THE TROUPADORS

The band formed in Perth, Western Australia, in the early 1960s with Jimmy Lee on bass, Lloyd Abeysekera on piano, Peter Bull on rhythm guitar, John Lemin on lead guitar, and Peter Hannan on drums. The band experienced numerous lineup changes during its 40-year tenure, with many talented musicians passing through the ranks. Known for their presentation, sound, and harmonies, they were fixtures on the nightclub scene, performing at venues like West End, Top Hat, Chequers, Two Eyes, Pinocchios, and the Waldorf. In 1964 John Parker replaced Peter Hannan on drums, Rick Selby replaced John Lemin and Peter Nell was asked to become a permanent member replacing Peter Bull.

In 1965, they supported The Rolling Stones in Perth. In 1966, drummer John Parker left and was replaced by John Gotch. Not long after Peter Bull rejoined the band but not as a guitarist but as the group's drummer. In 1969, they traveled to Singapore with singer Lynne Mather, performing at clubs like The Kelong at The Cathay Hotel and The Moonshine Nite Club at Ocean Beach Hotel, where they also recorded a three-track single on the local Life label. The line-up for the first trip to Singapore included Peter Bull (drums, vocals), Lynne Mather (vocals), Rex Bullen (keyboards, guitar), Rick Selby (guitar, vocals), and Graham Flintoff (bass, vocals). In 1971 the band returned to Singapore for another six-month residency. The line-up for this trip included, Peter Bull (drums, vocals), Peter Andersen (vocals, saxophone), Bill Blissett (keyboards, vocals), Rick Selby (lead guitar, vocals), and Doug Wilkinson (bass, vocals).

During the 1960s, they recorded on the Clarion label, transitioning to the M7 label in the 1970s. They made history by playing the first live TV show from the Sydney Opera House in 1973, alongside Barry Crocker and Normie Rowe. The 1970s saw them relocate to the Gold Coast, where they became hugely popular at venues like The Playroom and the Surfers Paradise Beer Garden. By the decade's end, some members returned to Western Australia. The band reunited in 1999 with their main lineup from 1974. Over the years, they lost several members: Rex Bullen in 1983, John Hossen in 2007, Doug Wilkinson in 2010, Peter Bull in 2014, Lloyd Abeysekera in 2017, and Bill Blissett in 2022.

Members

Jimmy Lee (vocals/bass) John Parker (drums) Rick Selby (guitar), Lloyd Abeysekara (vocals/keyboard), Peter Nell (vocals/guitar), Peter Bull (guitar/drums), Rick Vandam (bass), John Gotch (drums), John Lemin (guitar), Doug Wilkinson (bass), Peter Hannan (drums) Graham Flintoff (bass), Rex Bullen (keyboard), Peter Anderson (vocals/sax/guitar), Peter Slatter (bass), Gary Howard (drums), Bill Blissett (keyboard), Al McOwart (guitar), John Hossen (sax), Kenny Walther (vocals/keyboards), Bev Harrell (vocals), Bruce Coleman (vocals/keyboards), Lynne Mather (vocals)

SINGLES

''Near To Me / Big Boat (#76)'' 1967 Clarion
''Come Home, Baby/ Little Boat'' 1968 Clarion

''Keep On Truckin'' (#97) 1972 Peppermint
''Sing A Song / Roberta'' 1973 M7
''By The Devil (I Was Tempted) (#49) / The Collector'' 1973 M7

ALBUMS

'Playroom' 1975 Wheel 

References


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