Post 738 - Xanadu - So Far From Home

 Xanadu was formed in the Queensland town of Bundaberg. The band was made up of three siblings, Claire, Don and Barrie Morrison, from Moore Park Beach, Wayne Anderson, also from North Gooburrum, and Chris Button, whose parents lived in Bundaberg. In 1967 after performing at the Federal Hotel in Bundaberg, as well as around the Bundaberg district for a number of years, the group left on a tour of Australia's eastern seaboard. "They finally ended up in Sydney where they quickly made a name for themselves, appearing on many Sydney TV stations as well as a spot on Brian Henderson's Bandstand, where the group performed their second single "Isabella". Which was released by Polydor records. In May 1971 the band signed on for a seven-month tour of Allied bases in Vietnam.  Their bass player, Barrie Morrison, was just 16, while the oldest member of the group, Wayne Anderson, had his 21st birthday in Vietnam. After Vietnam, Xanadu travelled to Thailand where they soon had a massive following, and even enjoyed their own television show on Bangkok TV3. "While in Thailand the group were asked by Bee Gee Maurice Gibb to go to the UK.  In Europe the group enjoyed massive success in Germany, Holland and Belgium. For the next decade Xanadu toured, recorded or rubbed shoulders with many of the greats of that era - The Bee Gees, The Sex Pistols, Marc Bolan - who recorded his last hit record ''I Love to Boogie'' in the Xanadu-owned London studio "Decibel". Chris Button Guitarist and vocalist was killed in a beach buggy accident in the late 1970s. By 1982 the band had gone their separate ways and all had returned to Australia. In 2003 Group members were awarded the Vietnam Logistical and Support Medal by the Australian Government for their valued work in Vietnam. Drummer Don Morrison died in 2019. Here to download is their LP from 1977 "So Far From Home" (28934 OT) released on Jupiter Records. Thanks to "History Of Australian Music From 1960 until 2010" Blog for the notes. Thanks to Henry with his help with the art work.  Flac