THE NIGHTBEATS

 

The Nightbeats were a Canberra band established in the early 60s. Vocalist Robert Beattie started out singing folk songs at the Methodist Fellowship Centre when in 1964/65 The Nightbeats asked him to join the band as original singer Bruce McEwan was leaving. After about a year or so they travelled to Sydney and recorded four tracks at EMI on the strength of the song ''What's In A Name'' that was sent to them prior by John Kerr the local DJ at 2CA. Incidentally The Easybeats had been recording on the same day in another studio. 

''What's In A Name / Gwenda'' was released on Columbia in 1966 with both sides being written by Beattie. The band promoted the song ''What's In A Name'' at 2UE studios and at the Royal Easter Show and it did get some airplay in Sydney. The single didn't chart but they managed to sell a couple of thousand copies. On the local scene they gigged around the usual traps which included a residency at HMAS Harman (a naval base in the Canberra suburb of Harman) every Friday night. ''What's In A Name'' eventually found its way on to the compilation album, 'Groovy Down Under (OZ 60's Psychedelic Pop And Beat)' released in 2018 on Blue Fogg Records. 

Members

Robert Beattie (vocals), Frank Pangallo (guitar), Lou Cerviatty (guitar), Stan Novak (drums), Arthur Cox (bass), Bruce McEwan (vocals)

SINGLES
''What's In A Name / Gwenda'' 1966 Columbia 
''When I'm With You / Love At First Sight'' 1966 Columbia (promo only)

References

Robert Beattie