Gregory Raymond "Greg" Quill (18 April 1947 – 5 May 2013)
I have wanted to do a post on Greg Quill for quite a while now. Today I read this wonderful tribute written by David Pepperell.
David N. Pepperell
Dear Greg Quill - a lovely big bear of a man with a heart of pure gold. He first came into my life when he brought the wonderful Country Radio down to Melbourne and stayed in Greville Street, Prahran, the Haight Ashbury of Australia in the early 70's. I loved his songs and I loved his singing - he pioneered the Country Rock sound in Australia and his band played so pretty - why they even had a full time harmonica player in Chris Blanchflower! I've lost track of how many gigs I saw them play but I do remember they were all full of life and colour. His set at Sunbury 1973 was such a contrast to the mostly Blues'n'Boogie bands featured there and was certainly a relief from the earsplitting volume of Thorpie, Lobby and Co. He wrote so many songs to his famous girlfriend, Tina Terry, including Gypsy Queen and Terry's Tune and listening to his songs on this new tribute CD to him - Some Lonesome Picker - I wonder if they weren't all written to her. Of course they could also have been dedicated to many other girls he loved in his life. I saw him play at a Hotel in Spencer Street on his last visit here and was delighted to hear he had lost none of his ability to move people with simple, heartfelt songs. His death soon after was a terrible shock to all of us who loved him - and they are many. Now his long time compadres, Kerryn Tollhurst and Chris Blanchflower have combined to put together this fine tribute to Greg's song-writing featuring the cream of Oz singer-songwriter talent - Richard Clapton, Shane Howard, Paul Kelly, Glenn Cardier, Mike McClellan and Russell Morris - with a few Rockers rung-in like Ross Wilson,Doug Parko, Joe Camilleri and Brod Smith.This is a marvellous album that just gets better with every play and I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves good songs, good singing and beautiful playing. Vale Greg Quill. Hasta La Vista dear old compadre. Vaya Con Dios. This lonesome picker will never forget your song.
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