The Secret History of Australian Rock and Roll

Australia has a rich and diverse musical history, and rock and roll has played a major role in shaping the country's cultural identity. From the early days of the 1950s to the present day, Australian rock bands have produced some of the most iconic and influential music in the world.

In this article, we will take a look at the secret history of Australian rock and roll. We will explore the origins of the genre in Australia, trace its evolution over the decades, and discuss some of the key figures who have helped to shape its sound.

The Early Years

The roots of Australian rock and roll can be traced back to the early days of the 20th century. In the 1920s and 1930s, Australian musicians began to adopt American jazz and blues styles. By the 1950s, rock and roll had become a global phenomenon, and Australian bands began to emerge with their own unique take on the genre.

Roadies: The Secret History of Australian Rock'n'Roll

by Stuart Coupe

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7213 KB
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One of the first Australian rock and roll bands was The Delltones. Formed in Sydney in 1958, The Delltones were influenced by American doo-wop and rockabilly groups. Their biggest hit, "Why Do You Treat Me This Way?", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1961.

Another early Australian rock and roll band was The Shadows. Formed in Melbourne in 1960, The Shadows were influenced by the instrumental surf rock sound of American bands like The Ventures. Their biggest hit, "Apache", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1960.

The British Invasion

In the early 1960s, the British Invasion swept the world, and Australia was no exception. British bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks had a major impact on Australian rock and roll.

One of the first Australian bands to be influenced by the British Invasion was The Easybeats. Formed in Sydney in 1964, The Easybeats were one of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 1960s. Their biggest hit, "Friday On My Mind", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1966.

The British Invasion also helped to launch the careers of other Australian rock bands, such as The Seekers, The Bee Gees, and AC/DC.

The 1970s and 1980s

The 1970s was a time of great change for Australian rock and roll. The rise of pub rock, hard rock, and punk rock led to a new wave of Australian bands that would go on to achieve international success.

One of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 1970s was Cold Chisel. Formed in Sydney in 1973, Cold Chisel were known for their hard-hitting rock songs and their energetic live performances. Their biggest hit, "Khe Sanh", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1978.

Another successful Australian rock band of the 1970s was Skyhooks. Formed in Melbourne in 1973, Skyhooks were known for their satirical lyrics and their flamboyant stage shows. Their biggest hit, "Horror Movie", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1975.

In the 1980s, Australian rock and roll continued to evolve. The rise of new wave, post-punk, and alternative rock led to a new generation of Australian bands that would go on to achieve international success.

One of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 1980s was INXS. Formed in Sydney in 1977, INXS were known for their energetic live performances and their catchy pop songs. Their biggest hit, "Need You Tonight", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1987.

Another successful Australian rock band of the 1980s was The Church. Formed in Sydney in 1980, The Church were known for their atmospheric and psychedelic rock songs. Their biggest hit, "Under the Milky Way", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1988.

The 1990s to the Present Day

The 1990s was a time of great change for the Australian music industry. The rise of grunge, Britpop, and alternative rock led to a new wave of Australian bands that would go on to achieve international success.

One of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 1990s was Silverchair. Formed in Newcastle in 1992, Silverchair were known for their heavy rock songs and their intense live performances. Their biggest hit, "Tomorrow", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1994.

Another successful Australian rock band of the 1990s was The Living End. Formed in Melbourne in 1994, The Living End were known for their high-energy rock songs and their distinctive sound. Their biggest hit, "Prisoner of Society", reached number one on the Australian charts in 1997.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Australian rock and roll continued to evolve. The rise of new genres, such as indie rock, metalcore, and electronic rock, led to a new generation of Australian bands that would go on to achieve international success.

One of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 2000s was Jet. Formed in Melbourne in 2001, Jet were known for their energetic rock songs and their catchy pop hooks. Their biggest hit, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl", reached number one on the Australian charts in 2003.

Another successful Australian rock band of the 2000s was The Killers. Formed in Las Vegas in 2001, The Killers were known for their atmospheric rock songs and their theatrical live performances. Their biggest hit, "Mr. Brightside", reached number one on the Australian charts in 2004.

Australian rock and roll has a rich and diverse history. From the early days of the 1950s to the present day, Australian rock bands have produced some of the most iconic and influential music in the world.

The secret history of Australian rock and roll is a story of innovation, creativity, and passion. It is a story that continues to be written today, as a new generation of Australian rock bands emerge to take their place on the world stage.

Roadies: The Secret History of Australian Rock'n'Roll

by Stuart Coupe

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7213 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	314 pages

FREE