Taylor Square in the 60s - blog: Surf City

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Missing Links/Peter Anson

My recollections of Peter Anson

1964: Pete's band, as best I can recall were billed as the 'The Great Unwash' at 'Surf City', they were not appreciated by rockers or sharpies. The 'surfies', however, detected something grand. Lead guitarist Peter Anson, with his long unkempt hair, rigged out in a motley collection of corduroy and denim - a guitar in tote .. was a sight to behold. Most recall this band as The Missing Links.

I was shy, but not too shy to introduce myself to this 'wonderment'. I toddled off in hot pursuit as he headed off towards the 'Folk Cellar' (below street level) in Victoria Street, where one could see the amazing Emma Hannah sing her rendition of "Waltzing Matilda". Pete went from Surf City to Beatle Village in Taylor Square, where The Easybeats were gaining popularity.

'They retreated to the relative calm of Beatle Village in Taylor Square, which became their headquarters, and it was here that they first crossed paths with another Stones-influenced band, The Showmen, who were to play an important role in the band's future ... ' read more ..

I caught up with Pete again at Suzie Wong's in 1966, playing in the Syndicate with drummer Don McCormack. Don was into his iridology phase and lived close by in Randwick, . Thanks for the 'Tampa Red' EP Don! love Virgo Lynne

Donny McCormack

Jeff St. John and the Id "Stupidity"

Peter Anson (lead guitar), Donny McCormack (drums)

Later in the 60s Pete joined Jeff St John and the ID, they gigged at the HERE, a dance venue in North Sydney, The Greenwood Tree and various Uni functions. Here was Free for ladies!! The 'ticket' included a spaghetti bolognaise meal (mandatory if one was to sell liquor). During one of the Id's breaks, I asked Don to play my 45 rpm, "That's the Way We 2 Should Live", it was a jerky 'jumped up' 12 bar blues, the flip-side was "Untrue", the band twigged that it was none other than their bashful lead guitarist, Peter Anson.

Peter has played with various bands including:- Missing Links, Jeff St John and the Id, Foreday Riders, Roger Janes, Wild Oats, Syndicate, Chincogen ..

"We 2 Should Live"

"Untrue"

(Tracks need to be played thru twice for best effect)

Peter Anson June 15, 2008 ... "G'day Lynette, I'm glad you got in touch and that you have that blog. Would you be able to put these tracks on your blog for all the world to hear. They are gems. I've sent copies to Red's record company. You are doing a wonderful thing with your blog...thanks again. Love...peace...and ...light...Pete Anson"

Wally Mudd "Cannonball" mp3
Wally Mudd "Dirty as a Man Can Be" mp3
Wally Mudd "That's All Right" mp3
Wally Mudd "Ryebuck Shearer" mp3
Thanks to Pete we have all been able to listen to Wally once again! .. lynk

Peter Anson ... "Happy New Year.....Your new site is terrific. It looks clean and is easy to move around. That photo of the 'Janes' band is a beauty. Looks like early or mid 70's. A bit early for me. Roger and I didn't meet until 1980. I worked with the band off and on from then until Roger's death in 2000. Roger and I made 3 albums with him playing Dobro and electric steel guitar, as well as singing and slide trombone. Me, I played banjo, sang and played guitar. I've attached a track from our album 'Slide Jive' .. pete "

Peter Anson Sophisticated Hula mp3

Roger Janes, Peter Anson &amp guests:
Carol Ralph, Andy Symes & Mike Hallam

Peter Anson .. "Here's a link to Zanzinger brought to us in Dylan's "The Lonesome Death of Poor Hattie Carroll" (Sydney Morning Herald) ,.. obituaries/killer-found-unwanted-fame-as-subject-of-a-dylan-song (click here) ... Pete "

Peter is currently into sound engineering can be contacted at:

Ocean City Music or Riff Raff Jazz - ' Give your old records, and cassettes a new lease of life. Have them expertly transferred to CD by an experienced Audio Technician. Vinyl... 33s and 45s. '

The Missing Links - Milesago

The Missing Links History - Wild About You

Tribute to Billy Thorpe

Kings Cross Theatre in the 1950s
SURF CITY (1963)

Billy Thorpe LEAVES US

Mar 24, 1946 - Feb 28, 2007

Billy Thorpe was a breath of fresh air to the Sydney music scene. a forerunner. One of our finest blues, ballad and pop singers, he died this morning at St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst from a heart attack .. (Surf City only a stone's throw away).

Billy was a talented performer, musician and unique vocalist. I am sad, speechless and in tears. Billy brought joy to me as a young teenager. My sincere condolences to his wife, Lynn and his children Rusty and Lauren.

..........

With his hands firmly clasped behind his back or grasping his lapels, Billy (backed by the Aztecs), swivelled and jumped to a packed room in Surf City (located in Darlinghurst Road). backed by the Aztecs.

His closely cropped blond curly hair crowned his determined expression as he launched into his classic "Poison Ivy".

' ♫ She comes up lika rose ..... And everybody knows .. Poi-zon Ivvvyyyyy ..'

Followed by his covers of
Josephine/Farmer John/Oop Oop Pa Doop/Funny Face/About Love/Sick and Tired
Mashed Potato/Be Bop a Lula/I'm a Hog for Ya Baby/Farmer John
Over the Rainbow/Love Potion No.9
and Blue Day written by by Tony Barber

Col Baigent, Tony Barber, Billy Thorpe, Vince Malouney and Bluey

1963: Every Friday and Saturday night, I hastened up Brougham Street to Surf City. After paying the ten shillings entrance fee I 'stomped' around the floor to the piercing sound of The Atlantics.

* an exotic and now obsolete mating dance for surfers.

Diane, Sue and I donned our mandatory surfing gear. We went to great lengths to procure this 'uniform'. Red sneakers (coloured canvas shoes), and a denim skirt. was my choice. Sunday's outfit was less formal, consisting of jeans, frayed at the cuffs, with a piece of white cord serving as a belt, the afore mentioned garment having been dragged several times through the surf to attain a worn look .. A rather over-sized sweat shirt engulfed the carefully prepared outfit. This would later be removed and tied around one's waist. Check shirts, jeans and brown duffel coats were preferred by the boys.

Most of us 'surfie chicks' sported a Veronica Lake type fringe (covering one eye), this later changed to long fringe covering both, and, from underneath we peered. .. Our teeth and bleached hair glowed under the ultra-violet lights. This was 'the go'.

Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs arrived on the scene, replacing the music with British covers and usurped the Atlantics!! Our 'surfing gear' had been replaced by 'mod gear' .. buckled granny shoes/high boots, mini/midi and maxi skirts and white stockings for the 'chicks' or 'dolly birds', bell-bottom jeans, buttoned-down collar shirts and beatle boots for the boys. Bleached hair was darkened as teenagers endeavoured to look like a 'Beatle', Sporting me new Cilla Black hairstyle I'd stand in one spot, shake my head, wave my arms and 'do the mod'.

The first time I saw Thorpie I thought he was amazing, so professional and unique; he was the fore-runner for the bands you see in Australia today. He was the first on the entertainment scene to wear 'flares, button down collars and 'beatle boots'. Though diminutive, Billy, when he opened his mouth and sang, was anything but small.

The crowd at Surf City was diverse, consisting of several subcultures. I will never forget the night we all, mods, rockers, rovers/sharpies, pommies, prostitutes/pimps, strippers, gays and the odd remaining surfie (I said it was diverse), stood stil,l in awe as Billy warbled his rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Thorpie revealed another facet of his talent, and, it was to launched his career. From that day on, in respect, we refrained from dancing when he sang this song.

He followed this hit with other ballads such as "I Told the Brook", "Twilight Time" and "It's Almost Summer". Although he will always be remembered for "Most People I Know .. think that I'm Crazy" it was not our favourite song. "Poison Ivy" was a stand-out. Billy went from Surf City to the Whiskey Au Go Go in William Street. The venue had previously been Lee Gordon's old Sound Lounge, then to Melbourne. Thorpie went to the USA later in life and teamed up with Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) and formed Zoo

The tributes on the internet are numerous, this quiet little man certainly made a loud splash. Billy and the Aztecs rocked the Austalian music scene. He touched many people. Billy Thorpe was an astute business man, he was particularly over friendly with punters, but was totally dedicated to his work - entertaining. The tributes are from 8-80. One 25 year old says " have never even seen him and I'm crying". Thorpie's funeral on Sunday - I have my Surf City memories.

"Over the Rainbow" (Live - Solo)

Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs "Sick & Tired"

Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs "Mama" live on GTK

Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs "Oo Poo Pa Doo"

This video is absolutely amazing, capturing the original 'feel' of the Aztecs.

Billy Thorpe "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Thorpie and Lobby Lloyd

Thorpie 'Long Way to the Top' ABC vid. An interview with Thorpie,in which he relates his first 'legal' encounter with LSD. As LSD was an 'unrecognised' substance in the '60s it was NOT illegal to partake. The night it was deemed illegal we banded together along Pitt St., OP POP indulging in our last legal 'trip'.

I had the pleasure of seeing Billy at the (Yamba Bowling Club) 40 years on, sadly it was to be last time. Although he was still producing cutting edge music, he thrilled us with "Oopoopado", "Crazy", and "Over the Rainbow". Security in a small town is lenient and I was waved on through backstage no trouble at all, and was able to secure an autograph.

British Invasion: Beatles

In 1963 I met a chap from Grimsby at Surf City, Jerry DeVries a steward on the 'Himalaya'. "There is a new band in England called the Beatles. I will send you the LP." He said to me. The arrival of the Beatles on the music scene was a turning point, not only in music, but in fashion and language.

The Fab Four, the lads from Liverpool
George, Paul Ringo and Paul

At Surf City, my friends and I met up with the merchant seamen, easily distinguished by their attire. Beatle boots (black shoes with high heels and rounded toes), tailored leather jackets, high buttoned shirts.

I was a constant at Surf City and jumped on the British bandwagon forsaking the surfing fraternity. I imitated the teenage girls in the UK who wore clothes modelled by Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton. Mini skirts, chunky shoes at the end of pencil thin legs these 'dolly birds' were accompanied by the motor scooter riding partners known as ' Mods'. It was difficult to find suitable clothes in Sydney, my mother made mine. I swapped my surfing gear for 'mod gear'. mini or granny skirts, fake eyelashes, white eye shadow, black eyeliner, white stockings (heaven forbid!) and patent leather, knee-high boots.

Girls became chicks, we adopted the words fab, trendy, kinky, mod and hip. Clothes, music and lingo were either 'in' or 'out'.

It took a while for the general public to catch onto the Beatles songs. Young guys, eager to impress were forming bands or 'toting' a guitar.

When the Beatles performed at The Sydney Stadium I went with a huge crew from the Sydney County Council (SCC), some were in tears, and, yes, I’m afraid I screamed at the top of my 16 year old lungs. Dad, worked for the SCC and used his 'special meter-reader badge' to gain entrance to the Sheraton Hotel (Macleay Sreet) he came home with The Beatles autographs, alas, not Ringos. (Jimmy Nicol was standing in for Ringo on this tour).With the Beatles came an influx of English bands referred to as the British Invasion; we were introduced to the Graham Bond Organization (Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker), Long John Baldry, Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies.

Young groups from Liverpool: Merseybeats, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Hollies, Searchers, Swinging Blues Jeans. Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas. Eric Burdon and the Animals from Newcastle .. Dave Berry. London's Rolling Stones, Zombies, The Who, Manchester gave us Freddy and the Dreamers, Herman's Hermits and Belfast's Them with Van Morrison. Manfred Mann (Jack Bruce), Kinks, Pretty Things, Dave Clark 5. Moody Blues and Brian Poole from Essex. Wayne Fontana, Troggs, Peter and Gordon, Marianne Faithful and the underated Fairies "Who Do You Love". Spencer Davis Group, Traffic (Stevie Winwood), Small Faces (Winwood & Stewart) and little John Mayall, and last but not least and most notably The Yardbirds (spawning Clapton, Beck & Jimmy Page).

Some were pop, some were rhythm and blues, some had a grunge sound, and others a definate jazz influence. These bands interchanged and later in the sixties and early seventies formed what was to be known as the Super Groups. Unfortunately, for the Beatles, quite a few of their earlier fans changed to diehard Stones freaks (it was hipper) and the Beatles were passé by 1966. Once again the fashion changed as hoards of teenagers dared to grow their hair past their ears and down to their shoulders. Gone were the neat Beatle boots and suits, replaced by cords, suedes, leather and denim.

Please Please Me

Surf City

2009: Located Paul Wheeler on Facebook

2010: I recall three young brothers I played with at Freshwater, the Hamiltons. Tony was in Pirana a

By 1962 surfing was all the rage
waxing down our surfboards was the go!!

I pestered my parents to buy me a surf-board (a must have for any aspiring surfer). I soon became the proud owner of a 9' malibu (or was it 8' 6" ??). Together with my friends, Di and Sue, we walked from King's Cross to Circular Quay, hopped on the ferry and then, trekked to Harbord Beach (Freshwater) 'planks' firmly tucked under our arms.

We dragged our jeans through the salty water and then stomped on them in the sand, and then, hung them out dry in the blazing sun to give them a genuine faded look. Our sweat shirts received similar treatment and etchings of 'Murph the Surf' were stretched beyond recognition. The juice of a lemon was carefully squeezed into our hair, hopefully for a 'lighter' look and our bodies covered in coconut oil, to promote a healthy looking tan. With our surfboards waxed and ready, we then paddled 'out back' and sat there, legs dangling (shark bait!). I mastered 'standing-up' and could be oft seen riding shore waves. When my grandmother relocated to Queensclif, we parked our planks in her carport.

[One day these really nice guys borrowed my board and forgot to give it back. It was a Dale malibu, pale blue with 2 stringers. If anyone has it, I don't want it now, thank you.]

After a day of surfing we high-tailed it back to the Cross to prepare ourselves for a night of stomping.

1960/1990 My grandmother's house on Queensliff Road

Lynne at Freshwater Beach 1963

Diane at Freshie also 1963

Another favourite surfing spot was Cronulla
1963 Lynne and Diane
with a crowd of fellow workers from the Council

I've always been a collecter of memorabilia. I stored my suitcase at my Nan's for safe-keeping. The contents were irreplaceable treasures. Early photos of the Beatles and Dylan, also autographs from The Fab Four, Chubby Checker, Sheena Queen of the Jungle, Cisco Kid, Desmond Tester and the Mouseketeers, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Vee, Duane Eddy, Brenda Lee and many more, also my School Certficates, sports medals, school projects, my Charlie Chuckles certificates and a book with a list of every song I had ever heard. When I went to retrieve my 'bag of goodies' it was no more! Nan had thrown it out!

"Roobbish" she said, "joost papers!" .. (her and her silly Liverpudlian accent.

I was an avid Beachboy fan,and especially fond of Dennis Wilson, in 1962 I wrote him a letter:-

" Dear Dennis, I love you very much and when you come to Australia you can stay at my Nanny's house and ride my surfboard, Love Lynne."

Years later I received a reply .. from Dennis, alas no, it was from the Secretary of the Beachboys fan club urging me to 'join up'.

NOTE: Received a message from Andrew Ainsworth, his mother was the president of the Beach Boys Fan Club and responsible for this message from the Beach Boys