Awesome Aussie Songs

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.

Ayers Rock - Big Red Rock & Beyond

Ayers Rock were the first Mushrooms Records band to sign an international recording deal. And not just with any old 'Mickey Mouse' American record label either - no less than A&M Records run by the legendary Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss

Ayers Rock created some incredible rock jazz soundscapes and they were the first Australian band to tour the American stadium circuit, playing before massive crowds in the years prior to the Aussie onslaught by the likes of LRB, AC/DC, INXS.

Our special guest is Ayers Rock's multi instrumentalist Col Loughnan

 

Anzac Day Special - Normie Rowe

This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special. We speak with the legendary singer Normie Rowe.

Normie was conscripted into the Army and was sent to Vietnam to fight the Viet Cong - from Pop Star to Soldier - Normie talks about his experiences in the jungle and also about the struggles that Vietnam Veterans faced once they returned home to Australia.

Anzac Day Special - Col Joye

This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special. We speak with Australian music royalty Col Joye and his experiences touring Vietnam. 

Col was on stage performing for the troops at the base in Nui Dat when the ferocious Battle of Long Tan broke out. Before he could take a chopper ride to safety, he was kidnapped by some well meaning Aussie soldiers.

Anzac Day Special - Digby Richards

This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special. We take a look at Digby Richards and his tour of Vietnam entertaining the troops.