THE THIN MEN

The Thin Men were a Melbourne vocal group formed in 1961 through the merger of The Moontones and The Planetones. The original line-up was Johnny Edwards (tenor), Tony Lee (bass), Brian Penglase (baritone) and Adrian Ussher (baritone). Penglase left and returned to Adelaide in March 1962 and was replaced by Ron Patrick. Signed to the W&G label, they debuted with ''Learning the Twist / I Can’t Get You Out of My Mind''. Adrian Ussher did not stay with the Thin Men for long. During 1962 he left the group to pursue a career in advertising although he produced their next two recordings. He was replaced by Adelaide singer Johnny Florence. Their second single ''A Little Bit Now'' with Florence out front saw some chart success. 

The group supported UK singer and actor Mark Wynter on his 1963 Australian tour, then moved to HMV, recording five singles. Regulars on Melbourne TV’s Sunnyside Up, they also backed artists like Barry Greenwood (''Found A New Romance''), Colin Cook’s debut single ''It’s Up To You'' (a Ricky Nelson cover) in 1962, and Bobby Bright’s ''Girls Never Notice Me'' in 1963. The Thin Men also sang the vocal backing on several of Johnny Chester’s early W&G singles and Tony Lee is featured on Chester’s version of ''Summertime Blues'' (Dec 1962). After relocating to Sydney in 1965, they performed in clubs, appeared on TV, and supported international acts on tour. In 1970 Tony Lee departed and returned to Melbourne. In 1974 they recorded the album 'The Thin Men On Earth' and the single ''Leah / All The Things You Are'' backed by the Billy Burton Orchestra. Florence later left and was replaced by Benny Ford before their final album, 'Just For You', was released on the Jam label in 1978. The Thin Men finally disbanded in 1986. Johnny Edwards died in 2011. Johnny Florence kept singing until early 2025 and died in June of that year aged 92.

Members

Johnny Edwards (tenor), Brian Penglase (baritone), Tony Lee (bass), Ron Patrick (baritone), Adrian Ussher (baritone), Johnny Florence (baritone), Benny Ford

SINGLES

''Learning The Twist / I Can't Get You Out Of My Mind'' 1962 W&G
''A Little Bit Now (#55) / I Love You In The Same Old Way'' 1962 W&G
''Here He Comes / Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home)'' 1963 W&G
''Sixteen Tons / Children, Go Where I Send You'' 1966 HMV
''The Diary / Rhinoceros'' 1966 HMV
''Sons Of The ANZACS / The Red Beret'' 1966 HMV
''Till The Cheque Comes In / The Red Beret'' 1966 HMV
''Runnin' 'Round In Circles / Please Don't Cry'' 1967 HMV
'' Leah / All The Things You Are'' 1974 Earth

ALBUMS

'The Thin Men On Earth' 1974 Earth

'Just For You' 1978 Jam

References

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