THE CHEROKEES

The Cherokees were formed in 1961 when Johnny Chester a local singer in Melbourne decided to downsize his band The Chessmen which had become too big, sporting up to three guitarists at one time. Johnny approached Billy Dale, one of the guitarists and said why not start a new band, Billy said that he preferred to play instrumentals, as that is what he did when he played with his first band The Jaywoods who went on to be The Chessmen. Chess said ''no problem, start an instrumental group and I will book you at my venues'' (Johnny ran several dances around Melbourne at the time). Johnny Chester suggested a competition be held at Preston town hall in Melbourne which was the prestige venue at the time, while the band was out and about that day, they saw a poster advertising a new iced lolly on the corner of Gilbert Road and Bell Street Preston which was called The Cherokee

Dale said ''that's it, that's what I'm calling the band, we are going to be called The Cherokees''. Billy went down and registered it at the Titles office the very next day. The first line up was with Billy Dale on guitar, Alan Chung on rhythm guitar, Mick Lynch on loan from the Chessmen, and David Thompson on bass. A few weeks later Barrie Windley stepped in on drums and Barrie King on rhythm guitar and vocals. The line up lasted quite a while until Dave Thompson left and Doug Trevor (ex-The Marksmen) filled his spot. They recorded "Running Wild / Moon In The Afternoon" on W&G records. The B side did OK and bubbled under on the charts. Barrie King left, and Doug Trevor's mate Lindsay Morrison replaced him on rhythm guitar. 

It was with this line-up that recorded the instrumental album 'Here Come The Cherokees'. The album was a mixture of standard tunes plus five Doug Trevor originals. It was unusual for a local band to record an album during that period; however, Ron Tudor had just been promoted to head of A&R gave them the nod and so it was recorded and released. After the album release Billy Dale left due to marital commitments and bassist Pete Tindal (ex-Scorpions) was bought in to fill the gap on a temporary basis. Doug Trevor switched from bass to lead guitar. The band was playing at a venue called Tenth Avenue during lunch times and three evenings a week, pretty much full time, as well as playing other venues around Melbourne. Throughout their career The Cherokees performed in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania. They did numerous TV appearances.

The Cherokees" went into the studio and recorded their second single, ''I've Got Something To Tell You / It's Gonna Work Out Fine''. Ron Tudor joined up with some other people and started Go!! records and took The Cherokees with him. And so a two-year relationship with the label saw the band release seven singles. Their biggest success was ''Oh Mona' which went #14 on the national charts in 1966. A major lineup occurred before the recording of ''Minnie The Moocher''. Morrison was replaced by guitarist Marty Van Wyk (ex-The Throb), Kevin Smith (ex-D Coys) was brought in on lead vocals and Pete 'Max' Bilney (ex-The Secrets) on drums. 

The Cherokess were booked in 1968 as The Monkees support act. Van Wyk left the band to join Marty Rhone's backing band The Soul Agents. Mike McGuire was brought in to replace him. After the tour the band recorded one more single this time on the Festival label, called ''Sally / Grey Monday Morning'' which had been produced by Brian Poole during his Australian tour. The same year the band decided to call it a day. Billy Dale died in 2019.

Members

Billy Dale (guitar), Alan Chung (guitar), David Thompson (bass), Mick Lynch (drums), Barrie King, (guitar, vocals), Lindsay Morrison (guitar), Doug Trevor (bass, guitar), Pete Tindal (guitar), Mike McGuire (guitar), Barrie Windley (drums), Kevin Smith (vocals), Marty Van Wyk (guitar), Peter Bilney (drums)

SINGLES

''Running Wild / Moon In The Afternoon'' (#98) 1964 W&G
''I've Got Something To Tell You / It's Gonna Work Out Fine'' (#73) 1965 W&G
''I've Been Trying (#70) / Only If You Care'' 1965 Go!!
''That's If You Want Me To (#33) / Stop This Misery'' 1965 Go!!
''The Angels Listened In (#32) / Shame On You, Baby'' 1966 Go!!
''A Woman With Soul (#58) / I'll Give You Love'' 1966 Go!!
''The Thought Of You / Little Lover'' 1966 Go!!
''Oh, Monah (#12) / Ain't Gonna Cry No More'' 1966 Go!!
''Minnie The Moocher (#14) / I've Gone Wild'' 1967 Go!!
''Sally (#87) / Grey Monday Morning'' 1968 Festival
''Minnie The Moocher / I've Gone Wild'' 1973 Astor
''Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne / Heart Full Of Country'' 1974 Real

EPs

'The Cherokees' 1966 Go!!

ALBUMS

'Here Come The Cherokees' 1964 W&G
'Oh Mona' 1967 Go!!

References

Peter Tindal

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