Chris Wilson...Australian blues legend...1956-2019...tribute post

Melbourne Herald-Sun, January 17th 2019 - Beloved Melbourne musician Chris Wilson dies of cancer; Melbourne musician Chris Wilson has died at the age of 62. Hailed for his vocal and harmonica skills, he was known as the “gentleman of Australian blues”.

Christopher John Wilson (1956 – January 16, 2019) was an Australian blues musician who sang and played harmonica, saxophone and guitar. He performed as part of the Sole Twisters, Harem Scarem and Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, and fronted his band Crown of Thorns. Wilson's solo albums are Landlocked (June 1992), The Long Weekend (March 1998), Spiderman (2000), King for a Day (July 2002), Flying Fish (2012) and the self titled Chris Wilson (2018).

In March 1996, Wilson collaborated with Johnny Diesel in a blues project, Wilson Diesel, which issued an album, Short Cool Ones, composed mostly of "soul and R&B standards". It peaked at No. 18 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Outside of his music career Wilson taught English at various secondary schools in Melbourne for about 20 years.

On July 24, 2018, Wilson's management announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was unlikely to perform again. A fund raising concert at the Corner Hotel was announced and quickly sold out. Fellow musician and friend Suzannah Espie set up a GoFundMe page which raised over AU$100,000 in just a few days before ceasing to accept further donations.

wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Wilson_(Australian_musician)

YouTube documentary: "Live At The Continental; 23 Years On"

https://youtu.be/_BnM3ASmjz8

Malcolm Young...1953-2017 RIP...AC/DC guitarist/songwriter..the quiet force behind the riffs

Malcolm Mitchell Young (6 January 1953 – 18 November 2017) was a Scottish-Australian musician and songwriter, best known as a co-founder, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the hard rock band AC/DC. Except for a brief absence in 1988, he was with the band from its November 1973 beginning until retiring in 2014 for health reasons. Young and the other members of AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Influenced by 1950's rock and roll and blues-based rock guitarists of the 1960's and 1970's, Young was regarded as a leading rock exponent of rhythm guitar. He is the subject of a song (and album) title by Australian punk rock band Frenzal Rhomb: "Forever Malcolm Young".

Guitar Player magazine has stated that the secret to Young's guitar technique was playing open chords through a series of Marshalls set to low volume with little or no gain. This is contrary to a common belief of many rock guitarists that rhythm guitar should involve loud and over driven power chords through large amplifiers.


Dave Mustaine of Megadeth stated in a 2004 interview that he considered himself, Young, and James Hetfield of Metallica to be the best rhythm guitarists in the world.

Though his younger brother Angus was the more visible of the brothers, Malcolm was described as the driving force and the leader of the band. In 2014, he stated that despite his retirement from the band, AC/DC was determined to continue making music with his blessing. As the rhythm guitarist, he was responsible for the broad sweep of the band's sound, developing many of their guitar riffs and co-writing the band's material with Angus. He was married to Linda Young and had two children, Cara and Ross.

Young took a leave of absence from AC/DC in April 2014, to receive treatment for dementia. In September 2014, the band's management announced that he would be retiring permanently. He died on 18 November 2017.

Full story HERE

Greatest Hits

Backtracks

George Young ...1946-2017...former Easybeats guitarist and songwriter tribute post

Former Easybeats guitarist/songwriter and older brother of ACDC's Angus and Malcolm Young has died at the age of 70.

George Redburn Young (born 6 November 1946) was an Australian musician, songwriter and record producer. Born in Scotland, he moved to Australia with his family as a teenager, and became a naturalised citizen. He was a member of the 1960's Australian rock band the Easybeats, and with band mate Harry Vanda he was a co-writer of the international hits "Friday on My Mind" and "Love Is in the Air", the latter recorded by John Paul Young (no relation). Vanda & Young were also the producers of some work by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, formed by his younger brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Vanda & Young were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988 and The Easybeats in 2005. 

George Young started his music career in Sydney, after attending Sefton High School as his secondary school. He formed a beat pop band, The Easybeats in late 1964, on rhythm guitar alongside Dick Diamonde (born Dingernam Vandersluys) on bass guitar, Gordon "Snowy" Fleet on drums (ex-Mojos), Harry Vanda (born Johannes Vandenberg) on lead guitar (ex-Starfighters, Starlighters) and Stevie Wright on lead vocals. Aside from performing and recording, Young co-wrote nearly all of their tracks. Early top 10 hits on the Australian singles chart for the Easybeats were co-written by Young with band mate Wright. The group had relocated to United Kingdom to record and perform; they disbanded in late 1969.

After the Easybeats dissolved Young formed a production and song writing duo with Vanda, as Vanda & Young in 1970, initially living in London.They provided pop and rock songs for other recording artists, and for themselves under various stage names: Paintbox, Tramp, Eddie Avana, Moondance, Haffy's Whiskey Sour and Band of Hope. The pair worked with Young's elder brother Alex in Grapefruit. Young and Vanda returned to Sydney in 1973 where they worked for Ted Albert, at his Albert Productions recording studio to become the in house producers.

One studio-based group Marcus Hook Roll Band, was joined in 1974 by Young's brothers, Malcolm and Angus. The brothers had already formed a hard rock group, AC/DC, in 1973. Young helped them with AC/DC, which went on to become a success internationally. Young briefly played as AC/DC's bass guitarist for a short stint, early in their career.

In mid-1976 Young formed Flash and the Pan, initially as a studio-based duo with himself on guitar, keyboards and vocals, and Vanda on guitar and keyboards. They had local top 10 hits with "Hey, St. Peter" (No. 5, September 1976) and "Down Among the Dead Men" (No. 4, July 1978).

Vanda & Young also co-produced Rose Tattoo, The Angels and John Paul Young (no relation).

After retiring from the music industry in the late 1990's, Young resided mainly in Portugal with his family. George Young died on 22 October 2017.

See also Easybeats post on this blog: http://theaussiemusicblog.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/the-easybeatsthe-definitive-anthology.html

The beautiful voice of indigenous singer-songwriter is silenced...a very sad loss...tribute post

I have taken this from the Putumayo World Music Facebook page:

We would like to remember the great Aboriginal singer-songwriter, Dr. Yunupingu, who died this week at the age of 46. We have refrained from using his first name and image in respect for Aboriginal traditions. Dr. Yunupingu was born on Elcho Island off the coast of Australia and became a voice for indigenous peoples on the global stage. He was a talented multi-instrumentalist, but his true gifts were his voice and words. His multi-platinum albums recorded in his native tongue of Yolŋu and English raised awareness of Aboriginal music, culture and issues around the world.

(this video does not contain any images of deceased people and highlights the colour and beauty of the Australian landscape of which the indigenous people of this country belong)

He was a unique voice in the world; we’ll always enjoy his music and honor his legacy. If you wish to learn about or support the Dr Yunupingu Foundation in support of Aboriginal communities, please follow the link below:
CLICK HERE

Jon English 1949-2016 Tribute Post

Jonathan James "Jon" English (26 March 1949 – 9 March 2016) was an English-born Australian singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961. He was an early vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Sebastian Hardie but left to take on the role of Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar from May 1972. English was also a noted solo singer; his Australian top twenty hit singles include "Turn the Page", "Hollywood Seven", "Words are Not Enough", "Six Ribbons" and "Hot Town".

English was acclaimed for his starring role in the 1978 Australian TV series Against the Wind – he won the TV Week Logie Award for 'Best New Talent in Australia'. He also co-wrote and performed the score with Mario Millo (ex-Sebastian Hardie). The series had international release, known as Mot alla vindar (1980) in Swedish, where both "Six Ribbons" and "Against the Wind" were released as singles, both singles and the soundtrack album peaked at No.1 on the Norwegian charts; the first single, "Six Ribbons" and the album, peaked at No.4 on the Swedish charts.

From 1983 to 1985, English won four Mo Awards with three consecutive 'Entertainer of the Year' awards and a further 'Male Vocal Performer' in 1985. English has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore from 1984.

In late February 2016, English was hospitalised due to "unexpected health problems" and he was forced to cancel several scheduled performances due to planned surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He died following post-operative complications late in the evening of 9 March 2016.

See also post at Vinyoleum

Tribute to Ross Hannaford, former Daddy Cool guitarist and Aussie music legend, 1950-2016

Daddy Cool band members Ross Wilson, Gary Young and Wayne Duncan were today devastated to learn of their long term friend and band mate Ross Hannaford’s death. “We’re gutted” says Wayne Duncan, before adding “We’ve lost a great friend today. He took me on many a journey”. Gary joined in “We’ve lost one of the world’s most unique guitarists” Ross Wilson said of his lifelong friend and musical colleague “We were so lucky to find each other in the wilds of 60’s suburban Melbourne. He was like my little brother, we grew up together in life and in music. He was truly one of a kind”

The band send deepest condolences to his family and many friends.

See previous post on Daddy Cool

                                            

Stevie Wright 1947-2015 RIP - Former Easybeats vocalist dies aged 68. Tribute post.

From ABC news: Stevie Wright, who fronted rock outfit The Easybeats in the 1960's, and is widely regarded as Australia's first international pop star, has died at the age of 68. The ARIA hall of famer became ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya Hospital on the New South Wales south coast, where he died on Sunday night with his son Nick by his side. Rock historian Glenn A Baker said Wright "was a dynamo on stage". Read full article HERE.

Stephen Carlton "Stevie" Wright (20 December 1947– 27 December 2015), formerly billed as Little Stevie, was an Australian musician and songwriter who has been called Australia's first international pop star. During 1964–1969 he was lead singer of Sydney-based pop/beat/rock and roll band The Easybeats, widely regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the 1960's (see original post on this blog about The Easybeats HERE).

After The Easybeats disbanded in 1969, Wright fronted numerous groups including The Stevie Wright Band and Stevie Wright and The Allstars; his solo career included the 1974 single, "Evie (Parts 1, 2 & 3)", which peaked at No. 1 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. (See original post on this blog HERE).

Wright's life was detailed in two biographies, Sorry: The Wretched Tale of Little Stevie Wright by Jack Marx (1999) and Hard Road: The Life and Times of Stevie Wright by Glenn Goldsmith (2004). On 14 July 2005, The Easybeats, with Wright as a member, were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame alongside Renée Geyer, Hunters & Collectors, Smoky Dawson, Split Enz and Normie Rowe.

Albums:

Hard Road - 1974

Black Eyed Bruiser  - 1975

Live at the Bridgeway Hotel - 1987

see also: Stevie Wright Sings The Easybeats at Ozzie Music Man

The Easybeats - Definitive Anthology

see original post from this blog HERE

Anthology #1 / Anthology #2

Visit my other music blogs here:

Soundtrack Heaven

The Aussie Music Blog

The Vintage Music Blog

The Jazz Music Blog

This Jukebox Rocks

The Blues and Roots Music Blog

Martin's Music Machine
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Masters Apprentices - Future of Our Nation...video clip

Tribute to Jim Keays: Masters Apprentices song "Future of our Nation" written by Doug Ford & sung by Doug Ford with Jim Keays. Originally taken from the live Nickleodeon Live Album. Film clip made in 1995 & shot in South Central Los Angeles featuring Jermaine Whitehead. Cinematography by Jaime Valdueza. Sourced from VHS & originally photographed on 16mm film.

view on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bYNH7rJEPk

see also Jim Keays tribute post: http://theaussiemusicblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/jim-keays-1946-2014-ripan-australian.html

Darryl Cotton Tribute Show podcast now available

The Annual Darryl Cotton Tribute Show was broadcast on 88.3 Southern FM's Purple Haze Show, Wednesday July 16 at 8PM AEST.

Guests on the show were musical colleagues of Darryl's: Rick Brewer (Zoot), Beeb Birtles (Frieze, Zoot), Rick Springfield (Zoot), Derek Pelicci (LRB, Darryls band), Michael Lloyd (Cotton Lloyd & Christian, Friends) & Steve Kipner (Friends).

The podcast is now available here on Southern FM:

http://www.southernfm.com.au/general/100-cotton-1-2014-annual-purple-haze-tribute-to-darryl-cotton/

Jim Keays 1946-2014 RIP....an Australian rock legend whose career spanned 6 decades

..another Aussie music legend has left us..we remember you Jim and the contribution you made to Australian music history....

VALE JIM KEAYS: 1946-2014

13 June, 2014

Michael Smith

“Jim had an aura about him; you always knew when he was in the room,” is how the best remembered of the bass players that passed through the ranks of The Masters Apprentices, Glenn Wheatley, recalled singer-songwriter and the one constant throughout the entire Masters’ existence, Jim Keays, who succumbed, at 10.30am, Friday 13 June, to pneumonia from complications resulting from a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer. Keays was 67. 

read more... http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/06/13/vale-jim-keays-1946-2014/

As a special tribute, this is Jim's highly acclaimed solo album from 1974 with the hit title track "Boy From the Stars".

click here for more information

                            ..you're a legend, Jim...now you're up there with the stars...

Doc Neeson 1947 - 2014 R.I.P.

Angels frontman Doc Neeson dies after battle with brain cancer

"HE was a gentleman and one of Australian rock’s most underestimated singers."

Those are the words of Australian rock band the Angels’ drummer Buzz Bidstrup, following the news of his friend and former colleague Doc Neeson’s death at the age of 67.

The singer died from a brain tumour at a private Sydney Hospital early today.

Neeson shot to fame with the Angels in the 1970s and the band went on to become one of the most popular in Aussie rock history, with hits that included Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?, Into the Heat and No Secrets and a string of successful albums spanning more than 20 years..

Chrissy Amphlett.. 1959-2013...A Special Tribute

I was very saddened to hear about the passing of one of Australia's greatest rockers, Chrissy Amphlett. This is my special tribute to her...rock on Chrissy!


Christine Joy "Chrissy" Amphlett (25 October 1959 – 21 April 2013) was lead singer of the Divinyls. She was a cousin of Australian singer Little Pattie (Patricia Amphlett).

Amphlett grew up in Geelong as a singer and dancer. She left home as a teenager and travelled to England, France and Spain where she was imprisoned for three months for singing on the streets. In May 2001, Divinyls' "Science Fiction", written by Amphlett and lead guitarist Mark McEntee, was selected by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time.Erstwhile lovers Amphlett and McEntee barely spoke after the band had separated in 1996, but resumed contact when they were inducted in the 2006 ARIA Hall of Fame, eventually announcing a new tour and album.

Amphlett met Mark McEntee at a concert at the Sydney Opera House in 1980 and, together with Jeremy Paul (Air Supply), formed Divinyls shortly after. After several years of live gigs in Sydney, they recorded several songs for the film Monkey Grip, in which Amphlett's acting skills are also featured.

Divinyls consisted of an ever-changing lineup around the core of Amphlett and McEntee, whose relationship was volatile throughout their career. Nonetheless, the band released six albums between 1982 and 1996, peaking in 1991 with the success of the single "I Touch Myself", which reached Number 1 in Australia, 10 in the UK and 4 in the US. Divinyls did not release another album for nearly six years, splitting up around the time of Underworld's release in Australia. Amphlett lived in New York City with her husband, concentrating on a solo career and writing her autobiography, Pleasure and Pain: My Life.

Amphlett and McEntee barely spoke after the band split up, but resumed contact when they were inducted in the 2006 ARIA Hall of Fame, eventually announcing a new tour and album.The band recorded and released a single, "Don't Wanna Do This", and toured Australia, but the proposed reunion album did not eventuate.

                                      

                                       

click here for more information