THE PLAYBOYS

The Playboys were originally organized in Melbourne in the early 60s as an instrumental outfit, with a membership that included Graham Trottman (ex-The Chessmen) on drums, Phil Blackmore (ex-The Roulettes) on organ, John Cartwright (ex-The Sapphires) on guitar, Bill Billings on lead guitar and Ron Brain on bass. Brain was with the band for a short period and was replaced by Neil McArthur. They were soon making a name for themselves in the city and far beyond and were good enough to support Gerry & the Pacemakers and Brian Poole & the Tremeloes on their tour of Australia in 1964. Neil McArthur departed the band and was replaced by Pete Carroll (ex-The Laurie Arthur Four). They were signed to the Sunshine label later that year and recorded an album 'The Sound Award Album', in addition to releasing a number of singles between January 1965 and May 1966.

Their other major function was as the house band to singers such as Marcie Jones and Billy Adams, who were also signed to Sunshine. But their big break came when they were selected as the permanent backing back for Normie Rowe who was one of the hottest singers in Australia in the mid-'60s. After a year with the band Pete Carroll was replaced by former bass player Neil McArthur.

In 1966 Normie Rowe's manager Ivan Dayman decided that he was going to send him to England to try and crack the UK market. Normie was a bit reluctant about going and told Dayman he would only go if he could have the Playboys with him. Dayman agreed but wanted the group reduced to a four-piece. As a result, it was decided rhythm guitarist John Cartwright would be the one to go. Dayman also laid down the law that the married members could not take their wives. Bill Billings and Neil McArthur decided not to go. Guitarist Rod Stone and bassist Brian Peacock both from The Librettos joined the band for the British tour in the late fall of 1966. During the tour Phil Blackmore quit due homesickness, and was replaced by Trevor Griffin, a keyboard-player whose earlier group affiliations included a stint with the John Bull Breed.

Soon after this, Rod Stone decided to return to Australia, and was succeeded by guitarist/singer Mick Rogers who had been a member of The Vision, which backed Adam Faith. It was this version of The Playboys that attracted the attention of Andrew Loog Oldham, who signed them to his newly spawned Immediate Records label, where they cut an appropriately psychedelic-tinged single of "Black Sheep R.I.P.," an eerie little pop-psych adaptation of the nursery rhyme "Baa Baa Black Sheep" in early 1967. The latter release was credited to the "Australian Playboys" (to prevent confusion with Gary Lewis' outfit). The record never charted but the group continued to get lots of gigs and good notices in England and points beyond, including a Canadian tour. The group broke up late in 1967 with Rogers, Peacock and Griffin leaving for Australia forming the psychedelic pop-rock group Procession. Neil McArthur died in 2021.

Members

Bill Billings (guitar), John Cartwright (guitar), Neil McArthur (bass), Pete Carroll (bass), Brian Peacock (bass), Rod Stone (guitar), Graeme Trottman (drums), Phil Blackmore (piano, organ, guitar), Normie Rowe (vocals), Trevor Griffin (keyboards), Mick Rogers (guitar)

SINGLES

''Exodus (#51) / Sabre Dance'' 1965 Sunshine
''Swan Lake (#62) / Camptown Races'' 1965 Sunshine

''It Ain't Necessarily So (#5) / Gonna Leave This Town'' [with Normie Rowe] 1965 Sunshine
''Desperado (#78) / The Mean One'' 1965 Sunshine
''He's Awright / Torture'' 1965 Sushine

''Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) (#1) / Shakin' All Over'' (#1) [with Normie Rowe] 1965 Sunshine
''Happy Organ /The High And Mighty'' 1966 Sunshine

''Pride And Joy (#8) / The Stones I Throw'' (#8) [with Normie Rowe] 1966 Sunshine
''Black Sheep R.I.P. / Sad'' 1967 Sunshine

EPs

'Exodus' 1965 Sunshine

'It Ain't Necessarily Rowe' [with Normie Rowe] 1965 Sunshine

'Desperado!' 1966 Sunshine

ALBUMS

'The Sound Award Album' 1965 Sunshine

'Normie Rowe Á Go-Go' [with Normie Rowe] 1965 Sunshine
'It Ain't Necessarily So But It Is' [with Normie Rowe] 1965 Sunshine

'Normie's Hit Happenings' [with Normie Rowe] 1967 Sunshine

References

Bruce Eder

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