Thursday Mar 03, 2022
Australian-Charts-EP.28 1964 Pt.4B
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
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.
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
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 to September '63. Amongst the luminaries in this first episode (often as a group member) are Dave Lincoln, Laurie Arthur, Peter Robinson, Les Green, Darryl Stewart (?!), Vince Melouney, John "Bluey" Watson, Rod Rumble, Marty Van Wyk, Roland Storm and, of course, The Atlantics. Find a cool spot, grab a cold drink and remember the fun times of the Surf Music Era - Australia.
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Monday Dec 27, 2021
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 "Shout Parts 1 & 2", a revival of his 1959 hit, this time with the backing of "Australia's Beatles", The Rajahs! And a chart entry from another under-recorded female singer, April Byron who was soon to come under the patronage of The Bee Gees. Enjoy the sounds of mid-1964.
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
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. And the final of 12 tracks is the lowest-charting; the much under-recorded Del Juliana with You're Driving Me Crazy, a video mashup of which can be found here.
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
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 favourites in this episode; Billy Thorpe & The (Original) Aztecs' first 45, Blue Day; The Atlantics epic, light years ahead of its time, War of The Worlds, and the wonderful Judy Stone with 4 003 221 Tears From Now. Enjoy the Music!
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.