Awesome Aussie Songs

Kidnapped at the Battle of Long Tan

This mini episode is on Aria Hall of famer, Col Joye and the time he found his himself in Vietnam during the war and right smack in the middle of the Battle of Long Tan.

For the full story of Col’s experiences performing during the Vietnam War period check out episode 34.

Order Me a Gudinski Burger Please

This mini ep takes a look at ground breaking Australian rock band, Ayers Rock.

Formed in 1973, Ayers Rock were the first Australian act signed with Mushroom Records to break internationally.

When Ayers Rock recorded their debut album, Big Red Rock, they recorded it live-in-the-studio and it was a ground breaking album.

Rockin’ the Viet Cong

In the world of music, The Rajahs are not a household name, however, they’ve had some extraordinary moments in their career.

 

Before they renamed themselves The Rajahs, the band were previously known as The R’Jays and they were one of the most popular acts in Australia. As Dig Richards and the R’Jays, they spread the gospel of rock n roll across the country and their success was only rivalled by the likes of Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye.

 

Here’s Drummer Leon Isaccson telling us about how the band became the first Australian band to tour Vietnam during the war, performing for the Australian and American troops.

Not Tonight Mr Sinatra

Diana Trask is a music trail blazer – following World War 2, she was the first Australian female to break into the big time in the USA. She was the first to star on Prime Time American television, she was nominated for a Grammy and her diversity saw her cross-over from Jazz to pop and then go onto have a successful career in Country Music.

18 of her singles made the Billboard Country Charts. As a songwriter, she wrote a US top 10 hit for the Osmond Brothers and throughout her career Diana’s friends have included Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell.

Here’s Diana talking about her experience meeting Frank Sinatra and what it was like being around one of the most famous entertainers at the height of his fame.

To Love Somebody by The Bee Gees

Without doubt, The Bee Gees are the most successful act to come from Australia. In this episode of Awesome Aussie Songs, we take a look at one of their early international smash hits To Love Somebody.

Rather than just the Gibb Brothers performing as a trio, the 1967 to 69 incarnation of The Bee Gees was a 5 piece band capable of heart felt ballads, as well as equally being at home with some ‘four to the floor’ Rock n Roll.

We speak with The Bee Gees original lead guitarist Vince Melouney and he shares some fascinating insights into the early years of group and how they came to take on the world and win!

There are also historical interview excerpts from Barry, Robin and Maurice, as well as plenty of information and facts to keep even the most fanatical Bee Gees fan satisfied. This episode is a celebration of the band and their contribution to popular music.

I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton-John

It's with a heavy heart we release this episode on the Queen of Australian music, Olivia Newton-John.

Around 6 months ago we spoke to Olivia's friend and band leader Chong Lim about Olivia. 

I Honestly Love You won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1974. The song was co-written by Jeff Barry and fellow Australian icon Peter Allen.

Rock & Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life) by Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson is one of the countries finest singer / songwriters. While he has had plenty of success in Australia, it is on international scene where his thought provoking music has been truly appreciated.

Kevin has made the charts in the US, UK and across Europe and his songs have been covered by the likes of Tom Jones and Mac Davis.

Rock & Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life) is one of the most covered songs ever written by an Australian, in this episode we speak with Kevin about his career and how he came to write a classic song.

Woman You’re Breaking Me by The Groop

The episode is on The Groop and their song Woman You’re Breaking Me.

As a recording act, The Groop had two distinct periods featuring various different members. The Groop Mark 1 was a folk band and spanned 1964 to 66, while The Groop Mark 2 1966 to 69, had a pop rock sound.

Our Special guest is former member of The Groop and one of Australia’s greatest songwriters, Brian Cadd.

Needle in a Haystack by The Twilights

When looking back at the biggest bands of the mid to late 1960’s in Australia, The Easybeats and The Masters Apprentices immediately spring to mind and rightly so, both these bands were absolutely massive, however, ranking right alongside them in the popularity stakes was Adelaide band, The Twilights.

The Twilights had 9 singles make the charts over a 2 year period including a No.1 hit with Needle in a Haystack. As well as a No.1 hit record, they also had another 4 singles make it into the Top 5 on the National Charts.

It wasn’t just on the charts that the Twilights excelled either, they quickly gained a reputation for being one of finest live bands in Australia. This is further highlighted by the fact they would go onto become the national winners of the prestigious Hoadley Battle of the Sounds competition in 1966.

The winners prize included a trip to London for the band and a recording session at Abbey Road Studios - and as luck would have it, The Beatles just happened to be down the hallway recording Penny Lane.

Our special guests are former Twilights, Australian music icon Glenn Shorrock and Grammy Award winner, Terry Britten. 

 

You’re the Voice by John Farnham

 John Farnham is an Australian music icon. In this episode we take a look at the highest selling Australian single of all time, You're the Voice.

Our special guest is Farnsie's musical director, keyboardists and right-hand man, Chong Lim.