The Harts – Official

  “The Harts” were an Australian rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1966. The bands first 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.

Prior to Manning leaving, the band were signed to the “HMV’ label recording their first release with two original songs  “Little Girl” and “Cry Nomore 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 the required three year period. Another contract would be renewed by Darryl Sambell who eventually took over management in later years for a similar three year contract with EMI.

The band ventured to Melbourne and playing many venues with “The Twilights” and major groups such as “The Group”, “The Groove” etc playing venues in Melbourne included: Thumping Tum: Kew Club: The Biting Eye: Tenth Avenue: Catcher : Pinocchio’s : Birties : Opus and many more.

“The Harts” were a quality unit mainly known for their strong harmonies with solid backing becoming Adelaide’s top group in the late sixties and early seventies. Their popularity in Adelaide led to top venues in their home town of Adelaide.  The group became resident band at “The 20 Plus Club” in Adelaide and would later go on to be the resident band at Adelaide’s popular club “Swinger” held at the “Hotel Australia” in North Adelaide.

The group appeared on many television shows including “In Time”, “Adelaide Tonight”, “The Go Show”, “Komotion”, “Happening 70” etc. Sadly no film or television footage has ever been found considering the group appeared on many television shows in several states over the years.

The Harts supported many acts such as “Roy Orbison”, “Yardbirds”, “The Walker Brothers”, Bev Harrell at Centennial Hall. The Harts were also support to “The Easybeats” at “Centennial Hall” and  also support to ” The Hollies” at Adelaide’s “Memorial Drive”. The group also played a major part in John Farnham’s early career. The group backed Farnham on many occasions in Adelaide and interstate. The band toured Perth, Western Australia for the first time with Farnham in the late sixties. The group ventured many times to Melbourne but would later mainly base themselves in Adelaide most of the time.

The above is the first major formation of “The Harts” with Peter Mackay the far left, Derek Manning and Harry Herni. Seated is Bob Gardiner. This was one of the first photos of the band.

“The Harts” became resident band at the “20 Plus Club” and later Darryl Sambell had secured management of the group and had signed with Ivan Dayman for “The Harts” to play at “Swinger” and also the  Dayman circuit through-out Australia.

Now resident band at “Swinger” this became the time when “The Harts” were at their very best always presenting more complicated songs of the day and never relying on everyday run of the mill songs. While spending well over two seasons at “Swinger” they were offered to go to Brisbane under the Dayman circut and later return with the intention of eventually recording in Melbourne once again. This project was arranged by their manager Sambell who had renewed the bands contract as mentioned with EMI. This was the next step but unfortunately things didn’t go to plan.

The group had now reached it’s greatest potential and headed for Queensland. Travelling by car bass player, Phil Carr rolled his vehicle with he, wife and child thrown out of the vehicle. The car had rolled over into the scrub with the three of them lying on the road. the crash was a horrifying accident. The remaining members attending to them and they were eventually taken to the hospital . 

The Harts as the first lineup with Derek Manning.

The band travelled on to Brisbane but eventually decided to return to Adelaide. All members knowing the band would not play to it’s full capacity. Carr still hospitalized at the time when the group returned to Adelaide with the only option for the band was 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 played at Memorial Drive supporting “The Hollies”.

The band eventually returned with Carr who would leave after a few weeks even though the band had held his position open for many weeks. As mentioned many changes in the line-up of the group of members became a problem and continued for quite some time. The group later regrouped with the line up again with Gardiner, Mackay, Herni and Queenslander bassist Ian Beadows.

The group once again toured Melbourne, Sydney, The Gold Coast and Brisbane. The group then headed for Perth, Western Australia playing the clubs and travelling the North West and  disbanded for a short time.

Regrouping the group toured once again to the West playing the  Perth clubs in 1971 also covering the North West including Port Hedland. Returning to Perth the group disbanded for the last time in 1972.

Members included:

Bob Gardiner  (lead vocals, guitar) Peter Mackay (vocal, drums)  Harry Herni (Vocals, lead guitar)  Derek Manning (bass)  with Phil Carr (Vocals, Bass) replacing Manning.

Other members through the years:

Mike Wade (Vocals, Lead Guitar)  Mike Brady (lead guitar)  Mike McGuire (Lead Guitar)  John Van Zyl (vocals, drums)  Ian Beadows (bass)  Phil Pemlot (Bass)  George Bunae (lead guitar)  Dennis Bird (drums)

Without prejudice:

 

 

Email: bobgardiner909@bigpond.com