Solo Career

NEW VENTURE – SOLO ARTIST.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1972 after “THE HARTS” disbanded in Perth, Western Australia I began a solo career.  This was a new venture for me as I had sang or played without any one but “THE HARTS”. Luckily after being with “The Harts” I had a fairly large repertoire covering The Beatles, Chuck Berry, etc. Most of the venues at the time consisted of  folk music which was never really my cup of tea. The first time playing by myself  I was petrified, me all by myself playing with just an amp, guitar and microphone. I remember thinking it’s totally up to myself to do a good job and I couldn’t blame anybody else for a performance other than myself.

One of my first  gigs was places such as “THE CHELSEA TAVERN” and began to pick up a lot of spots in and around Perth.

“THE PUMPHOUSE” 1974 – 1977. It was situated in Bayview Terrace, in Claremont. An upper class Perth suburb around the Nedlands area. This eventually turned out to be one of the best places I had played at since going solo. At the time it was probably one of Perth’s most popular venue’s especially on the Sunday night’s.

“THE BRIAR PATCH” 1975 . Situated just out of the city in Victoria Park was one of the very first gigs I played at which was originally a wine bar and later would become a tavern selling bear and spririts as most of the venues did eventually. “The Briar Patch” turned out to be one of the most memorable jobs and would be packed out for years including Sunday sessions. I later moved from the “Briar  Patch” to “MINKY’S” Sunday sessions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the time I was using a “VOX- AC30” and a “Rickenbacker”. The Rickenbacker I still use to this day. I also began taping a microphone to the microphone stand. Using the microphone on this gave gave me a back beat while playing guitar and singing adding a little more to the sound. Now one can use a stomp box which gives an even better sound.

MINSKY’S: 1974 -1977. At the same time I played many sessions, one to be noted was another place to be seen was “Minsky’s” in the suburb of Hollywood just off of The Sterling Highway. ” Minsky’s” was a favourite place for many and a great place to go to.

“THE HAIR AND HOUND”: 1978.  This was a popular place where most of the crowd were from everywhere. I can also remember Snowy Fleet who was the ex drummer from the “Easybeats” coming up each night I played asking for an Easybeats number without fail.  This was well after the The Easybeats had split up. At the time he was in the building trade and still is to my knowledge.

Around this time I met Chris Gallagher who ended up becoming a very close friend. Chris would end up helping me with the gear on quite a few occasions especially when I had two or three gigs in one day. I must say he was such help with moving setting the gear up and also travelling to country regions. Since leaving Perth we have both kept in touch and I regard Chris as my best friend.

“THE FAIRWAY TAVERN” 1978. The Pumphouse finished in 1977. I was offered a job at “The Fairway Tavern”.  A well to do suburb in Wembley not far from the beach and was actually a part of a golf course with a night driving range with the works.

“THE CAT AND FIDDLE” 1979. Another tavern became another success. A great place to play with again with a vibrant atmosphere.

JOHN FARNHAM: I saw John Farnham for the last time while he was in Perth with Darryl Samble who once managed “The Harts” at the Perth Entertainment Centre. The next day Darryl had arranged for me to join him and John at Latenda one of Perth’s nightclubs for lunch. After the show we went back to the Sheraton and John introduced me to Jill his wife. That was the last I saw of John.

TO ADELAIDE: CBA :1983. This was now run by Bob Lott, Carol Hunt, Ray Goldie and CBA at during this time. I ended up going to Adelaide and working and flew over to play at most venues in Adelaide. I first played at “INN ON THE PARK” in the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above photo: In On The Park: Adelaide: 1983.

Around this time I decided to stay based in Adelaide: After the gig at “Inn on the Park” I was also booked to play the “OLD LION HOTEL”: 1983.  The first night was packed out and the season there was a complete success and was rebooked for another later in which I did.

After playing at the Old Lion I ended up playing at a very nice Salisbury dining venue name “JOHN HARVEY’S RESTARAUNT” 1983. I stayed there for some time. During my stint there Darryl Sambell had popped around.  At the time he was working for Paul Dainty and also living in New Zealand. This was about the last time I saw Darryl as he passed away a few years later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above photo: The Gap Motor Hotel: Alice Springs. 1983:

“ALICE SPRINGS: THE GAP” 1983: The job in Alice Springs came up while I was playing at “Inn on the Park” and that turned out to be a great trip. That was also in 1983.  His Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Lady Diana stayed at the hotel. During the course of their stay I was asked to play for them by the Northern Territory Protocol etc. I ended up doing at least four seasons at “The Gap” Over the years and all were enjoyable  times.

I also played at “THE SHERATON” in Alice Spring twice. This was another enjoyable time with great staff and so on. After a three month season there I finished after having a great time there. After finishing the season at “The Sheraton” I thought I’d take a trip to the Rock. I played at the who “Ernest Giles Tavern” and booked for two weeks. At this time “The Sheraton” in Alice Springs rebooked me for another stint straight after “The Ernest Giles Tavern”. It turned out to be near on five months away and I was eager to get back to Perth. I eventually returned to Perth only to play againe at the “Gap”.

“CUDDLEE CREEK”: 1983. My first job on arriving back to Adelaide was at a place in the Adelaide hills named “Cudlee Creek”. I had played there prior to this before as mentioned prior to going back to Perth.  I returned to Adelaide and played again at the restaurant at “Cudlee Creek”. This became along standing relation ship with the venue. This became the place to go especially Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another gig came at the “OASIS HOTEL MOTEL”. in Alice Springs once again. I remember Ron Tremaine had just come up from Adelaide and he had taken over the ownership of  “BO JANGLES” night club.

Now returning home and settled in Adelaide for good it turned out that I had a few years with my father up until he passed away. That to me was everything and something I will always treasure.

KAKADU: The gig at Kakadu was at “COOINDA”. A fairly lay back affair where I played outside as the restaurant was much too small. The venue was vibrant most of the time and continued to be through three seasons playing there. this included playing at the “THE CROCKODILE HOTEL”. I returned regularly to Adelaide and worked as mentioned at “Cudlee Creek”.

“SURF AIR”: 1994:  Situated between Noosa and Maroochydoore. I played a six week stint there but the hotel itself was very much out of the way for most. Again I returned to Adelaide and “Cudlee Creek” in 1994.

“THE VISTA HOTEL” again run by the “Four Seasons” hotel chain I was booked to play there and just prior to leaving for the Vista Hotel my father had passed away. I did a three week stint there and returned to Adelaide for New Years Eve to playing at “Cobdogla”.

“THE SHERATON HOTEL” in Melbourne. I had side man Ken Slager on keyboards. Ken played with Adelaide Group named “Clearway” prior. Ken Joined me to do the “The Sheraton” for the Christmas period playing two seasons.  We did the Christmas season and returned back to Adelaide.  I must say Ken was a brilliant musician. His knowledge of music including the classics etc and all were outstanding. We worked for a while in Adelaide as well but eventually went our own way.

I eventually settled in Adelaide after my fathers passing and played “CUDLEE CREEK” and many other places in and around Adelaide. I could see a change coming with-in the music scene with hotels bringing in the poker machines. I realised that this would cut into the working lives of the musician. I really never wanted any part of that scene. Although I played with fellow member of “The Harts” Harry Herni for a short period. I must say it was a pleasure working with Harry as I have always regarded him as a very good guitarist and musician.

After playing for well over forty years I eventually retired around 2010.

I can only say even though I had not ventured out of Australia I had a good and pleasing career with people I had met and all the experiences that went with it. I don’t think I could have done any other job.

SOLO LISTINGS OF GIGS IN AND AROUND AUSTRALIA:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Cudlee Creek  – SA  – Mannum Community Club – SA – Murray Bridge Community Club – SA – Bridgeport Hotel – Murray Bridge – SA – The Cove Tavern – SA – The Albion Hotel – SA – The University Of  Technology – SA – The Castle Hotel – SA – Port Norlunga Hotel Motel – SA – St Clair Youth Centre – SA – The Feathers Hotel – SA – The Colonades Tavern – SA – Christies Beach Hotel – SA – The Leg Trap – SA  – The Lakes Resort Hotel – SA – The Crown Hotel – SA -Victor Harbor – SA – Hotel Australia – Top Room – SA – The Lady Daly – SA – The Bremen – SA – The Sail Master – SA – Arab Steed Hotel – SA – Henry Bucks – SA – Challa Gardens Hotel – SA – Woodside Hotel – SA – Seppelts Winery – SA – The Emu Hotel – SA – The Hampstead Hotel –  SA – Port Dock Brewery Hotel – SA – Elizebeth Tavern – SA – West Croydon RSL – SA – West Adelaide Football Club – SA – The Manfield Park Tavern – SA – The Semephore Palais – SA – The Whitehorse Inn – SA – Barmera Hotel Motel – SA – The Old Lion Hotel – SA – The Gas Works – Strathalbum – SA – Salisbury North Football Club – SA – The Reepham – SA – Bogarts – SA – Kadina Hotel – SA – The Boathouse Tavern – SA – O.G. Hotel – SA – St Agness Winery – SA – The Settlers – SA – The Windsor Hotel – SA – The Stag Hotel – SA – The Bushman Hotel – SA – Gawler – The Bridgeway – SA – The Gurney Club – SA – Karralee Tavern – SA – Gawler Reception Centre – SA – Gepps Cross Hotel – SA – Reservoir Hotel – SA – The Rex Hotel – SA – The Marryatville Hotel – SA – Norwood Redlegs – SA – The Seaford Hotel – SA – Morphett Arms Hotel – SA – The Goodwood Institute – SA – Gawler Theatre – SA – MG Car Club – Tattersals Building – SA – Marion Shopping Centre – Day – SA- The Tolgate Motor Hotel – SA – The North Adelaide Football Club – Prospect. SA –  Tailem Bend Hotel – SA -Riverside – SA – Cobdogla Community Club – SA – The Grange Hotel – SA – The Victoria Hotel – SA – The Hubb Tavern – SA  – Unley On Clyde – SA – The Old Spot – SA- The Royal Coach Motor Inn – SA – The Covercrest Hotel – SA – St Francis Winery – SA – Roulettes – SA – Steventon Lodge – SA – Hackney Hotel – SA – Kadina Hotel – SA – The Northern Hotel – SA:

QUEENSLAND:

Surf Air – Gold Coast, QLD:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Perth Underground – WA – Gramps – WA – Southern River Tavern – WA – The Nookemburra Hotel – WA – The Vintage – WA – Wannaroo Tavern – WA – Perth Concert Hall – WA – The Cottesloe Hotel – WA – The Charles – WA – Kewdale – WA – Forrest Field Tavern – WA – Americas Cup – 1987 – WA – Mounts Bay Lodge – WA – Le Mirage – WA – The Blue Note – WA – Henry Africas – WA – Pumphouse – WA – The Hair and Hound – WA – The Lighthousee Tavern – WA – Sterling Highway Hotel – WA – The Briar Patch – WA – Minskys – WA – The Lynwood Arms – WA – The Cock and Bull – WA – The Charles 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 – Como Hotel – WA – The Fairway Tavern – WA – Rockingham Hotel –  WA -Freemasons Hotel – WA – The Sundowner – WA – The Balga Inn – WA – Albany Hotel – WA – The Last Drop – WA – Occonnors – WA – Rock Inn Tavern – WA – Spearwood Tavern – WA – Speakeasy – WA – The Godfather – WA – The Cock and Bull – WA – Bull creek Tavern – WA – Oscars Tavern – WA – The Armadale Tavern – WA – Rolley Stone Country Club – WA – Churchills Tavern – WA :

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

The Oasis – Alice Springs – NT – The Sheraton Hotel – Alice Springs – NT – Vista Hotel – Alice Springs – NT – The Crockadile – Kakadu – NT – The Gap Hotel – Alice Springs – NT – The Plenty River Mining Company – NT – Ernest Giles Tavern -NT:

VICTORIA:

The Sheraton Melbourne – Four Seasons, VIC :