Australian Music Archives

JUDY STONE & COL JOYE Straight off, I need to tell everyone that this will be the last Podcast for about three months. The combined effect of Long Covid and Chemotherapy has left my voice in a bad way, so I will give it three months of rest and treatment. As promised, this Podcast focusses on the collaborations between Col Joye and Judy Stone. I've divided the Podcast into three parts; The Bandstand duets The Col and Judy LP A 1998 CD single Within that division, we talk a little about the “Col & Judy thing”, which led to speculation about marriage which, of course, never happened. The Col and Judy LP only enhanced the speculation. The liner notes of the LP clearly define the purpose; to broaden the appeal of Col and Judy to a more mature audience. The 1998 CD single is a beauty which, I believe, was Col and Judy's final collaboration. They sing “Love is a Rose”. Along the way, we find the source of this and other songs, some going way back! Until next time……

Another Podcast for the instrumental fans; The Joy Boys Story Part 2. Interestingly, we will hear The Joy Boys “voices” towards the end of this episode but perhaps not in the way that you might be expecting?! This episode picks up the story in September of 1962, through to December of 1964. With the late Norm Day now established in the group, we will hear a number of his compositions. We will also hear a track written by Tony Barber (Aztecs) that incorporates his wonderful sense of humour. The Surf Era is covered in this episode and we'll hear a few Joy Boys' tracks that were ready made for the Australian Summer of Surf 1963-4. Enjoy the music!

Apologies for the gap since the last episode. The “Studio” has now moved from Pyrmont to Port Macquarie. Also, and alas, those wonderfully-titled “Side-Effects of Chemo” have continued. Anyway, this episode is Part 3 of The Col Joye Story, covering the period from late-1961 to December 1963. The biggest hit in this period was “Today's Teardrops” and perhaps, the low-point was the nursery rhyme turned pop song, “Ring Around My Rosie”. I've cherry-picked some songs from Col's LPs and EPs, including a song titled “What About Me” (Don Gibson - not the Moving Pictures song). Take a listen to the opening chords of the song which, to my ear, sound very much like those used in the introduction to a major hit in 1979. Towards the end of the episode there are a couple of real ‘rockers'; “Be Bop A Lula” and “I Need Your Love Tonight”. Enjoy Part 3 of the Col Joye Story!

Part One of The Joy Boys' Story takes us from November of 1960 through to mid-1961. This was an incredibly fertile period for the group, as a standalone group, backing Col Joye and backing other artists on studio recordings. This episode will focus on The Joy Boys releases as a standalone group. As well as the 45 hit singles, we'll dig out some great LP and EP tracks that never appeared on a 45 single. That theme of “Everything Old is New Again” certainly permeates through the episode. There's even an opportunity to singalong with an instrumental version of a big hit for Col Joye and The Joy Boys! And even if instrumentals are not your ‘thing', there's plenty of fascinating back stories. Enjoy!

I enjoyed putting together Part 2 of the Col Joye Story, covering the years mid-1960 to 1961. It was a time when I first started to understand that there was such a ‘thing' as Rock/Pop Music. Part 2 only covers 18 months but it's a time in which Col Joye (and The Joy Boys) were at the ‘top of their game'. It was a time when the “Golden Boy” persona really came to the fore. It was also a time of ‘Dreamy Pop' but we do unearth a couple of rockers that appeared on EPs. And there's a track from a 1961 Bandstand episode thrown in for good measure! Enjoy Part 2 of the Col Joye Story.

A return to the Australian Singers Series and Part One of the Col Joye story: Col, together with The Joy Boys left an indelible mark on the Australian Music Industry. In Part One we cover a lot of territory: Col Joye and The Joy Boys first two “Little Albums” (EPs) which, in a unique way, were the band's first two releases! We'll also hear the A side of the band's first six 45 singles and a track from each of their first two LPs; one a rare 10” LP. Also, we'll hear (over the screaming!) a track from the wonderfully restored “1959 Rock ‘n' Roll Movie”! All of that covers the period 1957 to the first 45 single release in 1960. Enjoy the music of the “Golden Boy” and the mighty Joy Boys!

In this podcast; the Top Ten Australian artist releases for 1966, we reflect on how the popularity of Australian Music has grown, tracking from the first Top Ten - 1959. The 1966 Top Ten is dominated by The Easybeats with four entries, Normie Rowe chimes in with two entries, while the other four places are taken by Judy Stone, The Twilights, Johnny Young & Kompany, and Bobby and Laurie. This Top Ten feature five tracks that reached #1. Enjoy the classic Australian Music from 1966!

December of 1966 saw some great Australian Music released, including big hits for Normie Rowe and Ronnie Burns. We'll hear chart entries from The Loved Ones, The Twilights, The Cherokees and several more. The Loved Ones have two entries; one for their self-titled EP and another for Sad Dark Eyes. Bev Harrell debuts with “What Am I Doing Here with You”, which turned out to be her highest-charting 45. We'll hear again from Perth singer, Maggie Hammond with “Go Laddie”. And, a minor hit for Reg Lindsay that I have described as a piece of country whimsy (??). Enjoy the great Australian Music that was released in December 1966.

November of 1966 was a great month for Australian Music with the release of two 45s both of which would go on and reach #1: Normie Rowe's epic Ooh La La, and The Easybeats' anthem, Friday on My Mind are the two songs in question, both recorded in the UK. We'll also hear the 2nd 45 release from an artist then known as JA-AR who, as John Rowles, would go on to international stardom. Amongst others, we'll also hear chart entries from The Kravats, Russ Kruger, and Peter Nelson & The Castaways. Enjoy the Australian artist releases for November of ‘66!

Australian artist releases for October of 1966 brings us a future #1 with The Easybeats, “Sorry” and a future Top 10 with Johnny Young and Kompany's, “Let It Be Me”. Quite a few hidden gems along the way, with four from artists recording on the Perth-based Clarion label; Ray Hoff and The Offbeats, Maggie Fitzgibbon, Robbie Snowden and the Johnny Young and Kompany Top 10 entry. We'll hear the final 45 from Ray Brown and The Whispers, and a track from Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs MkII, that I've never previously heard! And plenty more, with a whole month's worth crammed into a single episode. This podcast has been a month in production due to chemotherapy side effects, mainly fatigue. With chemotherapy now finished for the time being, I can hopefully return to more regular production of these podcasts.

Part B of September 1966 brings us to the point where “Spicks and Specks” enters the charts. It is a turning point, not just for The Bee Gees but for Australian Music as well. Few groups were afforded the opportunity of releasing 12 (45 singles) before making it close to the top of the charts. This episode also brings us a couple of ‘lost' Garage classics. With the help of the Pop Archives site, we untangle the fascinating back-stories of a couple of tunes that appear in this episode. We also attempt to untangle the use of the word “Sect” in many, many rock group titles. Oh, and there's a Seekers' song, which actually reached the Top 40 that I've never heard before. Enjoy the episode!

Apologies for the gap between Podcasts; chemotherapy is a strange beast! The combined effects of fatigue and dry-mouth present some challenges. Anyway, today we have Part A for September of ‘66. In two parts because of the number of Australian artist releases, with a couple of real gems that only reached the lower echelons of the Top 100. The Twilights achieved the highest chart position, with other chart entries from artists as diverse as; Sandy Scott, The Atlantics, Bill and Boyd, Lynne Randell and Grantley Dee. Enjoy revisiting the Australian Music for the first half of September ‘66.

An eclectic mix of 45s awaits us as we explore the Australian artist chart hits that entered the National Chart in August of 1966. From the down-and-dirty Blues of The Throb and The Purple Hearts, the frantic energy of The Loved Ones, to the style and grace of Judy Stone. In addition, we hear from The Last Straws, and a certain medical student who started a record label, before opening a chain of medical centres adorned with grand pianos! And much much more!

I was about to start the Top Ten for 1966 when I realised that I had not completed the Chart Series for 1966. So, here's the Australian artist chart entries for July of '66. The Easybeats score the highest-placed chart entry with a song from an EP! We hear from Buddy England, Donna Gaye, Max Merritt & The Meteors, The Twilights and several others; only one #1 but a series of well-remembered songs, including The Skye Boat Song.

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 months). The prognosis for the Lymphoma is positive but Stevie Wright's "Hard Road" does come to mind! 1965 was a seminal year for Australian Music! To make this Top 11 (tie), the lowest chart position achieved had to be a #3. There are #4 releases that reach #1, and two of those were recorded overseas. Only one group from the 1964 chart appears in the 1965 Top 11. In total there are only four groups in this Top 11. All but one of those has multiple entries! There is only one individual in the Top 11. You can probably guess some of that but "do yourself a favour" (sorry Molly!) and take a listen to this episode.

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, driven to unheard of heights by their Australian tour. I've also included a couple of challenges within the podcast. See how you go! And, who is that group with four Top 10 hits?

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 Australian Music!

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. Enjoy the Top Ten of 1962!

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!

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 for Grantley Dee, Ray Hoff & The Offbeats (on Clarion) and The Loved Ones. Tony Barber rounds out the month with Wait By The Water (and who wrote that one?). Enjoy the music of May 1966!

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 satire from a folk trio originally from WA, The Twiliters with Dismal Currency. And, we hear Gil Mathews playing guitar in Max Hamilton & The Impacts' I'm Blue. There's some quality Australian music in this lot; take a listen

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 for Australian Music!

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!

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 Waltz. No future No.1 entered the chart but these three 60s classics did; Gloria, Sounds of Silence and, Barbara Ann. Plenty more of course, including a vocal outing for Rob E.G. Cruise into 1966 with some great Australian sounds!

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 dream of taking Australian Music to the world. The UK adventure begins with a reworking of Have You Ever Been To See Kings Cross, with “London Town” substituted for Kings Cross in the title but Soho taking its place in the lyrics as the specific destination. And, of course, plenty more! Enjoy!

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 site conducted in 2013 by Rob Willis. Then, I dug deep into TROVE and found a lot of references from original newspapers/magazines. All of that took time! Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this first episode which focusses on Frankie's early years and his recordings from 1956 to 1960. As you will discover, whilst the comedic intent was ever present, it only emerged in a couple of instances in these early recordings. Did Frankie record Australia's first rock ‘n' roll record?? Enjoy the journey back to Frankie Davidson's early years!

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 position but……The Purple Hearts, outta' Brisbane with Long Legged Baby, and The Southern Gentlemen, outta' Adelaide with Leave Myself To Me. In fact, there are a number of acts from both of these cities having chart success this month; the Australian ‘scene' moving beyond Sydney and Melbourne? This will be the final Chart Series episode for a while; the Singers Series will kick back into gear in the next episode. Happy Christmas for 1965!

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 Barrett and Bobbie Thomas. And amongst all of that, three stalwarts have minor hits; Col Joye, Johnny Chester & Ernie Sigley. Enjoy November of 1965!

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, Midnight Bus by Betty McQuade, first a hit in 1961. And, of course, lots more! Enjoy!

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 much more! Enjoy the Australian music for September of 1965.

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 also hear from Merv Benton, The Changing Times, Lynne Randell and more…… The highest charting debut comes from Mike, Pete & Danny - M.P.D. LTD! Enjoy the music from August 1965!

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 cut-off point for making the Top Ten was 12 in 1960 whereas it was 14 in 1959. Australian Rock/Pop Music was still in its infancy but beginning to grow.

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 those having multiple entries. One of those two is Col Joye & The Joy Boys. With Col very unwell at the time of publication, it is a good time to acknowledge the incredible contribution of Col Joye to the Australian Music scene. We wish Col all the very best

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 the LP is surprisingly good and includes Brian's ‘chats' with the artists between tracks. Some of this chatter is likely to bring a smile to your face. The “very special guest” for this episode was Johnny O'Keefe and the “star of the show” was Col Joye; a fascinating hierarchy! In my own chatter during the podcast, I try to unravel the intent of the fairly extensive liner notes (beyond selling records!). Besides Johnny and Col, eight other artists feature on the LP. Enjoy this rare piece of Australian music/television history!

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, episodes, I'm indebted to the work of Jeff Ellis; “Australian Festival EP Deluxe Edition 2015”, and to Bob Hayden's and Don Hudson's work, “Johnny O'Keefe Discography 78s, 45s, EPs, LPs”. Do you know how many of the tracks on those five EPs also appeared on a 45? Listen - you may be surprised by the answer!

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 and Digger Revell also contribute. Enjoy the Music!

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 Wesley Three. Quite a month! Enjoy!

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 own record label, MOJO. We'll also hear from Merv Benton, Digger Revell and others, including the first chart success for a Perth band, The Times with “Glad Not Sad”. Enjoy!

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 Spinning Wheels with Got My Mojo Working, Ray Hoff & The Offbeats with Little Queenie & the afore-mentioned Changing Times with Mary Lou. Jay Justin and Little Pattie continue to chart whilst we hear debut 45s from The Henchmen, Peter Doyle and, The Easybeats. Ray Brown & The Whispers' Pride reaches the highest chart mark at 3. Enjoy the changin' times!

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 reached 33 on the national chart in 1965! Gary Shearston did it! A new female artist hits the charts the charts for the first time; Lynne Randell, and Merv Benton wraps the quarter; short but certainly sweet!

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 entry from The Playboys, before they link with Normie Rowe. And Brisbane band, The Pacifics, morph from a Surf to a Garage band with Bobby Dean as vocalist. Enjoy the music!

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 many collaborations with The Atlantics appearing. The Johnny Rebb story is one of persistence and determination. It's a great Australian story with two more episodes to come, such was the breadth of Johnny's recording career.