Bob Gardiner

Posted by bobgar on Jul 7, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Bobby Gardiner and the Pirates

The group formed around 1962 in Adelaide though the band was an off-shoot of “Bobby Gardiner and The Steelmen”.

I at the time was singing at “The KT Club” around a year before joining the group. It so happened that Peter asked if I would like to front the band at that stage called “The Steelmen”. I agreed and finally the group began to practice at Peter’s parent’s home in one their spare rooms.

This became a long standing relationship between all of us and though very green at the time we all put in as much time into getting the group right.

Members included BOBBY GARDINER – lead vocalist PETER MACKAY – drums – vocals HENRY HAMMACK – lead guitar – vocals TREVOR KENNYWELL – bass – vocals GEOFF SOLLEY – Guitar.

We worked very small venues and gradually the group started to show quite a bit of promise.

Not long after the group changed the name to “Bobby Gardiner and The Pirates”. This was around the Cliff Richard and Shadows days. At the time I didn’t play guitar and most of the numbers were of Chuck Berry, The Shadows and songs of the day.

The group eventually had a regular job at a church dance named the “Kiama Club” situated on the Main North Road not far from Regency Road. I must say at the time we were all young and enjoyed every minute. Not a worry in the world.

Eventually the band sounded better and by this time “The Beatles” had hit the scene and our repertoire changed completely. The dance moved to a hall at the “North Adelaide Football Club” at the Prospect oval. This venue only lasted a couple of weeks and eventually moved to the “Prospect Town Hall” where the dance became very popular. I can remember David Flapmann one of the top Disc Jockeys comparing the show who would in later years go on to television work for the ABC.

Also many guests that included Carole Sturtzel etc.

Around this time we had secured a weekly engagement at “The KT Club” run by a chap named Graham Bartlett. The band was resident there for a year or so. By this time Geoff Solly decided to leave as I really as he didn’t want to commit to a life as a full time musician.

MIKE WADE – guitar – vocals would join the group replacing Geoff Solley.

While deciding on a replacement we held an audition at my folks place with a guy named Mike Wade. Mike had turned up with his father and guitar. I must say Mike was never backward in coming fourth with what he knew as far as music went. But also we were all surprised at his knowledge in regards to the songs he knew. As it turned out he was indeed a very good guitarist and pianist.

Now firmly grounded as a group we mainly played at “The KT Club” at “The Kings Ballroom” on the corner of King William Street and Carrington Street in Adelaide as mentioned.

The KT Club was run by Graham Bartlet on a Friday and Saturday night sharing acts from interstate such as The Bee Gee’s, Kevin Todd, Laurel Lee and so many more.

The band at the time auditioned for “Showcase”. This was run by “Crawford Productions”.

The compare was Gordon Boyd. This was our second time on television as we had an interview with Paul Weston on the Ten Network in Adelaide regarding our trip and about the show. At this time we had changed the band’s name to “The Purple Hearts” and found out there was another group of the same name which included Lobby Lloyd. Hence we changed the name to “The Harts”.

We flew over from Adelaide to Melbourne and were picked up by a car at the airport and taken to The Menzies Hotel. I must say the arrangements while being there were no less than perfect.

Our schedule had been mapped out for the band to perfection. The only thing that went wrong was Mike’s guitar went on to Sydney and with Mike complaining, that didn’t help. I couldn’t blame him though.

We met the compare Gordon Boyd and also Hector Crawford which I thought was great.

The show included various acts from Australia wide. We did the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Day Dream”. The song was very much a non event. I had to put down a vocal and practice it over night and also learn some dance steps from a lady named Natalie Rian.

In the show the band played an intro and I had to walk up stairs and come down them singing the song and that was all new to me.

We did the show and to me it was very mediocre as I thought it would be and I think we came nearly last in the competition. Still I must say it was a learning curb for us all, especially for myself.

The group consisted of Myself, Peter Mackay, Mike Wade, Trevor Kennywell and for some reason we had to have a fifth member who was Dave Taylor.

From this period on the band would change forever.

The group disbanded in 1965 with Gardiner and Mackay going on to form “The Harts” at a later date.

Geoff Solley now lives in the South of Western Australia.

Henry Hammack is nowhere to be found as is Trevor.

Mike Wade now lives in Queensland as does Peter Mackay has been with Queensland’s “Wickety Wak”.

It would be nice to hear from some of the guys.

Those were great days and have now flown by with-out really taking any notice.

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Thank you.