Not much is known about guitarist and singer Susie Coles, granddaughter of Sir George Coles, but she won the Grand Final of New Faces in 1971 and recorded an album. Her album, 'Once Again With You', was released that year on the BEA label, featuring folk covers like ''500 Miles'' and ''Leaving on a Jet Plane''. She also released the single ''So Little, So Much'' for PLAN (Foster Parents Plan of Australia), with sales helping support needy families in third-world countries. In 2016, the album was re-released on the Buttercup label in a limited run of 300 copies. Buttercup described it ''as a Melbourne private press LP from a sixteen-year-old songstress with vocals that belied her age, singing the songbook of her peers''. Today, she is known as Susie Roberts.
Granddaughter of the late Sir George Coles. I recall meeting Suzie (I was a freelance pianist and arranger) at the family house in Lansell Road, Toorak, to discuss a floor show to be presented at the Devonport Country Club. We put the show together and flew to Tasmania (in a Focker Friendship). The house band couldn’t cope with my charts - Bacharach’s “Seconds” too much of a challenge - so Suzie strummed her guitar as I strummed at the piano.
ReplyDeleteSuzie had a delightful voice and quite unique - a bit like the voice of Barbara Dickson, if anyone remembers her and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall”.
I lost touch with Suzie. I wonder where she is now.
Thankyou very much for that information. You've spelt her name as Suzie instead of Susie. Is Suzie the correct spelling?
DeleteHi Julian, Of course I remember you. I forgot that we met at my grandparent's house for the Devonport show, but I do remember meeting you a lot earlier at my cousin, Steven Bright's 21st in Benalla. Thank you for the kind words on my singing voice. I live on the Central Coast of NSW with my husband of 41 years and we have three grown children and three grandchildren. Time flies! I don't perform anymore but still love music, as all musicians do. I hope you and your family are well and life has been kind to you.
DeleteGee, is this Sue Coles I heard sing at the Commodore Motel, in St Kilda Road in the ??1970s in the dining room and so sweet a singer and guitar player, I never have forgotten you, such is my love of singing! I would love to get a photo of you and be able to hear your voice again. I'm married with two sons, living in Mount Waverley, Victoria for the last 31 years.
ReplyDeleteHi there, unknown! Yes, it I am one and the same. Buttercup records (https://buttercuprecords.com/products/susie-coles-once-again-with-you-lp) have my record (in digital version as well) for sale. I am "Susie" not "Suzie" but my name is always spelled incorrectly. There are recent photos of me on the back of the record. Recently when John Cornell passed away I got a mention in his obituary in the Australian newspaper. They described me as the "never heard of again, Susie Coles", a folk singer who pipped Paul Hogan in the grand final of New Faces! I thought that was hilarious! I am glad you liked my music.
DeleteHere's a great clip of Susie playing on the Graham Kennedy show in 1975 - https://youtu.be/VIkPAAuyNPo?t=2980
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this because I have never seen it. My family are thrilled. 🎉
DeleteWonderful footage
Deletehttps://buttercuprecords.com/blogs/news/susie-coles-once-again-with-you-lp-butt-021?_pos=2&_sid=c152b2aa2&_ss=r
ReplyDelete