30 Music, Music, Music
That in itself was no biggie. I mean, I always loved music, I always knew I loved music and even at that time in my life I had embraced many different musical genres giving a mindset that music was one of the things that made me tick.
But it is funny how one song can have such an enormous impact, and that Teresa Brewer track remains etched in my mind all these years later. Often, I remember that moment way back when and from that I marvel at how important that love for music has played out across the years of my life. (Click here for Teresa Brewer - Music Music Music) - Bing Videos
My love and appreciation of music is much different know that it would have been back on the day I embraced the Teressa Brewer song. Because a lifetime love for music has allowed me to learn so much about music itself, the artists who perform and recording industry. I appreciate how darn good it is, how important it has been not just for me but for the world at large. Music makes the world tick, how good is that.
Across the years my musical taste has never really changed, I love what I love, simple as that. I take on board what the lyrics and the melody mean for me and that always gives me a great buzz. But my appreciation for music has certainly changed across my life, it has grown significantly and that allows me to further engage the many genres and many musicians who have made and continue to make the music scene what it is.
As a kid my memory takes me to the point that I always gravitated to the source of the music. I would sit near the piano, get up close to the saxophone, love the squeezebox and the drums and I would get as close as I could to feel the music. Opportunities to embrace this thrill of music were limited, but whenever the chance presented, I was always that kid edging in on the musical instrument. Music, music, music, I loved it.
The radio naturally played a big part is shoring up my musical feelings. Back as a kid growing up in country South Australia, we would listen to the radio every morning as we had breakfast at the kitchen table and prepared for school day or playtime. The radio was a constant. It was an ear to world with news and music and the radio serial was big at that time. It was a different era of course and the wireless was king.
Our kitchen radio on those mornings in the family home would be on the ABC but in amongst all the endless news and talk some music would actually be played. Not a lot, but some and I always found myself totally immersed in the music. So naturally I always enjoyed the songs played, the music resonated within me, it seemed I had an ear for the music, and it really did impact on many personal fronts. The music would bring joy to my soul even if at this young age I had no idea what that actually meant.
My early childhood memories of songs and music is a touch off center. I mean, songs like How Much is that Doggie in the Window, Tammy, instrumentals, country hacks like Hank Williams and one doozie about a fellow named Jimmy Finn. The name of the song I do not know but the words said, “Poor old sole had a belly full of coal and he coughed up lumps of coke.” Yeah, I know a bit odd, ok rather odd, but I was just a young kid at the time, and we had a lad named Jimmy Finn at the Convent school in Barmera, so I recall that I always relate that song with him. That was our lot all those years ago.
But, as much as I loved the sounds from the radio the music on the ABC was not indicative of what the world was really listening to in the background. Almost behind the scenes of the ABC rock-n-roll was all the go, it was a new music that had taken the world by storm. And in many ways, I was oblivious to how the world of music now embraced this rock-n-roll thing and how it made stars of this new group of wild rockers who belted out the tunes. I did not know.
So, for this country bred kid I was somewhat blind to this great new music. I loved how music hit the spot for me but as I look back on time I was really musically challenged.
Because the ABC was not the boss of music, far from it, other than my childhood memories of those odd songs, the ABC was at best stuck in post WW2 mood and played The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Glen Miller and music artist from days past. And look, it was good stuff, nothing wrong with this music but times they were a changin' and changing dramatically. Even country music, which I now fully embrace was not something we heard much of, it simply was not played on the music platforms we got to listen to back in the early childhood days.
As times moved on into the 60's I slowly became aware of the big guns, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, the legend of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Stones, Cliff Richard, some Aussie talent and many others. But as a kid in Barmera we were not really getting exposed to or caught up in this rock'n'roll era.
How could we, it was early 60's and we lived in a much different world. A somewhat isolated world. Later, that all changed, thankfully, and on reflection the great rock'n'roll era that shaped modern music is now appreciated in all its glory.
But my initial music connection via the ABC was important, it set the pattern for my musical taste. Melodies impacted me, I loved how the music made me feel.
Then there was My Old Man’s a Dustman, a funny English song from Lonnie Donegan, another song that was fun called There’s a Hole in the Bucket and a catchy tune about a kangaroo, a koala and an emu and other Aussie wildlife. I cannot elaborate much more on this tune as the name I do not know. Odd but true.
For all of that with my love of music, we did not really come from a musical home.
Dad was not one for music at all, he just did not embrace it in any form. Other than the radio in the kitchen on the ABC of a morning we had no music in the house. I'm thinking Dad was probably tone deaf, he just didn't get the music vibe. Sometimes Dad would sing a few bars every now and then of the Vera Lynn tune, 'We'll meet again' but it was generally at a time of fun, a time when he was joking about, his musical interludes were nothing serious.
And at this time of life cars did not have radios so we never had any music playing on family road trips. That is just how back then, life was so different.
Mum, she was different. She always loved music, she was a decent piano player and was the organist at our local Catholic Church for decades. Mum did love to sing, her voice was good, she just didn't do enough of it. But I always liked her voice. And as times changed across the years and music became a part of the Green household, Mum and I shared some really good musical times, we had very similar musical tastes. I really do treasure what mum and I shared in music, as I reflect, I do wish I had a better understanding at the time of how important these musical moments would be.
So, with no music in the house what was the roots for my take to music? Way back in the very early days of my life when we visited my Grandparents in Snowtown, music was always a part of that household. My Uncle Lance lived at home and he had a Radiogram with a massive record collection so we would sit for hours on the couch in the lounge and listen to his records.
The music was old, like really old but I enjoyed sitting and listening as he played Mario Lanza or Bing Crosby or Louis Armstrong or Vera Lynn or Doris Day, ok I admit I did not like Doris Day, but really it did not matter who it was I simply enjoyed the music that Uncle Lance would play. I could hear the music; I allowed the music to reach my soul, and it was a great grounding in allowing music to create this feeling of peace and calm within my being. Music as I now know can be an elixir in life.
My grandpop Eric Green worked at this time as a Tax Agent and his office was in the house at Snowtown. So, grandpop was always around, I remember he would waltz into the lounge through the passage door as the music played and give us his interpretation of Bing or dance like Fred Astaire. Just brilliant stuff, magical times. As a kid I loved it, and it made me happy to see and be around happy people. Ah, music, yep it really did have the power to change the world and to provide such loving and lasting memories.
Uncle Lance had a favorite called ‘Yakety-yak’, I have no idea who sang the song, but we had great fun listening to and watching Lance as the song played. He would laugh and giggle and rub his hands together in excitement and I remember it being funny to watch. Sadly, Lance would now be classed as being on the Spectrum, he had never really developed mentally and while he led an active life, he was challenged in his development of the mind. But he was a champion bloke, just the best despite his life issues and he loved music, it made him happy. And his happy soul and happy music made others happy.
So yeah, he loved his music. Despite not being able to read Lance could find any song or any record that you asked him to pick for you. His skill to associate colour or shapes with a particular record was legendary, we never really knew how he did it, how he identified a particular record but whatever the answer maybe, he was a genius in this area.
Anyhow, he so enjoyed playing the music, and as said, I enjoyed listening, every day he spent hours in the lounge playing his records. I often think of those days, and I smile at the thought of the fun I had, the fun Lance had, and he really did know how to light up a room despite his lack of mental development. Cyril Lancelot Green, one of life's gems, we all loved him dearly.
From that, I guess my ear for and understanding of music was born, or at least fostered in a huge way at this time. Uncle Lance certainly never played country music, and he most definitely did not play rock music but in my formative years I had no idea how much these music genres would eventually impact and influence not only my love for music but my love for these certain types of music.
In the Riverland we were blessed with some talented local artists and contemporary groups who entertained at cabarets and local venues. Listening to their music to that place in my understanding of how good it was to be around great music. It came as the musical landscape was changing, not just for me personally but this new rock music was definitely changing the world. I was drawn in by the music these locals played, yes, the instruments and the vocals captured my attention and that's when, as a kid, I would sit, watch and listen, it really did sooth and entertain.
Our family was rather social, and we would spend time at venues with music. The beer garden at the local Barmera Hotel was a popular spot across the summer months and often music was a part of the time at this venue. It was a great place to hang out with Dad and Mum and on a cool summer evening on the weekends other local kids would be there with family and it was a great play time area. And once dark came, music, how good, win, win.
As footy tragics' the family was a part of events that came with the social side to footy. The Loveday Hall on a Sunday was often the spot for a day of activities and again, that always included music. It was a really vibrant place with the footy crowd, lots of kids to hang out with, the adults had a fun time, music was always great and Sundays in Loveday were just brilliant.
Local bloke Ross Hill fronted a band, and they generally were a part of the footy club social activities. Peter Berends was the bands vocalist, and he was a real talent, a local gem. The group had a couple of band names over time but The Invaders was likely the best remembered name. This band performed around the Riverland area playing pubs and cabarets, the had a hug impact on the social scene and night life fun.
Micky Shaw another musician from the area had a small ensemble The Micky Shaw trio and the music played was cabaret classic, a squeeze box, Sax and drums, no vocals but this little group played at local venues. As kids, we would often be with our parents at cabarets or dance nights, so the music fitted perfect for me with my love of listening and watching these folk perform.
Pud and Airley Heinechie a husband-and-wife team were well sought out entertainers. Very simple music, Pud on drums and Airley played a few different musical instruments including piano and accordian and could also hold a tune, she had a great singing voice. Airley was a local girl, her parents and my Grandparents Henry and Winnie Danvers were mates meaning my Mum had grown up around that family. So, it was like we all had this connection as family friends, and we did get to see and hear lots of their music. I loved it.
Rocky Page would be my first local musician that I recall gaining my attention. Rocky was a country music guru and had a Sunday night radio show on our local commercial station. He loved and promoted country music so well at this time, Rocky was a bit of a bumbler in presentation but my memories of listening to him either live or on radio remain a highlight in my music journey.
Mum eventually purchased a Gerry and the Pacemakers single called ‘Pretend’ and it too took a hammering, it was a top song. The other 45rpm single she purchased was The Wedding sung by Julie Rogers, yeah, ordinary, not such a good song but it too was played over and over. Robbie Dymmott sold us some singles from the early rock era, I remember hit tunes from Buddy Holly and Rick Nelson, that he no longer listened to and the collection of Green music was up and running.
My older Brother Rod then added a couple of albums and then it was my turn to start my own collection.
My first ever 45rpm was the Johnny Farnham hit Sadie the Cleaning Lady in 1968. I did get a Seekers EP around the same time; The Carnival is Over. I was still in school at the time, so money was not plentiful meaning it took time for my record collection to grow. But by January 1970 I had my first job working in the South Australian Railways and now with my own coin I was able to set about increasing my record collection.
My musical taste was varied, Rock'n'roll was king of course, and I will admit it had my attention. Rock had been around for over a decade and the stars of this era were like no other time in music history, just brilliant. Country music also appealed, and I have been a fan since this time in life, look, it is not for everyone, but it suited my musical ear. Hillbilly type rock also sat high on my music preference list.
And by now I had taken the opportunity to invest in my own radio, a 'trannie' as we called them back in the day. So, I could now find my own radio stations on the dial and listen to music of my choice, at this time in history, radio was the big thing of the day.
In the Riverland we had Radio 5RM at Berri, a commercial station and in all honesty, it was ok for a country hic station. Good DJ's and decent music, for this country 'hic' show it was all right, we loved it. We also had 5MV at Renmark, the ABC, and while this was not the best source for listening to music, the ABC did play that big part in our life as alluded to earlier.
But with the trannie it was possible to connect with some of the city radio stations, probably 5KA was the best for musical selection from the era but 5AD and 5DN were also on the play list. Getting access to the city stations was a big step forward, the reception was questionable at times, you hold to hold the radio the right way, pointed in the right direction to get connected to the airwaves. It could be a real battle but it was all we knew. Then at night, the airwaves were conducive to us listening to a couple of Melbourne station particularly 3UZ, 3DB and 3KZ.
With my trannie in hand, this meant I had music wherever I went, that was a big plus. I even used my new toy as a car radio, it was a touch crude but that is how it was. Music at home, in the car, at the lake, at the river, out the back, at work, so many places to listen to that radio. I was working in the Railways at Barmera at this time, and I had 4am starts four days a week so the trannie was a good companion during those early morning shifts. Ah, music, music, music.
But that radio was one of the best things I ever invested in. It never left my side, it was my connection to the music world. I did have a minor incident at one point, I lost it. That was a dead set bummer, I was cleaning my car on the footpath outside the house in Barmera and it appears I had the radio sitting on the roof of the car as I cleaned inside my mini and listened to music.
Sadly, and rather stupidly, I must have then driven off with the trannie still on the roof and you guessed it, it was gone. Mum had me place a lost notice in the local paper and bingo, a member of the Ian Warwick family found the trannie on the road near our house, and it was returned. Oh so close, total disaster averted, and my trannie was back with me belting out the music that I so enjoyed.
On thew record front, by now my collection had grown significantly, lots of albums but also purchased as many singles as I could afford. So much good music in this time, the yanks were killing it, the poms not far behind, just some great musical talent. And Australian music was as good as anything. As a nation we produced some really great artists, we were punching way above our weight I always thought. Aussie music was really challenging anything the stars from oversees could produce.
And this was the era when mixed albums became a thing, a company called K-Tel would produce albums containing all the hits, so we didn't just get one artist, we got a great collection of the hits at the time. Album titles like, The best of the 70's as example, Rock's Greatest Hits, Country Classics so many titles and the music just rolled on, ah, fun happenings.
One such program came from the states and was played on the local 5RM station on a Saturday morning, American Top 40 with Casey Kasem (pictured left below). The show was three hours of brilliant entertainment, and it ran from 1970 to 1988. This was a not to be missed radio program full of the best music and so much musical and artist trivia shared. I loved the show.
Getting a portable cassette was the next major shift in my music journey. So, now I had the radio to take with me and listen to the different radio stations, but this cassette idea did bring massive change.
The tapes could be a problem at times, they would jam on a spool in the machine and it was a very delicate operation to untangle the tape without damage. And a pencil was used to wind the tape back into the cassette once untangled. It could be difficult, but we rolled with the punches and just kept going, we learned to adapt.
But seriously, the early 70's, you gotta' love this time, it was a pleasure to be around and to be a part of these truly outstanding years. The music was the best, it has become a timeless era for music.
And as the decade rolled on, by the mid 70’s I had started to attend live concerts, and this further added to my love of music. I was living at Tailem Bend so when possible, I would go to Adelaide to see a visiting artist perform mainly in those days at the old Theberton Town Hall in Torrensville.
My favorite live concert was Suzi Quatro and I saw her show a number of times. I also got to see Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Gene Pitney, Old 55, Daddy Cool, Johnny O’Keefe and I am sure some others. Outdoor concerts were only in their infancy, but I did go to Memorial Drive a couple of times and watched The Stones and Doctor Hook.
Television was also expanding and shows like Countdown were able to bring great music right into our lounge rooms. As a kid I remembered watching Bandstand and The Country and Western Hour but when Countdown started it really meant we got to watch the who’s who of music. TV production had come a long way in a few short years and by now we had changed from black and white television to color. And Australian music was kicking butt, so many good artist and bands at this time.
Molly Meldrum was the host of Countdown, and he really did a great job, despite his bumbling and at times childish ways. He showcased the best of the best in the world of music right there on Australian TV. Molly certainly did change the way we felt about music, we were able to watch these greats of the industry performing on Countdown every Sunday evening on the ABC. Every great Aussie artist or band got a run, the promotion was so powerful and helped so many gain a foot hold in a tough industry.
And still on the TV theme, nighttime variety shows like the Don Lane Show were becoming regular viewing so again you would get to see some amazing performances by local and overseas artists. It added a different dimension to music by being able to not just put a face to the voice, but you would get to watch the stars in action although be it on the small screen. It somehow made the music different, when you would hear a song on the radio you could now picture the artist and it was easier to get involved in the music.
I have always been a great listener to the lyrics of a song, so I guess that has been a big influencing factor in the type of music that I enjoy. I have to be able to understand the lyrics or I have trouble liking a particular track. Music from my era was always about being able to hear and make sense of what was being sung about unlike a lot of the modern today music that just seems to be based on loud and repetitive rubbish.
Maybe that is a sign of me showing my age, but it seems to me that today a lot of artists get by on looks and marketing rather than musical talent. If the artist cannot put together a good raunchy video clip for a particular track, then that track probably gets very little exposure through airplay.
I guess I went through a similar thing in my youth with my parents, they did not like the music of my day insisting that their era had the best music. However, I can appreciate most music although the modern Techno’ beat is hard for me to like. It is as I said based too much on presentation rather than allowing the music or lyrics to do the talking. And it is so loud, for me, that spoils the whole concept of listening to music.
And by now my record collection was huge, I was always on the lookout for albums and singles, and I had amassed a decent repertoire of music crossing many genres. And the cassettes were also plenty, in fact they had in many ways replaced the records because of the convenience of how and where you could play them. But at home I still loved the record player and the spinning a vinal record. Ah, music, how good was it to have this great love.
So, who were my 'go to' artists from my time listening to music. My Uncle Lance and his ability to light up a room with that look of sheer joy and happiness as he immersed in his music way back in the Snowtown days had really rubbed off on me and it did sow the seeds of how music impacts on life. And then of course that early listening love I found and nurtured for Rock'n'roll never left me, it was and is at the top of my list. It is hard to list my favorites in any order because there are so many, and over all the years the pecking order has changed.
But when I lived in Tailem Bend and became a shift worker in the SA Railways it meant I was often at home during the day, and here my music really filled my time. I would crank up my record player and listened for hours to music from my collection. Sometimes it would be repetitive but that was cool, I played the sort of music that really made me tick.
I learned so much about who the artists were, who sang what, I have a great memory so the knowledge and understanding I gained at this time has stayed with me across all the decades. Sometimes I am like a living walking encyclopedia of music and songs. And now I love that, 30-years later I have so many great memories from this love for music, life memories that relate directly to a song, an artist, a time in life.
That is mostly good but sometimes it can be a touch sad if a song as example sets of a sadder memory. You might be listening to the radio and a certain song comes on, straight away the thoughts go to a particular time in life, either good or not so good but music has the ability to do that. As said, that can be both good or sad but it is what happens.
Life moved on and with that came a move to Western Australia to work with Hammersley Iron in the Pilbara region. Isolation became a thing, hey, life was ok but starting my HI stint in Dampier before moving inland to Tom Price meant that in this era things were very different.
No local radio, well ABC from Perth on Short Wave and the only TV station was run by HI but was a day behind. The program was recorded in Perth, tapes flown to Tom Price, and we got to watch TV on delay. Yeah, seriously, what we watched was always a day late.
This meant that music played an even bigger part in our daily life. By now most vinyl records were replaced by CD so my collection was expanded rather quickly. I had joined a Record Club and took full advantage of all offers and specials that headed in my musical direction. So, music was really our 24/7 go to, but I loved it.
And of course, the music world was 'a changing' by now. Sure, rock was still king, but many other genres had caught on and for me Disco music had really stepped up and I loved it. Because Disco meant dancing, Disco Dancing and wow, how cool was this. I had always enjoyed dancing, you know, slow dancing with the chicky babes but now with this new disco stuff I loved it. It was different, not rock'n'roll, it was exciting and fun. All those dance floor moves that disco allowed us to perform, brilliant, just brilliant. And it lasted for a decade.
Once back in Barmera, Tony Trafforti had a winner with The Boulevard Restuarant, it was the disco spot for us locals. The Barmera Hotel did well with disco and live music, but the Boulevard was the go. I must add the Nanya Lounge and Vines were two other Riverland disco venues in Renmark and Berri that rated highly but for the Barmera lads, oh, and gals, nothing was better than getting to the lakefront on a Friday or Saturday night at Boulevard Disco.
And the 3am finish was a bonus. Andy Ralph spun the discs and we danced, oh yeah, how we rocked that dance floor. And we drank, boy did we drink. But dancing was the attraction, disco dancing. I often say that my musical taste died with disco, not my love of music but after disco, what could compete? Certainly not that doof doof, repetitive loud, er, rubbish and certainly not rap. Yuk.
But the disco era did come to an end. I often say that my musical tastes died when disco music was no more, hey, not my love of music but my musical taste. As said, things changed in the music industry and for me, not for the better. Music has lost its way I feel.
I'm also thinking this was the time when Video killed the radio star. TV became the thing; radio sadly took a back seat. Music clips were all the rage and that changed how music was presented, packaged and sold. And live music in pubs and at gigs was no longer band orientated and again, for my way of thinking, that hurt how I viewed my music going forward, again I say my love for music remained, but for me, music lost its soul.
But sitting here writing this today I reflect back to the time when music became such a big part of my life, and thankfully I can now appreciate some of the stars and artists who I did not necessarily dislike, but they were not at the top of my favorite list way back when.
An example is Elton John, I mean what a singer, what a song writer, what an entertainer he is one of the greats. But for years I struggled with him, guess it was his flamboyant nature I did not gel with so was dismissive of his music. Gee, didn't I get that wrong, now he is one of my favorite recording and performing artists. Just brilliant.
Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel were another I struggled with. Barnsie, well he sort of screamed his music and I was not a big fan, but like Elton I love Jimmy Barnes these days and think he is sensational, a superstar in fact. I mean, fancy not being a Barnie fan from day one and what is even more odd, fancy admitting it. Jimmy Barnes, you are an all-time Aussie great. Anyhow, there were others, but most have found a way to redeem what I didn't like about them and now I can listen to their music.
But I always loved Elvis, there was never any other way to say it, Elvis was King, He still is, he was just the ultimate singer, the ultimate stage performer. Hey, he could not act mind you, but boy could he sing. With that said I love Elvis's movies, I mean, I really do. I can sit and binge watch his many movies, he made 31 in total between 1956 and 1969. He was not an Acadamy award winning actor but with music being a focus he pulled it off being a big screen star.
With his music, how do you pick a favorite from his vast collection of recordings? Probably have to include Jailhouse Rock, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Blue Hawaii, GI Blues, Teddy Bear, Return to Sender, Viva Las Vegas, Judy, In the Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, Don’t be Cruel, Judy and Hound Dog to do the King any justice.
Elvis was and always will be the greatest of great stage entertainers. His stay on the strip in Vegas at The International ran for 636 shows. The king often did two shows a day, seven days a week and amazingly, every one of the concerts was a sellout. That is remarkable. Then sadly, very sadly he died on August 16th, 1977, at Graceland in Memphis Tennessee. Elvis was just 42 years old. A shame really as he could have and would have gone on producing such great music. Thankfully by then he had pulled the plug on his acting career. RIP Elvis Presley.
To this day Elvis is still the King, his music is timeless, and his songs are always played where decent music is played. Yeah, no risk, Elvis, the best.
The Beetles, wow, they grew on me and like most musical buffs, I have rated them right at the top in the musical world. Back in the 60’s in their early times I was not a massive fan, I am not sure why, but I just did not really dig the group. I grew my hair long like the Beetles much to the disgust of my parents and mum would often say of my hair length, “The Beetles have nothing on you.” Not sure if this had anything to do with why I initially did not like the Fab Four. But I am happy to say that quickly changed and as they produced hit after hit you had to ask, “How good were they?”
And Probably Lennon and McCartney are the best singer songwriters of my time. Hits like Hey Jude, Let It Be, A Hard Days Night, I Want to Hold your Hand, Ob-La-Di, Od,La,da. Help and so many more super hits. The music of the Beatles is just as good in this day and age as it was back in the 60's and I believe that they really did change the face of music not only in their time but right through until this day. The names John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr I am sure are known to everybody regardless of whether you like music or not.
There was a fifth Beetle, how unlucky was this guy, ... And The Beetles did star in a couple of movies, Help ... I do remember somehow convincing Mum and Dad to take us to the Bonneyline Drive In at Barmera to see Hard Day's Night. But it was a bizarre movie, and I could not follow it at all, it was strange to say the least. This is another left field addition, I do recall Dad coming to watch this movie, now that is the one and only time I can every remember dad going to the drive in. Not sure why he went, I do seem to recall it was shown on a weeknight, maybe a school night, perhaps that was something to do with why Dad came along to watch the movie
Simon and Garfunkel, John Fogerty and Creedence, Neil Diamond, Leo Sayer, The Kinks, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Suzi Quatro. Ah look, too many to name them all, some better than others but so much talent in the world of music.
Australia produced some great bands and solo artists. Daddy Cool I simply loved, naturally Johnny O'Keefe was right up there with the best,
But for all of the Australian bands and artists that I have enjoyed The Seekers rate as my number one pick, what a great group they have been right through from there beginning in the mid-sixties to this very day. It seems that every few years Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley and Keith Podger get together for a countrywide Seekers tour.
Their many hits include The Carnival is Over, Never Find Another You, Morning Town Ride and Georgie Girl. But they continue to record and one of my latest Seekers favourites is I am Australian. The performed this hit as part of the pre-game entertainment for 1994 AFL Grand Final at the MCG, that was a magical performance, loved it. I didn't love the game, no, that was crap, Cats lost, again. But The Seekers, just the best.
But despite my love for this Aussie folk group rock'n'roll was definitely king and I totally embraced the music. I still do, rock just keeps on keeping on.
Johnny Cash of course was a different artist altogether and far removed from Rock’n’roll but he was always my favorite from a list of my popular Country and Western performers. This bloke was a star, he made listening to music enjoyable.
With so many hits to his name it's hard to name but just a few, so in no particular order I remember his hits, I Walk the Line, Don’t Take your Guns to Town, Rock Island Line, Boy Named Sue, Man in Black, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Ring of Fire, Orange Blossom Special and Folsom Prison. Cash also sang gospel, he excelled with his passion for God. And my most favorite Christmas song is Little Drummer Boy with the Johnny Cash recording of this tune is the best I have ever heard.
Johnny Cash died in 2003 but as the saying goes, for me, he will live on through his music. RIP Johnny Cash.
And one of my all-time great singers was Burl Ives. He too is dead, he died long ago, and this will blow you all away, but I have no idea what year he died? Mmmmmmmm, I understand what you are thinking but what I do know is that I loved his music. His folk ballads had something special about them, easy listening and to me, powerful. And as a bonus, my mum loved Burl, so we often listened to him sing and chat about his music.
He had hits like A Little Bit of Tear, Funny way Of Laughing, Perly Shells, Goober Peas and I Love a Piano; he was just a superb artist. And he had another string to his bow, he could act. I remember I loved his performance of Big Daddy when he stared with a young Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in the classic hit movie ‘Cat on a hot tin roof’. RIP Burl Ives.
Fat’s Domino with Blueberry Hill and Jambalaya were played often as was the Drifters with Save the last dance for me and Under the Boardwalk. Dion DiMucci had a number of great songs and my best two songs of his were Runaround Sue and of course The Wanderer.
Creedence Clearwater Revival produced many great hits including Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Looking out my Backdoor, Travelin’ Band and Who’ll Stop the Rain so as I was a great fan of the John Fogerty led band then these songs were regularly played. After The Beetles I would rank CCR as my next favorite band of all time. Look, maybe The Stones have to be up there someplace, but CCR were vibrant and in there day just a super group who, as said, had so many hits. They even played Woodstock.
Bruce Springstein and E Street Band
The greatest artists of all time is a difficult list to compile. Naturally Elvis is my go-to number one singer and performer, we all know the Elvis legend. But sadly, he left the building way to early in life. Yeah, sad but thankfully his music lived on
Elvis
The Beetles
Creedence Clearwater Revival
For as difficult as it would be to list performers who have been my life time favourites, attempting to make a play list of favorite songs is just as difficult.
And Elvis song
Bad Moon Rising
Shout
It' a Heartache
Two out of three aint' bad
Maggie
Of the rest I loved Bonnie Tyler singing Lost in France and It’s a Heartache, Meatloaf with Bat out of Hell and Two out of Three Ain’t Bad, Status Quo Roll Over-Lay Down, Bob Marley Is This Love, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles Seven Spanish Angels, Bruce Springsteen I’m on Fire, Leo Sayer had many hits including Raining in my Heart, Moonlighting and One Man Band. Aussie Rick Springfield was mainly a songwriter but he did produce a gem for himself in Speak to the Sky, Joni Mitchell I liked with Big Yellow Taxi, The Proclaimers with I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) and I’m on My Way and Foster and Allen had the magnificent classic ballad, Maggie and another of their hits that I really liked was I Will Love You All My Life. I have watched Foster and Allen live a couple of times and they put on one hell of a live concert. Great performers are this Irish duo.
Bryan Ferry hit the mark with Let’s Stick Together, Linda Ronstadt with Blue Bayou, John Fogerty had Rockin’ All Over the World as a hit after his split with Creedence Clearwater Revival, Don Williams sang I Believe in You, Mississippi had the hit Mississippi, Norman Greenbaum for Spirit in the Sky, Cyndi Lauper was a bit of a wild child in her hey day but she could sing and I loved her version of Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Debbie Harry fronted the group Blondie and had a string of hits with Heart of Glass and The Tide is High being the best. The George Baker Selection hit Little Green Bag was a favorite; from the 60’s I enjoyed Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass.
Of the other Aussies I include Helen Reddy with I am Woman, Racey with Some Girls Do and Living Next Door to Alice, The Mixtures for the Pushbike Song and In the Summertime, Paul Kelly with At Her Door, Karen Knowles had two songs I enjoyed You are the Reason and Why Don’t You Explain, Reg Lindsay with Armstrong, Slim Newton with Red back on the Toilet Seat, Jamie Redfern from Young Talent Time for Little White Cloud, Redgum with I Was Only 19, Old 55 led by Frankie J. Holden and with Wilbur Wilde on Saxophone produced some great tunes with their best being Looking For an Echo. I watched Old 55 perform a number of times on stage and on the pub circuit and they were a great band in their time.
A couple of other Aussie bands, I enjoyed Little River Band as well as Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Ted Mulray Gang gets a mention for Jump in My Car. Back to solo artists and Ross Ryan had only one hit, I am Pegasus but it was a goodie, Matt Flinders I must single out for Butterfly and Picking Up Pebbles, Kevin Johnson with Rock and Roll, Colleen Hewett for Dreaming My Dreams With You.
And I have to make special mention of Slim Dusty. A great Australian and a great performer to watch live or as a recording artist. Clearly The Pub with No Beer will be his trademark recording but this bloke put together over 100 albums in his long career and will be one of the all time greats of Australia music be it Rock, Country or whatever. He was more than just a recording artist and performer, he was a legend in his own lifetime. I did see Slim on stage a couple of times in different parts of the country, first in North West WA and then in Darwin. Slim died in 2003. RIP Slim Dustry.
Music has been great influence on and in my life. Just as I loved the Teresa Brewer hit Music, Music, Music way back when, I have other tunes that mean something special. It may be a song that I first heard when I was at a particular point in my life or a song that has a special meaning because of a special person in my life. Whatever the reason I will always relate certain tunes to certain times and people.
Olivia Newton John and Banks of the Ohio, Indian Lake by the Cowsills, Melanie Safka with Look what they done to my song Ma and Brand New Key, Ned Miller Do What you do, do well, Jimmy Osmond for Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Bobby Darin 18 Yellow Roses, House of the Rising Sun by The Animals, Bette Davis Eyes from Kim Carnes, Mac Davis with It’s hard to be Humble, Joan Baez with her hit The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down, Doctor Hook for the classic Sylvia’s Mother, Anne Murray with Could I have this Dance, Susan Raye had two hits that I have great memories of, LA International Airport and Funny Face, Tina Turner with the dance classic Nutbush City Limits, Smokie had Living Next Door to Alice, Billy Swan sang I Can Help, Janis Ian with Fly Too High, Bobby Goldsborough with Honey and the list could go on and on.
I guess I should have explained why each tune had the meaning it did but I figure rightly or wrongly that you will have to take my word for it on the subject. Oh yeah, I could not forget to add here the hit Paper Roses for Donnie and Marie Osmond. Look, maybe it was not a classic or maybe not even a hit BUT if you lived in or visited the Green house at the time of Jan’s 21st Birthday then the song will mean something to you; especially if you were in the laundry! If you were not there then just ask around and you will find out what I am on about? I mean, “Turn it up Jan,” no, no, no - on second thoughts, “Turn the f---ing thing off and go to bed.”!!! Ok, now we have no power so I guess we all have to go to bed!
And I could not finish my music story without mentioning the names of some fabulous artists who have given me great pleasure with their music over the many years. In no particular order I have enjoyed Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Dolly Parton, Donovan, Harry Belafonte, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, Billy Joel, Connie Francis, Simon and Garfunkle, Buddy Holly, Kenny Rogers, Guy Mitchell, Charlie Pride, Harry Chapin, Petula Clarke, Perry Como, Glen Campbell, Roger Miller, Rolf Harris, Val Doonican, Gene Pitney, and then there are the groups. The Pretenders, The New Seekers, The Brand New Seekers (just kidding), The Carpenters, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Village People.
And extending the story just a little further I liked Abba, although you could not admit that at the height of their fame. Now of course it is regarded as fashionable or ‘Chic’ to be an Abba fan! I loved their hits Fernando, Waterloo, Money Money and Dancing Queen in particular. Peter, Paul and Mary were a top folk-rock group and I liked the songs Lemon Tree, If I had a Hammer and Puff the Magic Dragon. I enjoyed the Peter Allen hit I Still Call Australia Home, what a great song and I guess to a lesser extent I go to Rio was another good recording.
I was sort of a Bee Gee fan, I Started a Joke was the song I enjoyed best from the group, Chubby Checker had a couple of classics in the early 60’s. The Twist, Lets Twist Again, The Hucklebuck and naturally Limbo Rock. The Crystals from the Rock era had He’s a Rebel, Da Doo Ron Ron and Then He Kissed Me. Nat King Cole with Ramblin Rose is from another vintage but I liked the song. Nana Mouskouri made my list with Four and Twenty Hours and The White Rose of Athens, Bette Midler with The Rose, Liv Maessen with Snowbird, Don Vincent’s hit American Pie will always be a favorite, Sheena Easton put out a goodie with 9 to 5 and on a comedy front Ray Stevens sang The Streak and Ahab the Arab!
Judy Collins had a hit with Amazing Grace in 1970 but of course the song is as old as music itself. The words were originally written by the Reverend John Newton in 1779 and then William Baker composed the melody in 1844. At the word Reverend jogs my memory on a religious hit I did enjoy and that were Sister Janet Meads hit of The Lords Prayer. John Denver was a great singer songwriter, his best included Annie’s Song, Take Me Home Country Road, Thank God I’m a Country Boy and Some Days are Diamonds. In a strange twist of fate he wrote the Peter, Paul and Mary classic Leaving on a Jetplane. Well, he did not leave on a Jetplane but died when the light plane he was flying crashed in to sea. RIP John Denver.
On a country theme I enjoyed Loretta Lynn with many songs but probably One’s On the Way being her best, Juice Newton with Angel in the Morning, Emmylou Harris had a hit with Mister Sandman, as did The Cordettes way back in 1954. I was a Tammy Wynette fan right from the day I first heard Stand By Your Man, what a great song and girls, take note, it is a great idea! The Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Krisstophsen were a great group, Jim Reeves all those years ago was a great country sound as was the legendary Patsy Cline who unfortunately was killed in a plane crash in Gore Virginia in May 1963 when at the height of her career. To this day though her hits are popular including Who Can I Count On, Crazy and of course Walkin’ After Midnight.
And finally a song that does not seem to fit any musical category is the 1965 Julie Andrews offering of Super-cali-fragil-istic-expi-ali-docious. Probably not a good song, in fact definitely not a good song but getting your tongue around the name is a great effort in itself
On my list of artist and songs who do not rate a mention Celine Dion tops the chart, what a bore she is, Over rated and under weight! Doris Day and Que Sera Sera get listed as does Culture Club and The Bay City Rollers. I cannot warm to the manufactured so called stars like Guy Sebastin or Shannon Noll and Bardot were real shockers.
Even the Spice Girls were manufactured and I was never a fan despite their glamour and sex appeal. Madonna, she is the pits, Kylie Minogue has a cute butt and that’s all there is to her, Neil Sedaka screeched his lyrics, Cliff Richard was soft and hollow, KISS were bloody awful, Jimmy Barnes hopeless, Michael Jackson and Elton John were never my cup of tea. And I do remember two tunes that I would hear as a kid that for some reason I had a massive dislike for. Scarlet Ribbons and I’m a Little Dutchboy got right under my skin but I do not know why. I reserve the right to add to the list as time goes on.
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