Australian Rock by Memorable Music

In the late fifties the media dubbed Johnny Rebb the 'Gentleman Of Rock' because of his good manners, modesty and comparatively conservative suits.
Johnny Rebb was the first Australian artist to be signed by Lee Gordon's Leedon label in 1958. (N.B. — Leedon released more hits by Australian artists than any
other label in the late fifties and early sixties.)
Late in 1964 manager Syd McDonagh and CBS Records decided to promote fifties rocker Johnny Rebb and surf-style instrumental band the Atlantics as a 'combined'
unit in the style of the new British group revolution (e.g. Gerry and the Pacemakers) in order to save their flagging careers. Despite 'their' new look they were unable
to compete with younger bands and the project was a flop.

Helen Reddy

Helen Reddy's early goal to go to America was attained in 1966 when she won the 'Bandstand International' contest (on the Nine Network's Bandstand show) sponsored by Philips-Mercury Records. Her prize was a trip to New York and a recording contract; however the recording company was so uninterested they didn't even let her audition.
Helen first performed professionally at the age of four at the Tivoli Theatre in Perth.
Helen Reddy is the daughter of veteran Australian entertainers Max Reddy and Stella Lamond. Her sister is singer Toni Lamond.
In 1967 Helen Reddy married Jeff Wald (of America's biggest entertainment agency, William Morris). He later took over her management.
Helen's biggest hit 'I Am Woman' (June, 1973) became not only her signature tune, but also an anthem for the women's lib movement.
In 1975 the Los Angeles Times newspaper voted Helen 'Woman Of The Year'.
Helen Reddy is one of few performers who have been selected to guest host the prestigious Johnny Carson Tonight Show.

Redgum

In 1984 Redgum asked lawyers to apply to inspect their alleged ASIO file under the Freedom of Information Act. The group suspected that a file was started when they began expressing their left wing political views back in 1975 when they formed in Adelaide.
Redgum donated a gold record of 'I Was Only 19' to the Channel 7 newsroom whose film footage was invaluable to the song's video.
The four original members of Redgum — John Schumann, Verity Truman, Michael Atkinson and Chris Timms — all studied at Adelaide's Flinders University.
In 1981 Redgum published its own songbook, titled The Redgum Songbook — Stubborn Words, Flagrant Vices.
In Redgum's single 'I've Been To Bali Too' (April, 1984), the Customs Officers went through singer John Schumann's bags 'like McCartney's in Japan'.
The Redgum song 'Serving U.S.A.' (from the album If You Don't Fight You Lose) was a scathing comment on the U.S. involvement in various global wars. The song however, came under scrutiny from the publishers of the Beach Boys' 'Surfin' U.S.A.', and Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen' (the riff of which the Beach Boys had used) as an infringement on copyright.

Redhouse
Redhouse's vocalist Graham Matters performed in the stage musicals A Chorus Line, and The Rocky Horror Show.

Reels

On The Reels' five track E.P. Five Great Gift Ideas From The Reels (November, 1980), keyboards player and saxophonist Colin Newham was credited as 'Polly'.
In July, 1980 The Reels undertook a Reels By Rail national tour, going everywhere by train including shows in cities — they caught suburban trains.
In 1981 The Reels had a hit with a cover of Jim Reeves' 1961 country song 'According To My Heart' (November, 1980).
The title track of The Reels' album Quasimodo's Dream (May, 1981) told of the famed bell-ringer's wish to be made out of stone, like the gargoyles that populated , the top of Notre Dame cathedral. {Hunchback ofNotre Dame.)
The Reels' album Beautiful (October, 1982) was a collection of well-known non-original love songs done in an easy-listening Muzak style. The album was released
on the K-Tel label, and received extensive television advertising.
In 1987 The Reels undertook the Reels By Request tour. At the door of each venue, the patrons were handed a list of songs from the band's extensive repertoire, and they had to call out the songs they wanted played. The song that got the loudest calls was then played. In October, 1987 the band took the concept a little further by doing an All Australian Reels By Request tour.
The Reels' biggest hits have been covers: a faithful rendition of Burt Bacharach's 'This Guy's (In Love With You)' (September, 1982) and a re-arranged and radically slowed down gospel rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Bad Moon Rising' (September, 1986).
The Reels' singer Dave Mason is the son of one-time leader of the NSW Liberal Party, John Mason.
The Reels once launched a single and a forthcoming tour billed as The Reels' Kitchen Man tour by inviting the media to the kitchen of a luxury hotel, and cooking breakfast for them.
The Reels once recorded a heavy metal E.P. which has not been released to this day.
The Reels' keyboard player Craig Hooper was a member of Neil Finn and Paul Hester's band The Mullanes before the band changed its name to Crowded House.

Lionel Rose
In 1970 Lionel Rose had hits with 'I Thank You' and 'Please Remember Me'. However, Lionel is better known as a lightweight boxing champion.
In the early seventies Lionel toured with Ashton's Circus (billed as the singing ex-boxing champ). Backing him on guitar was Laurie Alien of Bobby and Laurie.

Rose Tattoo
Rose Tattoo's hit single 'Bad Boy (For Love)' (October, 1977) was written by original bassist lan Rilen, who later formed the infamous X.
Rose Tattoo's only release for 1980 was an independent single promoting the cause for legalising marijuana — 'Realize Legalise'/'Bong On Aussie' (by Col Paterson).
Although best known for a series of tough hard-rock singles and albums Rose Tattoo had a hit in late 1986 with the melodic tune 'Calling' (November, 1986) which contained a 'save the whales' message.
In 1987 Rose Tattoo lead singer Angry Anderson had solo success with the single 'Suddenly', which was a track from Rose Tattoo's album Beats From A Single Drum (December, 1986). The album was reissued in October, 1987 as an Angry Anderson solo album.

Normie Rowe
In 1964 Normie Rowe started work as a trainee technician with the PMG (now Telecom) — he began growing his hair long in keeping with the style worn by the new wave of British pop stars. This caused a dispute with his employers and Normie was forced to make an important career decision. He chose to keep his long hair and become an entertainer.
During October, 1965 Normie Rowe had all of his three singles — 'It Ain't Necessarily So', 'I (Who Have Nothing)', 'Que Sera Sera' on the Top 40 at the same time.
Normie Rowe was the first Top Male Singer in Go-Set's National Pop Poll in 1966.
Normie's 'Que Sera Sera' (September, 1965) was the biggest selling Australian single for 1965.
Normie Rowe's 1966 releases — 'Ooh La La' and 'It's Not Easy' — featured session musicians John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page. Jones and Page went on to form legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.
In 1987 Normie Rowe starred in the stage production of Les Miserables.

Runners

The title of The Runners debut album Hitting The Wall (January, 1983) is a reference to the point during a distance race when an athlete is suddenly confronted by the barrier of his own exhaustion.

Ross Ryan

Ross Ryan's debut album Homemovies (1972) was recorded independently at Channel Nine's studios in Perth, WA for a total cost of only $500. Ross distributed copies
among his friends, and it finally came to the attention of Perth radio station 6PM, and manager Al Maricic.
In 1974 Ross Ryan was presented with a Gold record award, for his single 'I Am Pegasus', by the then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
Ross Ryan's song 'I Am Pegasus' (November, 1973) was written about an air hostess
the singer had met.