John (Booka) Hyland started singing about age 18. He won a talent quest at the Belmore Police Boy's Club in 1959 then appeared in the Sydney based television programmes like Teen Time and Six O'Clock Rock. His first single release was ''Sweet Thing'' on the Lee Gordon label in 1960. It sold reasonably well, and it charted. Singles that followed were ''We've Got Something Going / The Right Time'' (1960) and ''Transistor / Is It Me'' (1961). He also released a four-track EP, 'Booka At The Police Boys Club', He was also lead singer for The Leedons and then then as lead singer for The Chessmen (not Johnny Chester's backing band).
''Sweet Thing (#38) / I Dig Girls'' 1960 Lee Gordon
''We've Got Something Going / The Right Time'' 1960 Lee Gordon
''Transistor / Is It Me'' 1961 Leedon
EPs
'Booka At The Police Boys Club' 1961 Leedon
References
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
love to know who did the original
ReplyDeletejungle@shoal.net.au
Rob Bell
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSome details on original versions.
Delete"Transistor": originally by Armando
www.poparchives.com.au/2635/booka-hyland/transistor
"Sweet Thing": probably first by Grady Chapman, but his & Booka's came out around the same time, and the US writers had Aussie connections through JO'K. A close one to call.
http://www.poparchives.com.au/2626/booka-hyland/sweet-thing
Try this http://youtu.be/skXq5E_H95g
ReplyDeleteGREAT CLIP!
ReplyDelete