Christian band Family (brothers Phil and Ian Truscott plus Ian Smallbone) came together as a trio on the 26th of November 1972 where they sang for the first time at Pennant Hills Shopping Centre in Sydney. Prior to this the three boys were involved in another group in Queensland called I.R.I.P which stood for, Ian Ron Ian and Phil and also a group called Family Friends which included a fellow named Barry Graham doing main vocals with Ian Phil and Ian basically doing backing vocals. On the occasion of the 26th of November 1972, I.R.I.P were supposed to do the gig but Ron did not turn up, so Ian, Phil and Ian went on alone and did their first gig together. Sometime later Barry Graham joined the trio to become Family Friends, but this did not last long, and Barry left the group under good circumstances and became a minister but unfortunately was killed in a car crash in 1990 just outside of Maryborough.
Gradually the feeling that they could best sing was when they sang together of their beliefs, forced the boys to come together as one vocal group. From the first moment the unique blending of the three voices in harmony was obvious to all the growing number of friends who dropped by to hear the guys pick up guitars and sing.
Most of the song writing for Family in the early years was undertaken by Ian Truscott and at least half of the group's performances on stage would be devoted to their original, but strongly commercial, songs from Ian's manuscript. Throughout their prominent years both Ian Truscott and Ian Smallbone are represented as songwriters as well as group singers, Phil also contributed to song writing throughout their careers. They were first heard on record when they cut a single on Reverend Bob Goodfellow's Focus label (a Sydney gospel label). The songs were ''Love From A Man / The Wedding Song''.
Most of the song writing for Family in the early years was undertaken by Ian Truscott and at least half of the group's performances on stage would be devoted to their original, but strongly commercial, songs from Ian's manuscript. Throughout their prominent years both Ian Truscott and Ian Smallbone are represented as songwriters as well as group singers, Phil also contributed to song writing throughout their careers. They were first heard on record when they cut a single on Reverend Bob Goodfellow's Focus label (a Sydney gospel label). The songs were ''Love From A Man / The Wedding Song''.
Signed to the M7 label in December 1972 they recorded their first single called "Hallelujah Day" and on the flip side was "Love From A Man (same song recorded on the Focus label), it was the first of a number of singles that were recorded by Family. "Hallelujah Day "went # 6 in Brisbane and #30 in Sydney on the Top 40 charts.
Family appeared on every major TV show in the 70's and 80's, some of which were IMT (In Melbourne Tonight), The Graham Kennedy Show, Showcase, The Bert Newton Show, The Mike Walsh Show, The Today Show, The Ernie Sigley Show, Ernie and Dennis Show, Mike Willessee's Current Affair and In Adelaide Today.
Family has made some amazing achievements during their career since 1972, they hold the record for consistently attracting the largest audiences for an Australian Christian Band/Artist in history - which has still not been broken (Entertainment Centre, Sydney - 12,000 plus). Family held the record for selling collectively the most Records/tapes/CD's of any Christian Artist in Australia and the number of units sold has only recently been beaten (1999-2000) by The News Boys, who are also from Queensland and Rebecca St James who is the niece of one of the members of Family. Family has released many albums including compilation albums. The albums were released in the UK and USA as well as Australia and were recorded in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Los Angeles and Nashville.
Family has made some amazing achievements during their career since 1972, they hold the record for consistently attracting the largest audiences for an Australian Christian Band/Artist in history - which has still not been broken (Entertainment Centre, Sydney - 12,000 plus). Family held the record for selling collectively the most Records/tapes/CD's of any Christian Artist in Australia and the number of units sold has only recently been beaten (1999-2000) by The News Boys, who are also from Queensland and Rebecca St James who is the niece of one of the members of Family. Family has released many albums including compilation albums. The albums were released in the UK and USA as well as Australia and were recorded in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Los Angeles and Nashville.
''Just Another Song About Love / They'll Know We Are Christians (One In The Spirit)'' 1973 M7
''Hallelujah Day (#65) / Love From A Man'' 1973 M7
''Postcard To Home / Anniversary Song'' 1974 M7
''A Mother As Lovely As You / Silver Hair And Heart Of Gold'' 1975 M7
''This House Runs On Sunshine (#58) / Front Seat, Back Seat'' 1975 M7
''The Wonder Of You / Have I Been Too Heavy'' 1975 M7
''Listen To The Love In Your Heart / Play Momma Play'' 1976 M7
''Old Shep / You Bring Out The Best In Me'' 1976 M7
''Fine Love / We're Part Of The Family'' 1979 7 Records
''Stand By Me / You Changed My Life In A Moment'' 1980 7 Records ''Hallelujah Day (#65) / Love From A Man'' 1973 M7
''Postcard To Home / Anniversary Song'' 1974 M7
''A Mother As Lovely As You / Silver Hair And Heart Of Gold'' 1975 M7
''This House Runs On Sunshine (#58) / Front Seat, Back Seat'' 1975 M7
''The Wonder Of You / Have I Been Too Heavy'' 1975 M7
''Listen To The Love In Your Heart / Play Momma Play'' 1976 M7
''Old Shep / You Bring Out The Best In Me'' 1976 M7
''Fine Love / We're Part Of The Family'' 1979 7 Records
ALBUMS
'Family' 1973 M7'The Word Becomes Music' 1974 M7
'Family's Favourite Hymns' 1974 M7
'Postcard To Home' 1974 M7
'Vol. 5' 1986 M7
'Fine Love' 1979 Milk & Honey
'The Key Of Love' 1980 Milk & Honey
'Family Anthology' 1984 Powderworks
References
http://www.angelfire.com/in2/familys/home.html
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
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