Paul Vincent

Australian Rock Chronicles 1955-1964 takes the reader on a unique journey through what was a defining chapter in Australian music history and a cultural phenomenon, the likes of which have never been repeated in Australia’s history. Initially, the book looks briefly at the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, Australia during and after World War II, what effect American entrepreneur Lee Gordon’s arrival in Australian had on the local entertainment business and the birth of the ‘teenager’ but then shifts its focus to the local music scene during the era – the key events, new technologies, concert promoters, DJs, the artists and their music – which all helped to create the music we know and love today.

Read how ex-patriate American entrepreneur Lee Gordon kickstarted this new music revolution in Australia in January 1957 when he staged his first sold-out rock ‘n’ roll Big Show tour in front of 300,000 people; how the pioneers like Alan Dale & The Houserockers, Johnny O'Keefe & The Dee Jays, Col Joye & The Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & His Rebels, Digby Richards & The R'Jays, The Delltones, Lucky Starr and Lonnie Lee from Sydney, The Thunderbirds, The Planets and Johnny Chester from Melbourne and Johnny Devlin & The Devils from New Zealand took to centre stage and overcome the initial backlash to ensure that the transition to this new genre of popular music was a success; how radio and television stations jumped onboard the rock 'n' roll bandwagon; how trailblazing female artists like Noeleen Batley from Sydney, Beverley Dick and Judy Cannon from Melbourne and Betty McQuade from Brisbane paved the way for others; how the early Sixties stars like The Atlantics, The Denvermen, Bryan Davies and Little Pattie from Sydney, Merv Benton, Colin Cook and The Strangers from Melbourne rode the wave to success. 

Australian Rock Chronicles Series is a two-in-one eBook that contains both my published books.

Australian Rock Chronicles 1964-1969 continues the journey through what was one of the most vibrant and exciting live pop music scenes in the world. From mid-1964 to 1967, the local scene was heavily influenced by the British Invasion led by The Beatles and headlined by a whole new generation of ‘beat’ stars like Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs, Ray Brown and The Whispers, Tony Worsley and The Fabulous Blue Jays, The Easybeats, The Twilights and Normie Rowe and The Playboys. It was also the start of the ‘golden age’ for Australian pop music on radio with many local acts impacting the Top 40 charts. The upbeat rhythm and blues or R&B and the slower blues rock were also popular genres that also thrived during this period spearheaded the likes of The Purple Hearts, The Missing Links, The Loved Ones, The Throb, Bay City Union, The Wild Cherries and Phil Jones and The Unknown Blues.

The escalation of the Vietnam war had a profound effect on the local music scene from late 1967 onwards around the same time as pop music began to diversify. New genres of rock music like psychedelic, progressive and bubblegum rock emerged with artists like The Masters Apprentices, Jeff St. John & Copperwine, Tamum Shud, Chain, Tully, The Flying Circus, The Valentines and Zoot rising to prominence. The era also produced some of Australia's finest solo singers including Ronnie Burns, Lynne Randell, Johnny Young, Bev Harrell, Doug Parkinson, Johnny Farnham and Russell Morris. Several New Zealand artists like Dinah Lee, Max Merrit & The Meteors, Alison Durbin and The La De Das crossed The Tasman and carved out a successful career in Australia. The era produced some of the classics of Australian pop rock music, but the highlights were the international chart success of The Easybeats’ in late 1966 and The Bee Gees in 1967.