Post 461 - Claude Papesch - Not The Way To Move Me / Petra

Claude Papesch was a blind multi-instrumentalist who originated from New Plymouth. As a youngster he moved to Auckland where he was working the jazz clubs by the age of 16. He was a regular at the Point Chevalier Youth Club, the same club at which Johnny Devlin also used to play at. When Devlin was going to go on a national tour, his current backing band, the Bob Paris Combo, weren't keen on going on the road, so a new backing band had to be put together. Graham Dent, Devlin's manager, asked Claude Papesch if he could put a band together to help out. Papesch recruited guitarist Peter Bazely, bassist Keith Graham and drummer Tony Hopkins. Together they became the Devils, one of New Zealand's first truly rock'n'roll bands. n May 1959 the Devils went with Johnny to Australia and stayed there for a short while. After the Devils disbanded, Claude continued in the music industry for many more years in both New Zealand and Australia. In 1966 he was in Australia as part of a jazz combo, resident at the Latin Quarter in King's Cross, supporting Ricky May. Here for you to download is Claude's 1975 single for EMI "Not The Way To Move Me" b/w "Petra" (EMI 10882), it was produced by Rod Coe. Of the original Devils, only Papesch dedicated his life to music. Widely travelled around Australasia, he eventually settled in NSW, Battling cancer during the last years of his life, he was an alderman of the Blue Mountains City Council, being elected in December 1981 and resigning due to declining health in September 1985. He served a year as Deputy Mayor. He also represented the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Rylstone on Prospect County Council. Claude died aged 45, on 2nd February 1987. Following his death, a public Commemorative Tree Planting was held at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts. His companion Patti, son Justin and daughter Mahalia survived him. An active member of the Australian Labor Party, the headline in one of the local Blue Mountains newspapers read "City Mourns Man Who Helped The Little Guy".

Post 460 - Sebastian Hardie - All Right Now / The Professional

Sebastian Hardie were Australia's first symphonic rock band. They were initially formed in Sydney in 1967 as Sebastian Hardie Blues Band but dropped the 'Blues Band' reference when they became pop-oriented. By 1973 they developed a more progressive rock style, and later performed as Windchase, but they disbanded by 1977. An early member of Sebastian Hardie was Jon English, who became better known after he left and starred as Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1972, he subsequently had a solo career as a singer, actor and scriptwriter. A later member, Mario Millo became a multi-award winner for his television and movie music. Sebastian Hardie's other early members included Graham Ford, Peter Plavsic and his brother Alex Plavsic. After English and Ford had left, the Plavsic brothers were joined by Millo and Toivo Pilt. With their addition, Sebastian Hardie developed extended progressive rock tracks to become a symphonic rock group before they released their definitive album Four Moments in 1975, which peaked at #13 on the National albums chart. They followed with a second album Windchase in 1976, but it had less chart success. Millo and Pilt formed the band, Windchase, to release Symphinity in 1977, it was a heavier jazz-fusion album but didn't have chart success and they disbanded. Here for you to download is their first single from 1973 on RCA "All Right Now" b/w "The Professional" (102349), both sides were penned by Daniel Boone.

Post 459 - John Meillon & John Ewart - Picture Show Man / Tap Tap

"Tap Tap" (AP-11423) is a sing-a-long music hall number which accompanied the movie "The Picture Show Man" starring John Meillon, John Ewart and Rod Taylor who all had a good time, it seems, hamming it up in the movie. The song is remarkably catchy and timeless but was relegated to the B-side, the A-side being the theme from the movie here for you to download. The single was released in 1977 on Albert. The composer of both sides of this single, Peter Best who won the Australian Film Institute Award for best Original Music Score in 1977 for the movie soundtrack. Peter also wrote the music for another movie which starred John Meillon and Paul Hogan, "Crocodile Dundee". "The Picture Show Man" is a witty comedy movie set in the 1920s and it chronicles the adventures of Maurice Pym (John Meillon), a flamboyant showman travelling the NSW outback unreeling silent films. Braving much hardship and heartbreak along the way. 

Post 458 - Edwin Duff - Wait For Tomorrow / Look Around

Travelling from Scotland to Australia in 1938 at the age of 10, Edwin Duff won an on-board singing competition and impressed all, including one passenger who was associated with Melbourne radio station 3KZ. Invited to visit the station, Duff sang in children’s programs and amateur shows. He left School at the age of 14 to sing in coffee lounges, developing a style that was all his own. He soon became a Kings Cross personality, singing in bars and lounges; on cruise ships and television programs. Here from 1970 is a single he recorded for Fable Records "Wait For Tomorrow" b/w "Look Around" (FB-019). The song was written by Jimmy Stewart, Doug Ashdown and Eric Gross and was featured in the Columbia picture "Lost In The Desert". It was produced by Alan Freeman, Laurie Lewis & Spencer Lee. Edwin passed away on the 9th of July 2012, at a nursing home in Vaucluse. He was 84. His funeral was held at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Crematorium on Monday the 16th of July. It was very sad to lose such a great jazz icon.

Post 457 - Ronnie Burns & The Class Of '66 - Brand New Number One / I Want You

This was Ronnie Burns last single recorded on Fable Records in 1980. Both sides were written by Johnny Young and produced by Johnny Young & Ross Cockie. We suppose the Class Of '66 was the backing band, but we can't find any information about them. We have emailed Ronnie and Johnny but as yet no reply. If we receive one we will update this post. Here to download is "Brand New Number One" b/w "I Want You" (FB-338). This is one of the hardest singles of Ronnie's to find (or so we're told)and we rarely see it for sale.

Post 456 - Julian Driscoll - Wishbone / Tijuana Tootle

Here is another one of those mystery artists. All I can really find out about this guy is that he was on "New Faces" and I can only guess he won or Ron Tudor which was often a judge on the show liked him and recorded him on his Fable label. Released in 1971 on Fable and produced by Geoff Hales, the A side featured on a LP “Channel Nine “New Faces” Discoveries”. Here to download is the single "Wishbone" b/w "Tijuana Tootle" (FB-074) this seems to be the only record Julian released.

Post 455 - Darryl Cotton & Heather Favell - Baby You're Changing / No One Wants To Dance

In July 1983, Darryl Cotton issued a duet single with Heather Favell on CBS, "Baby You're Changing" / "No One Wants to Dance" (BA 223077), and in 1984 he cut an album of rock'n'roll standards for the Hammard label called "Rockin' Good Fun" (which can be found at post #111). After this, Darryl retired from live performances for almost a decade, returning to television to host the Ten Network's Saturday morning children's show "The Early Bird Show", with puppet partner 'Marty the Monster'. In 1996, he toured with his old pals Russell Morris and Ronnie Burns, who was replaced by Jim Keays after Ronnie's retirement from music. To our dismay in May 2012, Darryl was diagnosed with liver cancer and sadly passed away on 27 July 2012 at aged 62.

Post 454 - Lucky Dog - Why Do Fools Fall In Love / Mr. Bones / Wake Up

Ross Hannaford has had many guitar picks in many bands such as The Pink Finks, Daddy Cool, Billy T, Rocking Emu's, Mighty Kong, Dianna Kiss just to name a few. In 1980 his band Lucky Dog released a one and only 3 track single here for you to download "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" (MA-7482). Other band members were Wayne Duncan-bass, Margot Barrett-vocals, Geoff Hassall-drums, Martin Lellock-guitar and Mike Krelle on keyboards.

Post 453 - Soffrok - Set Me Free / 2 O’clock In The Morning

Rick Turk started playing the piano when he was 5. He joined a band at 14 and they were doing school dances within a year or so. They ended up doing supports for a few of the well-known bands around Sydney at the time. The singer in the band, 'The Blue Feelings' went on to change his name to Marty Rhone. The rest of the band went their own ways and ended up in different bands. Rick went off to Uni to do a degree so that he'd have "something to fall back on." At Uni, he met a couple of guys through a mutual friend, who played bass and piano respectively. We found a great drummer and a group was born. We started off by being a backing group and they ended up with a recording contract with Alberts Productions ourselves. They couldn't think of a name for the group, but they were playing a kind of soft rock style of music, for restaurants, clubs and piano bars etc, so what did this really creative foursome do, they called it 'Soffrok'. No one ever got the spelling right at venues. They recorded 5 of Rick's songs but only one was ever released, "Set Me Free" b/w "2 O’clock In The Morning (AP-9848) here for you to download, actually made it to #40 on the charts with the help of producer Simon Napier-Bell. "We were off" - or so they thought - with dreams of tours around the world and giant album sales. But it wasn't to be. The band split up 2 years later. Other members of the band were Jeremy Paul and drummer John Proud.

Jeremy went on to join Air Supply replacing Chrissie Hammond when she left to form Cheetah. John Proud was drummer on the "Crystal Voyager" album and then joined Crossfire and the Leon Berger Band.

Post 452 - Gordon Franklin And the Wilderness Ensemble - Let The Franklin Flow / Franklin River - World Heritage

The Franklin Dam or Gordon-below-Franklin Dam project was a proposed dam on the Gordon River in Tasmania that was never constructed. The movement that eventually led to the project's cancellation became one of most significant environmental campaigns in Australian history. Folk rock singer Shane Howard wrote "Let the Franklin Flow" (7-259941), which became an anthem for the campaign. It was performed by members of his band Goanna and members of Redgum under the pseudonym, Gordon Franklin & the Wilderness Ensemble. It was released as a single with a B-side, "Franklin River – World Heritage", written and recorded by Bob Brown. Here for you to download is that 1983 single recorded for WEA Records and produced by Trevor Lucas.

Post 451 - The New Dream - Groupie EP

The Dream formed in 1967 by Alex Opitz and keyboard player Jenny Johnson, both from The Changing Times. In April 1969 the group was relaunched as The New Dream, and their style changed to exploit the current "bubblegum pop" trend; Glenn A Baker has written that their agency was grooming the band to take over from Zoot. They signed with Festival and issued their first two singles during the year, "Yours Until Tomorrow" and Catching Up On Fun", which made the Melbourne charts. Their first national success came with their third single, "Groupie", one of a string of successful bubblegum songs written by Buzz Cason, the American who also penned "Hayride" (the hit debut for The Flying Circus) and "Everlasting Love", which was also a big hit for The Town Criers. "Groupie" became a national hit. The band released 9 singles 1 LP and 3 EP's. Here to download is their 2nd EP "Groupie" (INX-11730) released on Infinity Records 1970. The group broke up at the end of 1972; with Alex Kadell embarked on a solo career, and Peter Reed joining Gary Young's Hot Dog. Thanks to Peter for this EP for us to post.

Post 450 - Barry Crocker - Danny Boy EP

Barry Hugh Crocker OAM was born in Geelong, Victoria. After undergoing National Service with the RAAF in 1955, Crocker toured with a theatre group and did the club circuit in Melbourne, followed by a partnership with David Clark (aka Dave Nelson), and performed in England and the United States. He returned to Australia to star in a TV musical comedy show called 66 And All That, which became The Barry Crocker Show (1966–67)[2] on Network Ten. Barry went on to become the presenter and leading performer on The Sound Of Music TV series, which earned him a Gold Logie in 1970 as Australia's top (male) TV personality. His singing talents eventually earned him over 30 gold records. Here out of 1968 for you to download is his EP "Danny Boy" (FX-11,586)recorded for Festival Records and produced by Joe Halford. Barry made his acting debut on a 1969 episode of "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo" and after that had a successful career as an actor, most notably starring alongside Barry Humphries in the title role of Bruce Beresford's "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie" and its sequel.

Post 449 - July 14th - Australian Bite LP

This band from Adelaide was put together by Terry Bradford, and the core members were Terry, Rod Ling and Robyn Habel with Tom Cowsill, Andrew Mills, Roy Ezinger and Brett Spilsbury joining at different stages. The name July 14th is made up from the birth date of three of the band members. The group's first single "Me and My Gun" did very well nationally and internationally. The release of the album "Australian Bite" was greatly anticipated and the album is described as an exciting performance record...highlighted the virtuoso talent of guitarist Rod Ling in the rich, crafted songs from the pen of Terry Bradford'. The group was commissioned to provide the tracks for two documentaries, the first for the ABC titled "Searching for Women's History" a 3 part documentary which was broadcast on national television. The second project was a US documentary on the Zanoni shipwreck off of Port Lincoln. Here to download is their first LP that doesn't feature the first single but does have its B side "We Kiss" "Australian Bite" (GPR-114). Released on Greasy Pop Records in 1985 and was produced by Jim Barbour & July 14th.

Post 448 - Pat Carroll - All Kinds Of Everything / In Your World

Pat Carroll was born in 1946 in Melbourne. Carroll began her entertainment career at age eight when she started taking singing and dancing lessons. Appearances on children's TV shows followed by the time she was eleven years old. She continued by appearing in musical comedy shows such as Carnival and Bye Bye Birdie. This led to appearing on national Australian pop TV shows such as Brian Henderson's Bandstand and The Go!! Show when in her mid-teens. Her first 45 single "He's My Guy" was released when she was 18. In the mid 1960s Carroll and her friend Olivia Newton-John, formed a singing duo called Pat and Olivia. Having won a song contest in Melbourne, they travelled to the United Kingdom. They achieved some success there on TV and in the clubs. After a period of performing there, Carroll's visa expired, forcing her to return to Australia where she would eventually marry ex-Strangers member, John Farrar. Newton-John stayed on and launched her own international career. Carroll released a number of singles with W&G Records and Interfusion during the 1960s and early 1970s most of which failed to chart. Her most successful single in Australia was her cover of Dana's "All Kinds of Everything." However Carroll's best known single is "To the Sun" on account of its featuring Cliff Richard on backing vocals. In 1970, Farrar quit the Strangers and with Carroll, returned to London. During 70s and 80s, she often sang backing vocals on Olivia Newton-John's albums. She's currently living in Malibu (USA) with husband John Farrar, Here to download is her 1970 hit "All Kinds Of Everything" b/w "In Your World" (FB-004). The single was produced by John Farrar for Fable records.

Post 447 - Bruce Woodley - ANZ Bank Travelling Man

This single was a promotional advertisement single called "The ANZ Bank Travelling Man", and was given out free to employees of that institution as part of the promotion in 1971. Another interesting fact about this song is that Fredd Bear's Breakfast-A-Go-Go show (which aired on ATV Channel 0 and is now ATV-10) aired Bruce Woodley to promote the single and Fredd Bear did a comedy dance routine to the instrumental B side. This is believed to be the only performance by former Seekers member Bruce Woodley of his advertising jingle for 'The ANZ Bank Travelling Man." Here's the link to that performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpjP2NznN8M

Post 446 - Flinn - Two Cans Of Fosters And A Packet of Potato Chips / The Barman's Reply

London's punk outfit Splodgenessabounds, reached #7 on the UK singles chart in 1980 with "Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please", Upon his return to Australia, Mick Flinn brought the song to Mike Brady's attention. "Two Cans Of Fosters And A Packet of Potato Chips" was Flinn's recycled version of his single "Do What You Wanna Do" existing backing, with the addition of a new vocal track "Australianising" the Splodgenessabounds lyrics. It was released in late December 1980 on Astor/Full Moon Records, and entered the Australian charts on December 22, where it spent a week at #93. Here to download is that single "Two Cans Of Fosters And A Packet of Potato Chips" b/w "The Barman's Reply" (A 7319). It was produced by Mark Stevens & Mick Flinn.

Post 445 - Frank Ifield - Give Him My Regards EP

Francis Edward Ifield was born on the 30th November 1937. He is an early Australian-English easy listening and country music singer. He achieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK Singles Chart, where he had four Number 1 hits between 1962 and 1963. Born in Coundon, Coventry, Warwickshire, England, Ifield moved with his Australian parents to Dural, 50 km from Sydney, about 1946. It was a rural district and he listened to country music while milking the cows. At the age of thirteen he recorded "Did You See My Daddy Over There?", and by the age of 19 was the number one recording artist in Australia and New Zealand. He returned to the UK in 1959. His first record in the UK was "Lucky Devil" in 1960 which got to number 22 in the UK charts. His next six records were less successful, but he finally broke through with "I Remember You" which topped the charts for seven weeks in 1962. Known for Ifield's falsetto and a slight yodel, it was the second highest-selling single of that year in the UK and became the seventh million-selling single. Here to download from 1961 is his EP "Give Him My Regards" (SEGO-8495).

Post 444 - Marty Rhone - So You Want To Be A Pop Singer / As The Sun Goes Down

Marty was born Carl Van Rhoon, on 7 May 1948. Of Dutch-Indonesian ancestry, he started singing at an early age and at 17 went straight from school to a professional singing career. He'll be forever remembered for his two seventies hits “Denim And Lace” and “Mean Pair Of Jeans” – but to fans of Australian music of the sixties – he is fondly remembered for a string of classic songs which seem rather advanced for their time. In 1965 Marty and his band The Blue Feelings went to the Channel 9 studios to audition for their television pop show, "Saturday Date". However, it actually turned out to be, on the sly, an audition for a new record company called Spin Records, which was run by Nat Kipner, Nat liked Marty, but not the band, and as a result Marty signed with the label as a solo act. Kipner had seen a band called The Soul Agents performing at a Sydney club and was very impressed with the band, so in January 1966 Marty Rhone and The Soul Agents joined forces and became part of the Spin roster along with Steve & The Board, the Bee Gees, Jeff St. John & The Id, Tony Barber, The Dave Miller Set and Ronnie Burns. In 1967, The Soul Agents took on a full-time residency performing at one of Sydney’s biggest Nightclubs, and Marty moved to Melbourne where he continued to do T.V. and personal appearances and remained there until early 1970 when he was conscripted into the army for a two-year period. Out of his battle greens in 1972, Marty enrolled at the NSW Conservatorium of Music on a government grant for a two-year period and then turned his attention toward acting, where he worked both live theatre "Godspell" and on T.V. with roles in Number 96,and Class of '75. In 1970 he recorded the single here for you to download and my favourite Marty Rhone song "So You Want To Be A Pop Singer" b/w "As The Sun Goes Down" (EK-3637)Both sides of this single were written by Marty and shows his writing talents as well as a great singer. The single was produced by John Farrar for Spin Records in 1970.

Post 443 - Vince Butchelli - Heartbreak Hotel / Boogalie-Ooo

Interesting post this one...We had a nice email from someone asking if we knew a song that his Mother & Father had when he was a child. It was to the tune of Heartbreak Hotel and by what he thought was Sydney or Melbourne DJ Vince someone. I must admit I didn't have a clue, so we put the word out to all my contacts and within a few hours mystery solved.

The single was released by Melbourne radio personality Ric Melbourne and charted in Melbourne in 1976. It was released under the pseudonym of Vince Butchelli who was one of the characters that Melbourne used in his breakfast radio program on 3DB in Melbourne. Vince Butchelli was purported to be an Italian immigrant, and obviously the single was released in far more politically incorrect times. The single charted for 9 weeks in Melbourne in mid-1976, reaching a peak of number 15. It reached as high as number 43 in the Sydney charts late 1976, but didn’t chart anywhere else in Australia. Here to download is that single "Heartbreak Hotel" b/w "Boogalie-Ooo" (CC-283). Released on the Crystol Clear label and produced by K.Kerropoulis. Ric penned the B side.

A BIG! Thank you to all that got back to us with the info on this, you know who you are much appreciated.

Post 442 - Hazel Phillips - Hot Pants / What's A Nice Girl Like Me Doing Working In A Place Likie This

Hazel Julia Phillips OAM was born oi November 1929 is an English-born Australian entertainer. She was born in Battersea, London. At the age of 20, she became engaged to her husband Bill, and they emigrated to Australia as "Ten Pound Poms" in 1950–51, marrying shortly afterwards and having two children, Mark (born 1953) and Scott (born 1955). In 1961, the family was involved in a serious car accident, with Phillips sustaining severe injuries to her chin. Her husband left them some time afterwards, with Phillips suggesting that the surgeries on her chin and an ectopic pregnancy contributed to the break-up of their marriage. At around that time, Phillips made her break into show business with a role on the talk show Beauty and the Beast with Eric Baume. She also began to appear on The Mavis Bramston Show. By 1967, Phillips had left Channel 7 and was hosting the midday talk show, Girl Talk on the fledgling 0–10 Network, for which she won the Gold Logie Award for the most popular female personality on Australian television. Here to download is a single she recorded in 1971 for ATA Records called "Hot Pants" b/w "What's A Nice Girl like Me Doing Working in a Place Likie This" (ATAK-4287). Hazel penned the A side with Norman Martin writing the B side. I'm not sure how many other recordings she did , if any and I think I read somewhere once that Col Joye produced the single. In 2008, her autobiography, "Black River, Bright Star" was published by Zeus Publications.

Post 441 - Tangent - Little Children / Nothing To Hide

Here is another one of those Aussie bands that we can't find much information on. All we can find is this is their one and only single from 1977 recorded on the Festival label at Armstrong Studios in Melbourne and was produced by P.Goodman and Engineered by Tony Cohen. Here to download is that single "Little Children' b/w "Nothing To Hide" (K-6962).

Post 440 - Mike Walsh & The Breen Machine - Knock Knock Who's There / High Hopes

Mike Walsh OBE was born on 5th of March 1938 in Corowa, N.S.W. He was host of The Mike Walsh Show from 1973 until 1985. Walsh is the only entertainer to be awarded the Sammy Award and Gold Logie award in the same year. After a successful media career in television and radio, Walsh began producing theatre shows across Australia and on London's West End. He has been the owner of Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne since 2000. Here to download from the Mike Walsh Show era comes this version of of "Knock Knock Who's There" b/w "High Hopes" (6037 057)Produced in 1975 by Dermot Hoy & Laurie Lewis for Philips Records. The song also features some very lame knock knock jokes. Walsh also owns the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, an art deco, six cinema complex in Cremorne, Sydney.

Post 439 - Nola Francis - Delta Dawn / Bird On The Wire

We couldn't find much about Nola Francis on the net or in books, this seems to be the only single she recorded in 1973 for Fable Records. The single was produced by Peter Jones and Graham Owens recorded at Bill Armstrong Studios in Melbourne. Here to download is that single "Delta Dawn" b/w "Bird On The Wire" (FB-183).

Post 438 - Og & The Joggers - Zap Zow / Zap Zow (Jazz Version)

This is the only known recording by this Aussie group of which little is documented. Recorded for Fable Records in 1971 at Bill Armstrong Studios, it was produceed by Bruce Smeaton & Peter Jones and engineered by Ern Rose. Here is the single to download "Zap Zow" b/w "Zap Zow (Jazz Version)"(FR-075). Maybe Og or one of the Joggers might see this post and tell us more.

Post 437 - Johnny Devlin - Don't Make Me Go To Bed And I'll Be Good / Yesterday,Today And Tomorrow

Johnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin on the 11th of May 1938, was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley". His cover of Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" in 1958 went number one in New Zealand, with sales of more than 100,000, launching a long-term career. He spent much of his time in Australia from 1959 - touring in support of the Everly Brothers in that year, and often appearing on Australian television shows such as Bandstand and Six O'Clock Rock. In 1964 he toured Australia as a support act for The Beatles. Devlin continued to record while in Australia. Between 1959 and 1981, while using at least 14 different record labels. Here to download is a country sounding Johnny with a single released from 1981 on Wizard Recors "Don't Make Me Go To Bed And I'll Be Good" b/w "Yesterday,Today And Tomorrow"(ZS-472). The A side featuring The St.Mary's Boys Choir. Johnny Devlin still continues to perform on the club level in Australia.

Post 436 - Campfire Sing-Along EP

This EP was a sampler and was only available through Host Holbrook, and was from the LP "Campfire Sing-A-Long" a Rex All Star release. It features Dig Richards, Noeline Batley, Kerry Bryant and The Graduates. All we can find out about the year is that one site said 64/65 so we're not real sure there. Here to download is the EP "Campfire Sing-Along" (HOLB-1) released on Rex Records.

Post 435 - Keith Lamb - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire / 9 to 5er

This is one of two solo efforts by Hush front man Keith Lamb. Released on Wizard Records, the song was written by Robie Porter and the single produced by Robie and Les Gock. The B side is credited to Keith Lamb & Hush and was written by Keith and Les Gock. Here to download is that single from 1977 "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" b/w "9 to 5er" (ZS-183).

Post 434 - The Record Bandits - Hands Off / They're Closing Down The Import Shops

We found this little gem in a record shop in America. How it got there?, good question! I first heard the song from a friend Tony F. when I asked Tony about it he said he thought Keith Glass and Company Caine had something to do with it. So we got in contact with Keith Glass and this is what he had to say.....

"yeah I put that together and mainly sing the 'Hands Off' side with some help from members of Company Caine and Graeme Lowndes - the other side is John Powers/Gully and Graeme on vocs - I wrote "Hands Off" and David Pepperell "Closing Down" - well, the lyrics anyway - at the time shops like ours were getting a lot of heat from the record companies re trademark violations causing legal fines and bans on some vinyl imports (that is why it is on the Columbo label, as in Columbia - a little joke) - we forced all the shops listed to take 25 copies each - I think some never paid us and/or thought the record sucked - which I still don't think it does!"

Here to download is that single "Hands Off" b/w "They're Closing Down The Import Shops" (COL 000-Z). I talked with Keith for a bit this morning and he believes it was released around 74/75. Thank again Keith! We really appreciate your input.

Post 433 - Pauline Pantsdown - I Don't Like It / Pauline's Nightmare

Pauline Pantsdown, is an Australian satirist and Australian Senate candidate who parodied Pauline Hanson, a controversial former member of federal parliament, in 1997. His birth name was Simon Hunt, but he changed his name by deed poll so that he would appear on the electoral ballot as Pauline Pantsdown; it was later changed back to Simon Hunt. Hunt is the son of David Hunt, a retired Chief Judge at Common Law of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Pantsdown is a drag queen whose taste in fashion parodies Hanson's, and is best known for the songs "Backdoor Man" and "I Don't Like It". The song "Backdoor Man" was a huge hit on the youth radio network Triple J after its release in 1997, being played almost hourly due to a massive number of requests. Here to download is the 1998 single "I Don't Like It" b/w "Pauline's Nightmare" (TWAS478). The song was written, edited, produced and dressed in trashy drag by Pauline Pantsdown for TWA Records. Pantsdown performed a remixed version of "I Don't Like It" at the 2011 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Party during Bob Downe's 'Retro-Gras' DJ set just days before Hanson announced her candidacy in the 2011 NSW state election. Pauline Pantsdown made an appearance at the 1998 Homebake live music festival, complete with apparently gay half-naked Asian dancers. He suffered the indignity of being booed and pelted with objects and later claimed "Homophobia is alive and well in Sydney".

Post 432 - The 7 Team Supporters - The Parramatta Song / The Kangaroo's March

I don't remember where I picked this record up and I have no idea who are The 7 Team Supporters are but after playing it, it seems to be the theme song for the Parramatta Eels football team and seeing it's footy season I thought it was fitting to post. The single was released in 1975 on 7 Records but has no producer or writer for the A side, which by the way the tune is to Click Go The Sheers. The B side was penned by C. Neal but other than that there is no other info on this single that we can find. So if you're a Eels fan; here to download is that single from '75 "The Parramatta Song" b/w "The Kangaroo's March" (MS-063).

Post 431 - John Meillon - The One That Got Away / Under Your Spell

John Meillon travels Australia over thirteen episodes of the ABC TV's "Go Fish Australia", exploring the fishing opportunities there. Here to download is the single released for that show "The One That Got Away" b/w "Under Your Spell" (K-418). Produced by Paul Radcliffe and Tommy Moeller for ABC Records in 1987. The B side was credited to Tommy Moeller and both side were penned by Tommy. A companion book of the show saw print in 1988.

Post 430 - Doug Parkinson - 5AD Disco Song

This single sided 7" put out by Radio 5AD from Adelaide in 1977 recorded by Doug Parkinson, the single was penned by Bazza Lon and Jamie Rigg. Here to download is that single "5AD Disco Song" (PHS-2553A).

Post 429 - Johnny Ashcroft - Holy Joe The Salvo / Song For Danny

Johnny Ashcroft’s fifth hit, "Holy Joe The Salvo" b/w "Song For Danny" (102622) for RCA Records, was written on the back of an airline sick-bag. It became the Salvation Army’s 1975 Red Shield Appeal Song. The ‘Sallys’ then became widely known as the ‘Salvos’. Johnny was supported by the Hurstville Salvation Army Citadel Brass Band directed by Frank Lucas. The single was produced by Rocky Thomas & Bruce Brown. Both sides were written by Johnny and both songs came from the LP "People, Places and Gertrude".

Post 428 - Annette Purvis - Livin' In W.A. / When The Going Gets Tough

Back in the 1970’s, Annette Purvis was a young performer on Stars Of The Future, a national half hour children’s variety program which received Logie Awards in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1976. Annette also appeared during the Miss West Coasts, Telethons and sang the theme to Fat Cat's Fun Show. Her brother owned Purvisonic Sound and had the contract for all the major acts coming to Perth, such as Brenda Lee, Duane Eddy, Chubby Checker and many others during the 60's. Here to download is a single Annette released in 1979 on 7 Records titled "Livin' In W.A" B/W "When The Going Gets Rough" (MS 289 A). The single was produced by Gordon Inglis. I'm not sure but I think this was the only single Annette recorded, maybe some of our W.A. friends can enlighten us. Thanks Fudgezilla for the correction.

Post 427 - Monte Video & The Cassettes - Mini LP

Monte Video (aka Murray Grindley) ex member of The Underdogs, was made commercially famous for his 1982 number two catchy single mouthful, "Shoop Shoop Diddy Wop Cumma Cumma Wang Dang", which made it to number 2 in NZ and also made it to number 11 on the Australian national charts the same year. The song was later re-released in 1983 in the UK on Geffen Records. Later in 1983 he released the single, "Who’s calling?" backed with "All Night Long" and the ultra catchy Egyptian love single "Sheba (She Sha Shoo)"

The album hit the charts late 1983 simply titled "Monte Video" and was recorded at Auckland's Mandrill Studios, mixed in Sydney Australia and released by Mushroom Records and had the previously distributed tracks plus three others, "Hypnosis" and "You Can’t Stop Me Now”. Murray Grindley joined the legendary Underdogs in 1966 and stayed there until around 1972. Here to download is the mini LP "Monte Video" (GHSP-4015). As an added bonus we have put the B side of "Shoop Shoop" 'Don't Mention My Name" (MX60134) which was not on the mini LP.

Post 426 - Mondo Rock - Nuovo Mondo LP

This download has been removed upon the request of Mondo Rock management who will be releasing the entire back catalogue of Mondo Rock albums around September. Please support the artists by purchasing when they are available.

In 1982 Mondo Rock released their third LP "Nuovo Mondo", which reached #2, and yielded two Top 40 hits, "No Time" and "The Queen and Me". The next single, the haunting "In Another Love" failed to chart but John Farnham subsequently recorded a version of the Ross Wilson-Gulliver Smith album track "A Touch Of Paradise" and it became an Australian Top 20 single when it was lifted from his hugely successful 1986 comeback album "Whispering Jack". Paul Christie left the group in Sept. 1982 and formed the all-star band The Party Boys; he was replaced by James Gillard. Here to download is that LP "Nuovo Mondo" (600124) produced by Peter McIan.

Post 425 - Mike Rudd & The Heaters - Australian Girl / Talking To The Television

In July 1979, Mike Rudd changed Ariel's name to Mike Rudd and the Heaters. The band played a mix of pub rock and pop and was popular on the Melbourne scene. The band signed to Mushroom Records and issued its debut single here for you to download, `"Australian Girl" b/w "Talking to the TV" (K7780). In June 1980, The Heaters line-up became Mike Rudd, Bill Putt, Tony Fossey and Robert Dillon. The band's debut album, The Unrealist, produced three singles. The records were not successful and The Heaters broke up in June 1982. The single was produced by Howard Gable & Ross Cockle.

Post 424 - The Hi-Fi's,The Cicadas,The Gibsons - The Collective Recordings Of

The Hi Fi’s started out as a trio in Melbourne in the early 60's. They gained a recording contract with RCA, changed their name to “The Cicadas” and jumped on the Beatle Bandwagon with a song called “That’s What I Want”. The stadium show in 1963 which included, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Robbie Gee and The Cicadas, literally toured the whole of Australia and New Zealand in two weeks. The Cicadas moved to England at the end of 1964 and signed with Phillip & Dorothy Solomon, Manager of the Bachelors, who gave them a recording contract with the new label “Major Minor” and changed their name to “The Gibsons”. The name changed to “The Gibsons” for the sole reason that if they were successful they might have been given free Gibson guitars, which were considered the best in the world at that time. They returned to Australia at the end of 1970 after 6 years without much money but immeasurable memories and experiences. A big thank you to woodynet for this collection for our Blog. It contains all recordings from all three bands and some great art to go with it.

Post 423 - Doug Parkinson - Where Would We Be Without A.B.

Allan Robert Border AM is a former Australian cricketer. Border was for many years the captain of the Australian team. His playing nickname was "A.B.". He played 156 Test matches in his career, a record until it was passed by fellow Australian Steve Waugh. Border still retains the world record for the number of consecutive Test appearances of 153 and the number of Tests as captain. In 1994 Doug Parkinson here for you to download recorded a single for PolyGram Records called "Where Would We Be Without A.B. (855821-2).

Post 422 - Mother Goose - All Our Eggs In One Album - The Singles Collection

The first time I ever heard of Mother Goose was of course with the 1st single "Baked Beans". Like a lot of others I thought, here’s another novelty song that the radio stations are going to flog and then we’ll never hear of these guys again. Here in the country area of NSW that was exactly what happened. They flogged the track and I never heard anything from them again. Most likely this wasn't the case in the capital cities because they did go on to release ten singles all up, five for Mushroom Records & five for Parole Records. It wasn't till I was reading about them that I realised that they also had many A & B sides that didn't make it on their three LP's. So off we went collecting all the singles and while putting this set together it was then I realised what serious songwriters and musicians these guys really were and wondered why so many of these weren’t big hits all around the country. One that really stands out to me was their single from 1982 "Lonely Girls". After ripping it and fixing it up I played it over and over. Steve Young who wrote many of their songs is a great song writer indeed. So if you were like me and thought "Baked Beans" was just another one hit wonder and these guys dressed a little weirder then Split Enz in their early days, forget that and have a listen to this set of singles because I'm sure you will come away with a very different opinion of the band Mother Goose. A big thank you also goes to Woodynet for the art work and for coming up with the name for this collection.

Post 421 - Extradition - A Love Song / Minuet

Extradition was a phenomenon when the band first appeared on the Sydney folk-music scene in the late 1960s. They were 'indigenous' exponents of everything remarkable that was happening in the contemporary folk movement and they carried that standard with all the magic and originality of those exciting times. They were impossible to label then and they don't fit into any established category today. Their one and only LP "Hush” remains one of the rarest albums released by an Australian artist. but unlike many other albums of the early seventies, this album is not rock nor blues orientated. Instead it mixes folk, traditional folk, yet remains very listenable. Here to download is their one and only single release from 1970 "A Love Song" b/w "Minuet" (SP-110) Produced by Jimmy Stewart and Doug Ashdown with Gus McNiel for Sweet Peach Records. A big thank you to Guy from rockonvinyl.blogspot.com.au for this single.

Post 420 - Black Bolt & The Silver Ferns - Give 'em A Taste Of Kiwi / Bondi Blues

A one of single was released in 1980 called "Give 'Em A Taste Of Kiwi"/"Bondi Blues" (HR-600) for EMI. This was recorded by Black Bolt and the Silver Ferns, who were actually Murray Grindley and Neil Edwards, with Red McKelvie and Murray McNabb. The single reached #36 on the national charts. Murray Grindley was also known as Monte Video of "Shoop Shoop Diddy Wop Cumma Cumma Wang Dang" fame. The B side was tagged Grindlay/Edwards/Fox/McKelvie as the artist.

Post 419 - Frankie Davidson - Gimme Dat Ding / Witchetty Willie's Worldwide Walkabout Walla Walla Wookazoo Band

"Gimme Dat Ding" is a 1970 song sung by "one-hit wonder" The Pipkins, written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. In Australia, versions by Frankie Davidson and Maple Lace were released to compete with the version by the Pipkins. The Maple Lace version can be found at post #3 of our blog, and here for you to download is Frankie's version of "Gimme Dat Ding" B/W "Witchetty Willie's Worldwide Walkabout Walla Walla Wookazoo Band" (FB-013). I must admit I bought this single for it's B side more then the A the title amazed me, how they could print all of it on a 45 single label, but they did. Frankie penned the B side and the single was released in 1970 on Fable Records. The B side reminds me a lot of Charlie Drake's "My Boomerang Won't Come Back" with a touch of Rolf Harris in there too, see what you think? "Gimme Dat Ding" was used (as Gimme Dat Ring) by Coca Cola to advertise their new Ring Pull Cans in the early 1970s. The song reached #7 in Canada. In March 2007, a cover version of "Gimme Dat Ding" received much publicity in Australia when the National Australia Bank used the track as background to its television advertisement for the Australian Rules Football Auskick program for junior footballers.

Post 418 - Men Of Harlech - Charlie's Getting Married At Last / Tribute

 The Men of Harlech "Charlie's Getting Married at Last" b/w "Tribute" (K-8312) which was the Queens favourite song in 1981. Here for you to download is that single recorded for Mushroom Records, produced by Ol' 55's Jim Manzie for Jim Manzie Productions at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney and engineered by Malcolm Devenish. I got a hold of this info from a band member -  "The band were from Tasmania (apparently, it's the power pop band The Innocents, whose records don't usually sound like this) and the vocals are done by English-born Aussie rock legend Ted Mulry.  Ted Mulry on lead vocal but he is not in the film clip We called ourselves The Men of Harlech because Charles was the Prince of Wales, and we wanted to play on the connection between Wales and Welsh miners' choirs. So we also put on a Welsh accent. I remember doing about 8 hours of radio interviews using a Welsh accent.it was filmed in the shunting tunnel of St.James Station in Sydney. I know this because I'm the guy with the pickaxe".

Post 417 - Rabbit - Too Much Rock 'n' Roll LP

Rabbit was described as frenetic and violently hedonistic, and their second album here for you to download "Too Much Rock n Roll" (SBP 234866) was released in October, 1976 after the release of another two singles. Tinson and Screen then left the band. Barry Lytton joined as drummer and Tinson was not replaced. Recorded at Albert Studios and produced by Peter Dawkins & Bruce Brown this was their last LP for CBS. A non LP single, followed a version of The Raiders' "Let Me", appeared in early 1977. Rabbit split up that same year when both Evans and Porteus left. Tinson, Porteus and Screen then formed Heroes who released an album in 1980. Hinds joined Finch. Tinson and Screen also worked together in Swanee and The Tex Pistols. Dave Evans went on to a string of other bands.

Post 416 - Rabbit - Rabbit LP

Rabbit, Originally "The Cherries" was an Australian hard rock band from Newcastle. The band was formed in 1973 by Mark Tinson (guitar, vocals), Phil Screen (drums) and Jim Porteus (bass). Vocalist Greg Douglas joined in 1974 and was replaced in October of that year by Dave Evans, formerly of AC/DC. The band played a mixture of originals and covers by artists such as Alice Cooper, The Who and The Sweet. Two early singles were followed up by a self-titled album "Rabbit" (SBP 234748) in 1975 for CBS, here for you to download. Backing vocals were by Pamela Barnett and the album was produced by John Egginton at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney. David Hinds joined as rhythm guitarist in 1976.

Post 415 - Jon English - Stand By Me / Stand By Me (Dance Mix)

In 1993, Jon English starred in the television comedy series "All Together Now". Playing the part of absent-minded, washed-up rock star Bobby Rivers was a good example of English's talents and the self-deprecating sense of humour that has made him a popular figure for so long. English issued "All Together Now" as a single. A new "Best of" album came out in July 1993, and he issued a single in September 1994 here for you to download, "Stand by Me" b/w "Stand By Me (Dance Mix)" (PDSCD 570) on Possum Records. Royalties from this single were donated to the N.S.W. Parkinson's Syndrome Society. Backing vocals was Justine Ballen and Amanda Hanna. Peter Dawkins produced the single with engineer Gavin Dutfield.

Post 414 - Grand Junction - Married Women / Three Plaster Ducks

Grand Junction was a NSW country rock outfit who scored a minor hit with this track in 1979. It was recorded in Parramatta. They were part of Tamworth's 2TM radio station development program. "Married Women" b/w "Three Plaster Ducks" (103516) was their first of three singles and two LP's for RCA Records. In 1980 Doug Rowe from Flying Circus fame join the band until 1982.In 1973 they were known as the Grand Junction Country Band, you can find that single on post #224.

Post 413 - Normie Rowe - Elizabeth / Little Ray Of Sunshine

Normie Rowe's continued to record through the '70s, '80s and 90s. He switched to the Astor label in 1975 and had considerable success with the single here for you to download, "Elizabeth" (A-7265), which won the Best Song category at that year's Tokyo Song Festival. The B-side was Normie's version of the Axiom classic "A Little Ray of Sunshine".

Post 412 - Alison McCallum - Excuse Me / Honk Honk

McCallum's music career began in 1967 at the age of 16. She began with the Jeff Bulls Jazz Band soon leaving to join the Big Apple Union, a Sydney soul band, which evolved into Dr Kandy's Third Eye, in which she shared lead vocals with Gulliver Smith, later of Company Caine. At the end of 1970 she joined Freshwater, a progressive band, who had achieved a certain level of notoriety with their 1970 single "Satan", a song about the Sharon Tate murders. Originally sharing lead vocals with Ian Johnson, by September 1971 she was sole lead vocalist. November 1971 saw the release of her first recorded release with her lead vocals on the bands final single "I Ain't Got The Time", a track that reached the top 20 in the Sydney charts. In 1975 she released her second and final hit single,here for you to download, "Excuse Me" b/w "Honk Honk" (AP-10476), which spent 42 weeks in the national top 30. This was followed by an album, Alison, which spent just two weeks on the top 100 album charts. The single was released on Albert and produced by Simon Napier-Bell. If you look at the pic of the label you will notice Alison's name is spelt "MacCallum" which is a nightmare when looking on eBay as you have to use both spellings to find her...oh the hassles of a record collector.