classic and rare Australian popular music from the 1950's, 1960's. 1970's and beyond..including rock and roll, pop, beat, rock, surf and progressive, plus contemporary artists, new releases, reviews and other fun stuff

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Mike Furber and The Bowery Boys..Diddy Wah Diddy



Mike Furber (28 September 1948 – 10 May 1973)was born in London, England. When he was 10, his family emigrated to Brisbane, Australia. In mid-1965, Furber as lead vocalist joined local pop band The Bowery Boys which consisted of Robbie van Delft on lead guitar and vocals, Neville Peard on drums, Paul Wade on bass guitar and vocals, and Greg Walker on rhythm guitar. The group signed with Sunshine Records and were managed by label boss Ivan Dayman. Dayman promoted the group as Mike Furber and the Bowery Boys.

In late 1965 their début single, "Just a Poor Boy", was released and in early 1966 it became a top 5 hit in Adelaide and top 30 in both Melbourne and Sydney. The song was written by Wade, van Delft and Peard. In February 1966, their second single, "You Stole My Love", was released – it was a cover version of The Mockingbird's 1965 song and was written by Graham Gouldman. Furber's version was a top 10 hit in Melbourne and peaked at No. 12 in Adelaide. The Kommotion label released the group's debut album, Just a Poor Boy. In July, a third single, "That's When Happiness Began" was issued but the group disbanded in August.

Furber was voted in the top 5 as most popular Male Vocalist in both 1966 and 1967. His solo singing career was less successful and in the early 1970s he turned to stage musicals: Godspell and Nuclear. Tragically, Furber committed suicide on 10 May 1973; he was found hanged in the garage of his Sydney home. According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, "Reputedly in the depths of depression, he hanged himself ... It has been suggested, however, that Furber was actually murdered because he had befriended a King's Cross prostitute"

This 22 track collection was released in 1999.






                                          

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