The Harts – 1966 – 1972

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The Harts were an Australian rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1966 becoming Adelaide’s top group in the late sixties.

The bands original line-up included Bob Gardiner (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar) Peter Mackay (Vocals, Drums) Harry Herni (Vocals, Lead Guitar) and Derek Manning  (Bass).

The group had major changes through the years with one member Derek Manning leaving the band and being replaced by Phil Carr. This line-up would endure throughout most of the groups duration.

 

The above photo left: Peter, Derek, Harry and Bob.

“The Harts” first major line-up played their first initial gig at “The Combine Club” in South Australia. Compared by disk jockey Jim Slade from Adelaide’s 5KA. During one of the groups early periods they entered a competition at Adelaide’s first major discos named “Big Daddy’s”. The event went under “Battle of the Bands”. On the night another group were proclaimed the winners. This decision never sat well with two of the judges that included promoter Ron Tremaine and DJ, Bob Francis who questioned the outcome. Finally the outcome had been reversed with “The Harts” taking out first place which included a trip flying to Melbourne. That prize never eventuated.

The group for the first time recorded at Max Pepper’s Studio in Moger Lane  situated in the heart of the city of Adelaide. The group recorded two old standards, “You Made Me Love You”, “That’s My Desire “and “Don’t go Away” a song by the Zombies.

At this period The Harts popularity became evident playing most of the then top venues such as the “Princeton Club”, “The Oxford Club”, “The Octagon”, Fiesta Villa, The Cardine Club, etc. Most venues were booked through CBA. (Central Booking Agency) mainly handled by Joyce Washington as a major force as far as the band was concerned.

Under the management of Greg Hocking the band ventured to Melbourne and playing many venues over a couple of years with “The Twilights” and major groups such as ”The Group”, “The Groove” etc playing venues in Melbourne which included: Thumping Tum: Kew Club: The Biting Eye: Tenth Avenue: Catcher : Pinocchio’s : Birties : Opus and many more.

With work becoming fairly plentiful when the band became an established act  with television appearances in Adelaide and Melbourne such as  ”Intime”, “Adelaide Tonight” , “The Go Show”, Happening 70, also later television appearances in Perth and Brisbane. Sadly no film or television footage has ever been found considering the group appeared on many television shows over the groups career.

Still working mainly Adelaide and Mellbourne, Bass player Derek Manning at the time was in two minds about leaving the band. During this period Evan Jones came into the picture to join the group. Derek had a change of heart and decided to stay. Obviously Evan wasn’t too pleased with the sudden decision and we all could understand Evan totally.

RECORD CONTRACT: It was not long before Greg and the group met Alan Munn at EMI on the Port Road in Adelaide.  The band were offered a contract for a three year period with a release of three singles per year. The band now settled playing Adelaide and Melbourne with the group recording their first release on the HMV label with two original songs  ”Little Girl” and “Cry No more For You” which were recorded at the Armstrong’s studios in Melbourne in 1977.  Both songs were produced by David Mackay and written by the groups lead vocalist Bob Gardiner. Further recordings never eventuated due to line -up changes over a  three year period. Another contract would later be renewed by then manager Darryl Sambell at a later date for another three years.

RECORD RELEASE:

A SIDE – LITTLE GIRL: Recorded at the Armstrong’s studios in Melbourne. 1977: David Mackay produced both sides. The session was paid for by EMI and it took about three to four hours to put both tracks down. The session seemed quite a rush job.

B SIDE – CRY NOMORE FOR YOU: with both songs written by Bob Gardiner.

EMI – Bad pressing. Prior to the song being released and on hearing the first pressing of the songs for the first time turned out to be quite bad. They repressed the record and the new pressing was so much clearer. In Adelaide the record had sold out very quickly on it’s release. Eventually all copies were sold out and a new batch had been released but by that time the record had run it’s path. In actual fact EMI should have released double the amount in the first place . Where the song came in on the Adelaide charts and Victorian charts is not known but it rated high especially in the bands home town of Adelaide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above from left: Bob, Harry, Peter and Phil.

Bob Gardiner:

ADELAIDE: From Melbourne to Adelaide to do the show at “Centennial hall” for a Roy Obison, Yardbirds, The Walker Brothers concert also with Bev Harrell .  This was a great experience chatting to Jimmy Page who was with the Yardbirds. Also Roy Orbison who we all looked up to. This at the time was a highlight for us all meeting musicians we all admired.  On that same trip returning to Adelaide to do the show Derek had a major car accident just out of  Border Town with his girl friend Sue and guitarist Harry. The group again returned to Melbourne still playing most of the gigs when Derek was involved in another accident in Melbourne. As a result on the return to Adelaide Derek had decided to leave as he had had enough of the travelling and also having two car accidents didn’t help and gave him a good reason to leave the band. Derek was a pleasure to work with and in reality he helped make the band. He was the bass player on The Harts recordings and in a way it was sad to see him leave as we were all good friends. He now plays bass with  the Gary Burrows band “The Rustlers” in Adelaide, South Australia.

 

HARTS PROMO 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above photo: Peter Mackay, Bob Gardiner, Phil Carr, Harry Herni.

On returning to Melbourne the group needed a fill-in bass player and chose a friend named Phil Pemblott. He went under the name of Clyde. The replacement for the group was Phil Carr. Phil turned out to be an asset to the band in many ways than one with his singing and bass playing. The band now had four very strong vocalists capable of playing a variety of songs even though Bob and Phil handled most of the lead vocals. Phil’s first gig  was “Centennial Hall” in Adelaide. The band were support to “The Twilights” and “The Easybeats”. This was one of “The Easybeats” first concerts after returning to Australia from England.

Around this time Darryl Sambell had just started managing John Farnham. The Harts were fairly close to Bev Harrell and also John as the group backed them on many occasions in Adelaide and interstate.

After many trips to Melbourne the band felt that they were better off to base themselves in Adelaide at the time as the work there was quite plentiful as far as corporate shows and also residencies in many major top hotels and clubs.

Bob Gardiner:

DARRYL AND A SOLO CAREER: Darryl Samble approached me regarding management. Wanting another solo artist as well as having John as his main interest which was understandable. He wanted me to go on the same path as John. I was naturally grateful for the offer but there were differences with my Father and Darryl. My father looked on it as a bad move. Though it was up to me and in the end I gave it some thought but at the time my interest lay totally with “The Harts” and declined the offer. Darryl later on down the track ended up getting Tony Pantana. 

 THE 20 PLUS CLUB: The group became the resident band at the 20 Plus club with Bob Francis comparing the shows: The groups popularity was at a high at “20 Plus”. This was around 1968 – 69.  The actual night club began at three venues. The venue still under the name “20 Plus” moved to Grote Street in Adelaide and was owned and run by Richard Gardener, Trevor Bryan and Paul Wilkie. This club was the most popular venue at the time in Adelaide.  Trevor Bryan became the groups manager spending just over a year under his management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above from top, Bob Gardiner,  Phil Carr, Peter Mackay, Harry Herni.

 

THE HARTS AND JOHN FARNHAM: John at the time was beginning to have hits Australia wide. Darryl Sambell took the band to Perth with John and himself.  “The Harts” had Steve Hopgood an ex drummer from “The Masters Apprentices” to take Peters place as he was unable to go. The Harts and John Farnham played one night stands throughout Western Australia including  such places as Geraldton and other northern and southern places including Albany etc. The finale show was in Perth at the “Regal Theatre” in Subiaco. This was the first time ”The Harts” had been to Perth. The members at the time on that trip were, Phil Carr, Mike Wade, Bob Gardiner, and Steve Hopgood.

DARRYL SAMBELL AND MANAGEMENT: Darryl Sambell had by this time secured management of the group and had signed with Ivan Dayman’s “Dance Promotions” for “The Harts” to play at “Swinger” and also the Dayman circuit Australia wide.

HARTS 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above photo of “The Harts” at Adelaide’s venue “Swinger”.

 

Bob Gardiner: Many lead guitar changes:

Around this time changes in the line-up of lead guitarists became a problem. Harry Herni had left the group to join “The Laurie Allen Revue” but would later rejoin at later date playing “20 Plus” and “Swinger”.  Other members who played lead guitar were Mike Brady: Not to be confused with Melbourne composer of the same name. Mike was from Adelaide and had also spent time in the group more than once. Mike was one of the most competent  guitarists in Adelaide.  Also Mike McGuire from Adelaide took over lead guitar for a short period. Lead guitarist and keyboardist Mike Wade had joined the band twice. Mike was very competent in many ways as a singer and musician.  

By this time I had purchased an Amplifier and Fender Stratocaster from  Alan Felburg. A member of ”The Drifters”. I remember going down to Alan’s place and picking up the amp and guitar. The amplifier was superb adding to the groups sound in every way. In a way I really didn’t think Alan wanted to sell it as it was really a part of his life. As mentioned Alan was a member of Adelaide’s “Drifters” with Barrie McAskill.

 

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The above photo of “The Harts” and manager Darryl Sambell.

JIM BERRY: Jim Berry was the manager of “Dance Promotions” situated in Kent town, Adelaide where he ran the “Norwood Ballroom” at Norwood, “The Scene” in the city as well as “Swinger” situated at the “Hotel Australia” in North Adelaide which has since been turned into apartments. “Swinger” was part of the dance circuit owned by Ivan Dayman. The Dayman circuit included Queensland and then venturing to Sydney, Melbourne and eventually Western Australia. Phil Carr and his wife shared a house that had been changed into three units. Darryl and John Farnham sharing one of the others. John was around most of the time as Darryl started him off performing in Adelaide to begin with before John hit  the Melbourne scene.

Now resident band at “SWINGER” “The Harts” were at their very best. While spending well over a year or two at “Swinger” they were offered to go to Brisbane and later return back to Melbourne and eventually record. The recording would again be at “Armstrong’s” in Melbourne as by this time Darryl had renewed the bands contract with EMI. Unfortunately things didn’t go to plan.

BRISBANE: QUEENSLAND.

As mentioned the group had now reached its potential and headed for Queensland. Travelling by car Phil Carr rolled his vehicle with he, wife and child thrown out of the vehicle. The car had rolled over into the scrub. The crash was a horrifying accident. The remaining members attending to them and they were eventually taken to the hospital.

 

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The band travelled on to Brisbane only to get as far as Kings Hill near Tweed Heads and after much discusion the band eventually decided to return to Adelaide. All members feeling the band could not play to their full potential. While returning to Adelaide they called into see Phil at the Griffith Hospital. Then headed back to Adelaide with the relief seeing Phil getting better but still laid up in hospital.

 

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On returning to Adelaide and Carr still hospitalized the group had only one option to play back at “Swinger” in Adelaide once more. The band employed Phil Pemblott once again on bass. He was the only one that was reliable as far as the bands repertoire.  The band group played at Memorial Drive supporting “The Hollies”. The Harts were to come on just after Adelaide’s “Travis Wellington Hedge” when arriving the security on the gate would not let the group in. Eventually the group were let in and went on stage right away. John Farnham was to appear right after the groups set and I must say it was one of the worst nights the group had ever played. A night to remember I don’t think.

The band eventually returned to normal with Phil Carr rejoining only to leave after a few weeks even though the band held pen his position for quite some time. This as far as the group was concerned was a kick in the guts as the group had waited for his return and again this put the band back even further.

The groups next line up were Gardiner, Mackay, Herni and Queenslander Ian Beadows. The group still at “Swinger” then group playing Melbourne  also playing a couple of shows in Shepparton. Then on to Sydney playing support to The Deltones and Ian Saxon and the Sound.

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“The Harts” shown on Adelaide’s “In Time” with Noel O’conner.

Arriving in Brisbane the band went basically straight to Ivan Dayman’s office situated at “CLOUDLAND”. It was one of the most magnificent ballrooms we had ever seen. The band stayed at Ivan’s house while playing in Brisbane at “The Lands Office”.

On returning to Adelaide: We were questioned about a slight item. The trip flying from Adelaide to Melbourne, Sydney, Surfers then Brisbane. and then back to Adelaide. All tickets were all paid for but there was one catch. The equipment was not and we booked it up to Dance Promotion all the way and every stop. When we saw Jim Berry in the office back in Adelaide after the lengthy stint he said, what in the hell is this bill for. He was not happy but somehow wore it.

PERTH: VICTOR CALLIS PROMOTIONS: The band were booked to play all of the clubs in Perth and the main hotels in the suburbs. From Adelaide by train on the Indian Pacific and once again headed to the west. The clubs played all the clubs but eventually the venues began to run a bit thin.

EXMOUTH: U.S. NAVY BASE: 1971. Bob Gardiner:

The group then headed to Exmouth where we were to work at “The Harold Holt Naval Base”. The base had everything that included their own picture theatre, Bowling alley centre, TV Studio. Peter and I got to see their television studio and the set up. They didn’t mind one bit and ended up turning the station on like it didn’t matter what so ever. They set a mike up for the both of us. With guitar handy the station was directly set up for all naval personnel who were still up and around the place. With their televisions on they could phone through and ask for a song. By this time Peter was pretty much his normal self and we both played songs that were requested. A great night.

At the end of the tour in Perth, Peter decided that he was going to leave. Mackay’s leaving was a major setback for the group as he was an original member and a hard position to be filled after all those years. The band then replaced Mackay with John Van Zyl. Once more playing at “Swinger” in Adelaide.  This never lasted very long and the group disbanded.

Phil and myself  began playing at the Tonsley Hotel as a duo as a floor show act I think Friday or on a Saturday night. This never lasted as we firstly did around three numbers with the clientele watching and then played some up tempo numbers enticing the crowd to join in and dance. This went down very well with people but not with the management. A plus for myself was the first and only time I had met Mel Cameron and also his wife. I had always admired Mel Cameron since the early days of radio on 5AD. I respected him and he turned out to be as nice as I hoped he would be. Also Carole Sturtzel was also singing with the band on those nights. Again I had great admiration for Carole.

PERTH FOR THE LAST TIME: Bob Gardiner 

Jimmy Chaplin called from Perth not long after the band had disbanded and asked me to get the band over there for a stint in Perth. I told him the band had disbanded and Phil and I were working duo. He said just get replacements. I later phoned him and agreed to come over as I talked it over with Phil and we finally got George Bunea for lead guitar and Dennis Bird on drums. Once again we were off to Perth. 

We began once again doing the clubs in Perth but again that soon wore thin.  At this time things weren’t working out with Dennis Bird. Somehow we found Harry in town. Harry was a great guitarist and also a very good drummer at least as far as I and Phil were concerned. Dennis at the time didn’t fit the group as he was basically jazz drummer. We really had decided we would like Harry in the group as long as Dennis could get a gig. We approached Dennis and asked if he had any ideas about where he could work as he had mentioned LaTenda where he had played before. Dennis really wanted out and he ended up leaving and going to LaTenda and was quite happy with the changeover. Harry joined and we all headed for Port Hedland which is a bloody long way.

PORT HEDLAND: Bob Gardiner:

Port Hedland was a eye opener but we enjoyed it there and it was really a long holiday. I think we all enjoyed it. We also switched instruments in Hedland which made a change. Both Phil and I were married with children and they all came along. That was a great gig.

CARNARVON: After the long stint at Port Headland we flew down to Carnarvon  where  we were booked to play for two weeks. Harry now on drums took sick and flew down to Perth. We ended up playing as a trio. I took over drums up until the end. By then we had decided that that was the end of the line for the band. After that we headed down to Perth

Returning to Perth the group played a few more jobs with one of the last being “The Albany Hotel” which was south of  Perth.  The band did the night and then played at a drive in theatre the same night.  Returned to Perth and that was the end of the line for the group with “The Harts” disbanded in 1972.

Playing in “The Harts” was an experience one could never forget and never miss  and would probably do it all again making the same mistakes along the way?  The only thing regrettable was never doing anymore recordings and staying as one unit and gaining  a little respect for the work the band had done over the many years together. I hope we did.

To all that followed “The Harts” we say a big thanks to you.

As far as I am concerned it was a great little band.

Bob Gardiner.

Without prejudice:

VENUES INCLUDED:

Coolangatta QLD – Cabbage Patch QLD – Punchbowl NSW –Lands Office QLD – Marion – SA – Carnarvon Hotel – WA – Esplanade Port Hedland – WA – Gobbles – WA -Twenty Plus SA – Swinger – SA – Armand Hall South Yarra – VIC – Winston Charles – S.A.  – Tenth Avenue – VIC – Birties – VIC – Biting Eye – VIC – Thumping Tum – VIC Pinnocchio’s – VIC. – Pinnocchies W.A. – The Kew Club – VIC– The Cottesloe Hotel –  WA The Herdsman – WA – The Charles WA – Catcher – VIC – Opus VIC – Kewdale – WA – Ocean Beach – WA  Painsville – VIC – Sorento – VIC – Oxford Club – SA – Memorial Drive – SA – Centennial Hall – SA – Big Daddy’s – SA – Regal Theatre WA –Albany – WA – Geralton – WA – Charles Hotel – WA – The Lands Office – QLD – Shandon Hotel, Whyalla – SA – Geelong – VIC – The Harold Holt Navel Bass at Exmouth – WA  – Commercial Hotel North Hampton – North Cape Lodge Exmouth – WA – Carnarvin Shire Hall – WA – Waldorf – WA – Amazon – WA – Le Mirage – WA – The Blue Note – WA – Henry Africas – WA – Pumphouse –  The Hair and Hound – WA – The Briar Patch – WA – Minskys – WA – The Cock and Bull – WA – The Charles Hotel – WA – Forrest Field Tavern – WA – Americas Cup – 1987 – WA – Port Adelaide Football Club – SA – Perth Concert Hall – WA – Adelaide Casino – SA – Enfield Picture Theatre – SA – The Picadilly Theatre – SA – Glenelg Picture Theatre – SA – The North Adelaide Football Club – Prospect. SA.  – The Grange Hotel – SA – The Enfield RSL Club – SA – The Balga Inn – WA – Albany Hotel – WA – Busselton Hotel – WA – Mandurah Hotel – WA – Bunbury – WA – Cannington Hotel – WA – The Karrinyup Tavern – WA – Kewdale Hotel – WA – Booragoon Hotel – WA – Belmont Tavern – WA – Adelaide Town Hall – SA –  Como Hotel – WA – The Fairway Tavern – WA – Rockingham Hotel –  WA – The Sheraton Hotel – Alice Springs – NT – Vista Hotel – Alice Springs – NT – The Crockadile – Kakadu – NT –  The Gap Hotel – Alice Springs – NT – Ayres Rock Tavern – NT – David Jones Christmas Show – Centennial Hall – SA – Myers Adelaide SA – Betts and Betts Perth – WA. – Double Drive In – Melbourne – VIC – The Kiama club – Enfield and Prospect – SA  The Combine Club – ? – The KT Club – SA – Freemasons Hotel – WA -Wallace Motors, Bunbury – WA – Commercial Hotel North Hampton – North Cape Lodge Exmouth – Carnarvon Shire Hall – WA  – Big Daddy’s – Regal Theatre Perth WA – Broadbeach –Toowoomba – Surfers Bear Garden – QLD – Coolangatta – QLD – The Sheraton Melbourne –VIC

Australia W.A. Perth ‘Waldorf’ Nite Club
Australia W.A. Perth Kewdale Hotel
Australia W.A. Perth Sandgroper Hotel
Australia W.A. Perth ‘Top Hat’ Nite Club
W.A. Perth White Sands Hotel
Australia W.A. Perth Sundowner Hotel
Australia S.A. Adelaide Pooraka Hotel
Australia W.A. Freemantle Orient Hotel
Australia VIC Melbourne HSV, Channel 7
Australia VIC Geelong
Australia S.A. Adelaide Pooraka Hotel
Australia S.A. Adelaide SAS Channel 10 ‘In Time’, TV
Australia S.A. Adelaide ‘The Scene’ Nite Club
Australia S.A. Adelaide ABC Channel 2
Australia S.A. Adelaide ‘Cooinda Club’
Australia S.A. Adelaide ‘Fiesta Villa’
S.A. Adelaide St. Clair Youth Centre
Australia S.A. Thebarton Thebarton Town Hall
Australia S.A. Adelaide ‘Princeton’
Australia S.A. Adelaide Centennial Hall
Australia S.A. Adelaide Centennial Hall
Australia S.A. Adelaide Centennial Hall
Australia S.A. Norwood Norwood Football Club
Australia S.A. Adelaide ‘Jenny’s Joint’
Australia S.A. Enfield Civic Centre
20.08.69 Australia S.A. Adelaide NSW Channel 9 ‘Adelaide Tonight’ TV
Australia S.A. Enfield R.S.L. Hall
Australia S.A. Adelaide Adelaide University
Australia S.A. Adelaide Centennial Hall ‘The Easy Beats’ Support
Australia S.A. Adelaide Myer Store
Australia S.A. Adelaide Myer Store
Australia S.A. Adelaide Marion Shopping Centre ‘Combine’
Australia S.A. Adelaide ‘Chequer’s Place’ Nite Club
Australia S.A. Adelaide Salisbury Youth Centre
Australia S.A. Adelaide Thebarton Town Hall
Australia VIC Melbourne ‘Berties’
Australia VIC Paynesville Paynesville Hotel
Australia W.A. Perth ‘Beethovens’ Nite Club
Australia W.A. Perth Swanbourne Hotel
Australia W.A. Perth Herdsman Hotel
Australia SA Adelaide ‘Swinger’ Disco
Australia VIC Geelong ?
Australia VIC Melbourne ‘Q Club’
Australia VIC Melbourne ?
Australia S.A. Adelaide Memorial Drive The Hollies
Australia VIC South Melbourne Armstrongs ‘Recording – Little Girl – Cry Nomore for you.  Recording studio1977
Australia W.A. Perth Kewdale Hotel
Australia VIC Melbourne Tenth Avenue
Australia VIC Brisbane ‘Swinger’ Disco –
Australia VIC Melbourne ATV Channel 0 Happening 70
Australia S.A. Adelaide Arkaba Hotel
Australia. W.A.  Perth ‘The Speakeasy’ Nite Club
Australia W.A. Perth ‘Pinnochios’ Nite Club
Australia NSW Sydney Sundowner Hotel

Email: bobgardiner909@bigpond.com