PATTI WILLIAMS

 

Patti Williams was a country singer from the Albion Park/Wollongong area in the 1970s, known for her early performances on the club circuit and her debut single, ''What Are You Going to Do with a Dog Like That'', released in 1976 on the Bunyip label. She followed it up in 1977 with the album 'Save A Little for the Morning'. Later, she moved to Tamworth, a major country music hub, to further her career, performing with bands like Country Gold and forming a duo with Lynette Guest.

JULIE PARIS

 

Julie Paris, the stage name of contralto vocalist Lorraine Murden, was a Brisbane-based singer who rose to popularity in the mid-1960s as the frontwoman for local band The Dogs, performing 50s and 60s pop and tribute songs. She appeared at venues like TC's Entertainment Centre and the Cloudland Ballroom, as well as on TV shows such as Teen Scene, and won the Brisbane heats for New Faces. She performed in major cities including Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, and later teamed up with her husband David Moyes to create nostalgic shows celebrating artists like Helen Shapiro and Connie Francis. She is still out there today belting out a tune.

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IVY SOMERFIELD

 

Country singer Ivy Somerfield earned the title “The Lady of Country Music” through countless performances at hotels, clubs, and on television. Born in Murwillumbah into a musical family, with grandparents who were talented pianists, it was no surprise that Ivy began playing piano. Her true passion, however, was singing. Encouraged by her father, who often sang himself, she would perform for their small community. By age 12, she had learned all of Tex Morton’s songs and decided to pursue a singing career. When her mother gifted her a Pacific Guitar, Ivy quickly mastered her first three chords, and with them, won a silver cup at the Kingaroy Talent Quest at just 13 years old.

She was deeply influenced by the singing of Shirley Thoms and began performing at country shows around town, covering songs by Shirley Thoms and Tex Morton. In 1964, she moved her family to Sydney, where she found work as a machinist while her husband took on long-distance truck driving. She still managed to sing at local clubs and parties. After her husband’s sudden death, she faced the challenge of raising two teenage boys on a single income. In 1979, her life shifted again—her singing career received a big boost, and the following year she remarried, tying the knot with her second husband, Wally Gibson, who encouraged her to keep pursuing her music.

In August 1980, she put out a custom EP of original songs that her fans snapped up quickly. The success of that first EP led to a recording deal with Selection Records, resulting in her debut LP, 'Livin' On Lovin',' which featured nine of her own tracks and three written by her son, Chris. In the 1980s, she formed a backing band called Blue Misty to tour with her and went on to release three more albums. She also contributed songs to compilation records by Selection Records alongside artists like Johnny Heap, Reg Poole, and Gordon Parsons. Ivy died on January 1, 1991.

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SHIRLENE CLANCY

 

Shirlene Clancy (born in 1936) began her career on radio with 3DB’s “Happy Gang” and was the featured vocalist with the Max Causland Big Band before moving into television. One of her early TV appearances was on Variety View, a half-hour live variety show that aired on Melbourne’s ABV-2 from 1958 to 1959. She went on to become a familiar face on Melbourne’s Channel 7, appearing in popular programs like Sunnyside Up and The Penthouse Club. Famous for singing “That’s Amore” and known for her dedication, she once performed on all three commercial stations in a single night. Shirlene died in 2021, remembered as an important figure in Australian entertainment, with tributes from fellow artists including Denis Walter and Kevin Trask.

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MAGGIE STEWART

 

Maggie Stewart, born in Launceston, Tasmania, began singing at the age of nine in church choirs and on local radio programs before moving to the mainland. She later married country music artist Leon Lowes, and together they released several albums from the mid-1970s through the 1980s.

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JAN KELLY

Jan Kelly, born in 1948 in Heyfield, Victoria, grew up singing in school choirs, concerts, and anywhere she could. At 13, she performed at the official opening of the Thornton Hotel, earning a glass of cold lemonade for her efforts. In 1962, while living in Eildon, she gained valuable experience singing with The Wanderers during their holiday visits. Soon after, she moved to Melbourne, performing at a concert party club for the elderly and spending a year with the group The Falcons. 

After a four-year break, she moved to Sydney, entered and won several talent quests, and was signed by an agent, keeping her busy on the club circuit. In the 70s, she worked with Nev Nicholls & The Country Playboys at the Texas Tavern, where she met Terry Smith. They also played with Kevin King and the Country Sounds until Terry left for Vietnam. Upon his return, they settled in Wauchope and formed Mainline, later renamed The Kelly Express. 

In the 80s, Jan released the EP 'Baby Tina' and the album 'I’m A Woman (I Need a Lover and a Friend)' on Country Records, followed by the album 'Sorry'. With Nev Nicholls, she released the single ''Country Music Turns Me On / Good Old Love'' on Powderworks, and with Terry Smith and The Kelly Express, she released the album 'Without Reason' and two singles. In 1985, she released ''Bulldog Mack'' on Sundown and was inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth. Jan retired from professional entertaining in 2021.

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MARGIE MILLS

 

Margie Mills was a popular singer from the late 1950s to the early 60s, originally from Melbourne but born in Scotland. She began her career singing on radio before appearing on the TV show Swallows Juniors on Channel 7, as well as other live variety shows in Sydney and Melbourne. She occasionally fronted The Fabulous Autocrats (who were one of about six rock’n’roll bands to form in Melbourne in 1957). Her first recording was as part of an ensemble with Lennie Holmes, Ray Treloar, Maurie Service, The Joy Boys and Joy Belles, and The Night Owls on the album 'Enjoy Yourself At The Party'. She later moved between England and Los Angeles before settling in New York, where she performed and toured with her own band. While in the US, she recorded with the Pick Hit, Vee Jay, Groove, and RCA labels. Margie died in 2004 from a brain hemorrhage.

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SANDY EDMONDS

 

Sandy Edmonds, born Rosalie L. Edmondson on 8 November 1948 in Liverpool, was a British-born pop singer and model who rose to fame in New Zealand during the 1960s. At the peak of her career, she was the country’s most recognizable teen idol, releasing several singles and making appearances on TV and in magazines. In 1966, she spent a few weeks in Sydney also appearing on the Go!! Show, returning in 1968 for about six months of performances. Keith Potger of The Seekers asked Sandy if she would like to audition for the departing Judith Durham, which Sandy declined. She briefly fronted the Sydney band Climax before unexpectedly stepping away from the spotlight. Later, she lived in Melbourne and pursued a career as a fashion retailer after leaving music. Sandy passed away in 2022.

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SALLY SLOANE

 

Sally Sloane, born on October 3, 1894, as Eunice Evelyn Frost, was arguably one of the most significant Australian source musicians, preserving Australian Irish traditional music and songs. Many of her tunes and songs were passed down from her Irish grandmother, who migrated to Australia in 1838, via her mother. Living in Lithgow, New South Wales, Sally was in her 60s when discovered by Australian folklorist John Meredith in 1954. She was a talented singer and skilled at playing the button accordion, fiddle, and mouth organ. Between 1954 and 1960, Meredith recorded over 150 pieces from her, now housed at the National Library of Australia, with nearly 40 transcriptions featured in his influential 1967 book, Folk Songs of Australia; And the Men and Women Who Sang Them, co-authored with Hugh Anderson. She recorded on the Wattle label and can be heard on the album 'Australian Traditional Singers and Musicians (Archive Series No 1)' singing eight songs. Other collectors also recorded her, and an LP of her singing, 'A Garland For Sally,' was released by Warren Fahey's Larrikin Records. Sally passed away in 1982.

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MERRIEL HUME

 

Merriel was a talented and versatile jazz singer who began her career as a teenager at Brisbane’s Theatre Royal. In 1962, she joined the resident band at Cloudland, where she met future husband trumpeter Lloyd Adamson and performed for five years. In 1966, she competed on Channel 9’s Bandstand against Helen Reddy, who won a trip to New York and a record deal. Around the same time, Merriel took on the role of managing the Wonderland Ballroom in Corrimal, near Wollongong. In 1968, sponsored by the Australian Government, she toured Vietnam to entertain Australian and US troops, performing at the Luscombe Bowl for 1,200 Australian soldiers. She shared the tour with Yvonne Barrett, Lorrae Desmond, and The Chiffons. Unfortunately, Merriel never recorded her music that I am aware of.

Reflecting on her early days, Merriel said that her first jazz experiences came from invitations by established swing musicians like the Thomsens, Jack and Vern, Lloyd Adamson, Stan Walker, and Rick Farbach. She performed with them at gigs outside formal venues and at late-night restaurant gatherings hosted by music-loving proprietors. She also cherished Sunday jam sessions, where she and others honed their performance skills.

By the 1980s, Merriel had moved to the Northern Rivers region of NSW and joined the Lismore Women’s Music Collective, contributing her professional expertise and improvisational skills to the growing women’s music scene. She credited her mother, Annie Lisha Hume (Kayrooz), for inspiring her love of music, recalling how Annie’s beautiful voice filled their home. Encouraged from a young age, Merriel and her sister Loretta became professional singers, participating in school concerts and eisteddfods. For Merriel, music was an inseparable part of life. It wasn’t until she joined an arts course in Lismore in the early 1980s, following a life-altering trauma, that she began exploring composing and writing.

PATRICIA STEPHENSON

 

Patricia Stephenson (born September 24, 1955) was a regular cast member of TVW Channel 7 Perth’s Stars of the Future in the 1970s. The show originally aired on Saturday mornings but later moved to a family-friendly time slot at 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings, though it was still recorded on Saturday mornings. The talent show ran throughout the year, culminating in a grand finale with finalists. Patricia, of Burmese descent, was a popular cabaret performer in Perth. She appeared on the 1973 series Showcase 73, hosted by Gordon Boyd, where she won $1,500 for first place in the viewers' final and second place in the judges’ final, along with a world trip air ticket. She made her acting debut in Channel 10’s soap opera The Box as Suki King. In 1975, she signed with the Fable label, releasing "Sometimes" (also released in New Zealand), followed by "Bye Bye Mama" in 1976. Patricia passed away in 2018 at the age of 62.

ZETA BURNS

 

Zeta Brose was born in Ayr, North QLD on January 23, 1928. She ecame interested in music as a child and was influenced by Dorothy Juniper. Her favourite artists were Tex Morton, Shirley Thoms and June Holm. In 1940 she toured with the Gene Leroy 4QR Concert Party and became a regular artist on Gene’s live radio program, The Town Hall Midday Show. A couple of years later she met Tex Morton in Cairns. A year later she moved to Brisbane and later to Toowoomba. Her grandfather bought Zeta her first guitar from Cliff Tutin, which she later traded in on a Gibson. Over the next few years, she performed in and around Toowoomba billed as the Yodelling Cowgirl.

In 1948 she joined Eric Tutin on her first travelling show with Lester’s Follies. It was also the first tour for Gordon Parsons. After her marriage in 1949, her career took a back seat. In the early 1950s Zeta performed on stage with many top artists of the time – Dusty Rankin, Monty Fayne, Ron Peters and Joan Ridgeway. In 1952 she quit the business and didn't resume her career until 27 years later when she began appearing at various CM club functions. In 1980 she recorded the EP and in 1981 recorded a single, which was to unveil the grave of June Holms. Later that year, appeared on an LP coupled with June Holm.

She was a guest artist at Dubbo’s Easter Country Festival in 1982 and again in 1983 she was a guest artist at Noel Poley Everett’s Easter Festival, Gloucester. Recorded a single in June and again in August. In 1984 Zeta recorded an LP for Hadley 'Queensland's Yodelling Cowgirl'. In 1985 she started touring with Ian Hands and Larry Dulhunty. She released six records with Queensland Country Style label. In 2010 she appeared at the Gympie Muster and in 2015 was inducted into the Hands of Fame, Tamworth. 

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JOANNE BOWDITCH-LANZON

Joanne Bowditch-Lanzon was the lead vocalist with three bands, Dream Riot (1989-1991), Deep Dish Action (1992) and Blitz Babiez (1993-1997). Blitz Babiez released a number of albums, EPs and singles.

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LISA PARTINGTON

Lisa Partington was the lead singer of The Rose Mary's, a band that released the single "Freedom Riders / You Can Talk Now" on the Half A Cow label in 1990. In 1991 she joined the Snow Leopards that released a mini-album and one full length album on Waterfront Records, leading to a national tour, frequent airplay on JJJFM, a live performance for "Live at the Wireless," and music videos featured on ABC’s Rage. They climbed into the Top 10 of the Alternative ARIA charts and played regularly at various venues. Their track "Coco Pops" was included on the Roo Art 'Young Blood 3' compilation album, which opened doors to tours with The Fauves, The Clouds, The Welcome Mat, and other notable independent bands of the 90s. However, the band was short-lived and it was all over in a matter of moments. I have no idea what this wonderful vocalist did after this time. Please help.

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TINA HAVELOCK STEVENS

Tina Havelock Stevens played drums in a number of Australian post-punk rock bands, notably Plug Uglies, with whom she recorded the mini album 'Knock Me Your Lobes' (1989) and and the EP 'Johnny Panic' (1990). After they disbanded she joined The Titanics with whom she recorded the albums 'Love is the Devil' (2000) and 'Size Isn't Everything' (2000). She also played with Chicks on Speed and Crow. She co-founded the largely instrumental ensemble The Mumps, who featured on Triple J Unearthed and with whom she recorded the EP 'I Wish I was You' (2018). Tina became an award-winning artist exhibiting her work internationally. Stevens is currently on the MCA Artist Advisory Group. Her work has been featured on ABC Radio’s Arts and Books shows, ABC TV News Breakfast and in publications such as The Saturday Paper, Sydney Morning Herald, RealTime, Running Dog, Artlink, Art Almanac, Artshub, and in Art Collector ’s Top Fifty Artists (2017 & 2020), as well as feature articles on her art drumming practice in magazines Tom Tom, 2016 (US) and Drumscene, 2018 (AU). Her work is in the collections of Artbank, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Newcastle Art Gallery, Macquarie Group Collection and numerous private collections.

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ELLEN HUNDLEY

Ellen Hundley started her musical journey in the 1970s when her mother, singer and recording artist Joan Martin, enlisted her to provide backing at various festivals and events in Victoria, NSW, and QLD. They also recorded several commercial albums together. After this early experience, Ellen played with several folk bands in Melbourne's pub scene while pursuing a B.Ed. Mus at Melbourne University.

During this time, she performed regularly at the Cuckoo and Skyhigh Restaurants and was invited to perform solo in Brisbane at a private luncheon for the Duke of Edinburgh, organized by business figure Richard Pratt. In 1985, she toured Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and the east coast with folk singers Martyn Wyndham Read and Danny Spooner. She also continued performing for Richard Pratt, entertaining notable figures like Zubin Mehta and members of the Israeli Philharmonic.

After completing her studies, Ellen played both folk and jazz, performing in local schools and teaching colonial dancing with various bush bands. She studied classical singing with Loris Synan, joined the Melbourne Chorale, and performed regularly at The Boite with Latin American groups. She has been a regular performer at the Titanic Theatre Restaurant in Williamstown and has focused on entertaining Senior Citizens Clubs and Aged Care facilities. She is multilingual, singing in twenty languages, and is skilled in playing ten musical instruments.

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ANNIE BARRETT

Annie Barrett was the lead singer of punk band Suicide Squad that were formed in 1978 by four schoolmates in Wollongong, though they relocated to Sydney after struggling to find places to play. After their move they began to build a reputation as a great live band and attracted the attention of Doublethink Records who released their only single, ''I Hate School / New Kids Army''. They then underwent a few line up changes and recorded an album called 'Vomit On You' but this didn't get released until long after they'd split when it came out on Plastic Donut Records in 2006.

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HELEN MATTHEWS

Based on the West Coast, Helen’s career spanned over 50 years. From her earliest days with JT and The Jazzmen (she cut an EP with them), to her own TV series Helen Matthews with a Little Help from her Friends in 1971 screening on ABC, and excelling as a jazz artist, producer and leader of her own ensembles, Matthews was a giant of the Perth jazz scene. The list of jazz artists she supported or played with included Stephane Grappelli, Rod McKuen, Ronnie Scott, Woody Herman, Don Burrows, Dave McKenna, James Morrison, Joe Chindamo and Judy Bailey to name but a few. Matthews performed for the Queen and the Pope and was responsible for some of the most innovative jazz projects and festivals that WA has ever seen. 

She released two albums in the 90s, 'A Long Time Coming' (1993) and 'Raising The Standard' (1997). In 2003 the Australian newspaper noted ''Helen Matthews set the Perth Festival alight with a stand-alone jazz festival that captivated all who attended with its unity of spirit and glittering array of international and local performers a cohesive and strongly managed series''. Matthews was also a presenter on the ABC and on RTRFM, where she presented Saturday Jazz for a number of years. Helen was officially inducted to WAM’s 2015 Hall of Fame at the WA Music Awards ceremony on Thursday 5 November 2015. Helen Mathews died in 2024. ''Perth has lost a legend,'' said RTRFM in a statement. ''Helen’s love and commitment to the world of jazz and the musicians who make the music in WA was unsurpassed''. Matthews was made a State Cultural Treasure in 2022.

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DURE DARA

 

Duré Dara OAM was born on 18 September 1945 in Ipoh, Malaysia. She moved to Australia in 1962 and attended the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Melbourne. She later studied social work at the University of Melbourne. Since the 60s, she has frequently performed on ABC radio, recordings and at festivals and concerts around Australia as an improvising musician and contemporary jazz player. She joined the Brian Brown Quintet in the mid 70s and played on the albums 'Carlton Streets' (1975) and 'Moomba Jazz '76 Live From The Dallas Brooks Hall Vol. 2' (1976). Later she was well known for her work with the late jazz bassist and synths player David Tolley recording the albums, 'Cutheart' (1980) and 'You Know You Know' (1981). As an improvisational musician, Dara has collaborated on countless music projects with some of the most admired Australian musicians. 

Dure Dara is widely celebrated as a trailblazing restaurateur, businesswoman, women’s equity activist and percussionist. She has also been director of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. She received the Medal of Order of Australia for services to the community and women’s groups. She was selected on the Inaugural Women’s Honour Roll by the Victorian government; was named a Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival; has received the Vida Goldstein Award for excellence in trade; and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Parliament house in Canberra from the National Restaurant and Catering Association.

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WENDY GROSE

 

Wendy was born Wendy Grose in 1955. She started piano lessons at seven and also played the flute in high school. At 15 she fell in love with the guitar. She listened to her brother learning to play and decided to pick it up herself, practising in every spare moment. Wendy's brother introduced her to musician friends in a band. She had guitar lessons from a member of the band, learning to play on a 12 string guitar. She played intricate Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tunes until she had very strong fingers! Her hard work paid off. At 17 she was writing her own songs and recording them at her guitar teacher’s studio.

After completing school Wendy took piano lessons again, learnt music theory, studied the guitar and had weekly singing lessons. She regularly performed in a number of folk clubs around Sydney. During this time she started working at Clover Recording Studios, where she was assigned to ring musicians to book them for session work. It was soon recognised that Wendy was talented, and she began to work as a session/studio singer and guitar player herself, and would continue to do so for the next twelve years.

Meanwhile the musical doors continued to open for her and at the age of 18 Wendy was given a recording contract with Albert Music. At that time Albert Studios signed up a handful of young singer/songwriters, of which Wendy was the only woman. Wendy met up with the band Crossfire, the first Jazz/Rock fusion band in Australia. Crossfire played on her debut album 'Backyard of Blue', released when Wendy was 19. She toured with Crossfire as their support act playing at universities around Sydney and Melbourne. She made many TV appearances in 1975 including Countdown, Radio with Pictures and GTK.

After playing at a sell-out concert at the Sydney Opera House supporting Crossfire, Wendy got the travel bug and went backpacking with her partner Don. On New Years’ Day 1976 they set off on a 10 month trip travelling overland from Bali to Europe, then to the U.S. and back to Australia across the Pacific. On returning from her travels Wendy formed a band and played regularly at the Roxy Café and at the Pin Ball Wiz in Sydney. The band included some of her old friends from Crossfire, and guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Steve Murphy. They performed at concerts for the Save the Whale campaign in Sydney in 1977.

In that year Wendy teamed up with guitarist and singer Lorraine Silk. The high-point of their time together was appearing as support act for Ry Cooder on his Australian tour. In 1980 Wendy appeared regularly on the ABC TV children’s' show Mr Squiggle, singing original songs. In the early 80s Wendy recorded three tracks at Sydney's EMI studios, which are on her album 'More Than Hope'. Wendy sang for a season in the Magic Pudding Band (a band formed by Australian composer Nigel Westlake). In 1983 Wendy spent six months in Jeff Harvey’s band on the Mike Walsh Show (a popular TV variety show) as a backing singer with Kerrie Bidell, Sally Dodds and Mickey Leyton. In 1991 Wendy moved to the Byron Bay area in Northern NSW and soon after changed her name to Wendy Grace (a family name).

In 1997 Wendy released an album of her original songs entitled 'Infinite Sky'. The album was recorded at the Music Farm, a studio in the Byron Bay hinterland. It was produced and engineered by bass player Jeremy Alsop and featured Mary Doumany playing the concert harp and Riley Lee playing the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute. Wendy lives in the Tweed Valley in northern NSW and she runs her popular singing workshops and weekly singing groups.

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