Bob Gardiner & The Pirates
“THE PIRATES” A group formed around 1963 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.
Trevor, Bob, Peter, Henry “The KT Club”.
Members included BOB GARDINER – lead vocalist PETER MACKAY – drums – vocals HENRY HAMMOCK – lead guitar – vocals TREVOR KENNYWELL – bass – vocals GEOFF SOLLY – Guitar.
Peter Mackay at “The KT Club”
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.
Henry Hammock at “The KT Club”
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.
Trevor, Bob, Henry at “The KT Club”
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 he didn’t want to commit to a life as a full time musician.
Mike Wade and Trevor Kennywell. “KT Club”
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. and I must say Mike was never backward in coming fourth with what he knew as far as music went. 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 plus he knew nearly every song that we played at the time.
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.
Trevor, Peter, “The KT Club”.
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, Ricky May and so many more.
The band at the time auditioned for “Showcase”. This was run by “Crawford Productions”. The auditions were held in Adelaide and the show was held at “Channel O” in Melbourne.
The compare was Gordon Boyd. This was would be 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 Wade’s guitar went on to Sydney and with Mike not too happy about the situation he put in a few complaints that didn’t help the bands position in regards to the show. I must say I couldn’t blame him though.
The show included various acts from Australia wide. We did the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Day Dream”. The song to me was very much a non event. I personly didn’t think it had much life to it. I had to put down a vocal and practiced it over night and also had to learn some dance steps from a lady named Natalie Rian.
In the show the band played an intro of the song where I had to climb the stairs and come gradually down to the bands level singing the song and that was all new to me.
We did the show and to me we were all very mediocre. I think we came nearly last in the competition. Still I must say it was a learning curb for us all, especially for myself. I must admit seeing the way things were run at that time impressed me and also meeting Hector Crawford was a plus.
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 myself and Peter Mackay going on to form “The Harts” at a later date.
Geoff Solly, I believe now lives in the South of Western Australia.
The above photo of “The Pirates” was one of the bands first gig’s playing at a Catholic dance on friday night. From the right members include Peter Mackay, Bob Gardiner, Henry Hammock, Trevor Kennywell and Geoff Solly. I must say that these were great times and we all just had good fun.
Geoff as mentioned moved to Western Australia and Trevor Kennywell retired from playing.
Mike Wade played in “The Harts” several times during the existance of the group. He now lives in Queensland as does Peter Mackay who during the last ten to fifteen years played with the show group with Queensland’s “Wickety Wak”.
It would be nice to hear from some of the guys and know what they are all doing. Those were great days that have now flown by with-out really taking very much notice.
All information may be obtained at the web address below if displayed.
Thank you.
Email bobgardiner909@bigpond.com