It‘s all about Australian Music - this Podcast will take you on a musical journey from the land Down Under - Interviews with the stars, musicians and songwriters - covering all era‘s of Australian Rock and Roll.
Awesome Aussie Songs is presented by Josh Ursem and written and produced by Sheldon Kidd.
Intro / outro music is Australia, So Nice by Holly Kirsten
Episodes
Sunday Jul 25, 2021
Sunday Jul 25, 2021
"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.
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Monday Jun 14, 2021
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.
Monday Jun 14, 2021
Monday Jun 14, 2021
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
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
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.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
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.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
This episode is part of our Anzac Day Special. We take a look at Digby Richards and his tour of Vietnam entertaining the troops.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
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
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
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.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
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.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
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.