Current Traffic

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Post 125 - Frankie J. Holden - My Right Of Way / Chartered Accountant Blues


Frankie J. Holden was born Peter Brian on the 18th of December 1952. During the 70's Holden was the front man for Ol' 55, which also included Wilbur Wilde. In the late 90's Holden became the host of the Monday evening variety show In Melbourne Tonight, co-featuring Julia Morris and Denise Drysdale. He has also appeared in dramas Round the Twist, Prisoner, A Country Practice, Something in the Air, Police Rescue and Underbelly. He has four children; three girls with his first wife, and another child from his second marriage. His first wife, dancer Melda Rees, died in 1997 from cancer. Holden married popular actress Michelle Pettigrove two years later. The single here for you to download is "My Right Of Way" b/w "Chartered Accountant Blues" (K-6748).

Post 124 - Dave Allenby - Sweet Gingerbread Man / Who Wrote That Song


Dave Allenby was a popular Sydney TV and club performer of the late '60s and early '70s. Allenby also had a brief burst of pop success in 1971 when he released a single on the independent Chart label "Sweet Gingerbread Man" b/w "Who Wrote That Song" (CHK-4325).  The B side was written and produced by Pat Aulton a noted Australian record producer, musician, arranger and songwriter. Aulton died in mid February 2009, aged in his early seventies. For more info on Dave check out post #85.

Post 123 - Little Pattie - You'll Never Know / You'll Be My Love


Patricia Thelma Amphlett was born 17th March 1949 in Paddington, Sydney. Her first single for EMI, was influenced by the surf music craze titled "He's My Blonde Headed, Stompie Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy". The song was released in November 1963 when Pattie was aged 14, it went to number two on the Australian music charts with The Beatles holding the #1 slot at the time with "I Want To Hold Your Hand". She regularly toured supporting Col Joye and the Joy Boys, with Judy Stone. In 1966, at the age of 17 and the height of 4' 10", she became both the youngest and the shortest person to entertain troops during the Vietnam War. She subsequently appeared on several TV shows in America, the most notable being the Ed Sullivan show. She continues to perform on television and in clubs, and became a vocal teacher, notably coaching Nikki Webster. In 1973 she married Joy Boys bassist and record producer/manager, Keith Jacobsen, but they parted ways in 1984.She subsequently married Laurie Thompson, and they have been together for 20 years. She is the cousin of Divinyls lead singer Chrissy Amphlett. Here to download is her 1977 single on ATA Records produced by Keith Jacobsen "You'll Never Know" b/w "You'll Be My Love" (K-6839)

Post 122 - J. Vincent - Don't Drop Your Gear Over Here / Put It In A Bin


John Vincent started his career in 1963 as an announcer on 2RE in Taree, N.S.W. He later worked at many stations, but became best known in the 1970s for his work on 5KA and a decade later on SAFM's top rating Morning Zoo program. John suffered from heart and lung conditions for most of his life. It was John's heart ailment which led to his interest in radio, after he spent many months listening to it while ill as a child in Sydney. John had a bypass operation at 21. Other than this I can't find a lot about John's recording history but this is a record slinging off when the Maxi skirt came into fashion. It was released by Gamba Records in or around 1971 produced by T. Milburn and both sides written by john. John is credited on the label as J. Vincent. John died in his sleep at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with his family at his side on 27th March 2009. Here to download is John's single and it's B side "Don't Drop Your Gear Over Here" b/w "Put It In A Bin" (GA2).

Post 121 - Broderick Smith - Goin' On Down To The End Of The World / She's Gone


Broderick Smith was born in 1948 in Hertfordshire, England. Smith and his family migrated to Australia in 1959 and settled, in St Albans a Western suburb of Melbourne. He has been a member of 1970s bands Carson and The Dingoes, 1980s Broderick Smith's Big Combo and performed solo. In 1972 Rhett Walker, Carson's manager wanted to promote Smith as a solo artist. In May 1972 he recorded the first of two singles for Image the first "Goin' On Down To The End Of The World" b/w "She's Gone" (IS - 115) both sides of this single were penned and produced by Brian Cadd and if I'm not mistaken Brian played piano and did backing vocals. Smith has been involved in writing about 200 songs and has run workshops on song writing, harmonica and vocals. Here to download is that single from 1972 which for some reason I'm sure has never made it to CD.

Sunday, 12 July 2009

Post 120 - Col Joye & The Joy Boys - A Mother As Lovely As You EP

Colin Frederick Jacobsen born 13th of April 1936 in Sydney, better known as Col Joye, is an Australian popular entertainer. He was the first Australian rock and roll singer to have a # 1 record Australia-wide, and the first Australian to reach the American Billboard charts. Recording with his brothers Kevin and Keith who were part of Col's backing band The Joy Boys, and as a solo artist, enjoyed a series of number one hits in the early 1960s. In the interim, Col and Kevin built an influential entertainment management, publishing, and recording business, including ATA Studios in Glebe, N.S.W. This EP takes Col away from his rock 'n' roll genre, in choosing these four songs inspired from his home life with his parents. His parents' opinion of his shows and recordings always means more to Col then that of the critics. Here to download is that EP from 1962 "A Mother As Lovely As You" (FX-10434).

Post 119 - Digby Richards - Whiskey Sundown LP

Born on September 12, 1941 in the remote western New South Wales town of Dunedoo. His father's work as a mounted policeman kept him in rural areas. When Digby was still young the family moved to Narooma, where he grew up. At 17 he went to Sydney and started work as a trainee manager with Waltons department store. After a chance meeting with two other boys in a music shop he formed a band the R'Jays, playing dances in town halls around Sydney. The group approached Festival Records for an audition. Legend has it Digby Richards’ singing did not impress, but the way the girls yelled and screamed as soon as he went on stage did. The boss of Festival Ken Taylor reputedly said, "Even if you haven't got a voice, my eyes tell me I could sell your records on your looks if nothing else." They were granted an audition. Digby Richards and the R'Jays were the first group to play live on Brian Henderson's Bandstand, and became regulars on both Bandstand and the Johnny O'Keefe’s Six O’clock Rock. By August 1959 he had his own TV show; in 1970 he traveled to England and spent a year writing songs. He returned to record and release the highly acclaimed Harlequin album with the single, “A Little Piece Of Peace”, returned him to charts for the first time in nine years. More hits followed. Digby Richards continued to record and perform throughout the 70s. He died on February 16, 1983 of pancreatic cancer. Here for you to download is the LP “Whiskey Sundown” (PL 25154) from 1978.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Post 118 - Ol’ 55 – Summer Of 55 12” Single


Ol’ 55 split soon after the second single was released from “The Vault” LP in 1980. In December of 1981, RCA/Powderworks issued an Ol’ 55 12” single titled "Summer Of 55" (POW056). It contained 3 tracks, “Ol’ 55 On 45”, “Four Seasons Medley” and “Summer Of Ol’ 55”. After the release of “The Vault”, many band changes followed under the same band name of Ol’ 55. Here for you to download is that 12” single.

Friday, 19 June 2009

Post 117 - The Ferrets - Are You Looking At Me / Holloway


In early 1975 The Ferrets came together in Sydney. They were Billy Miller, Ken Firth and Dave Springfield who put the band on hold while they joined the final version of Buster Brown. When Buster Brown split in November '75 Phillip Eisenberg joined the others and The Ferrets moved to Melbourne. The band came to the attention of Ian "Molly" Meldrum who introduced the band to ex Zoot drummer Rick Brewer who joined in April '76. Miller’s sisters Jane Miller and Pam Miller also joined and now they were a seven-piece band. After getting them signed to Mushroom Records the band went into the studio to work on an album. The first single "Robin Hood" was not successful but the follow up "Don't Fall In Love" made #1 in Melbourne and #3 nationally. The Ferrets' début album was a concern at Mushroom Records as Meldrum had not organised an album cover, a white hand stamped cardboard sleeve was issued with a promise of the album artwork to follow! Their follow up single "Janie May" reached #19 in Melbourne, and the long awaited album cover depicted a model holding a snarling ferret on her shoulder. The next single to come in 1978 was "Are You Looking At Me" b/w "Holloway" (K-7094) was not successful with Jane Miller and Ken Faith leaving the band shortly after. This single never made it onto the follow up album "Fame At Any Price." Here to download is that single and it's B side written by Jane Miller, which we say in our opinion is far better than the A side.

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Post 116- Ol' 55 - The Vault LP


This was Ol' 55's 5th LP recorded for Leo Records between February and September 1980. The album released their eighth single a cover of Lou Christie's "Two Faces Have I" which went as high as #15 on the national charts. The personnel for this recording were Pat Drummond guitar, Rock Pile vocals/guitar, Bob Drummond guitar, Terry Bellew bass, Doug Martin drums on 4 tracks and Geoff Plummer drumming on the other 9. Michael Delaney did the backing vocals on "Who Put The Bomp". A second single from "The Vault" "Anywhere The Girls Are" hit the charts in December but Ol' 55 split soon after. Here is "The Vault" (2907 501) for you to download another great LP never as yet to see CD.

Post 115 - Jim Keays - Undecided - Dubcided

Jim Keays recorded this single at Britannia Row, London. The single was produced by Craig Leon and programmed by Chris Allison and Craig Leon at the Skylight Suite, London. Guitars by Kevin Greene and Sweet's Andy Scott. The single was released on Virgin Records in 1987. Here to download is "Undecided" b/w "Dubcided" (VOZ 017). Graham Meek did the engineering.

Thursday, 11 June 2009

Post 114 - Lucky Starr - Lucky's Been Everywhere EP


"I've Been Everywhere" by Lucky Starr in 1962 ( #1 Sydney #2 Melbourne #1 Brisbane #1 Adelaide #4 Perth) which contains 94 Aussie place names, sparked off overseas demand for Lucky to record the same idea to other countries. Geoff Mack, who penned the song was touring the Australian outback but urgent telegrams brought him flying back to Festival Records with new lyrics using place names for New Zealand, Great Britain and the U.S.A. Lucky then had the task of learning the new lyrics and recording them in record time. Here for you to download is that EP by Lucky Starr "Lucky's Been Everywhere" (FX-10.485)

Post 113 - Rick Springfield - Beginnings LP


Rick Springfield was born Richard Lewis Springthorpe at Merrylands, in Sydney’s western suburbs, on August 23, 1949. Rick began playing with local Melbourne bands but his musical career didn’t begin in earnest until he was dropped out of high school in 1967. He joined the band Rockhouse in 1968 they landed a regular gig at a nightclub in St. Kilda. Rick and Danny Finley formed a new band in early '69, Wickety Wak. They recorded one song, “Billie’s Bikey Boys”, written by Johnny Young and produced by "Molly" Meldrum. The single is now considered a classic of Australian psych-pop. Rick joined Zoot late in 1969, and only months later, in early 1970, the pink jumpsuits (which Rick hated) were set on fire on a T.V. music show Happening '70. Zoot stunned the audience with their pounding heavy-metal version of the Beatles’ "Eleanor Rigby", also arranged by Rick. In December 1971 Rick left to work in the USA and later that year his first solo single, "Speak to the Sky", was released on Robie Porter’s Sparmac label and it reached #5 on the Australian national chart. During early 1972 Rick recorded his debut album Beginnings at Trident Studios in London; he featured on lead vocals and played many of the instruments including keyboards, guitars and banjo. In May he travelled to Japan to represent Australia at the Tokyo Song Festival with "Speak To The Sky". Rick's album produced two additional Australian hits "Hooky Jo" and "What Would The Children Think?" and later in the year Capitol released a new version of "Speak To The Sky" which gave Rick his first bona fide American hit, reaching #14 in September 1972. With his exceptional good looks and the record company’s determination to push him as Australia’s answer to David Cassidy, Rick quickly became a favourite of American teen magazines, and record sales increased rapidly despite the fact that the album was given very little airplay. His image was carefully maintained and Capitol even went as far as airbrushing out the hair on Rick's chest on the back cover photo on the US edition of the album. Beginnings was selling very strongly, 300,000 copies in the United States and "Speak to the Sky" was climbing the charts when a rumour began to circulate that Capitol Records was paying people to purchase it to artificially inflate sales of the album. It brought Rick’s chart ascent to a crashing halt, radio stations refused to play his songs and the momentum died overnight. A change in record companies should have made a difference, but Rick’s move to Columbia the next year was doomed from the start. Radio stations continued to avoid his songs, ensuring the failure of 1973’s Comic Book Heroes, Plans for a 1974 follow up album were scrapped. In August, 1981, after ten years in the American music business, Rick reached #1 on the American charts for the first time with "Jessie’s Girl". The following year, the song earned Rick a Grammy for best male rock vocal and the Working Class Dog album. Here to download is his first solo LP "Beginnings" (SPL-003)

Post 112 - Darryl Cotton - It's Rock 'N' Good Fun LP

Back in 1993 Darryl Cotton celebrated 25 years as an entertainer. Quite an achievement when you consider the unreliable nature of the business he has chosen as a career. The years have seen him pursue and succeed in the entertainment business such as singing, song writing, acting, theatre and television. Public life for Darryl began in 1968 as a founding member of rock band, Zoot. Along with Rick Springfield, Beeb Birtles and Rick Brewer, they managed to capture the heart of many a female fan in the late 60s and early 70s and will no doubt go down in Aussie rock history as one of our pioneer groups. Particularly memorable is their award-winning version of the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby", which still manages airplay over 20 years after its release. In 1984 he released the album "It's Rock 'N' Good Fun" (HAM 107) a collection of rock 'n' roll songs from the 50's & 60's. The backing band is a who's who of Aussie rock with the likes of Roger McLachian bass (Pyramid, Levi Smith's Clefs, L.R.B), Ross Ingles guitar, Wilbur Wilde sax (Ol' 55, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons), David Jones drums (Pyramid) Adrian Scott keyboards (L.R.B) with backing vocals by Linda George, Penny Dyer (Bootleg Family Band) and Rozzi Bazzani (Hi Ho). The LP was recorded on Hammard Records and produced by Ross Cockle and Darryl. Here for you to download is that album.

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Post 111 - John Laws - John Laws E P

Richard John Sinclair Laws, born 8 August 1935 better known as John Laws or Lawsie, is a former prominent and controversial radio presenter in Australia. From the 1970s until his retirement on 30 November 2007 Laws hosted a hugely successful morning radio program, which mixed music with interviews, opinion, live advertising readings and listener talkback. Prior to joining 2UE in 1957, the first of four terms at that Sydney radio station, during which time Laws, along with Bob Rogers, Tony Withers and Stan Rofe became prominent as one of the first Australian disc jockeys to play rock'n'roll music. Laws is said to have pioneered the practice of using contacts in the airline industry to supply him with the latest pop releases from overseas, a facility which gave him an edge at a time when many pop records were not released in Australia until weeks or even months after being issued overseas. John also recorded many singles and LPs for RCA Records. One I liked was his cover of "Phantom 309" but for you to download now is his 1974 EP "John Laws" (20607) which contains 3 Shel Silverstein's songs, produced by Rocky Thomas and engineered by Bruce Brown.

Friday, 5 June 2009

Post 110 - Delaney/Venn - Neon Heart LP

Formed in 1978 this electric pop band released 3 singles and an L.P. between '79 and '80. The band was made up of Michael Delaney vocals/guitar, Chris Venn vocals/guitar, Paul Wheeler (ex Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Band Of Talabene, MacKenzie Theory) bass, Chris Raggett (ex Matt Finish) guitar and Tony Doyle on drums, who has performed with bands such as Clockwork Strawberry, The Pirates and Wendy Saddington Band. This Tony Doyle actually replaced Tony Doyle (Savanna Silver Band). The second single "Prisoner" has Marcia Hines belting out backing vocals and Doug Rowe (ex Flying Circus, Grand Junction, Woodpickers) on guitar. Other musos on this album were Terry & MonaLisa Young, Lori Balmer, Gary Fredericks (ex Stuart Park), John Sammers (ex Outline) and Phil Rigger (ex Outline). Here for download is their one and only album out of 1980 on Leo Records "Neon Heart" (6437 132) produced by Tony Spencer.

Post 109 - The Hot Mamas - Eagle Rock / Eagle Rock

Not an Australian post this time but I still thought it appropriate The Hot Mamas were an American attempt in 1972 to cash in on the success of Daddy Cool's classic "Eagle Rock". When I came upon this single in a second hand record store I grab it because it was on Robie Porter's Sparmac label (as was Daddy Cool's ) and produced by Porter so I thought it had to be Aussie (the second time I've be caught with Sparmac releasing an American artist on it's label). Anyhow after going through book after book and surfing the net for hours nothing could be found on this band, so I thought there's only one man that might know the answer seeing he wrote the song, so I emailed Ross Wilson and this it the response I got....hi Garry,

All I can tell you about that single is that it was produced by Daddy Cool's producer Robie Porter.  DC's version of Eagle Rock had a good shot in the US & was a hit in a few places but after it failed to make the national chart i think Robie thought he'd have another shot with the song by cutting an American version.  All the players were well known session musicians & i believe that James Burton (Elvis's guitarist) played guitar & that Clydie king was lead vocalist, but it was all done very quickly and in my opinion didn't turn out very well.  Hot Mummas / Daddy Cool - an unsubtle play on words - it was released in Australia & bombed here too.
Stay cool,  Ross
So there you have it in a nut shell, and I must say I agree with Ross not the best cover of this song and in my opinion of all the covers I've heard of "Eagle Rock" none yet have come close to the original. But you might like it we are all different after all. So here for you to have a listen to (and please tell me what you think in the comment box) are The Hot Mamas "Eagle Rock" b/w "Eagle Rock" (SPR-017)

Post 108 - Linda George & Paul McKay - Love Is Enough / You Are Mine Tonight

Fill Moon Records was set up by singer Mike Brady, after doing backing vocals for Mike's Invisible Man LP Linda signed to the label and released the single "Love Is Enough" with Paul McKay in 1980 peaking at #25 in Melbourne. In '81 the follow up single "Telephones Lines" was issued, even though it received airplay it didn't chart well. Another single "Face To Face" in '82 was released on Full Moon but this flopped completely. Here to download is her first single for Full Moon produced by Mike Brady "Love Is Enough" b/w “You Are Mine Tonight" (FMS 1003) with Paul McKay.

Post 107 - Geoff Duff - Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me / Where Will I Be? (Tomorrow)

Jeff Duff (or Geoff Duff as the spelling on this recording says) is a Theatrical singer from Melbourne who fronted numerous bands, most notably Kush before moving to Britain for ten years in 1978. There he recorded for the Beggars Banquet label, and had some success with his single, Give Me Back My Brain, from the album Duffo, recorded with the participation of guitarist Peter Green. This single recorded for Mushroom Records in 1977 reached #39 in Melbourne. The A-side a cover of the 1965 U.S. hit by The Knight Brothers was penned by James Leon Diggs and the B side penned by Geoff. Here to download is that single out of '77 with its B-side "Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me" b/w “Where Will I Be? (Tomorrow)" (K-6764) 

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Post 106 - Blackfeather - Slippin' & Slidin' / Fly On My Nose

Blackfeather were one of the most popular and successful groups of the early 1970's, Over 50 musicians have passed through the Blackfeather ranks. Blackfeather formed in April 1970 with the original line-up being John Robinson (guitar), Neale Johns (vocals), Leith Corbett (bass) and Mike McCormack (drums). All but Johns had come straight from the split of the Dave Miller Set, The band released two classic singles "Seasons Of Change" and "Boppin' The Blues", since they were between drummers at the time, the single  "Boppin' The Blues" was actually cut with Aztecs drummer Gil Matthews. Their album At The Mountains Of Madness 1971 is still one of the most regarded progressive rock LP's.  The second LP, the Howard Gable produced live album Boppin' The Blues, recorded at gigs at Melbourne Town Hall and the Q Club in September, and released in December 1972. Their third and last single, a version of Little Richard's "Slippin & Slidin'" was released in February 1973, They performed at Sunbury '73 in January and their set was recorded and released the following year as a live LP which has a live version of "Slippin' & Slidin'” here for you to download is the studio version of  "Slippin' & Slidin'” b/w “Fly On My Nose” (INK-4988). 

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Post 105 - Thomas & Bailey - Missing Persons LP

G.Wayne Thomas came to Australia from New Zealand in 1966.  In 1967 he went to the Australian Theatre Trust Opera Company and in 1968 he moved from Opera Australia and spent a short time at Channel 7 in Sydney. He worked at J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency. While working there he wrote produced and performed a number of commercial jingles, in association with the then Musical Director of Hair and later Jesus Christ Superstar, Patrick Flynn. Patrick also worked for a number of other advertising agencies, which attracted interest from record companies; in 1970 he joined Warner Bros as Managing Director of their existing 14 publishing companies. In 1971, he produced the soundtrack of Morning of the Earth. In 1972, although at first he was reluctant when approached by Albe Falzon & David Elfick to write and produce the soundtrack for their new movie Crystal Voyager. He eventually agreed, the whole soundtrack was written, performed and produced in 10 days. During the period with Warner he produced a number of No1 and top 10 records for various artists such as Allison McCallum, Rumor, Jon English, Shona Lang, Autumn, and Himself. In 1979 he teamed up with Peter Bailey, they signed to Polydor and released 4 singles plus the L.P. "Missing Persons" (2907 054) here for you to download. Tommy Emanuel played guitar on "I Don't Want To Spoil Your Party" & "The Last Laugh" other musicians were Jimmy Kelly, Paul Baker, Terry Fogg, Lindsay Hammond and Mike McLellan. The album was produced by Thomas & Bailey. And a big thank you once again to Peter McCray for another classic from his vault.

Sunday, 10 May 2009

Post 104 - Sinclair Brothers. - Two Moons LP

Wayne and John Sinclair gave us the "Two Moons" LP in 1979 and were on countdown and sounds unlimited. They toured as support for Don McClean, Janis Ian and Rita Coolidge. The album cover was shot with Cardinia reservoir in the background on a hill top in Emerald, Victoria where John had a Farm. They went on to tour Australia and since John settled in SA and Wayne in Victoria. They recorded the singles "Yesterfool" in 1978 and "Love Me Like I Love You" in 1979 which were both included on the LP. Two more singles followed in 1980 "It Must Be Autumn" and "City Boy." "Two Moons" was recorded at Festival Studios, in Sydney on the Infinty label and was produced & engineered by Martin Erdman. Other personnel on the album are Alan Fischer drums, Stefan Lapan guitar, Marcus Green bass and Wayne piano/vocals, John guitar/vocals. A big thank you to Peter McCray for sending me this album to clean up and to post on my blog,  Peter talked to producer Martin Erdman and I quote "Martin said that one of them was working on some unreleased recordings and there might be the possibility of a re-issue with these tracks as bonuses in the works.  But sadly, he subsequently advised that the brother had died unexpectedly - last year I think - so that was that. Very sad." It’s very sad indeed. Here for you to download is that album "Two Moons" (L 36845).

Sunday, 3 May 2009

Post 103 - Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under - Waltzing Matilda / Nice Guys (Finish Last)

Dave Evans was born in Carmarthen Wales. The family immigrated to Australia when Dave was five years old settling in North Queensland. After a fight with his father, at the age of sixteen, Dave headed for Sydney, Living in Kings Cross, until returning to Queensland a year later.  He is best known for being the first lead singer of AC/DC from 1973-1974. Evans is one of the five founding members of AC/DC along with Angus and Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess and Larry Van Kriedt. His involvement with the band was for a year before being replaced by Bon Scott around October 1974. During his time with AC/DC, Evans recorded one single "Can I Sit Next To You, Girl"/ "Rocking In The Parlour" which was released in Australia and New Zealand. The Young brothers felt that Evans was not a suitable front man for the group even though the band was riding high at the time with "Can I Sit Next To You, Girl?" in the  charts. According to them, he was more of a "glam rocker", like Gary Glitter. After AC/DC, Evans joined Newcastle band Rabbit, replacing original singer Greg Douglas. Rabbit released 6 singles and two albums between 1975 and 1977. Dave Evans finally formed his own band Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under and recorded the self titled album in 1986 which had a limited release with independent record label Reaction Records. Here for you to download is the first of 3 singles to come from that album “Waltzing Matilda” b/w “Nice Guys (Finish Last)” (Reaction 104622) Thanks to Micko for this single.

Post 102 - Gary Young And The Rocking Emus LP

Gary Young and Wayne Duncan were the rhythm section of many bands particularly instrumentals since the early 1960s. One of these was The Rondells which were also the backing band for Bobby & Laurie. Young joined the Rondells in 1964, at the age of 17, whilst still at School. Young also played in The Changing Times and Ram Jam Big Band. Following the split of Bobby & Laurie, Laurie Allen put together a soul revue, called Dice, and later renamed The Laurie Allen Revue. The line-up included Gary Young, Barry Rogers and Wayne Duncan, Phil Manning and as backing singers, sisters Glenys and Colleen Hewett. Young and Ross Wilson met in 1969 whilst both were working in a book warehouse; each had previous band mates who were interested in forming a new group. Wilson, Ross Hannaford, Young and Duncan formed Sons of the Vegetal Mother later that year. As a side project from Sons of the Vegetal Mother, four of its members Duncan, Hannaford, Wilson and Young formed Daddy Cool in 1970. Other bands that Gary played with were Gary Young's Hot Dog, Jo Jo Zep, Rock Doctors, Cold Chisel, Black Sorrows, Little Red Rooster, Relax With Max, The Prestones, Crackajacks, Cool Healers, Southern Lightning, Andy Baylor's Cajun Combo and The Hornets and forgive me if I've forgotten anyone. In 1981 the Daddy Cool line up was back together again only this time as Gary Young & The Rockin Emus. Gary wrote & sang all the rockabilly tracks, played drums & the rest of the Emu's were Ross Hannaford & Jeff Burstin (Jo Jo Zep/Black Sorrows) on guitar, & Gary's long time partner Wayne Duncan. Ross "the boss" Wilson didn't play in this line up but he did produce the album. Here for you to download is one of many forgotten LPs, this time out of 1982 on Mushroom "Gary Young And The Rocking Emus" (L 37815) Enjoy this classic and. Yes I am a die-hard Daddy Cool fan! I had the pleasure of seeing them back together when they supported the Beach Boys in 2007 and of course after their set I got the chance to meet the guys and get stuff signed as you do, and no offence to the Beach Boys but anyone that was there will tell you D.C. stole the show.