What would make Harry Vanda – the last surviving Easybeat, the man who co-wrote Friday On My Mind, the original architect of what we came to know as Oz rock – come out of retirement at the age of 79 to release his first solo single? To any Australian music enthusiast, the very thought is unlikely enough. But here […]
Harry Vanda plays the devil’s music Read More »
If you are of a certain age, as I am, you might owe your entire existence to Daddy Cool’s Eagle Rock. Your parents probably had sex to it. No one wants to think about that, do they? It makes it literally Dad rock. Or Mum-and-Dad rock, if you prefer. Eagle Rock is 50 years old
Who’s your Daddy? Daddy Cool Read More »
Between his work as a guitarist and songwriter with the Easybeats and as a producer (along with fellow Easybeat Harry Vanda) for AC/DC, there is a very strong case to be made that George Young was the original sonic architect of Australian rock & roll. Other than Vanda – and with no disrespect to anyone
George Young: the original architect of Oz Rock Read More »
The news that Stevie Wright – solo artist, singer for the Easybeats and, thanks to that band’s immortal single Friday On My Mind, arguably Australia’s first international pop star – has died at the age of 68 will not be a surprise to anyone familiar with his sad story. That does not make his loss
Stevie Wright: the prototype Australian rock frontman Read More »
Every artist needs a few demons to get by, right? You Am I’s Tim Rogers knows he’s got ’em; he just doesn’t call them out by name: “They’re just some pushy friends, they’re on my couch, they’re on my knee.” He’s learned to live with them over the years. “If I don’t let ’em in,
You Am I: Porridge & Hotsauce Read More »
Years ago, a journalist asked the late Bon Scott whether he was the AC (alternate current) or DC (direct current) in his band. Scott’s response was as quick-witted and accurate as any of his best double entendres. “Neither,” he grinned. “I’m the lightning flash in the middle.” Many thought Scott, who died in 1980 just
Without Malcolm Young, AC have lost their DC Read More »