Awesome Aussie Songs

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.

Anzac Day Special - The Delltones

This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special. We take a look at legendary group The Delltones and their time touring Vietnam entertaining the troops.

We speak with The Delltones bass man Pee Wee Wilson, as well as their lead singer Col Loughnan

Anzac Day Special - Cathy Wayne

This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special and we remember Cathy Wayne, the 19 year old Australian singer who was tragically killed on stage while she was performing for American troops.

Fellow performers Col Joye and Leon Issackson talk about Cathy and that fateful day.

Anzac Day Special - The Rajahs

This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special and features The Rajahs, the first Australian band to entertain the Aussie troops during the Vietnam War.

They even filled in for Bob Hope at a New Years Eve gig abroad the 17 storey warship, the USS Kittyhawk before 5000 Americans troops. 

The Rajahs also played concerts for the local Vietnamese, giving the locals their first taste of rock n roll.

Anzac Day Special - Lucky Starr

This episode of Awesome Aussie Songs is part of our Anzac Day Special and features another of our pioneer musicians Lucky Starr

We speak with the I've Been Everywhere Man about his time entertaining the troops in Vietnam and his incredible experiences.

 

Poison Ivy by Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs

Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs are one of the most iconic bands in the history of Australian music.

Led by the late, great Billy Thorpe, the various versions of The Aztecs dominated the music scene for several decades. Although the line up of the band may have changed several times over the years, one constant of the group that remained was  Billy Thorpe leading the charge.

This episode takes a look at their No.1 hit Poison Ivy. The band stared down the English Invaders for a while and Poison Ivy even kept The Beatles single Can’t Buy Me Love from the top spot. Showing the immense popularity of Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, they relegated the Beatles to No.2 on the charts, when the Fab Four were actually here in Australia on tour.

Our special guests are Aztecs John 'Bluey' Watson & Tony Barber

Run to Paradise by The Choirboys

The Choirboys formed in the late 70’s and are one of the bands that typify Pub Rock. They’ve gone onto become one of the most melodic, hard-rocking bands ever produced in Australia.

All up The Choirboys have released 8 studio albums and they’re still rocking today.

This episode is on The Choirboys and their classic hit song Run to Paradise

Our special guest is the bands frontman and songwriter, Mark Gable