Career
From as far back as I can remember I have always wanted to sing. I began singing at the age of sixteen at “KT Club” located at the time in Carrington Street, and King William streets, Adelaide, in the early sixties. Prior to that the very first live entertainment I saw was at the “Royal Adelaide Show”. It was none other than Slim Dusty and also Johnny Devlin. I must say hearing a live performance then and there made me realise exactly what I wanted to do although I really new early in life well before.
I frequented “The Palais” in North Terrace, Adelaide which was situated opposite the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The venue has since been demolished but there I first saw Barrie McAskill and the Drifters”. The band was a very tight unit with a great sound. One I had never heard before or since. Barrie’s on stage presence was completely professional and gave the band and himself a presence of showing how good the group really was. This further gave me a reason to want to become involved very much in music.
I was later to co founded Adelaide group “THE HARTS” with drummer Peter Mackay.
The Harts were based in Adelaide and worked at most top clubs such as “The 20 Plus Club” – “The Princeton Club” – “Swinger” in Adelaide and all the top venues during the late sixties becoming Adelaide’s top band.
The Harts worked in Melbourne for quite some time, toured Perth and all Western Australian country regions. Plus Brisbane, Sydney and Queensland that included Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast etc.
The band recorded only one recording for the EMI label in 1967:
LITTLE GIRL – A Side – The Harts – HMV. EA 4849. CRY NO MORE FOR YOU – B Side. Both sides I was lucky enough to compose the songs.
Later after a couple of management changes we then managed by the late Darryl Sampbell up until the demise of the group. I stayed with the group until they disbanded in Perth, Western Australia in 1972.
I remained in Perth after the breakup of the group and became a solo artist in all the major spots in Perth and the suburbs. Fortunately I had a great run in Perth through the seventies and eighties which was one of my most enjoyable times.
Above photo was taken in Adelaide.
Making Perth my home for nearly twenty years and enjoying great success in the West. I then began playing interstate at places as “The Old Lion” in my home town of Adelaide and touring interstate covering all major cities and also included Alice Springs at “The Gap” – “The Sheraton” – “Kakadu” as well as North Queensland, “Melbourne Sheraton” and many other venues during my career.
The above photo was in Alice Springs in 1983.
I eventually returned to Adelaide permanently making South Australia home even though still touring interstate up until 1994. I decided to stay in Adelaide and play the local venues and clubs etc. I admit my love of Western Australia still very much remains, but Adelaide is the place I call home and it is a great place to live.
As far as music I have always felt comfortable with most forms of music including rock and contemporary music or really anything that’s required. Through my career must say I have always leaned towards artists that include The Beatles, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Paul McCartney over the years.
Now a with a career spanning well over fifty years I can only say that I have enjoyed every moment. It was a wonderful time.
The above photo was at “The Pumphouse” in Claremont. Western Australia.
