Post 489 - Super Star Dale and the All Stars – Tip Toe through the Tulips LP

Dale Stephenson has been calling the John Laws program for over 25 years and has become a celebrity through his live accapella renditions of a variety of classic songs over this period of time. Dale’s wish has always been to record his own CD and become a "lebrity", and with the help of 2UE's Peter Kukura who produced the album and Rock and Roll legend Col Joye who freely gave up his time, the CD came to fruition. The Dale and Col duet of "Tip Toe through the Tulips" has gained instant "legendary" status. Dales’ wish to also perform with a band has been fulfilled. What an achievement - an intellectually handicapped man having a CD released by a major record company (Sony Music).  The album was titled “Super Star Dale and the All Stars – Tip Toe through the Tulips” (5176932000) released on Sony in 2004. Dale is just delightful to talk with and a real inspiration to millions of John Laws listeners Australia wide. 

Post 488 - Andy Foxx - The Singles

After Autumn broke up during an ill-fated trip to the UK in early 1972, splitting within just six weeks of their arrival, Steve McMurray, Glenn Beatson and Allan Magsuball formed Mecca, which moved to Canada and after that group split they joined Canadian band Wireless. Tony Romeril worked in Italy for some time, recording under the pseudonym Andy Foxx. The two singles here were recorded by Tony “Afrikaan Blue” b/w “Thank The Lord For The Night” (CTN-7002) and “Venus” b/w “Let’s Work It Out” (CTN-7011). I couldn’t find out much about these recordings, so what better way but to ask the man himself, this is what Tony told me……

“The tracks were released on Catoca Records, an Italian Record Company owned by the guys who wrote and produced  "Middle of the Road's" records. The big hit was "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". They sold 18 million records in Europe and Britain in 18 months. "Afrikaan Blue" was recorded in 1972/73. And "Venus” 12-18 months later. When I arrived in England and left Autumn I sold my PA system and recorded demos at Morgan Studio which is where Paul Simon recorded at the time. I was playing the demos to a guy at Robert Stigwoods Company and a guy walked past and stopped and asked who was that singing. Of course I owned up, he said I have a record company in Italy for just that type of voice, can you come to Rome with me tomorrow morning and meet these guys. A whole 3 seconds later I said yes. I ended up staying 12 days and recorded both sides of the single over that time. (They were perfectionists). I was also treated like royalty. I ate in 23 different restaurants in 12 days. It was amazing. (Even worth changing my name to Andy Foxx).”

Tony also told me that he had never heard the finished version of “Venus”. Thanks Tony I really appreciate your help and time with this.

Post 487 - Abigail – Biting My Nails – Stay Awhile

Abigail Rogan (born 23 July 1946, in London) Known simply as Abigail, she became best known to Australians as a sex symbol, starting with the television soap opera Number 96 in the early 1970s. Despite common belief, she did not appear nude in the series. In fact it was fellow actor Vivienne Garrett who played Rose Godulfus from the same series who was the first to appear topless on Australian Television. In 1973, after leaving Number 96, she published her autobiography, Call Me Abigail which sold 150,000 copies in its first two weeks of sale. Also in 1973, Abigail made an attempt at a popular music career and scored a hit with a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime... moi non plus", which reached the top 10 in Australia. Although this debut was a success, follow-up singles, including a comedic release with ventriloquist Chris Kirby, were not. She released 4 singles 3 from her 1973 LP “Abigail” for Festival Records produced by Martin Erdman. The fourth single here for you to download from 1976 on Laser Records, a cover of Genevieve Waite’s single penned by her and husband John Phillips (Mama's and the Papa's). “Biting My Nails” b/w “Stay Awhile” (LS-102846) the B side is also a cover of the Bells 1971 hit and produced by Charles Fisher. Tim Curry also recorded a cover of “Biting My Nails” in 2010. Abigail’s last television appearance was in 2002, when she briefly became a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig. She claimed to have lost 17 kilograms in seven weeks. She was interviewed on Sydney, Australia radio station 2GB on her 60th birthday in 2006. At that time she was living on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Flac

Post 486 - Doug Parkinson – Willing & Able – Endlessly

In 1985 Doug Parkinson had acting roles in the tele-movies The Body Business, Butterfly Island and Watch the Shadows Dance. He starred in the Kinsellas production Soul man in 1986 which toured nationally and in 1987 co-wrote the score for the surfing film “Wind Warriors” as well as co-writing the theme song “Willing and Able” b/w “Endlessly” (POS 3018) for the 9 network series of the same name. It was released in May 1987 on Possum Records. From what I can see this was the only recording for this label. 

Post 485 Mother Goose - Don't Believe In Fairy tales LP

Not much to say about Mother Goose in this post that I haven’t already said in previous posts.  When returning to Australia in 1979, after almost twelve months in the United States they undertook their 'Catch Me If You Can Tour', and recorded the album, “Don't Believe In Fairy tales” (L 37147) for Mushroom. The LP was produced by Ralph Moss and their version of “Paint It Black” is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Folk lore has it that Mick Jagger has said that this is the second best version of ‘Paint It Black’ he has ever heard, so could Mick and I be wrong?  Also a “BIG” thank you to Woodynet with  help in fixing up the art work for this one. 

Post 484 Men at work – Down Under (extended mix) – Sail To You (extended mix)

"Down Under" (also known as "Land Down Under") is a Platinum-certified single recorded by Men at Work. In 1980, it was originally released as the B side to their first local single titled "Keypunch Operator". It was released before the band signed with Columbia Records. Both early songs were written by the group’s co-founders, Colin Hay & Ron Strykert. The early version of "Down Under" has a slightly different tempo and arrangement than the later Columbia release. The most well-known version was then released on Columbia in October 1981 as the second single from their debut album Business as Usual (1981). The song went to number one in Australia in December 1981, and then topped the New Zealand charts in February 1982. It was released in North America in mid-1982 and the song topped the Canadian charts in October. In the United States the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 6 November 1982 at No. 79 and reached No. 1 in January 1983.  It eventually sold over two million copies in the US alone. In the UK, the song topped the charts in January and February 1983, and is the only Men at Work song to make the UK top 20.  The song also went No. 1 in Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland, and was a top 10 hit in many other territories. There have been many cover versions of the song such as Yossi and Avi Piamenta’s recorded traditional Jewish wedding lyrics to the tune of the song in the 1980’s.  In 1983, Hong Kong pop singer Alan Tam made a cover of the song. The Cantonese version is called "一於少理" ("Just Don't Care" in English). In 1985, Lithuanian rock band Antis made a cover of the song, which became one of their most well-known hits. It was called "Zombiai" A Finnish cover version titled "Tervetuloa Länteen, Andrej" (Welcome to west, Andrej) of the song was released by Vilperin Perikunta in 1992. Sections of the flute part of the recording of the song were found to be based on the children's song "Kookaburra", written in 1932 by Marion Sinclair. Sinclair died in 1988. On 4 February 2010, Justice Jacobson ruled that Larrikin's copyright had been infringed because "Down Under" reproduced "a substantial part of Kookaburra". Since the verdict, Colin Hay has continued to insist that any plagiarism was wholly unintentional. He says that when the song was originally written in 1978, it did not have the musical passage in question, and that it was not until two years later, during a jam rehearsal session, that flautist Greg Ham improvised the riff, perhaps subconsciously recalling "Kookaburra".  Sadly Greg Ham was found dead in Melbourne on 19 April 2012. In the months before his death, Ham had been despondent over the verdict, and convinced that "the only thing people will remember me for" would be the plagiarism conviction. Here to download is the extended version of “Down Under” (extended mix) b/w “Sail To You” (extended mix) (BA-12229). Both songs were a promo-release in 1986 as a 12” single that came with the “Men At Work ’81-‘85” LP. Many thanks to Henry DeRooy who had this gem tucked away in his laundry cupboard and gave it to me to fix up for this Australia Day 2014. 

Post 483 - Men At Work – Keypunch Operator – Down Under

This was a Self-released single issued in 1980 before they got a recording contract, according to some sources only 300 copies were pressed. The label uses "AA1" and "AA2" rather than the more traditional "A" and "B" usually used on 7" singles. The early version of "Down Under" has a slightly different tempo and arrangement than the later Columbia release. 

Post 482 - Shirley – Nothing But The Best – Your Love

Had a request for this 1979 single by Graeme Strachan better known as Shirley lead singer of Skyhooks. Here to download is the last of five solo singles he recorded for Mushroom Records. "Nothing but the Best" b/w “Your Love” (K 765) it didn’t chart in the top 50. The A side was penned by Shirley and Aztec Warren Morgan and produced by Morgan & Graham Owens the B side was produced by Little River Band’s Rick Formosa and Ross Cockle. 

Post 481 - Trevor - Crying In The Rain - Party Girl

Trevor Spry, only ever recorded under his first name "Trevor". He was a teenager when he first took an interest in music and by 1970 he achieved his first top 40 hit with "Crying In The Rain" which made it to #27 nationally on the charts. After great sales of his first hit he released "Love Is All Around" in 1971 and it only charted in Melbourne where it made it to #32 and sank without a trace in the rest of Australia.  Here to download is that single “Crying In The Rain” b/w “Party Girl” (TS 106) for Tempo Records in 1970. Trevor worked as a rock journalist and appeared on Melbourne's "Uptight" and "Happening '70" TV shows.

Post 480 - The Cutters - More Than Fire - Television Mercy

Brisbane band formed in 1987 not to be confused with Melbourne band The Cutters 1983/85. Another one of those Aissie band with not much info on the net or in books, this was their only single from 1988 produced by The Cutters & Jeremy Smallhorn for Mighty Boy Records. Members were Andrew Bartlett – Keyboards, Tim Carmen – drums, John Lloyd - vocals, Ross McKinnon – bass, Phillip Monsour – Guitar. Phil Monsour  went on to other bands such as Carousel, consisting of Chrysalids guitarist Graham Jackson and Cutters bass player Ross Mckinnon. Keyboard player Andrew Barlettn  became a senator and went on to lead the Democrats. Here to download is the single “More Than Fire” b/w “Television Mercy” (MB-20067). The only other recording I know of is from 1990 which was a mini LP called “A Long Way” will have to keep an eye out for that one. 

Post 479 - Owen Yateman's Mob - Ice Cream - Red Eye

Owen Yateman, a Torquay (Victoria) legend who for decades, it seemed, had his jazz band at the Torquay dance every Saturday night through summer. Yateman played a dominating trombone. In May 1970 Yateman released this single for Fable Records here for you to download “Ice Cream” b/w “Red Rye” (FB-006). Other musicians on this recording are John Hughes trumpet, Owen Yateman trombone, Mike Longhurst  clarinet, Russ Sheridan panio, Don Standing banjo, Geoff Thompson , Paul Ludowyk bass  and Ian Coots on drums. In 1974 Owen formed “Yateman's Big Fat Brarse”, other than that there’s not much info out there but like I have said before maybe someone out there from the band or recording session may enlighten us. 

Post 478 - Ol' 55 - Rockin' Christmas - White Christmas

Thought seeing it’s Christmas Eve I better get at least one Christmas track up on the Blog. This live version of “Rockin’ Christmas”  with a doo wop version of “White Christmas” on Carols by Candlelight 2002. It features all the original members of Ol '55. Frankie J. Holden lead vocals. Wilbur Wilde on saxophone. Jimmy Manzie on bass guitar. Patrick "Meatballs" Drummond on lead guitar. "Rockpile" Jones on guitar and vocals and Geoff "Drainpipe" Plummer on drums and vocals. Have a great Christmas everyone and we will be back better than ever in 2014. Ozzie.

Post 477 - Con The Fruiterer – A Cuppla Days – The Con Dance

Mark Mitchell was born in Melbourne. He studied English and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and then completed a Diploma of Education at State College of Victoria Rusden Campus. He taught secondary school English for five years before becoming an advertising copy-writer and then a professional actor. Mark starred in the pioneering sketch comedy show The Eleventh Hour, a predecessor to his hit sketch show The Comedy Company. He has made many guest appearances on Australian television series such as SeaChange, Neighbours, Something in the Air, Blue Heelers, Prisoner and Dogwoman. Mitchell's best known character is Con Dickaletus aka 'Con the Fruiterer' whom he created after being served by two Greek Australian stall holders at Glenferrie Markets in 1984. The character became known nationally from regular appearances in The Comedy Company, Con's catchphrases "cuppla days" and "bewdiful" entered the Australian vernacular. In August 1989, then Prime Minister Bob Hawke appeared in a The Comedy Company sketch with Mitchell on the premise of presenting Con with Australian citizenship. In reply to Con's question as to when Hawke was going to fix up the country, Hawke took great delight in responding "cuppla days" In 1988 Con released the single “A Cuppla Days” b/w “The Con Dance” (653148 7) for CBS. The two tracks were written and produced by Colin Hay & Greg Ham from Men At Work. 

Post 476 - Tony Monopoly – The Girl I’ll Never Know – Love And The World Loves With You

Born Antonio Rosario Monopoli in Adelaide, Australia, he was a regular on the national radio show Kangaroos on Parade at the age of nine. At the age of sixteen he became a Carmelite monk and remained in the order for five years. He was appearing at Caesar's Palace in Luton when he auditioned for Opportunity Knocks, a British television talent show, which he won on six consecutive occasions in the 1970s. By the early 1980s, Monopoly was frequently obliged to display his talents aboard cruise liners. "I lived on one yacht for a year," he said. "I went to 56 countries. I had champagne for breakfast. But I hated it" When fulfilling his increasingly rare engagements on dry land, he divided his time between Australia and the UK. He was headhunted for a musical while appearing in Cinderella at Hanley, near Stoke-on-Trent. Monopoly starred - in drag - in Moby Dick, the inaugural production at the newly refurbished Old Fire Station Theatre in Oxford. The show's success prompted Cameron Mackintosh to mount a 1992 West End production, that opened to scathing reviews and promptly closed, after which Monopoly portrayed Old Deuteronomy in a UK tour of Cats. Here to download is a single by Tony “The Girl I’ll Never Know” b/w “Love And The World Loves With You” (EA-9666) recorded for H.M.V. Records and produced by Howard Gable. I searched the net but can’t seem to find what year this was released. Monopoly died in Brighton, England on 21 March 1995.

Post 475 - Sparklers – Don’t Go Changing – Overworking

The Sparklers were a Sydney band formed in 1985 by ex-members of the Sunnyboys, Bill Bilson and Peter Oxley together with Chris Abrahams from the Jazzy Benders. They were managed by journalist Ed St.John. The band released 5 singles and one LP between ’85 and ’89. This single “Don’t Go Changing” b/w  “Overworking” (MB20197) was their last single in 1989 recorded for Mighty Boy Records produced by Les Karski and both sides of the record was penned by lead vocalist Melanie Oxley who is the sister of Sunnyboys front man & chief songwriter Jeremy Oxley. 

Post 474 - Tintookies – The Tintookie March – Imagine-Reprise

Peter Scriven played a huge role in establishing puppetry as a serious art form in Australia. His Tintookies and Little Fella Bindi toured all over Australasia. The Tintookies, from an Aboriginal word meaning 'little people who come from the sand hills', was an elaborate marionette musical first staged by creator Peter Scriven at the Elizabethan Theatre in Sydney in 1956. After the success of this production, Tintookie   became the generic name for any of the puppets used by the Marionette Theatre of Australia, formed by Scriven under the auspices of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1965.  After a spell in Singapore and Malaysia, Scriven returned to Sydney in 1973 as puppetry consultant to the Australian Council for the Arts. In late 1974 Scriven put together a new version of The Tintookies. Utilising around 100 near life-size marionettes, this was the biggest puppet production ever undertaken in Australia. It premiered at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne on 8 January 1975 and toured Asia in early 1976. In 1974 the Tiookies released a double A sided single here for you to download for Festival Records “The Tintookie March” b/w “Imagine-Reprise” (MX-46139). Many of the Tintookie marionettes now live in the archives of the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney.

Post 473 - The Two Man Band - Single Collection

"Up There Cazaly" is an Australian sporting catchphrase inspired by former St Kilda and South Melbourne great Roy Cazaly ("Up there Cazaly" was "a phrase that would be shouted by team mate Fred "Skeeter" Fleiter when he wanted Cazaly to go for a mark"). The expression later became the basis of a song recorded and composed by The Two Man Band (Mike Brady & Peter Sullivan). The song was recorded in 1979, intended as a promotion for Channel Seven's Australian Rules Football (VFL) coverage. The single, released on the Fable Records label, sold over 250,000 copies and became the largest-selling Australian single ever released up to that time. Peter Sullivan has written arrangements and produced albums for many of Australia’s leading artists including Pseudo Echo, Little River Band, Daryl Somers, Ricky May, Normie Rowe, The Seekers, Colleen Hewitt, Dennis Walter. Mike Brady was one-third of the 1960s pop act MPD Ltd. (which stood for Mike, Pete and Danny) which had hits with "Little Boy Sad" and "Lonely Boy". The band toured Australia and the U.K. He has written songs for popular Australian artists such as John Farnham and Tina Arena. He also wrote the song "Courage in their Eyes" for the Seven Network's Olympics coverage.  Here are the five singles released between 1979/85 “Up There Cazaly” b/w “The Winner’s March” (Fable-FB-329), “One Day In September” b/w “Look Up In The Sky” (7-MS-449), “There’s A Little Bit Of Cazaly In Us All” b/w “Twenty Five Years In The Outer” (Full Moon-FMS 2105), “We’re Gonna Grab That Cup” b/w “Hobart” (Fable-FB-1057) and “You Are Australian” b/w “ You Are Australian (Instrumental)” (Full Moon – FMS 1001)

Post 472 - The Revival – Viva Bobby Joe – Rudi’s In Love

Craig Scott was a former Dunedin bank clerk, who also had a strong interest in rock and roll. He started singing and playing bass guitar for Dunedin band, “The Klap”, and then joined Dunedin's top band, “Fantasy” in 1968. This group had relocated to Christchurch by the end of 1968. Shortly after arriving in Christchurch, Craig met up with four guys who had a band called “Blues Revival”. Craig joined them as vocalist and in February 1969, at the suggestion of Ray Columbus, they shortened their name to “Revival” and changed their image and repertoire. This had an immediate success for the group and in May 1969 they won the Christchurch section of the National Battle Of The Bands competition. This caught the attention of HMV's Peter Dawkins and he brought them to Wellington to record a single. The result was a cover of a current song by the Equals, and it outsold the original very well. The single was "Viva Bobby Joe" b/w "Rudi's In Love" (HR 377). The flip side was also a cover of a song by the British group Locomotive. The single made it to number 14 on the National charts in 1969. Although it was a success the band enjoyed, this pop style wasn't really what most of the members felt comfortable with, so when Craig was offered a solo career in April 1970, nobody else in the group minded and they broke up.

Post 471 - Doug Parkinson – Sailin’ (Sydney-Hobart) – Sailin’ (Sydney-Hobart)(Instrumental)

Douglas "Doug" Parkinson is an Australian singer who first came to fame with his band, Doug Parkinson In Focus, in 1969. He has had numerous hits on the Australian Top 40 charts. This single here for you is from 1984 “Sailin’ (Sydney-Hobart)” b/w “Sailin’ (Sydney-Hobart) (Instrumental)”
(OZ-1414) recorded on OZ Records. Produced by Peter J Martin who also co-wrote the song. The B side is credited to The Kites which I would assume was Doug’s backing band for this single. Engineered by Richard Lush and recorded at Paradise Studios, Sydney.

post 470 - Peter McKenna – Things To Remember – Lady Oh Lady

Peter McKenna was born on the 27th August 1946 in Brunswick West, Victoria, he is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Collingwood and Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. He also represented Devonport in the North West Football Union (NWFU), and Northcote, Port Melbourne and Geelong West in the Victorian Football Association (VFA). Regarded as one of the best full-forwards to ever play the game, McKenna holds the record for the longest sequence of matches in which he scored at least one goal: 120 matches. At his peak, Peter McKenna could lay claim to being the most popular footballer in the VFL – and, indeed, given the burgeoning impact of the mass media, almost certainly the most popular footballer ever in Australia up to that point. Not only was he a highly successful full forward playing for the nation's most popular sporting club, he possessed a Beatle-esque 'look' which, by the standards of the time, was an adman's dream. During this time, he recorded his first pop single “Things to Remember” b/w “Lady Oh Lady” (FB-031), written by Melbourne singer/songwriter Colin Buckley for Fable Records in 1970.

Post 469 - Little River Band - L.R.B. Rocks On For ANZ

This one sided 7” promotional single (played at 33 rpm) produced by the ANZ Bank around 1976. It is presented as though it is a radio program (stations 3XY / 2SM / 4IP get a mention). Little River Band perform two songs with lyrics about the services supplied by the ANZ. A tacky cross promotion LRB were roped in to doing to plug their "After Hours" album and up and coming Aussie talent while pushing the virtues of the ANZ bank. Probably the brainchild of some advertising execs as a way to encourage youth to open accounts with that bank. LRB's Glenn Shorrock and Beeb Birtles both sing  tracks about the ANZ Bank on this single. I also asked Beeb Birtles about this recording and this is what he told me....

Hi Garry,

All I can tell you is that when LRB first formed in 1975 we were all broke. We had just returned from England and went on the dole. To make some quick money we wrote and recorded some advertisements. The first one I wrote was for the Witchery chain and then we wrote some for the ANZ bank. I'm not sure why they pressed up singles of it.

Beeb.

Post 468 - Luigi Risotto – Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport - If I Should Plant A Tiny Seed Of Love

Mike Willesee had a character appear on his programme; a comedian who did an ethnic routine as "Luigi Risotto".  Colin McEwan, who migrated from Scotland as a child, was a long-time breakfast announcer on 3AK radio in Melbourne, where he created the character of taxi driver Luigi Risotto, and also made regular appearances on the TV variety program In Melbourne Tonight. In 1975 Luigi recorded a single for Fable Records a version of Rolf Harris’s “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport” b/w  “If I Should Plant A Tiny Seed Of Love” (FB- 240). But McEwan was most popular for the stage and TV productions of the irreverent Naked Vicar Show in the 1970s and Kingswood Country in the 1980s, in which he played Datsun dealer Bob Bulpitt, the annoying brother of Kingswood-mad Ted Bulpitt.   He suffered a stroke in the late 1990s, which robbed him of the ability to mould his rich, deep voice, effectively ending his career. On the 21 August 2005, McEwan, 64, lost his battle with liver cancer. Colin is survived by wife Rae and his son David. 

Post 467-Punkz - Anyway You Want It - I Can’t Control Myself

 Punkz came to the attention of Glenn A. Baker who also managed Ol'55. Mushroom Records issued  "Anyway You Want It" b/w “I Can’t Control Myself” (K-6631), in 1976 and "Take Me For What I'm Worth" 1977. Neither song made an impact on the charts. Soon after, the band changed its name to Cheek and covered The Mighty Avengers' "So Much In Love" which can be found at post # 84. 

Post 466 - North 2 Alaskans – Love Machine / Take A Letter Maria /Gonks Go Beat / That Freaky Gonk Thang

North 2 Alaskans featured Spencer P Jones  (later of The Johnnies and Beasts of Bourbon),  16 string fretless sitar, vocals, Frank Savage on vocals, double cutaway medieval dulcimer, Johnny Toppe bass, vocals, Steve Watson  single string lute, vocals, Jimi Williams guitar, keyboard,  vocals . They  were billed as the World’s first Psychedelic Cabaret Combo. Both these singles were released in 1982 “Love Machine” (MISS 36) ON Missing Link Records  was recorded by The Roosters and The Pastoral Symphony, both Aussie groups. The B side was a cover of R. B. Greaves 1969 single. The second single “Gonks Go Beat” (LRS-746) released on Green Records features a great version of Tommy James’s Crimson & Clover with a touch of Issi Dy’s Incense mixed in. I once heard  that they were a last minute booking after the hard rock band "No Fear" cancelled at the last minute at the Dee Why Hotel. Needless to say the audience were absolutely dumbstruck when they saw North 2 Alaskans. It was one of those amazing never to forget nights.

Post 465 - Ol'55 - Open Top Cars & Girls In Tight T-Shirts LP

There’s not much I haven’t already said about Ol’55 in resent posts, this LP released on J&B Records in 1986 holds a collection of 50 and 60’s classics done the Ol’55 way. The band at this time held Rock Pile Jones, Patrick Drummond, Terry Bellew, Geoff Plummer, Donny A. Dee and Mick Simmons. The LP was produced by Rich Griner and engineered by Joe Arthur. They also do a 1986 version of “This Little Girl” and “On The Prowl.” Drummer Geoff Plummer died on 2 February 2006.  Here to download is “Open Top Cars & Girls In Tight T-Shirts” (JB266).  

Post 464 - Rory O'Donoghue - Fatty Finn EP

Fatty Finn, is a popular long-run Australian comic strip, was created in the early 1920s by Syd Nicholls. The strip was initially called Fat and His Friends and was first published in the Sunday News on 16 September 1923. Fat appeared as a Billy Bunterish almost bald, nasty schoolboy, complete with straw boater. Fat was usually the butt of his friend's jokes, with those early strips exhibiting much of the cruelty practiced by children and reflecting a school system which believed in corporal punishment. On August 1924 the title of the strip was changed to Fatty Finn, heralding a change in the strip's direction and the role of the main character, who evolved from an English boy lookalike into a knockabout schoolboy innocently living out his days in a never-never urban world. Over the next few years, Fatty gradually lost weight, gained a boy scout style uniform, a dog ('Pal'), a goat ('Hector') and permanent supporting characters including Headlights Hogan, Lolly Legs, Bruiser and Mr. Claffey the policeman. Fatty adopted a more heroic role and the comic moved closer to the standard 'kid' strip with a distinct Australian flavor.

In 1980 the strip was adapted into a feature film, Fatty Finn, directed by Maurice Murphy. The film grossed $1,064,000 at the box office in Australia and was nominated for seven Australian Film Institute Awards in 1981, including Best Original Music Score, which it won. The movie starred Bert Newton, Lorraine Bayly, Gerard Kennedy, Noni Hazlehurst and Ben Oxenbould who later played the character "Ben" in the sitcom, Hey Dad..!

Rory O’Donoghue & Grahame Bond penned the songs for the Soundtrack and the EP was released in 1980 on Polydor Records - apparently without the consent of O’Donoghue and Bond. O’Donoghue’s parents, Terence and Sybil O’Donoghue, who were with D’Oyly Carte Opera in London, both sing on the soundtrack.

Post 463 - The Prefects – Wait Until Midnight / Little Boys

The Prefects, discovered by music Guru Ian Meldrum, is one of the most successful to emerge from Perth. Dressed in school boy uniforms was leader Doug Allmark on bass and lead vocals, along with Brad Mack on Drums,  Tom Mathews  - Lead Guitar, Mike Wiltshire - Guitar.  They recorded two singles, the one here for you to download “Wait Until Midnight” b/w “Little Boys” (K-8487) in 1981 on Infinity Records and “I Wanna Make Love” in 1882. Allmark penned both sides of this single as well as produced the record with Peter Grondman and Ross Cockie.

Post 462 - Set - Draggin' The Line / Sparkling Eyes

“Set” is one of those Aussie bands that there is no information out there anywhere it seems. Recorded in 1976 for Fable Records and produced by Warwick Thomas & Engineered by Kevin Kerr “Set” gave us a great cover of Tommy James’s 1971 hit “Draggin’ The Line” b/w “Sparkling Eyes” (FB-265). This is the only record “Set” ever recorded according to all my books but there is no entry of where the Band was based or any known members. Like I have said many other times with bands like this maybe someone out there in internet land knows something about these guys and will enlighten us more.

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.