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. It retraces the evolution of rock music in Australia during its first ten years, often referred to as the ‘first wave’ of Australian rock. Read how the rock ‘n’ roll music revolution in the mid-Fifties totally reshaped Australia’s musical identity and cultural landscape. 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, Warren Williams and The Gardenias, Johnny Rebb & His Rebels, Digby Richards & The R'Jays, The Delltones, Lucky Starr and The Hepparays and Lonnie Lee and the Leemen from Sydney, The Planets, The Thunderbirds, The Rocketts, The Planets and The Hucklebucks from Brisbane, The Penny Rockets from Adelaide, The Saints and The Roulettes from Perth and Johnny Chester from Melbourne and Johnny Devlin & The Devils from New Zealand took to centre stage and overcame the initial backlash and ensured 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 and Judy Stone from Sydney, Beverley Dick and Judy Cannon from Melbourne and Betty McQuade from Brisbane paved the way for others; how the early Sixties surf and instrumental rock stars like The Atlantics, The Denvermen, Little Pattie and Rob E.G. from Sydney, and The Strangers from Melbourne rose to prominence. 

The start of the British Beat Boom music revolution in Australia began in late 1963, hitting top gear in June 1964 following The Beatles’ historic tour. Their new genre of popular music was the final nail in the coffin for the ‘first wave’ of Australian rock music and the major influence for the ‘second wave’ of Australian rock. 

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. Dubbed ‘The Scream Years’ of Australian pop music because of the intense adoration of its fans, it produced some of the classics of Australian pop rock music. It was also the start of the ‘golden age’ for Australian pop music on radio with many local acts impacting the Top 40 charts, highlighted by the international chart success of The Easybeats’ ‘Friday On My Mind’ in late 1966 and The Bee Gees' 'New York Mining Disaster 1941' in 1967. 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 Masters Apprentices, 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 emerged with artists like Doug Parkinson in Focus, 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. Additionally, several New Zealand artists like Dinah Lee, Max Merrit & The Meteors, Alison Durbin and The La De Das made the trip across The Tasman during the period and managed to carve out successful careers in Australia. Moreover, the era produced what would be two of Australia’s most successful international acts, The Seekers and The Bee Gees.