THE THUNDERBIRDS

The Thunderbirds rose to great popularity, becoming a cornerstone of Melbourne’s early 1960s rock scene alongside groups like The Phantoms, The Strangers, The Chessmen, The Breakaways, The Saxons, The Blue Jays, The Marksmen, and The Playboys. They often backed solo singers on the local dance circuit and virtually served as the resident session band for Ron Tudor’s W&G label during that era. Interestingly, they weren’t the first Melbourne rock ’n’ roll group to record—Henri Bource All Stars hold that title with the 1958 release of 'Rock ’n’ Roll Party' on the Planet label. The Thunderbirds’ lineup featured Colin Cook (sax), Grahame Lyall (sax), Harold Frith (drums), Laurie Bell (guitar), Peter Robinson (bass), and Murray Robertson (piano). In late 1959, they signed with Festival’s Rex label, releasing two EPs and two singles. Their debut EP, 'Rex 4 Star', included one song each by Billy Owen, Billy O’Rourke, and Judy Cannon, plus an instrumental track—Henry Mancini’s ''Peter Gunn'', later covered by Duane Eddy.

Owen and O'Rourke sang two songs each on the second EP, 'The Thunderbirds', and the debut single ''Running Bear /`Blue Woman'' (1960). Judy Cannon took vocal honours on the second single, ''Laughin' On The Outside / Ma (He's Making Eyes At Me'' (April 1960). Laurie Bell left the group shortly after these recording sessions to pursue a career as a jazz guitarist and Musical Director. By the end of 1960, The Thunderbirds' line-up comprised Frith and Robertson, plus newcomers Henri Bource on sax and flute (ex-Henri Bource All Stars) Gordon Only on bass (ex-Malcolm Arthur and the Knights) and 17-year-old Charles Gauld on guitar. Colin Cook had left the Thunderbirds by this time and went on to enjoy a very successful solo career. Peter Robinson joined Sydney band Ray Hoff and the Offbeats and eventually went on to become a founding member of The Strangers in 1961.

After leaving the Rex label, The Thunderbirds, with help from top Melbourne DJ Stan Rofe, signed a new deal with W&G, recording exclusively as an instrumental group. Their singles included ''Teen Scene / Machine Gun'' (1960), ''Wild Weekend / Theme From The Rat Race'' (February 1961), ''New Orleans Beat / Delilah (The Man With The Golden Arm)'' (April 1961), ''Royal Whirl / Yippee Hoedown'' (December 1961), ''Dardanella / What! Me Worry?'' (1962), ''Wild Weekend” (reissued 1963), ''Amarillo Stomp / One Degree North'' (1963), and ''Pink Dominoes / Walk On The Wild Side'' (1964). The EP 'The Thunderbirds’ Big 6' came out in late 1961. Oriole in the UK released ''Wild Weekend'' and ''New Orleans Beat'', while in the USA, Melbourne’s label also issued ''Wild Weekend''. The track is considered one of the most successful Australian instrumental singles, alongside The Atlantics’ 1963 hit ''Bombora''. By the end of 1961, The Thunderbirds were backing Roy Orbison, Jack Scott, Ray Peterson, Dion, and Johnny Chester on their Australian tour, later supporting Cliff Richard and the Shadows with The Allen Brothers, Andy Ellis, and Judy Stone. In 1962, they appeared on the live album 'Quite a Party' on W&G’s budget Gem label, performing three instrumentals and backing Johnny Chester, Noel Watson, and Jillian Buckley.

By that time, The Thunderbirds had supported several solo artists both on record and on tour, including Johnny Chester, Colin Buckley, Betty McQuade (''Midnight Bus''), Bobby Cookson, and the Thin Men. Tony Buchanan (formerly of the Premiers and the Planets) played saxophone on the Thin Men’s single ''Here She Comes'', replacing Henri Bource, who had joined the Planets. Normie Rowe and Marcie Jones also launched their singing careers fronting The Thunderbirds at Preston Town Hall dances, where the group was joined by a brass section featuring Ken Jones (baritone sax), Norman Robertson (tenor sax), and Ivan Cocking (trombone). The Thunderbirds went on to share the stage with Helen Shapiro, Fabian, Lonnie Lee, Johnny O’Keefe, Lucky Starr, and The Bee Gees at various concerts. In 1964, Clark replaced Murray Robertson on piano. A year later, Clark and Gordon Onley departed, and by the end of 1965, the band had called it quits. Henri Bource died in 1998, Charles Gauld on June 1, 2016, and Harold Frith in 2025.

Members

Colin Cook (sax), Grahame Lyall (sax), Harold Frith (drums), Laurie Bell (guitar), Peter Robinson (bass), Murray Robertson (piano), Henri Bource (sax, flute), Gordon Only (bass), Charles Gauld (guitar) Tony Buchanan (sax) Terry Clark (piano)

SINGLES
''Teen Scene / Machine Gun'' (#40)1960 W&G
''Wild Weekend (#36) / Theme From The Rat Race'' 1961 W&G
''New Orleans Beat (#30) / Delilah (The Man With The Golden Arm)'' 1961 W&G
''Royal Whirl / Yippee Hoedown'' 1961 W&G
''Dardanella / What! Me Worry?'' 1962 W&G
''Wild Weekend / Yippee Hoedown'' 1963 W&G
''Amarillo Stomp / 1° North'' 1963 W&G
''Pink Dominoes / Walk On The Wild Side'' 1964 W&G

EPs

'The Thunderbirds With Billy O'Rourke and Billy Owens' 1960 Rex

'Rex 4 Star' 1960 Rex
'The Thunderbirds' Big 6' 1961 W&G

References

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