The biggest hit that Andy Kim ever helped to write was a hit for someone else as you'll hear him explain. One of his songs was banned, whilst Andy Kim was told that his song "Rock Me Gently" would never be a hit......that was before it reached No1 in the USA!
Vanilla Fudge are remembered for pioneering a musical concept which exploded in the late 1960's with their version of a Supremes hit. Carmine Appice went on to be named the world's "Best Rock Drummer" and spent many years in Rod Stewart's band, in fact he co-wrote one of Rod's biggest hits!
Born in New Zealand but it was in Australia that Jenny Morris's fame really peaked. Beginning with the success of her band QED and remembered for solo hits such as "Break In The Weather" and the Neil Finn penned "You I Know", Jenny was twice awarded the title of "Australia's Best Female Artist" in the 1980's.
In the 70's the George Baker Selection became the first Dutch band to have major international success. Here George discusses the George Baker song that's used in ads all over the world plus explains that his biggest selling hit has been covered by more than 250 artists.
John Sebastian was one of the founders, and lead singer, for the Lovin' Spoonful. In the 70's he had a huge solo success with the theme to the TV sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter" and is also immortalised in the lyrics of the Mamas and Papas' hit "Creeque Alley". Here he also reveals that he almost became the fourth member of a very famous American group.
Many remember Australian singer/songwriter Kevin Johnson for just one song. It's not that he hasn't had success with other songs, it's just that one of his songs goes down in history as one of the most covered songs EVER written by an Australian. In the USA a major hit for Mac Davis whilst in Australia and the UK it was Kevin who made it famous.
The stories on the career of Australian supergroup INXS are numerous. Many were told in the TV mini-series "Never Tear Us Apart". You may have read even more of those stories in books and magazines articles on the band, but there's bound to be some you've missed in Ian Keenan's interview with INXS founder Tim Farriss.
British singer/songwriter Jona Lewie had his first international success out front of Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs, but it was his solo career that really put him on the map. The iconic "You'll Always Find Me In The Kitchen at Parties" was followed by "Stop The Cavalry" and you'll still hear it's bugle intro played on UK radio each Christmas. Enjoy Jona Lewie's hit stories!
Far too often our heroes are lost to us suddenly. Jon English was just 66 years old when surgery complications took his life in March of 2016. The Australian singer/songwriter was best known downunder but thanks to his role in a 70's TV mini series called "Against The Wind", the theme song "Six Ribbons" (which he helped write), gave him a degree of international fame.
"Clair", "Get Down", "Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day" and "Alone Again (Naturally)" were just some of the hits of Gilbert O'Sullivan.....but there could have been many more! Gilbert tells how ground-breaking legal action put his career on hold for a number of years and made him an "outsider" in the music industry, BUT permanently changed things for the better.
