DEATH CLAIMS SOME FORGOTTEN MEMBERS OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC Once household names, now seldom thought of - this week saw the Australian music industry lose some its pioneers who helped pave the way for the musically inclined in those primitive, testing times of Australian recorded music and television. Their contribution is etched into history and for your creative gifts we thank you. May you continue to entertain and your pains be at ease. RIP ✞ ✞ REST IN PEACE The beautiful GAYNOR BUNNING who was world famous in Melbourne. The Victorian model, actress, singer, writer and dancer was the first face for David Jones during the 1950s, eventually being the poster girl for Craven A Cigarettes and Bonds Cottontails. She featured in musical segments aimed to break up televised movies and released a string of singles on Melbournes W&G label throughout the early to mid 60s, securing herself 4 top 40 hits on the Melbourne charts with only one hit in Sydney, her 1961 English rendition of Edith Piafs Milord, reaching #16. With all this fame in Victoria, she was virtually unknown in other states until flying to America in 1965 and pursuing her acting career, becoming moderately well known in sitcoms throughout the 70s and 80s. She passed away aged 84 this morning after a long battle with Hodgkins lymphoma in her hometown of Geelong. ✞ REST IN PEACE 1940s swing jazz pianist and early 50s Australian rocknroller LES WELCH, who released what is widely renowned as Australias first rocknroll record with Rockin Boogie in 1952 and released a cover of Bill Haleys Rock Around The Clock before Haleys was even released here. He passed away on Tuesday night aged 97 with his family by his side. ✞ REST IN PEACE LORNA BARRY of the 1950s country yodellers turned early 60s pop rock duo The Barry Sisters. Moving from NSW town Quirindi to Sydney in the mid 50s after releasing a string of well loved yodelling records for the country market - they evolved with the times in 1960 and were prominent faces on Brian Hendersons Bandstand and Johnny OKeefes Six OClock Rock where they enjoyed released on Sydneys subsidiary of the Pye label and a hit with The Allen Brothers in 1961, with a very young Peter Allen. Their popularity dwindled around 1962 and they turned to theatre, song-writing and producing records well into the 80s. Lorna died early Tuesday morning aged 79 after battling with whooping cough all of last week. ✞ REST IN PEACE Sydney rocknroll idol PAUL WAYNE whose good looks and wild stage presence gave him a string of hits in 1961 - 1964. Released on Lee Gordons Leedon label, his biggest hit came in 1963 with the modest #26 hit The Tango Twist. Turning to jazz cabaret and orchestral pop in the later part of the 60s, his popularity waned during the mid 70s. His battle with chronic emphysema saw him take his last breath yesterday morning in his Wollombi home.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 17:12:04 +0000
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