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 early time in my life I had embraced many different musical genres giving a mindset that music was one of the things that made life and me tick.
But it is funny how one simple 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 all the years of my life. Music does impact in many ways, and I love that understanding. Music is a joy, it changes moods, and it adds so much in life.
(Click here for Teresa Brewer - Music Music Music) - Bing Videos
My love and appreciation for music is much different now that it would have been back on the day I embraced the Teressa Brewer masterpiece. Because a lifetime love for music has allowed me to learn so much about music itself, the artists who perform and the 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 better, 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 that personal 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.
My memory from the time of being a kid 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.
Growing up in a strong Catholic community meant my primary school days were at the local convent school. Music was a large part of that schooling; the nuns had a music room in the nearby convent, and as students we spent time there learning about music and singing. We never had a school choir but as students we did learn the art of harmony through the hymns we all learned and sang as a group. I hated what went on in that music room, some days it was brutal, the nuns were harsh but as I reflect on this time, I can see how valuable the learning was for my early musical grounding.
The radio naturally played a big part in 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 the school day or playtime. The radio was a constant. It was an ear to the world with news and music and even the radio serial was big at that time so it was our entertainment. It was a different era of course but the wireless was king.
Our kitchen radio on those mornings in the family home would be on the ABC. 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 that 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 such joy to my soul even if at this young age I had no idea what that actually meant in how it would play out across the years.
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, recording artists 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 soul had a belly full of coal and he coughed up lumps of coke.” Yeah, I know that's a bit odd, ok rather odd, but I was just a young kid at the time, and as we had a lad named Jimmy Finn at the Convent school in Barmera, I recall that I always relate that song with him. Such 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 craze and how it was making stars of this new group of wild rockers who belted out the tunes. Sadly, I did not know that.
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 that time, I was really musically challenged despite my affinity to all it offered.
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 mode and played The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Glen Miller and music artists 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 those 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 a host of 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 slower religiously structured 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 naturally very important, it did set the early pattern, it added to the foundation for my musical taste. Melodies impacted me, I loved how the music made me feel, lyrics were like stories, they made the music even better.
Yet with all of the understanding for my love of music, it is somewhat an odd reality that we did not really come from a musical home. Far from it.
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 and mess with a few bars of the Vera Lynn tune, 'We'll meet again' but it was generally at a time of fun, a time when he was simply joking about, sadly his musical interludes were nothing serious.
In fairness, Dad did not grow up with music. As a kid in Mundoora in the mid-north of the state there was no music in the Green family house. Dad had no way of getting to be influenced with any form of music right throughout his developing childhood days. Then even as has he ventured through his young adult life he was not impacted in any way with music so again he had no chance to be connected with how good music could be.
Even when he started his own family and we settled into life, music was not a priority and other than the ABC radio playing in the kitchen of a morning there was no other way for music to be heard. We experienced musical blackout. And with his sensory issues I am guessing loud music was disturbing for Dad. Added to the absence of music at this time of life cars did not have radios meaning we never had any music playing on our many long 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. Sadly, at home in the earlier days she never had the chance to add her musical touch, so we had that music void.
As times changed across the years and music did became a part of the Green family household, Mum and I shared some really good musical times, we actually had very similar musical tastes. I really do treasure what mum and I shared in music, but as I reflect, I do wish I had a better understanding at the time of how important these musical moments for mother and son would be. Often, as in any aspect of life, we do not embrace the moment as we could.
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 or Jimmy Shand, 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 worked from home, he was always around, I remember he would waltz into the lounge through the top passage door as the music played and give us his interpretation of Bing or he would 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.
So yeah, he loved his music. Despite not being able to read or write Lance could find any song or any record that you asked him to pick for you from his collection.
His skill to associate colors 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 may be, he was a genius in this area. You could not trick him, he just knew what was what.
Lance enjoyed playing the music, I enjoyed listening, so it was a perfect fit. Every day Lance spent hours in the lounge playing his records, music was clearly very important for him. 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.
As the 60's evolved I had some exposure to live music. In the Riverland we were blessed with some extremely talented local artists and contemporary groups who entertained at cabarets and local venues. Listening to their music took me to that place in my understanding of how good it was to be around great music.
Some of these Riverland groups would contest The Battle of the Sounds, a nationwide talent contest that ultimately turned up some decent recording and performing talent. The contest had regional finals, then a state final and all state winners competed on the national stage. It was a big thing in its day, and the local groups gave it their best shot.
With my opportunity to listen to live music, thankfully it came as the musical landscape was shifting, 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 warm 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 Green family was a part of events that came with the social side to footy. The old Loveday Hall on a Sunday was often the spot for a day of activities and again, that always included live 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 those Sundays in Loveday were just brilliant.
Pud and Airlie Heinecke 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 accordion, she could also hold a tune, she had a great singing voice. Airley was a local girl, her parents, the Settaburgs 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 the first noted local musician that I recall gaining my attention. He operated a local music school but was best known as a local country music guru. He was very well respected by all country music artists throughout Australia.
Other groups and singers who were a part of the Riverland band and music scene included Krystal Keys, Pauline Najar and the Fieldhouse sisters from Loveday. And a younger brother and sister duo from Kingston, Ricky and Tammy Osypenko were a great local stage act. They did record some tracks and made a name for themselves on the national TV music scene from the early 60's onwards. At one point they toured with Slim Dusty.
Having this music at local venues to embrace was just so darn good. And it is something I have never forgotten, the artists were probably best described as minnows in the bigger music scheme of things but what they all added in their own specific and individual way was for me so important. I thank them all for being so musically productive, so entertaining and so very much available.
And watching these bands and performers up-close was an added bonus. As the late 60's into the 70's unfolded the dinner dance at local hotels had become a major form of entertainment. Theses local groups came into their own as they provided the music and entertainment. The dinner dance with this new so called 60/40 dancing was so exciting. It was a social revolution of sorts and music was the key to a long and fun filled night. Sit and eat a really decent 3 course meal, have a few drinks, and by 8pm the music was off and running.
How cool. And we all danced, as young blokes we certainly had the dance floor moves. Rock'n'roll had given us many new dance crazes with the twist being my favorite, but this slower paced 60/40 music was a young adults answer to prayer. We got to dance up close with the chickee babes and many a good night was the result of this form of dance. We still had a rock part to the night, great music to dance to and that added so much to our social development coming out of the teen years into that time as young adults.
Cabarets were also the go to form of fun; it was sort of like the dinner dance without the dinner food. And cabarets were everywhere, most towns in the country regions had a town hall and this was the cabaret venue for the most part. The Riverland area had a mixture of bigger and smaller towns, during this time the local club was becoming an integral part of the social fabric, and they would offer meals and then a cabaret. Places like Monash, Berri, Cobdogla, Moorook and Glossop were venues we frequented for a cabaret night of social fun and music.
As time rolled on into the 80's and we started our own families these smaller club venues were an ever more important part of our social and music activities, they seem more kid friendly, so they attracted the family groups. We definitely appreciated what they had to offer, it was a social life staple to have this type of venue available.
And so good was this local music collection that I would think some of that local talent as individuals and as bands could have made the big time given a different set of circumstances. They were good, really good but without the promotion and exposure that city bands and performers had at their call, the Riverland groups were right or wrongly content to keep us all happy at the different places they played. That's just how it was.
However, it didn't make our time with these musicians any less brilliant or less memorable. As locals we loved and embraced all they had to offer, they were all stars to us. This was such a fun time socially and life was for living. Music as always made things so much better and was always the centerpiece of social entertainment. We had so many good times listening to and dancing to their sound. we sort of became groupies, I guess.
Mum eventually purchased a Gerry and the Pacemakers single ‘Pretend’ and it too took a hammering; it was a top song. Another 45rpm single she purchased was The Wedding 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 that he no longer required, I remember hit tunes from Buddy Holly and Rick Nelson, and the collection of Green family music was up and running.
My older brother Rod then added a couple of albums, Elvis of course and The Animals is another I remember, mum added a few of her own, we collected a few more albums from Veronica 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 as a Youth Porter at Barmera 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 Aussie music was booming, and I really took to the Aussie style, it was all happening so fast.
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 of course 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 hic country station. Good DJ's and decent music, for this country based 'hic' show it was all right, we loved it. Sure, it was all we really had but in an era when radio boomed 5RM went ok. 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 and that point can never be dismissed.
Getting access to the city stations was a big step forward, the reception was questionable at times, you had 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 the Melbourne stations particularly 3UZ, 3DB, 3XY and 3KZ. Our music world just kept on getting betting.
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 lonely early morning shifts. Ah, music, music, music. Teressa Brewer, take a bow.
But that radio was one of the best things I ever invested in my teenage days. 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, the radio I mean! That was a dead set bummer, I was cleaning my car on the footpath outside the family 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 in a scatter brain moment, 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 the 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 that 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, I learned so much.
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. Times were slower, less complex and the music was the best. It has become a timeless era for music and get this, we were a part of it. The 60's laid the foundations for what the 70's produced, it just kept getting better and better.
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 working the trains for the South Australian Railways so, when possible, I would go to Adelaide to see a visiting artist perform mainly in those days at the old Thebarton Town Hall in Torrensville. The Apollo Stadium in Seaton was another well attended venue and even Memorial Drive hosted outdoor concerts, Adelaide Oval and the new Footy Park at West Lakes over time played a part with live concerts.
And live music at hotel venues around the city and state was enormous in this period of life. Young often untested musicians and bands came to play, and they were so entertaining, but these times were also a great social connection with the music as the centerpiece. It made living worth it, just the greatest days as a young adult.
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 some great Aussie produced shows like Bandstand, Rock Around the Clock and The Country and Western Hour but when Countdown started it really meant we got to watch the who’s who of music. It was something else again, great music presented so well.
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. That was a change of biblical importance and music on this new color TV phenonium changed the landscape of how music was presented through this medium. Color and a new understanding of using graphics made the color TV like a new marvel we cauld all watch. This was such an exciting time for a music fan.
Molly certainly did change the way we felt about music and watched our stars perform the hits of the day. We were able to watch these greats of the industry performing on Countdown every Sunday evening on the ABC. Every old and new Aussie artist or band got a run; the promotion was so powerful and helped so many bands and artists gain a foot hold in the tough musical 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, older people, my parents included did not like or appreciate the music of my day insisting that their era had the best music. Maybe the word different would be a better one to use, saying things are better in a certain era could be subjective.
However, I do warm to 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, so darn loud, meaning 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 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.
That is mostly good but sometimes it can be a touch sad if a song as example sets off 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. That can be both good or sad but it is what happens.
Life at Tailem Bend and my South Australian Railways days ended and I moved on, next stop was a trek 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. I was 25 and had not known prolonged isolation like I would experience in the northwest of WA.
No local radio, well ABC from Perth on Short Wave and the only TV station was run by HI admin but was a day behind. What, you ask? The daily TV 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. Bizarre on so many fronts but, I guess, at least we had something.
This meant that music played an even bigger part in our daily life. By now most vinyl records were replaced by cassettes so that part of 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, in northwest WA music was really our 24/7 go to, but I loved it, I could roll with that idea.
The Crushers footy club and the local pub Uncle Tom's Cabin helped socially dull the isolation and we made music the key to keeping our sanity. (pictured left from Tom Price - Uncle Tom's Cabin and the HI single man's quarters)
Not everyone had the same taste with the music of course but that was fine, over time everyone had a chance to play favourites and a happy mix was more than often achieved. And with my great personal music collection then my accommodation at 16/3 SMQ Tom Price always had music playing, and I mean always.
As time went on then of course, yet again, the music world was 'a changing'. This musical evolution had to happen; the world had opened up and artists and bands became available to everyone. With TV being such a powerful medium it was inevitable that more and more bands and performers gained international exposure.
And different musical modes like Motown as example were helped with this massive advance in exposure. It was pitched to the world and not kept close within black dominated cities of the states. Sure, rock was still king, but these many other genres had caught on and became a staple for the music played in this era. And it just continued to kick goals, the artists of the mid and later 70's soon made their mark and we all loved the music.
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 chickie babes but now with this new disco stuff we got to show style and great dance floor moves. 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.
I must add the Nanya Lounge and The 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 the 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, after watching John Travolta in the movie Greece we all became Travolta clones. And we drank, boy did we drink. But dancing was the attraction, disco dancing. A new genre of music was now the norm, but it had so much to like about it. Music, it just keeps on giving.
By now I was a young family man and while music was always at the centre of our social times, I often say that my musical taste died with disco, not my love of music but after disco, I mean, what could compete? Certainly not that doof doof, repetitive loud, er, rubbish and certainly not rap that came next. Yuk.
The 90's still gave us some good contemporary and rock artists with decent music but when disco ended, it was a tough era for me. Things changed in the music industry and for me, not for the better, I reckon that music had lost its way.
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, who I liked and who I really liked and who I listened to but never really had a connection with. And on an extremely positive note, thankfully as I reflect, 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.
Starting with Elton John, I mean what a singer, what a song writer, what an entertainer he is, one of the all-time greats. But for years I struggled with him, guess it was his flamboyant nature I did not gel with, so I was dismissive of his music. Gee, didn't I get that wrong, now he is one of my favorite recording and performing artists, seriously, how did I get that so wrong? Elton is just brilliant, unique and a musical colossus.
Oh, another biggie, Michael Jackson, he really fits my thought of artists I battled with. This guy was no doubt a brilliant performer, one of the all-time greats, he produced some the greatest music of his generation, but he never had me on side. Not sure, something about the bloke I never could gel with. A musical superstar in so many ways but I am still not a fan.
And I will add The Spice Girls as a non-listen, no thanks, again not sure why given their international fame and standing but I never warmed to the group. Manufactured and did not have a lot of talent I am suggesting. Kiss never had my attention either in their heyday, I thought they were odd. Maybe as I have grown older, and I stress maybe, I have listened more to their music, sort of don't mind their sound now, but I struggled with them for a long time.
The Beach Boys sort of fit in right here. Well, I always liked the sound of the Beach Boys, but I guess in an era with so many mega star groups I somehow let this lot slip by. I did listen to their music back in the day, but it was not until much later that I came to understand how good they were. Now, love them, the music of the Beach Boys is timeless.
Then from a slightly earlier era, The Bay City Rollers never had me hooked, not a fan at all. Same with Celine Dion, didn't get involved with her sound at any time. And I never understood Alice Cooper and his music at all, not my thing. Nor Bono and U2, just not my cup of tea, and could never got my head around the punk rock and heavy metal bands. Oasis definitely fits that thought, not for me thanks.
Anyhow, there were others, but some have found a way to redeem what I didn't initially like and now I can freely listen to their music. A few too many to name and I need to save some face here I'd imagine so I won't. But what I like in this day is certainly different to what made me tick musically back in my younger days. Maybe that is odd, maybe not, but it is my truth.
But I always loved Elvis, and I mean loved him, there was never any other way to say it, Elvis was king, Elvis is still king, he was just the ultimate singer, the ultimate stage performer and he was a standout in my musical rankings. From that fresh faced Yankie kid who was destined to be a star through to the time of his untimely death at age 42 Elvis was a superstar.
Maybe I appreciate the younger more clean-cut Elvis over the Elvis at the time when he reinvented himself as a live stage act. Hey, he was still a superstar in Vegas but I do like the early Elvis days probably more than his later years. Not sure why I feel that way, but that early Elvis remains so strong in my musical ratings.
But for how brilliant he was with the singing and stage acts, hey, he could not act. With that said I love Elvis' movies. I mean, I really do. I can sit and binge watch his movies; he made 31 in total between 1956 and 1969. He was never an Acadamy Award winning actor, far from it but with music being a major factor in the movies Elvis managed to be a big screen star. But no, that was not because of his acting.
With his music, how do you pick a favorite from his vast collection of recordings? Probably have to include Jailhouse Rock, Don't be Cruel, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Blue Hawaii, GI Blues, She's Not You, Love Me Tender, Teddy Bear, Return to Sender, Viva Las Vegas, Judy, In the Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, Don’t be Cruel and Hound Dog to do the King any justice.
And as I learned in the years after his death, Elvis was a great gospel singer, he loved to immerse in the gospel songs, and he did share this part of his life with many in his crew and entourage. I also became aware that Gospel music was such a huge part of his musical background and it helped shape his vocal talents.
Elvis was just 42 years old. A shame really as he could have and would have gone on producing such great music and further boomed as a stage performer. He left way too soon and somehow that has always been a stumbling block for his fans the world over. We felt his death in deep personal ways that we probably could not have imagined. We never forgot Elvis, we never forgot the talent he had and how he impacted our lives in such meaningful ways.
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, gone but never forgotten, no risk, Elvis, the best of the best.
On an unrelated point, I grew my hair long like the Beeales much to the disgust of my parents and mum would often say of my hair length, “The Beatles have nothing on you.” Not sure if this had anything to do with why I initially did not like the Fab Four. But yes, I am very happy to say that things quickly changed and as the lads produced hit after hit I 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, Rock and Roll Music, Help, Ob-La-Di, Ob,La,da. and so 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.
Sadly, John Lennon was shot dead on December 8th, 1980, in New York, another very sad day in rock music history. What a talent he had been with The Beetles and later as a solo artist. Paul McCartney formed the band Wings after his time in The Beatles ended and he was a solo performer of great standing over the years. Both George Harrison and Ringo had recording success as solo artists.
There was a fifth Beatle, how unlucky was this guy Pete Best. He was the groups drummer before Ringo and while his time with the group was short lived, gee, he must wonder what could have been. George Martin and/or Billy Preston are two other names that are sometimes linked to the group at various times but are never remembered as being a real part of the Beatles.
And The Beatles did star in a couple of movies, Help and A Hard Day's Night. 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 my dad coming to watch this movie, now that is the one and only time, I can ever 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 time slot had something to do with why Dad came along to watch the movie.
But in one generation we were so musically spoiled, we were given Elvis Presley and The Beatles. How lucky were we. For me, it certainly took many years to fully appreciate and grasp how special that was, I mean, never before and never since have we had that gift. Mega stars were Elvis and The Beatles.
So, with that understanding who comes next on the list of all-time greats in the music industry across my 50 years? How do you rate anyone with the likes of Elvis and The Beatles?
Simon and Garfunkel at their peak were simply sensational. What a blend of harmonies, not great stage performers as such, rather boring at times, but their music was spot on. If we talk about unique sounds, these two definitely fit that thought. Brilliant. But Paul and Art were not mates, they were very distant away from the stage and the personal differences meant they split as a duo way too soon.
Across the years they did reunite a couple of times for concert performances and for touring. The music was still great. And Paul Simon as a solo artist did have a really decent career.
Meat Loaf had a massive impact on the music of his day; I am a big fan. The Bat out of Hell album is a classic, it has stood the test of time and is as good today as it was when released in October 1977. So many great Meat Loaf classics came from that one album, for me, it certainly made a big impact along my musical journey. And a massive shout out to Jim Steinman an American composer and musician who penned some great hits for Meat Loaf and amongst other, Bonnie Tyler.
The many song writers and talented musicians who helped form the great songs are often overlooked. Naturally we remember the artist or group who gave us the hit but, in the background, there were so many others who contributed to the success. The song writer, the studio and session musicians and vocalists who provided the backup, the sound technicians, the musical producers and the even the record labels themselves who market the stars all play such a big part. So many contribute to the success of any hit song.
Back to the music, naming stars is awkward, how do you name but just a few stars from the music world. People like Neil Diamond, Prince, David Bowie, B-52s, The Cars, Chicago, Jud Strunk, Harry Chapin, Leo Sayer, The Kinks, Beach Boys, Mummas and The Pappas, Cliff Richard (and The Shadows), Doobie Brothers, Toto, Three Dog Night, The Animals and Suzi Quatro were all outstanding artists. Seriously too many to name them all, some better than others but so much talent in the group of entertainers.
And at the times when rock was the new music, when it was just being accepted as a legitimate form of music, there were so many greats. Most I did not know about in their days of glory but thankfully I later discovered, and they became such an enormous part of this musical love I so enjoy.
Some I have mentioned, and others I have so enjoyed their music. Fats 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 iconic single The Wanderer. Ricky Nelson fitted this era perfectly, great voice and brilliant entertainer.
Naturally Bill Haley and the Comets need a mention, they were so big as a group in the day, their music is Hall of Fame stuff. Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Bobby Sherman, Lloyd Price, Little Richard, The Everly Brother, Neil Sedaka, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Sam Cooke, The Chantels, Duane Eddie, Brenda Lee, Johnny Burnett and Bobby Darin all stared as recording artists and stage performers. Another list of greats with music that is timeless.
The three stars were on tour in the states; they were lead players in the Winter Dance Party tour and had performed that night in The Surf Ball Room in Clear Lake Iowa. They had decided to take a plane to the next concert gig instead of travelling on the tour bus, but their flight crashed soon after take-off at 12-55am and all on board the plane, including the pilot were killed.
The accident and the death of this amazingly talented trio is remembered as one of the most tragic accidents in the history of the rock and roll era. In particular, Bubby Holly at 22 and Ritchie Valance 17 were really just starting to emerge as rock star royalty and it's impossible to imagine just how big these two young men could have become in the music industry. There is no doubt the world lost three rock music stars on this very very sad night in Iowa.
The juke box played its part in the earlier days of music listening. It was an invention ahead of its time, it provided us with music at our fingertips. It was all so simple, because as Terresa Brewer sang, 'Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon'. Ok, that's a yankie term but here in Oz we loved the jukebox, all good cafes and pubs had one placed in a strategic spot and gee, they were very well used by all patrons. Drop a coin in, press the buttons that matched your song selection and walla' you got to pick the music. Or you listened to the selection someone else picked. Ah, the jukebox, such an important part of the early music days, so good.
And a pommie bloke who has been a gun performer over the decades and one who never seems to age is Tom Jones, He was a standout, a genuine star, great voice and brilliant performer on stage. Engelbert Humperdinck was a balladeer but like Tom Jones, he seems to have been around forever, these two Englishmen added so much to the musical world.
Outside the big guns, some of the Best from the British Band invasion of the rock era and beyond included Gerry and the Pacemakers, Manfred Mann, The Troggs, Dave Clark 5, Herman Hermits, Freddie and the Dreamers, The Who, Jefferson Airplane; The Small Faces and The Hollies. All brilliant bands.
And from a time of early heavy rock, I was ok with the music of some legendary groups like ACDC, Led Zepplin, Lynyad Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, T Rex and The Police. Not a bad line up in that lot of names, legends. This heavy metal psychedelic type rock was a game changer for many and is still rated as some of the best music written and performed.
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The group made it into the Guinness Book of Records for attracting the largest ever crowd to a concert in Australia. In March 1967 the group performed at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne and over 200,000 fans packed into the space in the outdoor park to watch the concert. It would be remembered to this day and The Seekers as a collective rate this day as the highlight of their long and outstanding musical career.
But despite my love for this Aussie folk group the rock'n'roll brigade from the land down under still holds sway in many ways. We did produce great rock stars, many of them still perform to this day. We are blessed to have had such a great talent pool across all the years.
Country music has always rated very highly for me. Johnny Cash of course was a different artist altogether and far removed from being a rock star. But he was always my favorite Country and Western performer, I had many country greats that I liked but Cash was the standout.
And he was a friend to Elvis, both were a part of Sun Records in Memphis Tennessee before owner Sam Phillips sold Elvis off to RCA records. The pic below is an iconic shot taken in the studio at Sun Records on December 4th, 1956, it shows Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. The guys all happened to be in the studio on this afternoon and joined in an impromptu jam session with Elvis on the piano. The pic has been dubbed The Million Dollar Quartet.
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With so many hits to his name it's hard to name 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 the best I have ever heard.
Later in his great career, Johnny Cash was also a part of The Highwaymen with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Cash died in 2003 but as the saying goes, for me, he will live on through his music. RIP Johnny Cash. Loved his music right through my musical journey.
Other country music stars that I always gravitated towards for their musical greatness include Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggart, Glen Campbell, Roger Miller, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride, Shania Twain and Waylon Jennings. And from an era in my very early days the silky clear voices from the likes of Hank Williams, Slim Whitman or Jim Reeves produced some great easy listening country music. Even Gene Audrey could sing, well he sang country music, and he was noted for his great yodeling skill.
The later list of country stars like Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Ronnie Milsap, Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam and even back to Reba McEntire, Alabama and Brooks and Dunn, they are all good and definitely stars of country music. And while they rank in my list of good artists I do gravitate towards the earlier country stars of country and western.
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 Northwest WA and then in Darwin. Slim died in 2003. RIP Slim Dusty, Have a beer with Duncan.
But Australia has produced domestic country artists of note. John Williamson, Chad Morgan, Lee Kernigan, Lionel Long, Joy McKean, Tex Morton, Johnny Ashcroft, Anne Kirkpatrick and Reg Lindsay being the best of a decent lot.
Away from country music, 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 chatted about his music.
He had hits like A Little Bit of Tear, Funny way Of Laughing, Pearly 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’. Thanks Burl, I really enjoyed your music.
Then as the 70's rolled into the 80's and the 90's a new group of stars emerged. Some I guess where hangovers from a decade before, but this new lot of stars were so important in my musical journey. They are still great to this day.
English born Aussie rocker 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, Carly Simon and You're So Vain, Joni Mitchell I liked with Big Yellow Taxi, The Proclaimers for 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.
Another Englishman 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 heyday, but she could sing, and I loved her version of Girls Just Want to Have Fun. The Carpenters were a good mix, brother and sister duo Richard and Karen Carpenter had a number of hits, I should have mentioned The Everly Brothers from the early rock days and Rolf Harris was an entertainer from down under who made a mark on the music industry from the 60's.
And the Eagles and Queen were absolutely sensational. The Eagles were an LA group formed in 1971 and over the years produced six number one albums and many hit singles. With Englishman Freddie Mercury out front, Queen scored numerous chart stoppers. Mercury as a singer and performer captured the attention of everyone and he played the crowds so well. And Fleetwood Mac music is timeless, great group. Add here The Village People, an iconic dance band that we all loved, what great music and an even better stage act.
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; and I do include Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass as a group I enjoyed.
Superstar Olivia Newton John was a real gun; she had many hits but it really all started for her with Banks of the Ohio. Indian Lake by the Cowsills was clearly one of my better liked songs, also Melanie Safka caught my attention, her hits Look What They've Done to My Song Ma and Brand New Key were classics, Ned Miller Do What You Do Do Well is a song I have always liked and still do and Roger Miller had the all-time great his King of the Road, this song became an anthem for many who lived and travelled as the words in the song suggested.
Let's include Jimmy Osmond for Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Bobby Darin 18 Yellow Roses, House of the Rising Sun by The Animals, Leapy Lee had a hit Little Arrows, 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 who 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 the timeless classic Living Next Door to Alice, Billy Swan sang I Can Help, Janis Ian with Fly Too High, Bobby Goldsborough with Honey.
Those who rate an honorable mention for having given me some really enjoyable musical moments, in fact, many many really great moments include Paul Anka, Bobby Vinton, Tommy Roe, Franki Valli, Frankie Avalon, Jackie Wilson, The Bachelors, Donovan, Harry Belafonte, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens and Billy Joel.
Also included are Guy Mitchell, Charlie Pride, Harry Chapin, Sunny and Cher, Petula Clarke, Glen Campbell, Donny and Marie Osmond and some crooners who had great success as musical stars and TV performers include Val Doonican, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Pery Como, Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams. And then there are groups. The Pretenders, The New Seekers, The Brand New Seekers (just kidding), The Carpenters and The Beach Boys who at different times have made for good listening.
Again, I come back to an Aussies theme, I would need to include Helen Reddy with I am Woman, The Mixtures for the Pushbike Song and In the Summertime, Paul Kelly with To 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 Redback on the Toilet Seat, Jamie Redfern from Young Talent Time for Little White Cloud and Redgum with Only 19. Maureen Elkner and Normie hit the heights with Rak off Normie also known as the Newcastle song.
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. I really 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.
A couple of other Aussie bands, I liked the music from the Little River Band, Icehouse, naturally Midnight Oil were a super group, INXS, Crowded House, Captain Matchbox, I liked Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Ted Mulray Gang gets a mention for Jump in My Car. Back on solo artist 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.
It would be unfair not to mention Johhny Young. We grew up with his weekly TV program Young Talent Time and while it was orchestrated awkwardness for the most part with music and chorography, he did help a number of good Aussie youngsters get a foot hold into the music industry. And Young Talent Time was a TV music staple across many years. Johnny Young himself was a hard watch; he reminded me of an American performer Liberace who had been another TV regular from the early TV and music mix.
And extending this music story just a little further I liked Abba, although sadly you could not admit that at the height of their fame. For some reason Abba were sort of 'off limits' for being a group you liked, I never understood why but that is how it was. Now of course it is regarded as fashionable or ‘chic’ to be an Abba fan!
Patsy Cline was not just a great recording artist; she was a brilliant performer who helped launch the career of some other country greats. Loretta Lynn is one of the stars Patsy Cline introduced to the world of country music. Loretta Lynn would go on to have an outstanding time as a country music legend, she had many hits, for me probably One's on the Way is her best, Coalminers Daughter I really like and I'm a Honky Tonk Girl is another of her great country tunes.
And I was a fan of another country queen, Tammy Wynette right from the day I first heard her signature tune, Stand by Your Man. Jeanie C. Riley had a monster hit with Harper Valley PTA, Juice Newton with Angel in the Morning gets a mention, as does Emmylou Harris who had a hit with Mister Sandman, a cover version originally recorded by The Cordettes way back in 1954.
Christmas Carols and the music around them must be given a mention. Johnny Cash with Little Drummer Boy rates at the top of my Christmas music list, naturally Bing Crosby and White Christmas is the best-known song around the Christmas theme. I did like Elvis with his version of Blue Christmas, Brenda Lee and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is a perennial carol played the world over. Mariah Carey recorded All I Want for Christmas and this is somehow another favorite, not mine I must add, that is played every year. And I guess Jingle Bells is a the classic, most artists who sing carols or perform in the festive season have had a crack at this song.
At certain times I have been able to tackle Orchestral music, mainly because I loved hearing the different instruments in different arrangements. This music generally gets broken down into groups of instruments and identifying them in music was an enjoyment for me. I particularly like the woodwinds and the strings sections. Henri Mancini was probably the most noted arranger I remember from this group of musicians, but I also liked the big brass sound at times with a particular leaning to the trumpet and saxaphone.
The great music from the roaring twenties still resonates, Al Jolson was a noted star in this era and he hit the spotlight with Swanee. And Jimmy Durante was another I remember, rather strange voice but in small doses he was ok. The Charlston was a dance craze song popular in this time, and many of the early dance tunes are still played in various versions. I loved the music of the era, somehow the tunes have remained relevant with me down through the ages.
Into the 40's and beyond the big band swing sound was the popular music. Without doubt Glenn Miller and The Andrew Sisters are the best remembered names to come out of this time and they continue to get a run particularly in the cabaret performing scene. But other guns who came from the big band era and still have their music played include Duke Ellington, Count Bassie, Woodie Herman, Dizzy Gilespie, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey.
Musicals and Broadway have always been a big part of the music scene. Tunes from the stage shows remain popular and I am guessing always will. Cabaret, Oklahoma and The Sound of Music hit the mark for me, I will admit to being a huge fan of the musical stage shows. West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and more recently Cabaret are all gems, and I embrace this music and the entertainment it added.
Bonanza sits well for me as a TV theme, loved the tune back in the day when this TV western was a hit and I still do bop a long when I hear it played. But there are many more tunes which are synonymous with the big screen or the television. I must add the F-Troop theme here, this was another TV western/comedy small screen show that was a family favorite and a must watch in the Green household. I still remember the words of the theme.
And the Bond movies always seemed to have such great soundtracks, at the top of that list for me is Goldfinger. Shirley Bassey had a hit with the movie theme, a great song by a really top recording and cabaret artist.
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. This is not about the music but as a kid it was a game changer when you could finally say that word for the first time. You had come of age.
Bing Videos Elvis Presley - Judy
Bing Videos Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising
Bing Videos The Seekers - The Carnival is over
Bing Videos John Denver - Back Home Again
Bing Videos Blondie - Heart of Glass
Bing Videos The Animals - House of the Rising Sun
Bing Videos Smokie - Ling Next Door to Alice
Bing Videos The Beatles - Rock n Roll Music
Bing Videos Cliff Richard - Lucky Lips
Bing Videos Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh
Bing Videos Bonnie Tyler - It's a Heartache
Bing Videos Buddy Holly - Rave On
Bing Videos Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Bing Videos The Drifters - Save the Last Dance for Me
Bing Videos Dion - The Wanderer
Bing Videos Meat Loaf - Bat out of Hell
Bing Videos Daddy Cool - Eagle Rock
Bing Videos Elton John - Crocodile Rock
Bing Videos Dr Hook - Sylvia's Mother
Bing Videos Abba - Dancing Queen
Bing Videos Connie Francis - Lipstick on my Collar
Bing Videos Bill Haley and The Comets - Rock Around the Clock
Bing Videos Lloyd Price - Personality
Bing Videos John Farnham - Two Strong Hearts
Bing Videos Roy Orbison - Ooby Dooby
Bing Videos Beach Boys - Surfin' USA
Bing Videos Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Bing Videos Bee Gees - I Started a Joke
Bing Videos Judy Collins - Amazing Grace
Bing Videos Redgum - Only 19
Bing Videos Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire
Bing Videos Olivia Newton John - Banks of the Ohio
Bing Videos Neil Diamond - Beautiful Noise
Bing Videos Daddy Cool - Eagle Rock
Bing Videos Elvis - She's Not You
Bing Videos Colleen Hewitt - Dreaming my Dreams with You
Bing Videos Johnny Cash - Man in Black
Bing Videos The Dave Clark 5 - Over and Over
Bing Videos Ray Conniff - Happiness is
Bing Videos The Beatles Ob La Di Ob La Da
Bing Videos Ted Mulry Gang - Jump in my Car
Bing Videos Sam Cooke - Only 16
Bing Videos Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary
Bing Videos Chubby Checker - The Twist
Bing Videos Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill
Bing Videos Ricky and Tammy - Little Girl
Bing Videos Jay Livingston and Ray Evans - Bonanza TV theme
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