Post 264 - 4 From Bandstand EP

Bandstand was an Australian musical variety TV show which screened from November 1958 to 1972. It was produced at the studios of TCN-9 in Sydney and eventually became a national program as Nine Network expanded into other Australian cities in the early 1960s. Bandstand was created by Nine executive Bruce Gyngell, who based it on the American show of a similar name, American Bandstand. The host for virtually the entire run of the series was Brian Henderson, who was also the chief newsreader for TCN-9 in Sydney. The series is closely associated with the group of performers who regularly appeared on the show, and became known as The Bandstand Family. This included Col Joye, Little Pattie, Janice Slater, Warren Williams, Lucky Starr, Sandy Scott, Bryan Davies, Johnny Devlin, Laurel Lee, Judy Stone, Digby Richards, The Bee Gees and Olivia Newton-John. Here to download is a sampler record from Brian Henderson's mail pack "4 From Bandstand" EP (MP 001) released on Festival Records in 1963. An attempt was made by the Nine Network to revive the show in the mid 1970s under the title Bandstand '76, with new host Daryl Somers. But the format was far from successful, and was soon axed. A big thank you goes out to Christine for lending us this record to put on our Blog.

Post 263 - Benny And The Jets - J.O.'K - Tobacco Road

Benny & The Jets were a Newcastle band who played '50's revival music around Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and the Central Coast along with a few TV appearances. They released 6 singles and one album which has been released on CD by Copperfield Records and can be found here http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/BennyandTheJets. Here to download is their 1976 single on ATA Records "J.O.'K" b/w "Tobacco Road" (K-6638) the A side written by lead vocalist/bass Rick Pointon.

Post 262 - Dig Richards - I Was Yesterday's Hero, Today I'm A Heartbroken Clown / Miss Blues

As far as I can find out, this is another rare cut from Richards that has never see CD release. Recorded in 1965, both sides are penned by Dig Richards and released on Festival Records. Here to download is the single "I Was Yesterday's Hero, Today I'm A Heartbroken Clown" b/w "Miss Blues" (FK-1045).

Post 261 - Reg Lindsay - Goodbye Swingers

Reginald John Lindsay OAM was born on 7th July 1929. He was an Australian country and western singer who won three Golden Guitar Awards and wrote more than five hundred songs in his fifty-year music career. Born in the Sydney suburb of Waverley, Reg was two years of age when his father gave him a harmonica which he quickly mastered. He then learned how to play the banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle. His career ambition was to become a stockman but in 1951 he won a Sydney radio talent quest which launched his career as a singer-songwriter and a music career of over 50 years. He became the first Australian to appear at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry in 1974 and is officially recognised with a plaque on Nashville's Walkway of Stars. He was best known for his song "Armstrong", a tribute to the historic 1969 moon landing by American astronauts, particularly Neil Armstrong, which is now included in a time capsule at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. Here to download is the B side of that single "Goodbye Swingers" (FK-4125) on Festival Records. The song was written by Ronnie Self and produced by Pat Aulton. The song came from the LP "Hot Shot Country" and I'm sure has never seen CD. Reg died of pneumonia on 5th August 2008 at Newcastle NSW. Coincidentally this date is also the birthdate of the subject of his most famous song Neil Armstrong. He was married twice. His fist wife was Heather McKean who’s sister Joy McKean was married to Slim Dusty. He was survived by his second wife Ros Winfield.

Post 260 - Ignatius Jones - Whispering Your Name / It's No Reason

Way back on post #83 there was a comment left asking did we have Ignatius Jones's other single "Whispering Your Name" which was a cover of the Alison Moyet song. At that stage we didn't but we always make a note of what people are looking for. If we happen to come across it we will grab it. This is one of those times. Here to download is the 1983 recording of "Whispering Your Name" b/w "It's No Reason" (7-259943) on WEA Records. The B side is a Steve Kilbey song and the single was produced by Chris Gilbey.

Post 259 - Issy Di - Family Full Of Soul / I'm Your Tiger

Issy Di or Issy Dy or Issy Dye depending on what book, record or web site you look at is one of Australia’s leading original cabaret stars, with over 40 years in showbiz. With all the experience of a seasoned TV & stage performer and dealing with 100’s of clubs/casino’s and concerts, Issy runs one of the most professional & diverse entertainment agencies in the country. In the 1960's Issy appeared on Television programs like Bandstand, Kommotion, The GO! Show and Uptight. In late 1969 Issy had his first hit song with "Incense" and moved into the 1970's as a regular presenter and performer on the "Happening 70s" TV Show. This continued for three years. During the 1970s. Here to download is his 1971 single on Festival "Family Full Of Soul" b/w "I'm Your Tiger" (FK-4300). The B side was written by Johnny Young and being a Lewis/Young Production I would assume Johnny Young produced this single and the B side. All I can say is that Johnny (or who ever produced it) was doing some serious experimentation with the sound, have a listen and see if it sounds psychedelic to you. I'm not sure how many singles and if any LP's Issy recorded as all my books and internet sites have no discography on him.

Post 258 - Jimmy Little - Baby Blue / Australia Down Under

Jimmy Little was born James Oswald Little on the 1st of March 1937, he is an Australian Aboriginal musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist, whose career has spanned six decades. He is a member of the Yorta Yorta tribe; he grew up on the Cummeragunja Mission on the Murray River in New South Wales. In 1955 he left for Sydney to pursue his country music career. "Mysteries of Life" was released in 1956, but his first hit didn't come until 1959 with "Danny Boy," which peaked at #9 in Sydney. After 17 previous singles, Little scored his biggest hit with "Royal Telephone," which peaked at #1 in Sydney and #3 in Melbourne in November 1963. The Barry Gibb penned "One Road" reached #19 in Sydney and # 30 in Melbourne in March 1964 and Everybody's Magazine named him Australian Pop Star of the Year. His final hit of the era here for you to download came with "Baby Blue" b/w "Australia Down Under" (K-5504) which peaked at #8 in Melbourne and # 37 in Sydney in September 1974. It was produced by John Sayers for Festival Records at A.T.A Studios in Sydney. In 2004 he released his 34th album, "Life's what you make it", a collection of unique versions of songs by writers as diverse as Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, PJ Harvey, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen.

Post 257 - Judy Stone - Hasta Manana / Runaway

Judy Stone was born on the 1st of January 1942. She is an Australian pop singer from Sydney, who came to national prominence in the early 1960s through her regular TV appearances on the pop music show Brian Henderson's Bandstand and her many hit records. After travelling throughout the country with "The Reg Lindsay Show", Judy began touring with Col Joye and, before long, it was in the sixties that Judy's hit songs "I'll Step Down", "Born A Woman", "4003221 Tears From Now", established her as a recording artist as well as a T.V. star. The song that gained Judy the National Award in 1974, "Field of Stone", coupled with "Mare, Mare, Mare", earned Judy the distinction of being the first Australian Female entertainer with two records concurrently featuring in the top 40. In 1976, "Silver Wings and Golden Rings" firmly established her in the country pop scene. Here to download is her single from 1976 on Polydor "Hasta Manana" b/w "Runaway" (2079 084) produced by John Kerr. This song added to her successes, proving a hit in Australia with credits from England and Scotland.

Post 256 - Little Pattie - April Fool / Seen It All Before

Patricia Amphlett was born in 1949 in Paddington, New South Wales, and has an older brother, Joe. She was educated at King Street Primary School and Sydney Girls High School. She was nicknamed "Little Pattie" at school as she had two taller friends also named Patricia. At eight years-old, she commenced piano lessons with Gwen Parsons, and then singing lessons when 11 years-old. Parsons also taught Noeleen Batley, another popular singer. Both persuaded her to audition for TCN 9's TV teen show Saturday Date hosted by Jimmy Hannan, where she was a hit. Here to download is the non album track from 1971 "April Fool" b/w "Seen It All Before" (ATAK-4188). Produced by Keith Jacobsen, Little Pattie penned the B side. On 27 August 2009, Little Pattie was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame alongside Kev Carmody, The Dingoes, Mental As Anything and John Paul Young. She was inducted by her cousin, Christina Amphlett of Divinyls.

Post 255 - Lucky Starr - Suspense / Heart-Break

Another Lucky Starr single that I'm sure has never seen a CD release, this time out of 1961 "Suspense" b/w "Heart-Break" (FK-137) on Festival Records. In 2002 Lucky starred on the Long Way To The Top concerts throughout Australia performing to audiences estimated to be more than half a million people. At every venue he stunned the audiences with his highly professional yet hard edge performances.

Post 254 - Sharon Black - Mother Dear You've Got A Silly Daughter / Under The Smile Of Love

A Regular performer on Bandstand, Black won a competition called Star Search, defeating the likes of Janice Slater and Helen Reddy in 1964. She Travelled to the U.S.A where she married and settled down. She only ever released 3 singles. Here to download is her first single "Mother Dear You've Got A Silly Daughter" b/w "Under The Smile Of Love" (BF-191). Released on Philips in September 1965. The A side was an answer song to Herman's Hermits "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter". Sharon Black died in 1979.

Post 253 - The Executives - Hey Man / You're Gonna Love Me

Between them, the six members of Sydney band the Executives could play thirty one different instruments, varying from violin to harpsichord. The Sydney based band was formed in 1966 and became Sydney's most highly rated band. their first single "You're Bad" sold well in Sydney, meanwhile changes were being made with Ray Burton replacing Dudley Hood and Gino Cunnico replacing Keith Leslie. July '67 they had their first national hit with "My Aim Is To Please You" and was quickly followed by "Sit Down I Think I Love You" In 1968 they left to crack the American market while there they got a recording contract with Buddah Records. By 1969 they had released 6 singles, 3 EP's and 1 album unfortunately most of the chart succes was in Sydney, one of the bigger hits being "Windy Day". They returned to the U.S. in spring of '69 and changed their name to Inner Sense but by the following year they had split. Here to download is the single out of 1970 from the Warner Bros. film "Rabbit Run" "Hey Man" b/w "You're Gonna Love Me" (FK-4036) on Festival. Both sides of the single were from the film. In 1974 they reformed and were signed to Polydor Records and released 3 singles and by the end of 1977 they were still working solidly in clubs and hotels.

Post 252 - Janice Slater - Wanting You / Summertime

Janice Slater was one of the leading figures in Australian pop music in the 60’s and 70’s. A regular on television, particularly Bandstand, during her time in the Australian industry she has also worked with Johnny O’Keefe, Col Joy & the Joye Boys, The Easybeats, Cold Chisel, Sammy Davis Jnr, Bobby Day, Lesley Gore, Billy Preston, Shirley Bassey, The Hollies, Lou Rawls, Trini Lopez, The Four Tops, The Three Degrees. In the UK for 3 years from 1970 she became a member with Glenn Shorrock in the acclaimed international 12-piece progressive rock band, ‘Esperanto Rock Orchestra'. During this time Janice also toured and recorded with Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton John, Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Cleo Laine and Frankie Miller. Back in Australia by 1974, she was snapped up to appear on 2 original cast L.P.’s "Ned Kelly Rock Opera" and “Grass: A Rock Musical”. The same year she united with good friends Alison MacCallum and Bobbi Marchini as the Hooter Sisters and released as a single, a fine version of "To Know Him Is To Love Him (post # 235). She then became an in demand session singer, recording with Billy Thorpe (It's Almost Summer), Cold Chisel (1st album), Alison MacCallum, Jeff St. John, Kevin Johnson, Mike McClelland, John Robinson, Jon English and Anne Kirkpatrick among others. Janice was also the vocal coach on Gillian Armstrong’s hit movie "Starstruck." Here to download is her very first solo single on Philips from 1965 , "Wanting You" b/w "Summertime" (BF-172) on which she is backed by the Maori Hi Fives. Thanks to Micko who gave a hand with this one.

Post 251 - Yvonne Barrett - No Longer Part Of Your Life / Mr. 7654312

Signed to Go records, Yvonne achieved her most chart success in 1965-66 with her version of the Tony Hatch song, "You're The One". In December 1965 she performed over Christmas in a tour for Australian troops in Vietnam. 1970 saw her voted a runner up in the Go-Set magazine national Pop Poll. Although not achieving further chart success she retained considerable popularity through her live appearances. In 1970 she released the single "Lu" which featured her big voice with a brassy jazz-rock, style arrangement. Yvonne's other singles were "Send Her Away" in July '66, "Don't Bother Callin'" Oct. '66 and here to download out of 1972 her last single "No Longer Part Of Your Life" b/w "Mr. 7654312" (AP-9839) her only release on Albert Productions produced by Simon Napier-Bell. Simon penned both sides of this single. It's a pity she never released an LP. During the 1970s she moved into session work and club appearances. In 1985 she was found murdered in Sydney. She had been working there as a waitress since moving from Perth. Her spouse was later convicted of the crime.