JOHN PERRY

John Perry was an English singer who was prominent in Adelaide during the mid to late sixties. He began as a solo artist recording a few singles on the Columbia label: ''Unchained Melody / Two Of The Same'' (1965), ''Sleepy Lagoon / Love Has Gone'' (1965), ''Evergreen / Wait By The Water'' (1965) and ''Don't Change Me / Sunset'' (1966). Perry ditched his solo career joining Adelaide's The Vibrants in 1966 with members that included Geoff Skewes who had taken charge of the group after Bobby James left to go solo. Other members included - Rick Kent (drums), Mike Wade (guitar), Bill Pfeifer (bass) and John Hossen (sax). In July 1966 they moved to Melbourne and signed with EMI's Columbia label, at which point Mick Hamilton (ex- The Moods) replaced Mike Wade on guitar. Perry sang lead vocals on a sped-up version of a Four Tops cover "Something About You, Baby" January 1967 which became a hit.

He followed up again singing lead vocal on "My Prayer / Don't Let Your Left Hand Know". At this moment in time the group became one of Melbourne's favourite groups. Perry left the band in February 1968 to form his own outfit, the John Rupert Group, who recorded one single, "Put a Bar in My Car / Tightrope" in August 1968. John Perry was one of Adelaide's favourite singers while he sang in Adelaide and in Melbourne. John can be remembered always sporting a white jumper in his early days on stage. John and his wife Janis bought the Kevington Hotel in Victoria and were publicans there for a while. John Perry died in 2017.

SINGLES

''Unchained Melody (#60) / Two Of The Same'' 1965 Columbia
''Sleepy Lagoon (#66) / Love Has Gone'' 1965 Columbia
''Evergreen (#91) / Wait By The Water'' 1965 Columbia
''Don't Change Me / Sunset'' 1966 Columbia

''Put A Bar In My Car / Tightrope'' [as John Rupert] 1968 Columbia

References

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