Awesome Aussie Songs

The Career of Lucky Starr

Lucky Starr has had an amazing 60 year career. He has had No,1 hit records and was the first Australian Rock n Roll star to gain any real sustained success in the USA.

Together with songwriter Geoff Mack, Lucky is best know for his smash hit song I've Been Everywhere, however, Lucky Starr's career is far more than just one hugely successful song.

Lucky Starr is still performing today and wowing crowds, just as he was when Rock n Roll first landed on Australian shores in the 1950's.

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The Career of Lonnie Lee & The Leemen

Lonnie Lee is a legend of Australian music. Together with his band The Leemen, they found chart topping success when the first wave of Rock n Roll hysteria was at its peak.

With over 60 years of living the Rock n Roll lifestyle, Lonnie has carved out a career that commands enormous respect. 

Lonnie Lee and The Leemen were the first Australian act signed to Lee Gordon's record label, Leedon...... yes, a lot of Lee's mention in that previous sentence, but rest assured what it means is Lonnie Lee is one of the creators of the Rock n Roll industry in Australia.

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Stay The F*** At Home by Chris Franklin & the Isolaters

Just like the success he had with his No.1 hit single Bloke, when Aussie comedian Chris Franklin wrote the Covid 19 lockdown anthem 'Stay The F*** At Home', he instantly hit the mark.

Chris reached out to a host of Australian music icons and he formed the lockdown band The Isolaters. These legends included Angry Anderson, Russell Morris, Murray 'Red Wiggle' Cook, Ella Hooper, Bob Spencer, Dave Gleeson and Kevin Bloody Wilson to name just a few of the stars involved. 

Stay The F*** At Home even became a hit all around the world, with the creators of South Park even adding their own film clip to the song. 

The music video to Stay The Fuck At Home is also a classic and its sure to give you a laugh
Here's the link to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnBtOPUMyqU&list=RDSnBtOPUMyqU&start_radio=1

The TMG Years - Ted Mulry Gang

The Ted Mulry Gang were one of Australia's most popular bands throughout the 1970's.

Best known for their classic song Jump in my Car, the Ted Mulry Gang had 10 hit singles, as well as 4 albums making the charts. In terms of popularity as a band, TMG stood alongside contemporaries such as Sherbert, Skyhooks and they often had a young AC/DC along for the ride as their support band. 

I sat down with Ted's younger brother Steve and we had a great chat about Ted and his days as the leader of the Ted Mulry Gang.

Sadly Ted passed away in 2001, aged just 53, however, the music of TMG still lives on!

Solo Career - Ted Mulry

Ted Mulry's solo career is often overshadowed by the enormous success of his time as leader of the the Ted Mulry Gang.

The singer / songwriter first found fame working with Harry Vanda and George Young at the famed Albert Studios in 1970. A creative pop balladeer, Ted found chart success with 5 singles prior to meeting up with the Gang.

I sat down with Ted's younger brother Steve and we had a great chat about about Ted and his music.

Sadly Ted passed away in 2001, aged just 53, however, his music still lives on!

The Mighty Guys - Leon’s Story Part 4

The Mighty Guys - Leon's Story Part 4

At a time when The Fonz was king, The Mighty Guys and their brand of authentic Rock 'n' Roll proved to be a winner. In 1981, they released their debut album, Rockin' All Thru The Night and it went Gold on the ARIA Album charts.

The Mighty Guys also had a mighty reputation as a live band. The line up of The Mighty Guys were Mick Hamilton (formerly of The Moods & The Vibrants) vocals and guitar, Phil Eizenberg (formerly of The Ferrets) vocals and bass, with Leon Isackson (formerly Dig Richards & the R'Jays and The Rajahs) vocals and drums.

In this episode  I continue my chat with Leon Isackson, the three previous episodes (Dig Richards & the R'Jays, Digby Richards, and The Rajahs) all feature Leon and his amazing Rock 'n' Roll journey, with this episode focusing on the career with The Mighty Guys.

The Beatles to Bee Gees - Leon’s Story Part 3

The Beatles to Bee Gees - Leon's Story Part 3

Long before social media, The Rajahs fame blew up literally overnight. If there was a Twitter in the 1960's #THERAJAHS would have been sure to be trending in the 'twitter-verse'. The Rajahs had already achieved plenty of success as Dig Richards and the R'Jays, however, when Dig went solo, they changed their name from to The Rajahs and it was the start of an amazing musical journey.

Via a 'throw-away' recording session, The Rajahs became known as the "Australian Beatles" and "filled in" for the Fab Four, giving Aussie teenagers their fix of Beatlemania before the real thing arrived on our shores.

As the resident recording band with the famed Festival Records, The Rajahs have probably appeared on more singles and albums than just about any other Australian band, such was their recording output. They also had the prestigious job as Johnny O'Keefes backing band for several years. The Rajahs were the first Australian band to headed to the Vietnam War and perform for the troops. For New Years Eve in 1966, The Rajahs even replaced Bob Hope to perform for 5000 troops aboard the American battleship, the US Kittyhawk.

I speak with The Rajahs drummer Leon Isackson about his 60 year career in the world of Rock 'n' Roll.  

Digby Richards - Leon’s Story Part 2

Digby Richards - Leon's Story Part 2

As Australia's very first teenage idol, Dig Richards was the pretty boy of Rock n Roll, often compared in looks to actor James Dean, he was a serious musician who realised there wasn't much of a future in being a 'teenager pop star pin up'.

Going by his full name Digby Richards he went on to carve out his own place in Australian music  history. As a singer / songwriter he released 30 singles and 7 full length albums. His music was released in America, UK, Germany.  Digby had chart success that spanned three decades and he's as diverse a musician as you'll find and I hope this episode does his music justice.

I speak with R'Jays drummer Leon Isackson about Digby and I also spoke with Digby's brother, Doug and gained some insight into Digby's solo career.

Sadly, Digby died aged just 42-years-old in 1983 , however, his musical legacy lives on. 

”Digging” with Louis Armstrong & JOK - Leon’s Story Part

"Digging" with Louis Armstrong and JOK - Leon's Story Part 1

In the early days of Rock 'n' Roll in Australia, Dig Richards & the R'Jays were one of the biggest bands in the land.

With movie-star good looks, Dig was Australia's very first teenage idol, and with his band the R'Jays, they were at the forefront of the Rock 'n' Roll revolution.

They were the first Aussie band to release a full length album through Festival Records and as a live act, they were as popular as any local band. They also appeared on many Lee Gordon Big Shows and more than held their own playing alongside the visiting American superstars.

At a time when the "establishment" was doing it best to stop this new form of music from taking hold, Dig Richards & the R'Jays led the way in spreading the gospel of Rock 'n' Roll. They even had their own TV show on Channel 7 called Teen Time.

I speak with R'Jays drummer Leon Isackson about his amazing musical journey hanging out with the like of The Bee Gees and Louis Armstrong and I also spoke with Dig's brother, Doug and gained some insight into Digs career.

Sadly, Dig died aged just 42-years-old in 1983 , however, his musical legacy lives on.

Soul Kind of Feeling by Dynamic Hepnotics

The Dynamic Hepnotics were one of the coolest bands in the land during the 80's. Their smooth, soulful style saw them stand out on the Aussie pub rock scene.

They topped the charts with the single Soul Kind of Feeling and backed it up with another Top 10 hit, Gotta Be Wrong.

Our special guest is the bands frontman and the songwriter of Soul Kind of Feeling, 'Continental' Robert Susz.