Roky Erickson, 13th Floor Elevators front man and a psychedelic rock icon’s career was cut short due to draining mental illness and years spent in a mental hospital in Texas. He has recently passed away on the 31st of May 2019, of unknown causes at the age of 71. Roger...
Aretha Franklin - March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018 – Now here is an artist whose voice not only had incredible power, but, an amazing diversity! There have been many musical talents throughout the ages, however, if we were to apply a mathematical...
We've been going back through the files and over some old shows and noticed a number of Rock N Roll Heavens that didn't make it to the website. On Episode 43 November 14th Kathy Kirby was featured in our nostalgic segment Rock N Roll Heaven. The below...
Rock N Roll Heaven - Percy Sledge - The name Muscle Shoals Alabama USA has played host to a long list of hit makers, from Aretha Franklin to the Rolling stones, however, one soft soul love song stands out in Music history - 'When a man loves a women'...
Rock and Roll Heaven One of the forgotten Dig Richards. For reasons only known to the maker this week my thoughts focused on Aussie singer Dig Richards and I was moved to honour his memory. I recall going into a recording studio in McMahons Point...
Kim Vincent Fowley Many of you will say Kim Fowley Who? but for those he touched through life he is not forgotten. There are many artists and producers who slip through the crack yet have made a definite mark on the music Industry. One that I recall...
RNR Heaven Robert Iredale We always hear about the stars, but what about the dedicated folks behind the scenes who had a big hand in making them a star. One such person is the late Robert Iredale, from 1959 to 1975 Robert produced and engineered...
Rock and Roll Heaven Lynne Randell Lynne Randell was a lass originally from Liverpool in the UK, she came to Australian with her family at the age of five and the family selected the Melbourne suburb of Murrumbeena and staying with the “M’s”...
Rock and Roll Heaven Peter Flanagan The Flanagan’s were a serious part of the Australian music history and appeared on every major Australian TV Show including 6’O’clock Rock, Bandstand, Teen Time, Music Time, Star Time with John Laws, Revue...
Rock and Roll Heaven Johnny Rebb Donald James Delbridge was born at Crown Streets Womens Hospital Surry Hills Sydney in 1939. Several publications have his birth year as 1939 but according to family sources I contacted it is 1935. Donalds family...
Rock and Roll Heaven Ronnie Van Zant - Lynyrd Skynyrd February 3, 1959 saw the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly aged 22, Richie Valens 17 and The Big Bopper ( Jiles Perry Richardson Jnr.) 28. It was called the “Day the Music...
Rock and Roll Heaven Jimmy Little There have been some “special” entertainers I have met during my time in Radio and Television, one that stands out is Jimmy Little. Jimmy was an inspiration to all who have shared parts of his life and his saying,...
According to those in the know William Everett “Billy Preston” was born September 2, 1946 in Huston Texas USA. He started playing key boards at the tender age of three. By the time he reached ten he was hailed a child prodigy performing with stars...
Mama Cass (Mama Cass Elliot) was born Ellen Naomi Cohen on September 19, 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland - USA. Cass selected the name during her high school years, the name Elliot was motivated by the death of a friend. Her early college life was punctuated...
David Thomas Jones was born 30th December 1945 in Manchester England. During his formative years in 1961 he appeared in Coronation St. and another top 1962 UK series Z Cars. It was the death of his Mother he dropped acting. Then jumped on a racehorse...
James Jim Keays was born in Glasgow Scotland September 9 1946, owing to personal circumstances his Mother had him adopted at six months. His new adoptive parents James Senior and Jesse Keays migrated to Australia September 5 1951 and he celebrated his fifth...
Rock and Roll Heaven - Doc Neeson Bernard Patrick Neeson OAM was born in Belfast Northern Ireland January 4 1947, later to become known as “DOC. April 1960 the family immigrated to Australia and settled in Elisabeth Adelaide. This township became...
Rock and Roll Heaven Bobby Darin Walden Robert Cassotto was born May 14 1936 and after a complicated early family life and surviving a shocking childhood sickness, Walden went on to become the star we know and love Bobby Darin. He started singing...
David John Harman was born 17 December 1943 in Salisbury England. He eventually became vocalist for the sixties hit sensations Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mitch and Tich. The entire band took on their nicknames as a title and then it was shortened by DJ’s to DDDBM...
Jack Leroy Wilson Jr was born June 9 1934 in Detroit and was without a doubt one of the greatest movers and shakers in music his carefully chorographer on camera and stage appeared effortless. His stage craft influenced Michael Jackson and James Brown....
During the early days of television in the USA, talent shows were the rage so in the 21st Century nothing is new. One was Arthur Godfrey Talents Scouts show in New York. A bright eyed young man appeared in 1952 and won. His name, Al Martino. Within months...
For fans of Roy Orbison “The Big O” the life and times, success and failures of Roy Orbison are explored to a greater depth in the 2013 book “Rhapsody in Black” by American writer John Kruth. In the 21st Century Roy Kelton Orbison is still...
In the Seventies Barry White combined suggestive story lines, great dance rhythms and a sexy deep manly voice and very few record buyers at the time did not have at least one Barry White production in their LP collection. In the seventies he received...
Over the years I spent different times performing on the same TV Shows and interviewing The Bee Gees, Barry, Maurice and Robin and we socialised in London sharing a mutual passion for fast sports cars, naturally Ferraris. There was some eye brow raising...
During the 1980’s music videos started to get into high gear one of the most talked about at time was “Simply irresistible” 1988 featuring Robert Palmer and a bevy of beauties. It was then part of the continuing saga of UK born Robert Allen Palmer...
Gerald “Gerry” Rafferty was born in Scotland 16th April 1947 the son and grandson of coal miners. Musically his first group in 1969 had the endearing name the Humblebums; this band also included another famous Scotsman Billy Connelly. Later Gerry...
In 1965 a song hit the jukeboxes by Dobie entitled “The In Crowd” it happened at the start of the disco craze so very timely but took up to late 1972 for Dobie to make a real big hit, the classic “Drift away.” Like many in the USA who became...
John Alvin “Johnnie” Ray Born January 10 1927-Febuary 24 1990 John Alvin Johnnie Ray was born in Oregon USA January 10 1927. He was 24 when he started to dominate record sales and became one of the worlds most sought after performers. He starred...
The Ballad of the Green Berets. First up let me give you a disclaimer. We do not wish to glorify war but to pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve their country. Especially some mates currently serving in the SAS and they know who I mean. Back...
Michael George Smith of Dave Clark 5 fame was born December 6 1943 in Edmonton London. His musical talent shone through at 5 years of age and he studied classical piano. Mike met Dave Clarke when they were both members of the St George Boys Club football...
If you have ever followed famous stories of Aliens from outa space then the name Roswell New Mexico will really stand out for it is in this area John Denver was born December 31 1943. In the sixties with “Sunshine” on his shoulders he took off on many...
Harry Foster Chapin was born in New York City to a musical family in 1942. Following College Graduation he wanted to become a film documentary maker and his first effort “Legendary Champions” was nominated for an Academy Award. Harry then decided...
