Monday Apr 04, 2022
Australian-Charts-EP.31 1965 Pt.2A
Australian Music Archives
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'. Thus, there will be a premium on musical content, with less emphasis on the narrative. Occasionally, when there is a good story to be told (and there are many!), I may wax a touch lyrical, more so in the Singers and Groups series. The key reference work is David Kent's "Australian Chart Chronicles 1940-2008", a truly monumental work in its breadth of detail. Many people/sites have contributed to the research for the podcasts; too many to name them all but special thanks to the History of Aussie Music Blogspot, the Milesago Facebook page, the Best of Bandstand Facebook page and the Pop Archives site, where you can answer the question, "Where did they get that song from?". Many video contributors on You Tube have been a great resource in finding obscure songs including Folk Rock Australian Rock More! sallie6 and Clem Viney and there are many others! The podcasts are designed to be a permanent record and as such this is a 'labour of love' and strictly not-for-profit. I have attempted to partner with a major Australian organisation but, alas, no interest! Thus, as my late Father would have said, I am the "chief cook and bottle-washer" which means that I'm researcher, scriptwriter, digitiser, narrator and producer. As such, especially in terms of digitising vinyl records, there may appear to the ear of the listener, to be less-than-optimal sound. I work all music through Audacity, vinyl or otherwise, but, at times with old vinyl, "you can only do so much"! So, please enjoy the podcasts and let me know what you think.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
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!
Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
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!
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
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.
Thursday Mar 03, 2022
Thursday Mar 03, 2022
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 the higher echelons. We'll also hear the the first chart entry for Tony Worsley & The Fabulous Blue Jays. And, a touch of satirical whimsy with "The Opera House is Falling Down"?! Plus more; enjoy!
Friday Feb 25, 2022
Friday Feb 25, 2022
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 continues her momentum with Reet Petite/Do The Bluebeat. And a couple of 'veterans' soldier on with more chart success; Johnny O'Keefe & Lucky Starr. Enjoy the music!
Friday Feb 18, 2022
Friday Feb 18, 2022
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/Mashed Potato. If you're up to it, count the "Yeahs" in Mashed Potato! Rob E.G. hits with a self-composed big ballad, When You're Not Near. The Mod Queen, Dinah Lee, makes an Australian Chart debut with Don't You Know Yockomo. And, the epic hit from Ray Columbus & The Invaders is released to join a bevy of overseas stars in reaching No.1. And much, much more, including Noeleen Batley's Little Treasure From Japan.
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
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 two performers who, up to this point, had stayed on the songwriting side of Surf; Johnny Devlin & Jay Justin. The Atlantics' follow-up to Bombora, The Crusher, charts. And we hear a Barry Gibb 'Surf' composition; Surfer Boy for Noeleen Batley. And there's certainly more! Enjoy.
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
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 balalaika!! So take a listen to how Surf Music took over the airwaves in October of 1963.
Welcome
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'. Thus, there will be a premium on musical content, with less emphasis on the narrative. Occasionally, when there is a good story to be told (and there are many!), I may wax a touch lyrical, more so in the Singers and Groups series. The key reference work is David Kent's "Australian Chart Chronicles 1940-2008", a truly monumental work in its breadth of detail. Many people/sites have contributed to the research for the podcasts; too many to name them all but special thanks to the History of Aussie Music Blogspot, the Milesago Facebook page, the Best of Bandstand Facebook page and the Pop Archives site, where you can answer the question, "Where did they get that song from?". Many video contributors on You Tube have been a great resource in finding obscure songs including Folk Rock Australian Rock More! sallie6 and Clem Viney and there are many others! The podcasts are designed to be a permanent record and as such this is a 'labour of love' and strictly not-for-profit. I have attempted to partner with a major Australian organisation but, alas, no interest! Thus, as my late Father would have said, I am the "chief cook and bottle-washer" which means that I'm researcher, scriptwriter, digitiser, narrator and producer. As such, especially in terms of digitising vinyl records, there may appear to the ear of the listener, to be less-than-optimal sound. I work all music through Audacity, vinyl or otherwise, but, at times with old vinyl, "you can only do so much"! So, please enjoy the podcasts and let me know what you think.