want Me?'' 1973 Image
''Don't Play Around With Love / In The Country'' 1974 Image
''High Heeled Rockin' Roll Shoes / When I Get You Again'' 1975 Image
''Mary Anne / D. C. 9'' 1975 Image
''Never Too Old / Angela'' 1978 Hammard
'More Sides Of The Blue Echoes' 1974 BE
ALBUMS
'High Heeled Rock N' Roll' 1975 Image
'Dancing In The Streets' 1976 Hammard
'Clap Your Hands And Shout' 1979 Hammard
'At The Hop' 1981 Hammard
References
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
Their only charting hit was with one song which hit #37 in 1973 and stayed on the chart for only one week and that was ''Going To A Party''. It sold particularly well amongst Melbourne hotel-goers. The band also released a few albums with 'Dancing In The Street' and 'High-Heeled Rock N Roll' being the most successful. In the early 80s vocalist Phil Golotta left and the remaining members recruited ex-soloists Rod Kirkham (Young Talent Time fame) and Robin Jolley into the lineup as well as changing the band's name to The Echoes. Ray Eames died in 2014.
Members
Ray Harris (guitar), Joe Paparone (guitar), John Rodgers (steel guitar), Russell Boyle (bass), Ron Backway (keyboards), Ron Chapman (drums), Phil Golotta (vocals), Larry Groves (keyboards), Andy Doig [Andy Scott] (guitar), Ray Eames (guitar), Don Mudie (bass), Doug Reece (bass), Chris Stuttard (bass), Ray Quon (keyboards), Rod Kirkham (vocals), Robin Jolley (vocals)
''Back Out On The Road Again'' 1973 Image
''Going To A Party (#37) / Don't You Want Me?'' 1973 Image
''Don't Play Around With Love / In The Country'' 1974 Image
''High Heeled Rockin' Roll Shoes / When I Get You Again'' 1975 Image
''Mary Anne / D. C. 9'' 1975 Image
''Never Too Old / Angela'' 1978 Hammard
EPs
'Both Sides Of The Blue Echos' 1974 Allan Eaton Recording Studios'More Sides Of The Blue Echoes' 1974 BE
'High Heeled Rock N' Roll' 1975 Image
'Dancing In The Streets' 1976 Hammard
'Clap Your Hands And Shout' 1979 Hammard
'At The Hop' 1981 Hammard
References
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
Best Band in their day, went to most of their gigs. Always lots of fun. Waiting on Phil's Book now.. Isabelle Duyker-Ascot Vale.
ReplyDeleteRay Eames and I had the same father but I never met him unfortunately. I do have the album though
ReplyDeleteI found DITS in a Dandenong record shop. I have it on display.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Blue Echoes playing at the Croxton Park Hotel in the early seventies, standing room only if you arrived late. Great band to fill the dance floor. The real beginnings of pub rock. Often rocked at the Crock.
ReplyDelete