This mini ep takes a look at music royalty Col Joye and the Joy Boys and the time they had to hold the attention of an 8000 strong crowd waiting for Johnny Cash to arrive at the stadium. The band was at the very start of rock n roll in Australia and they are true pioneers. In this era, Col Joy and the Joye Boys popularity and chart success is only rivalled by that of Johnny O’Keefe and the Dee Jays. They also hold the distinction being the first Australian act to have a Number 1 record with Bye ...
Oct 27, 2022•12 min•Ep. 68
As Blueys father, he is perhaps the most beloved heeler dog dad in the history of animation – Bandit is voiced by Custards’s Dave McCormack. Custard where part of Oz music history when they played at the Crowded House farewell to the world concert, staged at the Sydney Opera House – via their first hit song Apartment, Custard had already had history with the iconic building. Here's Dave talking about Apartment and how they came to shoot the songs film clip. For more on Custard, check out episode...
Oct 27, 2022•12 min•Ep. 67
This mini episode comes from 90’s band Fini Scad – they were band that shone brightly, if only briefly and are best known for their song Coppertone. We spoke with Fini Scads drummer Jono McPhee and he was brutally honest about the highs and lows of the music business. While it wasn’t always sunshine and lollipops for Fini Scad, they still had plenty of ‘rock star’ moments. They toured with Midnight Oil and they were selected by Micheal Gudinski to play at Mushrooms 25th Anniversary at the MCG....
Oct 27, 2022•10 min•Ep. 66
In this mini episode we take a look at the tragic death of one of Australia’s early pop stars, the lead singer of The Delltones, Noel Widerberg. The singers death came as a huge shock to teenager all around Australia. The excitement that came with this new craze of rock n roll, was suddenly shattered with the death of one of their teen idols. We speak with The Delltones legend Pee Wee Wilson
Oct 27, 2022•21 min•Ep. 65
This mini ep is about the time Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs toured with way-out English performer Screaming Lord Sutch. We speak with member of the Aztecs Tony Barber, no, not the Sale of the Century host but the bands guitarist. Tony emigrated to Australia in 1964 and he became a driving force on the beat pop scene. You can hear more about Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs in episode 28 were we take a look at their first No.1 hit record Poison Ivy
Oct 27, 2022•11 min•Ep. 64
This mini episode is on Aria Hall of famer, Col Joye and the time he found his himself in Vietnam during the war and right smack in the middle of the Battle of Long Tan. For the full story of Col’s experiences performing during the Vietnam War period check out episode 34.
Oct 27, 2022•12 min•Ep. 63
This mini ep takes a look at ground breaking Australian rock band, Ayers Rock. Formed in 1973, Ayers Rock were the first Australian act signed with Mushroom Records to break internationally. When Ayers Rock recorded their debut album, Big Red Rock, they recorded it live-in-the-studio and it was a ground breaking album.
Oct 27, 2022•16 min•Ep. 62
In the world of music, The Rajahs are not a household name, however, they’ve had some extraordinary moments in their career. Before they renamed themselves The Rajahs, the band were previously known as The R’Jays and they were one of the most popular acts in Australia. As Dig Richards and the R’Jays, they spread the gospel of rock n roll across the country and their success was only rivalled by the likes of Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye. Here’s Drummer Leon Isaccson telling us about how the band b...
Oct 27, 2022•13 min•Ep. 61
Diana Trask is a music trail blazer – following World War 2, she was the first Australian female to break into the big time in the USA. She was the first to star on Prime Time American television, she was nominated for a Grammy and her diversity saw her cross-over from Jazz to pop and then go onto have a successful career in Country Music. 18 of her singles made the Billboard Country Charts. As a songwriter, she wrote a US top 10 hit for the Osmond Brothers and throughout her career Diana’s frie...
Oct 27, 2022•15 min•Ep. 60
Without doubt, The Bee Gees are the most successful act to come from Australia. In this episode of Awesome Aussie Songs, we take a look at one of their early international smash hits To Love Somebody. Rather than just the Gibb Brothers performing as a trio, the 1967 to 69 incarnation of The Bee Gees was a 5 piece band capable of heart felt ballads, as well as equally being at home with some ‘four to the floor’ Rock n Roll. We speak with The Bee Gees original lead guitarist Vince Melouney and he ...
Aug 13, 2022•48 min•Ep. 59
It's with a heavy heart we release this episode on the Queen of Australian music, Olivia Newton-John. Around 6 months ago we spoke to Olivia's friend and band leader Chong Lim about Olivia. I Honestly Love You won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1974. The song was co-written by Jeff Barry and fellow Australian icon Peter Allen.
Aug 10, 2022•37 min•Ep. 58
Kevin Johnson is one of the countries finest singer / songwriters. While he has had plenty of success in Australia, it is on international scene where his thought provoking music has been truly appreciated. Kevin has made the charts in the US, UK and across Europe and his songs have been covered by the likes of Tom Jones and Mac Davis. Rock & Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life) is one of the most covered songs ever written by an Australian, in this episode we speak with Kevin about h...
Jul 08, 2022•57 min•Ep. 57
The episode is on The Groop and their song Woman You’re Breaking Me. As a recording act, The Groop had two distinct periods featuring various different members. The Groop Mark 1 was a folk band and spanned 1964 to 66, while The Groop Mark 2 1966 to 69, had a pop rock sound. Our Special guest is former member of The Groop and one of Australia’s greatest songwriters, Brian Cadd.
May 17, 2022•40 min•Ep. 56
When looking back at the biggest bands of the mid to late 1960’s in Australia, The Easybeats and The Masters Apprentices immediately spring to mind and rightly so, both these bands were absolutely massive, however, ranking right alongside them in the popularity stakes was Adelaide band, The Twilights. The Twilights had 9 singles make the charts over a 2 year period including a No.1 hit with Needle in a Haystack. As well as a No.1 hit record, they also had another 4 singles make it into the Top 5...
Mar 27, 2022•40 min•Ep. 55
John Farnham is an Australian music icon. In this episode we take a look at the highest selling Australian single of all time, You're the Voice. Our special guest is Farnsie's musical director, keyboardists and right-hand man, Chong Lim.
Feb 14, 2022•50 min•Ep. 54
This episode is on Spectrum and their No.1 smash hit, I’ll Be Gone. Spectrum formed in Melbourne in 1969 with Mike Rudd providing vocals, guitar and harmonica, Bill Putt on Bass, Drummer Mark Kennedy & Lee Neal playing Keyboards. One of the highlights of the episode is the original demo for I’ll Be Gone, and it’s quite different to the song that we now know and love. We also take a look at Spectrum’s alter ego band, The Indelible Murtceps – and yes, cleverly Murtceps is Spectrum spelt backwa...
Feb 01, 2022•48 min•Ep. 53
This episode is on Diesel and his first solo single Love Junk. Love Junk was the first release from his hugely successful debut solo album Hepfidelity. Our special guest is the man himself, Diesel.
Jan 23, 2022•20 min•Ep. 52
This episode is on the legendary band The Atlantics and their instrumental classic, Bombora. We speak with The Atlantics lead guitarist Jim Skaithitis. When it comes to surfing, Australia has always been at the forefront of the sport and that’s no different when it comes to surf music, with Sydney band The Atlantics leading the charge. The instrumental rock craze was inspired by the UK band The Shadows – there was Shadow-wanna be bands spring up all over the globe. The Shadows inspired a generat...
Jan 08, 2022•45 min•Ep. 51
This is our 50th episode at Awesome Aussie Songs and we are proud to release an episode on one of the most important songs ever written in Australia, I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green) by Redgum. Our special guest is the writer of this iconic song John Schumann. Here is the link to songs updated film clip from the movie Danger Close https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNTb9_zTvcQ
Dec 30, 2021•59 min•Ep. 50
Long before Bluey, the Emmy Award winning animated series and in a time prior to becoming an international cartoon-voicing mega star, Dave McCormack fronted one of the coolest bands in the land, Custard. In this episode, we take a look at Custards biggest hit Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us). The video for the song won an ARIA Award and in the annual Triple J Hottest 100 for 1998 Girls Like That came in at No.3 You can check out the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoW_fqr86...
Nov 14, 2021•57 min•Ep. 48
Spectrum are an iconic band from the 1970's, that has continued to make great music into the 2000's and beyond. The band is best known for their classic No.1 hit single, I'll Be Gone and it is a song that continues to be ranked amongst the "Best Aussie Songs of All Time" lists. Our special guest is Spectrum's Mike Rudd and this episode takes a look at his song Xavier Rudd is Not My Son. Its a great tune and it's sure to give you a laugh.
Sep 19, 2021•13 min•Ep. 47
Lucky Starr has had an amazing 60 year career. He has had No,1 hit records and was the first Australian Rock n Roll star to gain any real sustained success in the USA. Together with songwriter Geoff Mack, Lucky is best know for his smash hit song I've Been Everywhere, however, Lucky Starr's career is far more than just one hugely successful song. Lucky Starr is still performing today and wowing crowds, just as he was when Rock n Roll first landed on Australian shores in the 1950's. Thanks for Li...
Sep 02, 2021•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 46
Lonnie Lee is a legend of Australian music. Together with his band The Leemen, they found chart topping success when the first wave of Rock n Roll hysteria was at its peak. With over 60 years of living the Rock n Roll lifestyle, Lonnie has carved out a career that commands enormous respect. Lonnie Lee and The Leemen were the first Australian act signed to Lee Gordon's record label, Leedon...... yes, a lot of Lee's mention in that previous sentence, but rest assured what it means is Lonnie Lee is...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 45
Just like the success he had with his No.1 hit single Bloke, when Aussie comedian Chris Franklin wrote the Covid 19 lockdown anthem 'Stay The F*** At Home', he instantly hit the mark. Chris reached out to a host of Australian music icons and he formed the lockdown band The Isolaters. These legends included Angry Anderson, Russell Morris, Murray 'Red Wiggle' Cook, Ella Hooper, Bob Spencer, Dave Gleeson and Kevin Bloody Wilson to name just a few of the stars involved. Stay The F*** At Home even be...
Aug 19, 2021•14 min•Ep. 44
The Ted Mulry Gang were one of Australia's most popular bands throughout the 1970's. Best known for their classic song Jump in my Car, the Ted Mulry Gang had 10 hit singles, as well as 4 albums making the charts. In terms of popularity as a band, TMG stood alongside contemporaries such as Sherbert, Skyhooks and they often had a young AC/DC along for the ride as their support band. I sat down with Ted's younger brother Steve and we had a great chat about Ted and his days as the leader of the Ted ...
Aug 11, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 43
Ted Mulry's solo career is often overshadowed by the enormous success of his time as leader of the the Ted Mulry Gang. The singer / songwriter first found fame working with Harry Vanda and George Young at the famed Albert Studios in 1970. A creative pop balladeer, Ted found chart success with 5 singles prior to meeting up with the Gang. I sat down with Ted's younger brother Steve and we had a great chat about about Ted and his music. Sadly Ted passed away in 2001, aged just 53, however, his musi...
Aug 11, 2021•46 min•Ep. 42
The Mighty Guys - Leon's Story Part 4 At a time when The Fonz was king, The Mighty Guys and their brand of authentic Rock 'n' Roll proved to be a winner. In 1981, they released their debut album, Rockin' All Thru The Night and it went Gold on the ARIA Album charts. The Mighty Guys also had a mighty reputation as a live band. The line up of The Mighty Guys were Mick Hamilton (formerly of The Moods & The Vibrants) vocals and guitar, Phil Eizenberg (formerly of The Ferrets) vocals and bass, wit...
Jul 24, 2021•32 min•Ep. 41
The Beatles to Bee Gees - Leon's Story Part 3 Long before social media, The Rajahs fame blew up literally overnight. If there was a Twitter in the 1960's #THERAJAHS would have been sure to be trending in the 'twitter-verse'. The Rajahs had already achieved plenty of success as Dig Richards and the R'Jays, however, when Dig went solo, they changed their name from to The Rajahs and it was the start of an amazing musical journey. Via a 'throw-away' recording session, The Rajahs became known as the ...
Jul 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 40
Digby Richards - Leon's Story Part 2 As Australia's very first teenage idol, Dig Richards was the pretty boy of Rock n Roll, often compared in looks to actor James Dean, he was a serious musician who realised there wasn't much of a future in being a 'teenager pop star pin up'. Going by his full name Digby Richards he went on to carve out his own place in Australian music history. As a singer / songwriter he released 30 singles and 7 full length albums. His music was released in America, UK, Germ...
Jul 24, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 39
"Digging" with Louis Armstrong and JOK - Leon's Story Part 1 In the early days of Rock 'n' Roll in Australia, Dig Richards & the R'Jays were one of the biggest bands in the land. With movie-star good looks, Dig was Australia's very first teenage idol, and with his band the R'Jays, they were at the forefront of the Rock 'n' Roll revolution. They were the first Aussie band to release a full length album through Festival Records and as a live act, they were as popular as any local band. They al...
Jul 24, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 38
