Australian Music Archives

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 Joye and The Joy Boys, and at No.1, Johnny O'Keefe. Enjoy the journey through the time tunnel!

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 a performance by the elusive Johnny Marco and the only surviving footage of the very talented Cathy Wayne who was to lose her life in Vietnam, 1969. I relate a summary of that tragic event. We'll also hear Brian Henderson's presentation of a Gold Record to Johnny Farnham for, you guessed it, Sadie! Enjoy!

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 listen to some of the six 45s that Cheryl released from late-1966 to early-1968; quite an achievement! And quite a voice!

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 great music in this episode and much more to come!

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 to fix the pitch of Johnny’s various introductions; he sounded like he had a peg on his nose! To the best of my limited skill, I have recalibrated the pitch with, hopefully a better sound (no pegged noses!).

The episode itself presents a bevy of Australian Rock & Pop stars including; Warren Williams, The Crescents, The Fauns, Ian Crawford, Lonnie Lee, Paul Wayne, Barry Stanton, Warren Carr and, JO’K himself. Enjoy The Johnny O’Keefe Show!

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 who appear on the LP. It’s a snapshot of W&G, arguably at the height of its power, in 1965. When you sit back and listen to the 14 tracks (2 per artist), you’ll discern many quality productions (one exception that is easily recognised). The seven featured artists are; The Strangers, Pat Carroll, The Pink Finks, Merv Benton, Johnny Cooper, Colin Cook & Little Gulliver.

Enjoy the music!

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’s “Shower of Stars” tour - a rival to Lee Gordon. The highest charting hit nationally was Why Do They Doubt Our Love which reached 8. Plenty more of course, including a songwriting credit to JO’K for the Swan-ee River hit; it’s all about the hyphen! Enjoy the music!

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 Music Industry in ‘63, albeit a powerful one with the combination of Bandstand and Festival Records. However, The Beatles were hitting the charts and the full impact of the British Beat Boom would hit in 1964. As the ‘era of the instrumental’ was ending, this LP features five instrumentals. Sadly, only one female is featured; the wonderful Judy Stone. There’s a couple of oddities on the LP, including a rendition of a little ditty called “Persian Kitty”! Enjoy Brian Henderson’s Bandstand ‘63!

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 accurate music chronology.

Highlights of Episode 1: Johnny O’Keefe & The Dee Jays’ first record release was on 78 only. We’ll hear Eddie Cochran’s version of Am I Blue, the first 45; you will notice a difference to Johnny’s version! We talk about the first Lee Gordon Big Show and how Johnny & The Dee Jays were signed-up after Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps were stranded in Hawaii. And we’ll attempt to unravel The Wild One/Real Wild Child confusion. Plus, the Festival applause over-dubbing on the 2nd EP, Shakin’ at The Stadium Vol.1. which wasn’t ‘live’ at all but which did give the world the career-defining Wild One. Enjoy the Music!

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 reflecting a more national chart. Sydney and Melbourne artists are also represented with the likes of The Vince Melouney Sect, The Groop and Ronnie Burns. On an international level, four future Number Ones hit the chart. Which one lasted the longest? And which Australian artist, outlasted them all at 37 weeks? Enjoy the music!