THE PREMIERS

The Premiers formed in 1958 with Stan Azzopardi (guitar/accordion), Bobby Cookson (vocals/guitar), Joe Gatt (drums) and Kenny Merandis on tea chest bass. Merandis was replaced by Lee Conway and the band added Colin Jones (sax) and Noel Tresider on piano. The band gradually developed to the stage where they became regulars at dances throughout Melbourne's southern suburbs most notably at the Mordialloc Life Saving Club and Springvale Town Hall. They also backed a lot of singers at gigs including Olivia Newton, Lana Cantrell and The Bee Gees to name a few. Around 1961 Bobby Cookson departed to start a solo career.

Their first experiences in the recording studios were providing accompaniment for Astor label artists like Betty McQuade, Dennis Bugat and old friend Bobby Cookson. In 1963 they cut a single ''Mary Had A Little Lamb'' which was a minor hit on the Melbourne charts. The band would have a few lineup changes before they would call it quits in 1967. Lee Conway went on to become a very successful country and western artist. Stan and Noel would later turn up in the Paul McKay Sound. In 1991 Stan Azzopardi would reform the band with Stan on guitar and vocals, Ray Houston on bass and vocals (ex-Blue Jays/Fendermen), Ken ‘Sam’ Semple (ex-Bobby James Syndicate) on saxophone, Andrew King on keyboards and vocals, Mal Ronay (ex-Bobby James Syndicate) on drums and Lex Pirotta on vocals. The reformed Premiers recorded one cassette and two CDs, all recorded at Stan’s recording studio Premier Studios. The Premiers finally called it quits in 1998.

Members

Stan Azzopardi (guitar/accordion), Bobby Cookson (vocals/guitar), Joe Gatt (drums), Kenny Merandis (tea chest bass), Lee Conway (bass), Colin Jones (sax), Noel Tresider (piano), Ken Semple (sax), Dave Thompson (bass), Paul Chick (guitar), Ray Houston (bass), Andrew King (keyboards), Mal Ronay (drums). Lex Pirotta (vocals)

SINGLES

''Fourteen Karat Gold / I Could Have Loved You So Well'' [with Bobby Cookson] 1962 Astor

''Mary Had A Little Lamb (#79) / Song Of India'' 1963 Astor

''I'm From New Orleans / I've Had My Moments'' [with Bobby Cookson] 1963 Astor
''Rona / Gone For The Summer'' [with Bobby Cookson] 1963 Astor 
''One Last Kiss / She's My Southern Belle'' [with Bobby Cookson] 1963 Astor

ALBUMS

'Rock & Roll Party' 1997 Not On Label
 




References

https://www.top100singles.net