Building on the work of many others, this series of podcasts charts the development of Australian Music. The Chart series commences at 1957 with the introduction of Top 40 charts. Other series will focus on Singers and Groups. Whilst 1957 is the starting-point, we will also be moving back in time to chart the rich history of Australian Music in many forms, before the beginning of the Top 40 era. The general principle in the development of these podcasts is 'let the music do the talking'. Thu ...
…
continue reading
MEDICAL UPDATE: By way of explaining my erratic publishing schedule: So far this year I've; been diagnosed with Parkinson's, had a brain biopsy, been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's B Cell Lymphoma in the brain (not related to the Parkinson's), had a relatively mild Flu (which delayed the following) and, started Chemotherapy (two days a month for six …
…
continue reading
1964 brings the winds of change to the Australian Music scene! There are no instrumentals in the Top 10. One group appears four times in the Top 10! Two groups that came from NZ score Top Ten hits. And four survivors from previous Top Tens score hits. Of course all of this Australian Music was created in the shadow of The Beatles’ full emergence, d…
…
continue reading
The Top Australian Artist Chart Hits of 1963. Yet again, we have four instrumentals in the Top Ten but, as you will gather from the intro music, two of those four have a particular theme. Two artists, one a group, each score two Top 10 hits. Three songs reached #1 and a couple of biggest hits for two Australian vocalists. Quite a year for Australia…
…
continue reading
Moving to the Top 10 Australian Artist hits of 1962 and a year where Australian Artists surged to the top of the charts! Again, three instrumentals appear in the Top 10, two artists appear twice, a breakthrough hit for a Melbourne artist, a group of hits for regular Top 10 artists and, a song that was to become an iconic Australian classic at #1. E…
…
continue reading
Back to the Top 10 Series, this time for the dreamy days of 1961. Most interestingly, in this Top 10 is the prevalence of instrumentals, four in the Top 10 and another three just outside. In there, is even a version of an instrumental tune that was first published in 1899! We'll also hear big chart successes from Bryan Davies, Patsy Ann Noble, Col …
…
continue reading
Finally got another one of these elusive podcasts completed! In this episode we return to the TV series and listen to an episode of Bandstand aired on 18 May 1968. I've worked on improving the sound quality with mixed results. This episode features some outstanding Australian talent including Col Joye, Johnny Farnham and Janice Slater. There's also…
…
continue reading
Apologies for the delay in getting this episode published. The throat is still not clear and then, I had to update my audio editor; and we know what can happen with updates! Cheryl Gray's career has been a remarkable one. In this first episode we sort out the 'name' issue (Cheryl Gray/Samantha Sang), trace Cheryl's remarkable musical grounding and …
…
continue reading
After a few months off the scene, I'm back with an opening episode featuring the music of The Atlantics. This episode focusses on 1963 and The Atlantics rapid rise in the space of a few months. As well as the classics; Bombora and The Crusher, we'll hear The Atlantics as backing band for Kelly Green, Kenny Shane and Johnny Rebb. There's a lot of gr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
TV-Series-Ep.3 The Johnny O’Keefe Show 1962
35:33
35:33
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
35:33
Made it again after more medical misadventures; Covid this time, with various implications for the voice! I am going to take a three-month break with the publication of this one; recharge the batteries! Episode 3 of the TV Series is taken from an LP, The Johnny O’Keefe Show (a 1962 episode). The LP was reissued on CD. However, no attempt was made t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-LPs-EP.1-My Favourite Kinda’ People
44:49
44:49
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
44:49
Apologies for the delay in publishing the next episode but I’ve been making a one-person assault on Medicare; many tests but not much to see! This episode is another where we play and comment on a whole LP; in this instance, “My Favourite Kinda’ People”, W&G 1965. The “My” in the title refers to Brian De Courcy who managed four of the seven artists…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Singers-EP.10-Johnny O’Keefe Part 2
35:40
35:40
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
35:40
Episode 2 of the Johnny O’Keefe story covers the period from July ‘58 to August ‘59. This was a period of significant advancement for Johnny O’Keefe & The Dee Jays.; several hit records and the release of the first LP; the seminal TV show, Six O’Clock Rock began; several appearances on Lee Gordon Big Shows and an appearance on promoter Bill Watson’…
…
continue reading
A belated return to the Television Series with Brian Henderson’s Bandstand ‘63. This episode was released as an LP, from which the songs used in this podcast have been digitised. The songs also appeared on the Brian Henderson’s Bandstand CD, issued in the “SPIN” series around the turn of the century. The LP is a part-snapshot of the Australian Musi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#69 Singers-EP.9-Johnny O’Keefe Part 1
34:09
34:09
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
34:09
This weeks episode takes us back to the Singers series, with Part One of the Johnny O’Keefe story. The first episode takes us from July ‘57 to May ‘58. So there’s a lot to go and a lot more research to do! Particular thanks to Bob Hayden and Don Hudson for their definitive work, “Johnny O’Keefe Discography”(2020) which lays out a complete and accur…
…
continue reading
After the Christmas/New Year break, we return and head into the Australian Music hitting the charts in June 1966. The highest charting 45 was a double-sider for Johnny Young & Kompany on the Clarion label out of Perth. In fact, three Perth groups hit the charts this month, along with a group out of Hobart and another out of Adelaide; certainly refl…
…
continue reading
May 1966, the last month of Autumn, brings a load of 60s classics entering the charts, including Frank Sinatra’s return to the top of the charts with Strangers in the Night. On the Australian artist side, Normie Rowe reaches the highest position with Pride & Joy/The Stones That I Throw (and who wrote that one?). We’ll also hear debut chart success …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.43 1966 April
32:54
32:54
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
32:54
April of 1966 brings us Bobby & Laurie’s No.1 hit, Hitch Hiker. The Easybeats reach No.3 with Come and See Her, yet another Wright-Young composition. There’s certainly a couple in the “should have been bigger” category; Mike Furber & The Bowery Boys with You Stole My Love reaching 36, and The Allusions with Gypsy Woman reaching 27. There’s some sat…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.42 1966 March
28:30
28:30
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
28:30
In March of 1966 we’ll hear hits from The Seekers, Patsy Biscoe, The Purple Hearts and Steve & The Board; quite a contrast! We’ll also attempt to unravel the “Bay City” dilemma: Why did so many bands have “Bay City” in their name? The Cherokees, Tony Worsley, Little Gulliver, Pat Carroll and The Wild Colonials also enter the charts. Quite a month f…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.41 1966 February
35:12
35:12
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
35:12
A swag of high-charting Australian Music in February 1966: The mighty, The Throb, lead the way with Fortune Teller. Other big hits come from Normie Rowe, The Twilights, MPD LTD and The Groop. We’ll hear debut 45s for Margie Bayes and The Sonomatics, and a return to the charts for Ernie Sigley and Merv Benton. Enjoy a great month of Australian Music…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.40 1966 January
30:34
30:34
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
30:34
This week: A return to the Chart series and January of 1966; the year that some historians claim to be the pivotal year for 1960s musical culture. In Australia, 1966 began with three big hits of the weeks ahead entering the chart: Tony Barber, ex-Aztec with Someday, The Easybeats with Women/In My Book, and Ray Brown and The Whispers with Tennessee …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Singers-EP.8-Frankie Davidson Part 2
39:25
39:25
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
39:25
Episode 2 of the Frankie Davidson story, covers the years 1961-63. Have You Ever Been To See Kings Cross hits high in the charts. We also learn of the unusual intent of Frankie’s LP of the same title. There’s a W&G custom recording for Lawrence Dry Cleaners which grew a life of its own and, around mid-1963, Frankie heads to London to pursue his dre…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Singers-EP.7-Frankie Davidson Part 1
32:06
32:06
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
32:06
Here’s Episode One of the Frankie Davidson Story; a bit later than expected. As it turned out there isn’t a lot that has been written about Frankie. The History of Aussie Music Blogspot has an excellent summary and Glenn A Baker wrote a thorough obituary at the time of Frankie’s recent passing. I discovered a three-hour field interview on the NLA s…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.39 1965 Pt.4D
44:02
44:02
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
44:02
December of 1965 again sees Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs at the top of their game with the double sider, Love Letters/Dancing in The Street reaching a national high of 3. Tony Worsley also hits with the double-sider Missing You/Lonely City reaching a 27 high.There’s a couple of ‘sleepers’ this month which should have reached a much higher chart posi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.38 1965 Pt.4C
41:42
41:42
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
41:42
Heading into November of 1965 and, in a sad irony with the recent passing of Judith Durham, we’ll hear The Seekers’ No.1 hit, the poignant The Carnival Is Over. Normie Rowe takes the 2nd highest position with Tell Him I’m Not Home/Baby Call On Me. We’ll hear from The Easybeats & The Cherokees, with national chart debuts from Sharon Black, Yvonne Ba…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.37 1965 Pt.4B
34:39
34:39
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
34:39
October of 1965 and Ray Brown & The Whispers score the highest-charting hit with In The Midnight Hour. We have follow-up hits for Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, The Times & M.P.D. Ltd. First chart entries from Max Hamilton & The Impacts, with Gil Matthews on guitar, and Richard Wright & The Vikings. We will also hear a rare reissue; in this instance, M…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.36 1965 Pt.4A
41:02
41:02
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
41:02
September of 1965 brings us 15 Australian-artist songs that made the Top 100, highlighted by Normie Rowe and The Playboys #1 smash double-sider, Que Sera Sera/Shakin’ All Over. Groups that made the national chart include; The Easybeats, The D-Coys and The Flies. The Bee Gees make their biggest chart impression to this point. And, of course, much mu…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.35 1965 Pt.3B
33:39
33:39
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
33:39
A return to the Chart Series and the month of August 1965. An amazing month with five songs that would in time be considered as 60s classics entering the Australian chart, including the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody. The highest charting Australian release was Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs’ double-sider Twilight Time/Hello Josephine. We’ll als…
…
continue reading
Episode Two of the Top Ten series brings us to 1960 and we find Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye still dominating with three Top Ten hits each. The other four are once-only (for 1960) Top Ten appearances for Noeleen Batley, Lonnie Lee, Johnny Ashcroft and Rolf Harris. 1960 also brings three Australian artist No 1s whereas in 1959 there was only one. The…
…
continue reading
Before we move too far from the beginning, here’s a Top Ten episode, featuring the Top Ten Australian artist hits of 1959. All chart positions are taken from David Kent’s Australian Chart Chronicles, compiled on a national basis. Interestingly, only four Australian artists (+ one in a shared chart entry) are to appear in the Top Ten, with two of th…
…
continue reading
A couple of weeks off after this episode; the postponed summer holiday happens in winter! And now for something completely different; Brian Henderson’s Bandstand! This is an early-1962 episode described in the liner notes as a “Super Bandstand”. Festival released the soundtrack on an LP titled, “Brian Henderson’s Bandstand”. The sound quality on th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-EPs-Ep.2 Johnny O’Keefe & The Dee Jays
33:00
33:00
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
33:00
This week we return to the EP series with an episode focussed on Johnny O’Keefe & The Dee Jays’ first five EPs, 1958-60. This is an attempt to look at the career of Johnny O’Keefe from a different perspective. Future episodes will move through the EPs of the 60s and the early-70s; and there’s plenty of them! In researching this, and future, episode…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.34 1965 Pt.3A
36:38
36:38
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
36:38
July of 1965 is jam-packed with great Australian Music. Ray Brown & The Whispers score the highest chart position, closely followed by The Seekers. And, another bag of chart debutants; Peter Doyle, The Spinning Wheels, Buddy England, Billy Adams, The Kravats and, The Kini Quartet. Regulars, Ray Columbus & The Invaders, The Playboys, The Henchmen an…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.33 1965 Pt.2C
46:09
46:09
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
46:09
Another whole month of Australian Music; in this episode, June of 1965. Chart high points come with double-siders from Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs and The Easybeats. Laurie Allen & Bobby Bright reach No.20 with their 2nd 45. And a wide range of chart debuts from; Marcie Jones, John Perry, The Twilights, The Rondells, The Flies, Jade Hurley & The Wesl…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.32 1965 Pt.2B
32:05
32:05
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
32:05
After recovering from Covid, the voice is back in operation: May of 1965 brings us the first release for Normie Rowe & The Playboys with the controversial “It Ain’t Necessarily So”. The highest chart position is achieved by The Seekers with “A World of Our Own”. The Pink Finks, led by Ross Wilson, have a hit with “Louie Louie” and establish their o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.31 1965 Pt.2A
34:43
34:43
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
34:43
In this episode we feature April releases only, such was the Australian artist output, although there were only two that reached the Top 10 nationally. We’ll hear the first release from The Changing Times; the name itself an apt description for the month. There’s a noticeable shift to ‘tuff’ R&B, aligning with The Rolling Stones ascendancy; The Spi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.30 1965 Pt.1B
26:11
26:11
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
26:11
As we wrap the 1st quarter of 1965, we will learn to dance "The Cling", hear minor chart entries from 'regulars' Colin Cook, Johnny Devlin (Did McCartney really co-write?) and Dinah Lee. The highest chart success was Laurie Allen and Bobby Bright's "I Belong to You" on the GO!! label. We also hear the strange case of how a five-minute folk song rea…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.29 1965 Pt.1A
26:24
26:24
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
26:24
Part A of the 1st quarter of 1965 is another streamlined episode but not short on highlights. The Seekers hit No.1 with the Tom Springfield written and produced "I'll Never Find Another You". Ray Brown & The Whispers hit the ground running with the double-sider, 20 Miles/Devoted to You. We'll also hear a quite brilliant, organ-fuelled instrumental …
…
continue reading
Returning to the Johnny Rebb Story this week with Part 2. Part 1 was published as Episode 24, August 22, 2021. In this episode, Johnny Rebb goes solo, leaving his band, The Rebels. He moves labels to CBS Coronet and moves to the USA where he was to record two 45s on the DOT label. A return to Australia and a return to CBS follows with the first of …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.28 1964 Pt.4B
47:45
47:45
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
47:45
1964 rounds out with some significant chart entries from Australian artists. The highest-charting entry is from Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs with Over The Rainbow/That I Love, reaching No.2. Jay Justin scores his second-highest chart success with Reminiscing reaching No.18. Dinah Lee, Little Pattie & Bryan Davies all hit the charts, yet none reached t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.27 1964 Pt.4A
41:31
41:31
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
41:31
After a lean three months for Australian artists post The Beatles tour, the final quarter of 1964 is split into two parts, such was the flood of releases. Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs achieve the highest chart position with Sick and Tired/About Love. Another Linda Lee label artist, Johnny Noble has his biggest chart success with Lonely City. Dinah Lee…
…
continue reading
Returning to the Chart Series and the 3rd quarter of 1964; a relatively lean period for Australian artists as Beatlemania begins to bite. However, there was a handful of high-charting Australian artist releases and a couple from NZ artists who were very successful in Australia. Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs continue their surge with Don't 'Cha Know/Mas…
…
continue reading
As the Australian Summer of 2021-22 closes out, we wrap the Australian Summer of Surf 1962-3. There's more tales to tell of Surf Music Australia - in the future. Of course, the highlight of this episode is the fondly-remembered debut 45 from Little Pattie; now recognised by the NFSA as a "Sound of Australia"! We'll hear surf music offerings from tw…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Theme-Series-EP.2 Surf Music 1963 October
34:58
34:58
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
34:58
A whole month of Surf Music this week, October 1963; the Summer of Surf was well and truly rolling! We'll hear music from: The Delltones, The Denvermen, The Aztecs, The Dave Bridge Trio & more! Amongst the people, places & instruments to be referenced in this episode are: Ben Acton, the Rev. Alan Walker, the Maroubra Ice Rink, Deadly Earnest and a …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#39 Theme-Series-EP.1 Surf Music 1962-3
36:44
36:44
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
36:44
Labour of Love this one: I'm one of 'those' fans of Surf Music, particularly Australian! When my children were young, I used to annoy them by playing Surf Music to-and-from every beach visit! I also think in this 'summer of discontent' it's positive to remember the sun, sand and surf days of 1962-4. In this 1st episode we cover the period, late '62…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.25 1964 Pt.2B
35:12
35:12
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
35:12
The first half of 1964 rounds out with very few Australian releases high in the charts. In fact, the highest-charting 45 is from New Zealand's Bill & Boyd; the beginning of a very successful recording career in Australia. Rock 'n' Roll revival is certainly a theme with entries from Johnny Devlin, Merv Benton, Johnny Chester, and Johnny O'Keefe with…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.24 1964 Pt.2A
29:53
29:53
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
29:53
The 1st part of the second quarter of 1964 is led off by Johnny O'Keefe and perhaps his best-remembered ballad, She Wears My Ring. The highest charting hit is Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs' first big one; Poison Ivy, backed with Broken Things. We'll hear the last chart entries from the now-distant Summer of Surf, including The Delltones' Out The Back…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.23 1964 Pt.1B
33:36
33:36
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
33:36
Perhaps the term "uber-diverse" best captures the spirit of this episode. We'll hear songs written by Barry Gibb, Dmitri Kabalevsky, Georges Bizet, Joe Halford & Jay Justin, Artie Wayne & Ben Raleigh and many more! Featured artists include Rob E.G., Jimmy Little, Judy Stone, Little Pattie and, The Cicadas and again, many more. Three of my favourite…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.22 1964 Pt.1A
33:05
33:05
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
33:05
Another split quarter to open 1964 because of the volume of Australian Music released. Sadly though, not many will reach the higher rungs of the charts as The Beatles' dominance starts to bite. The quarter opens with a rare instrumental track from The Hawking Brothers, Mexicali Rose, my copy of which is in less than pristine condition; "Sound" apol…
…
continue reading
In part two of unpacking the 1975 compilation LP, So You Wanna' Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star Vol. 1, we go national with Blues Rags & Hollers from Adelaide, The Five from Brisbane and Glen Ingram & The Hi-Five from Perth. There's even a NZ band that (sort of) became an Australian band; The Librettos! We delve into the mystery of Melbourne band, The Myst…
…
continue reading
A bit late with last week's episode but: A different approach this week, with ten tracks from the 1975 compilation LP, released on Festival; "So You Wanna' Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star Vol. 1". These ten tracks come from the period 1964-6. Groups featured, playing some absolute garage, beat-boom gems include; The Amazons, Chris Hall & The Torquays, The …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Australian-Charts-EP.21 1963 Pt.4B
48:16
48:16
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
48:16
A Surfin' end to 1963 as Australian artists ride the Surf Music boom. Little Pattie's much celebrated double-sided debut 45 highlights the last few weeks of 1963. There's Surf Music from around Australia with chart hits not only coming from Sydney but also from Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane bands. The Atlantics hit with The Crusher, the followup…
…
continue reading