In October 1968, a major split took place within the band The Vibrants. Marc Leon, John Hossen and Barry Rogers left with their manager Don La Roche to form a new group called The Graduate. They added Michelle Kennedy from The Laurie Allen Review and drummer Frank Durant. They released their first single in 1969, ''I Just Made Up My Mind / Birds And Bees'' on the Columbia label. Glenys Hewett replaced Michelle after she returned from Vietnam and Liam Bradley joined on trumpet and vibraphone. Greg Cook (ex- Cam Pact) joined the band in 1969. The band toured Southeast Asia in 1970 shortly after the line-up change.
In 1971 David White replaced Barry Rogers on bass and Murray Ellington replaced Liam Bradley. Soon after Brian Fitzgerald joined on keyboards and Graeme Fisher replaced Frank Durant. After leaving the band John Hossen turned up in popular Perth group The Troupadors. Singer Judy Condon replaced Glenys Hewett for a time. Crossing over to the Festival label they recorded ''Get It Together'' in 1972. In 1973 they released their third single ''Riverboat Queen this time on the RCA label. In 1974 Fitzgerald left to work with Brian Cadd and The Bootleg Family and drummer Graeme Fisher became Normie Rowe's drummer. Liam Bradley rejoined the group to play piano, bass and vibraphone and Michael Anderson became the new drummer. The band would play in Perth occasionally and whilst there supported international acts Mungo Jerry and The Kinks. The 1975 lineup in Perth was Marc Leon (guitar/vocals), Glenys Hewett (vocals), Jenny Wrenn (vocals), Keith Van Heysel (keyboards), David Dunn (drums) and Eddie Podgeronick (bass). Marc Leon stated ''Musically, this line-up was by far the best- sounding Graduate''.
The band covered many genres' including rock, blues, jazz, latin and even country and they toured the length and breadth of Australia. The Graduate appeared on TV shows like Happening 72 and they supported Jose Feliciano on his 1973 tour of Australia. The last lineup of the band was Marc Leon (guitar/vocals), Mike Anderson (drums), Glenys Hewett (vocals) and David White (bass). Finally in 1978 the band called it quits. Barry Rogers, John Hossen and Frank Durant have since died. Marc Leon died in 2024.
Members
Marc Leon (guitar/vocals), Michelle Kennedy (vocals), John Hossen (sax), Barry Rogers (bass), Glenys Hewett (vocals), Liam Bradley (piano/trumpet/vibes), Frank Durant (drums), Judy Condon (vocals), Brian Fitzgerald (keyboards/sax), David White (bass), Graeme Fisher (drums), Greg Cook (guitar), Murray Ellington (trumpet), Mike Anderson (drums), David Dunn (drums), Eddie Podgeronick (bass), Keith Van Heysel (keyboards), Jenny Wrenn (vocals)
SINGLES
''I Just Made Up My Mind / Birds And Bees'' 1969 Columbia
''Get It Together / It's Alright'' 1972 Festival
''Riverboat Queen / Icy Fingers'' 1973 RCA
In 1971 David White replaced Barry Rogers on bass and Murray Ellington replaced Liam Bradley. Soon after Brian Fitzgerald joined on keyboards and Graeme Fisher replaced Frank Durant. After leaving the band John Hossen turned up in popular Perth group The Troupadors. Singer Judy Condon replaced Glenys Hewett for a time. Crossing over to the Festival label they recorded ''Get It Together'' in 1972. In 1973 they released their third single ''Riverboat Queen this time on the RCA label. In 1974 Fitzgerald left to work with Brian Cadd and The Bootleg Family and drummer Graeme Fisher became Normie Rowe's drummer. Liam Bradley rejoined the group to play piano, bass and vibraphone and Michael Anderson became the new drummer. The band would play in Perth occasionally and whilst there supported international acts Mungo Jerry and The Kinks. The 1975 lineup in Perth was Marc Leon (guitar/vocals), Glenys Hewett (vocals), Jenny Wrenn (vocals), Keith Van Heysel (keyboards), David Dunn (drums) and Eddie Podgeronick (bass). Marc Leon stated ''Musically, this line-up was by far the best- sounding Graduate''.
The band covered many genres' including rock, blues, jazz, latin and even country and they toured the length and breadth of Australia. The Graduate appeared on TV shows like Happening 72 and they supported Jose Feliciano on his 1973 tour of Australia. The last lineup of the band was Marc Leon (guitar/vocals), Mike Anderson (drums), Glenys Hewett (vocals) and David White (bass). Finally in 1978 the band called it quits. Barry Rogers, John Hossen and Frank Durant have since died. Marc Leon died in 2024.
Members
Marc Leon (guitar/vocals), Michelle Kennedy (vocals), John Hossen (sax), Barry Rogers (bass), Glenys Hewett (vocals), Liam Bradley (piano/trumpet/vibes), Frank Durant (drums), Judy Condon (vocals), Brian Fitzgerald (keyboards/sax), David White (bass), Graeme Fisher (drums), Greg Cook (guitar), Murray Ellington (trumpet), Mike Anderson (drums), David Dunn (drums), Eddie Podgeronick (bass), Keith Van Heysel (keyboards), Jenny Wrenn (vocals)
''I Just Made Up My Mind / Birds And Bees'' 1969 Columbia
''Get It Together / It's Alright'' 1972 Festival
''Riverboat Queen / Icy Fingers'' 1973 RCA
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