THE SHOWMEN

Rock band, The Showmen was formed in Sydney in 1962. Renowned for their professionalism and great musicianship The Showmen were one of the hardest working bands in town playing six nights a week which included Beatle Village. By 1965 they were rivalling The Missing Links as Australia's answer to the Rolling Stones. The Showmen appeared at the 2SM Sound Spectacular on 22 April 1965. The show was a precursor to the soon-to-be-founded Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds; the first prize included £100 in cash, a support spot on the upcoming Dave Clark Five tour, a record contract and a possible deal with Brian Epstein's NEMS organisation. 

With such an enticing prize up for grabs, almost sixty local bands competed, and the show, held at the old Sydney Stadium, was attended by nine thousand fans. The Showmen ended up being the eventual winners. The band was signed to the Leedon label and recorded two singles, the self-penned ''Don't Deceive'' and the Chuck Berry cover ''Too Much Monkey Business''. Baden Hutchins and Ian Thomas departed joined the second incarnation of legendary garage band The Missing Links when Peter Ellison broke up the band. They both returned in 1966 when The Showmen reformed. Guitarist Tony Hamilton would eventually join Gus McNeil in The Nomads. After he left that band, he would form the legendary Pirana. Ian Thomas, died after a short illness on Monday August 17th, 2009, in Phnom Penh.

Members

Peter Ellison (guitar/vocals), Tony Hamilton (guitar, harmonica), Ian Thomas (bass), Baden Hutchins (vocals/drums)

SINGLES

''Don't Deceive / So Far Away'' 1965 Leedon
''Too Much Monkey Business / Naughty Girl'' 1965 Leedon