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Friday 22 July 2011

Post 379 - The Same Day Twins - Walking And Talking / A Little Bit Afraid


Perth brother and sister duo, John and Shirley Read began their career in the music business in 1967. The Same Day Twins won the Festival of Perth Talent Quest, they performed around Perth with such acts as “The Shadows” and Billy Thorpe and appeared on Club 17, the local teenage TV Show. In 1968 they toured South Vietnam with the first West Australian Concert Party, sponsored by Channel 9 and AFOF (Australian Forces Overseas Fund). Upon their return, they moved to Sydney where they became Robert Stigwood’s only Australian-based act, recording two singles at EMI, released on the Festival label. They appeared on Bandstand, The John Laws Show, The Gordon Chater Show, This Day Tonight, The Bob Rogers Show, The Brisbane Tonight Show, The Dick McCann Show, Celebrity Blind Date, The Easybeats Special, and were regulars on Rex Mossop’s Club Show. The duo also supported many local and international touring acts including Billy Preston, Matt Munro, Winnifred Atwell. In 1970, Shirley toured with acts including Normie Rowe, Johnny O’Keefe and Freddy Hampton, with whom she formed Trik, releasing two singles. Here to download is their single one and only single for Festival Records "Walking And Talking" b/w "A Little Bit Afraid" (FK-2511) produced by Pat Aulton in 1968. In 1973 Shirley moved to Melbourne and joined Brian Cadd and the Bootleg Family, for their national tour. During this time Shirley also appeared on recordings by Billy Thorpe, Colleen Hewitt, Kevin Borich and Ross Wilson. In 1975 she toured nationally with The Renee Geyer Band. Her next projects were with her then husband, Russell K. Smith, in a revival of ‘70’s cult band Company Caine and with reggae outfit Billy T, producing the album “No Definitions” on CBS and co-writing the single Gotta Keep On Dancin’. In 1998 Shirley’s career took a turn when she was elected Secretary of the Musician’s Union, Sydney Branch, NSW District, a position she held for a four years. She is credited with rebuilding the Union, which was about to close its doors. In 2002 she decided to return to her first love, performing and returned once more to the Perth Blues Club and recorded her first solo CD.

4 comments:

Frank Calabrese said...

What can I say - I've been after this track for years - a true Perth Classic.

Many Thanks for this - you've certainly made my day, and it's icing on the cake along with winning he quiz as well :-)

Mike said...

this is a great song...I was a muscian in the studio backing band (tenor sax) that accompanied the singers...what ever happened to John...he certainly was a gifted song writer...we also backed them a number of times in Perth and the (old) Embassy Ballroom in the late 1960's at various Balls.
The B side of the record is also a great song too.
Mike O'Donoghue

The Old Dog said...

My boss is John's daughter. Damn the girl can sing!

Unknown said...

I played drums in two country bands with John in the 70's and 80's. The first one was a duo called STAK2, the other one was a trio (with KERRY TUCKER) called IDLE MOMENTS. John made a career in local government and we are still mates today.He still plays music and he will be playing at my 70th birthday on Dec 19th 2020.

ALAN LUCAS