Gavin Wood's Podcast

Geoff Cox (born 13 March 1951 is an Australian musician and media personality. He is often referred to as "Coxy". Cox is most notable for having played drums with Brian Cadd, and with the bands Cycle, The Bootleg Family Band and Avalanche. He also filled in as drummer with the Little River Band while Derek Pellicci recovered from burns following a barbecue accident He later became a light entertainment presenter on the Seven Network. In the 2000s, he hosted the travel program Coxy's Big Break Cox has been an Australia Day Ambassador He has supported other charitable causes, including the Cabrini Institute and Zoos Victoria In 2008, Cox survived bowel cancer One of his earliest TV performances was on Countdown, in a short documentary which led viewers through the process of making Australian Crawl's music single, "Beautiful People"

Marty Rhone was born as Karel (or Karl) Lawrence van Rhoon on 7 May 1948 in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) His father was Eddy Emile van Rhoon, his mother was Judith Olive. She was a singer and actress, who met Eddy through the Sydney jazz scene; he was a visiting pianist. The couple married in 1947, and migrated to Australia on 21 April 1950 and briefly lived in Sydney and Brisbane, and then moved to Darwin. Rhone was taught piano by his father but he preferred singing. In August 1959, aged 11, he first performed publicly at Darwin's Mitchell Street Town Hall in Around the World in 80 Minutes – a charity variety concert – alongside his father on piano and his mother. After he finished primary school, the family moved to Sydney. In mid-1961, Rhone appeared on a talent quest segment of ATN7-TV series, Tarax Show, and was offered a singing spot on a children's show, During 1966 Marty Rhone and The Soul Agents supported The Rolling Stones on the United Kingdom rock group's tour of Australia. They also performed on the bill of the P.J. Proby Show at the Sydney Stadium with Wayne Fontana, Eden Kane and The Bee Gees appearing. Rhone moved to Melbourne and issued five singles on Spin Records but had "limited success". In March 1970, Rhone was conscripted for National Service until 1972. During his service he attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon, as a member of their band, for 18 months. From April 1972 to July 1973 he acted in the Australian stage version of Godspell at The Richbrooke, Sydney with Rod Dunbar, Peita Toppano and John Waters. The Australian cast soundtrack album was issued as Godspell: a Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew on His Master's Voice. He attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and in July 1973 he released a new single, "Goodbye in May". He composed the music for Ruzzante Returns from the Wars, which starred Ivar Kants Rhone followed with appearances on TV soap operas, Number 96 (1974) and Class of '75 (1975). By mid-1975 Rhone had signed with M7 Records and issued his next single, "Denim and Lace", which peaked at No. 8 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It was promoted on the Class of '75 soundtrack album. It was co-written by L Lister (aka Jack Aranda) and F Lyons (aka Shad Lyons). Lister and Lyons also produced Rhone's debut album, Denim and Lace, recording at Alberts Studio 139. At the end of the year "Denim and Lace" was the second highest selling single in Australia. His next single, "Star Song", reached the Top 50, the next two were less successful, while the last one for the year, "On the Loose" reached the Top 40. Of the four singles, "On the Loose (Again)" – co-written by Bryan Dawe and Steve Groves (ex-Tin Tin)– was used by Rhone to win the 1976 Australian Popular Song Festival and represented Australia at the World Popular Song Festival. In June 1977 he had another hit with "Mean Pair of Jeans", which reached No. 10. In July 1978 Rhone relocated to London. In June 1979, Rhone took the role of Lun Tha in the London Palladium presentation of The King and I alongside Yul Brynner and Virginia McKenna. By September 1981 he had returned to Sydney. In 1987 Rhone became a business manager for a trio of brothers, the Australian boxers: Dean, Guy and Troy Waters. In December 1988 Rhone organised the "Battle on the Beach" for January 1989 with Dean Waters, as Australian heavyweight champion, to fight New Zealand's title holder. In 2007, Rhone performed a repertoire of tracks by Cliff Richard; a gig at the Crown Casino, Melbourne, in late 2008 it was filmed and broadcast in February the next year as Marty Rhone: A Tribute to Cliff Richard and The Shadows. In May 2011 on the Cliff & Dusty presentation he performed with Sheena Crouch as UK pop singer Dusty Springfield and in June 2012 with his own "musical theatre fantasy" covering Richard's and The Beatles' material in Cliff Joins The Beatles. In August 2016, Rhone released 50th Anniversary Album, a...

Irwin Thomas (born Irwin Thomas Whittridge; 6 January 1971) is an American-born Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He performs professionally using the stage name Jack Jones from when he was the lead vocalist-guitarist in the band Southern Sons (1990–1996). His other bands collaborations include Electric Mary, She Said Yes and Ahmet Zappa. He is known for his collaborations with John Farnham and Rick Price. He released his debut solo album, The Evolution of Irwin Thomas, in 2002.

Dear Enemy was an Australian indie pop band formed in Melbourne in 1980. The band released a studio album, Ransom Note, in 1984 on EMI and Capitol Records that featured its best known single, "Computer One", a No. 15 hit on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart in January 1984. "Computer One" also reached #59 on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock chart in March, 1984. Dear Enemy disbanded in 1988.

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, Gavin catches up with Australian saxophonist, television personality and radio presenter – Wilbur Wilde. Perhaps best known for his work as part of the house band on “Hey Hey It’s Saturday!” Wilbur Wilde rose to prominence with the bands Ol' 55 and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons. Wilbur has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Skyhooks, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Split Enz, Roy Orbison, Cold Chisel, Joe Cocker, Dire Straits, the Angels, Dragon, James Reyne and Jimmy Barnes. Wilbur has made numerous other TV appearances throughout his career on shows including The Flying Doctors, The Paul Hogan Show, Blankety Blanks, Sale of the Century, MTV, Getaway, Postcards, Prisoner, Spicks and Specks, and commercials for the Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency. His CV also boasts a string of movie credits including Trojan Warrior, Mad Max, The Coolangatta Gold, City of the Damned, Jenny Kissed Me, Dead End Drive-In, and Cool Change, as well as over 750 performances with The New Rocky Horror Show. Wilbur has also presented on an array of radio stations, including Gold 104.3, Vega 91.5, 3UZ, 3XY, and 3MP.

Graham William Nash OBE (born 2 February 1942) is an English-American musician, singer and songwriter. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997 and as a member of the Hollies in 2010.He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours List for services to music and to charity. Nash holds four honorary doctorates, including one from the New York Institute of Technology, one in music from the University of Salford in 2011 and one in fine arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Susan Kay Quatro was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1950, and grew up pursuing performing. Suzi was playing bongos on stage with her father’s jazz band by the age of eight, and by 14 she’s changed her name to Suzi soul and had left school to become a Go-Go dancer. By the age of 15, Suzi was fronting the band the Pleasure Seekers, with her sisters. The band toured the country and were invited to Vietnam to entertain troops, before changing their name to Cradle in the early 1970’s and transitioning to a more hard-rock sound. It was performing with Cradle where Suzi was first noticed by British producer Mickie Most, who was interested in Suzi as a solo performer. Mickie invited her to London and introduced her to professional songwriters Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, which turned out to be a winning formula. In 1973, “Can the Can” flew to number one and went on to sell two and a half million copies worldwide. Between 1973 and 1980, Suzi featured in the British charts for no less than 101 weeks, and has sold to date over 55 million records. Since then, she has released fifteen studio albums, ten compilation albums, and one live album. Other songs, including "48 Crash", "Daytona Demon", "The Wild One", and "Your Mama Won't Like Me", also charted highly overseas. While Suzi enjoyed great success both in the UK and Australia, she is mostly known in the US for her cameo on hit TV show Happy Days as Leather Tuscadero. However the appearance might’ve helped her duet "Stumblin' In" with Smokie's lead singer Chris Norman reach No. 4 in the US. Suzi is still active, writing, broadcasting, recording, and this year she’s embarking on her 38th tour of Australia.

On this episode, Gavin catches up with Australian media personality and radio broadcaster – Philip Brady OAM. Philip Brady OAM is one of the country’s most experienced and familiar radio broadcasters, with a career spanning more than 6 decades. From Kennedy to Vizard, Newton to Hogan, Philip has collaborated with Australia’s most iconic personalities. Philip’s career started in tandem with the early beginnings of Australian television transmission in the late 1950s. Like many of Australia’s media greats, he got his start providing voiceovers on Channel 9 and making appearances on Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight. Philip’s most substantial work came from his nearly 30-year position as host of 3AW’s Nightline program. Just last year, Philip celebrated 65 years in the media industry, and is still co-hosting Remember When on 3AW with Simon Owens. In 2018 Philip was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the broadcast media industry Beyond broadcasting, Philip is a long-time supporter of The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria and is one of the Australia Day Ambassador Program’s longest-serving members. Listen to the podcast now to hear as Gavin catches up with one of Australia’s most enduring media personalities – Philip Brady:

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, Gavin catches up with American singer, songwriter and composer - Jimmy Webb. Jimmy Webb achieved success from a young age, aged just 21 when he won his first Grammy Award, winning Song of the Year in 1967, for the song, “Up, Up, and Away”. As well as “Up, Up, and Away”, Jimmy has written numerous platinum-selling songs, including "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "MacArthur Park", "Wichita Lineman", "Worst That Could Happen", "Galveston" and "All I Know". Throughout his career he collaborated with top tier musicians such as Glen Campbell, Michael Feinstein, Linda Ronstadt, the 5th Dimension, the Supremes, Art Garfunkel and Richard Harris. In 1986 Jimmy was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 1990 he joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. A celebrated artist, Jimmy picked up the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award in 2003, the ASCAP "Voice of Music" Award in 2006 and the Ivor Novello Special International Award in 2012. Jimmy is the only artist ever to receive Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration, and according to BMI, his song "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" was the third most performed song in the 50 years between 1940 and 1990.

Tommy Emmanuel was a working professional age of 6, playing rhythm guitar in his family’s band as they toured Australia. He has never had a formal guitar lesson, in fact, he doesn’t read music or know music theory. However, he’s considered one of the modern masters of the guitar, with Chet Atkins naming Tommy as a Certified Guitar Player, an honour bestowed to only 4 other people. Tommy’s guitar skills grew from natural talent and decades of practice. His playing incorporates a multitude of musical influences and styles, including jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock, this type of country finger-style playing is at the core of his technique. After years as a popular sideman and songwriter, the two-time ARIA Award winner launched his solo career in 1988 with Up from Down Under. As a solo performer, he never plays to a set list and uses a minimum of effects onstage. He usually completes studio recordings in one take and has released a total of 37 albums. A four-time winner of Australia's Best Guitarist Award, Tommy has been nominated for 2 Grammy awards, won 4 Country Music Awards and was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown in 2011. Tommy won Australian performer of the year in 1994 and 1996, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010.

Philip Kenneth Collen (born 8 December 1957) is an English musician who is best known as the co-lead guitarist for the rock band Def Leppard, joining the band in 1982 during the recording of the Pyromania album. Prior to joining Def Leppard, Collen had performed with a number of bands in the burgeoning British glam metal scene. Outside of Def Leppard, with which he still records and performs live, he has been involved in a number of side projects most notably the trio Man Raze, with which he is the lead singer and sole guitarist.

Born Christopher John Cheney in 1975, Chris graduated with a VCE from Wheelers Hill Secondary College. Chris played guitar since age 6 and studied jazz at Box Hill Tafe in 1994-95. However, it was at a barbecue Chris' was introduced by his sister to Scott Owen. In 1992 they formed a cover band called 'The Runaway Boys' taken from a Stray Cats song of the same name which performed covers of the band's songs with the odd original song thrown in. In 1994 he got his first album with The Living End who formed with a drummer called Joe Piripitzi who was later kicked out for musical differences. In 1995 the EP 'Hellbound' was released and The Living End was made. In 1996 they released another EP called 'It's For Your Own Good' and had success by sending a T-shirt to Green Day for a gig as their supporting act. In 1997 after Joe was replaced with new drummer Trav Demsey, The Living End cut their first single, entitled "Prisoner Of Society/Second Solution". Two songs from their debut album. This followed up with more success of their self-titled album 'The Living End'. In 2000 this followed with the album 'Roll On'. In 2001 Chris was involved in a severe car accident with his girlfriend Emma who escaped with minor injuries but left Chris in a wheelchair with a broken leg and 3 pins to replace some of the muscle that was damaged. After 2 years of resting and writing songs for the new album they were back in the studio where Trav quit due to a disliking of heavy touring and to spend more time with his family. The Living End were stranded. They spent two days auditioning 40 drummers of which the first was Andy Strachan. Their current drummer. The boys hit the studio and recorded a 14 track album entitled 'Modern ARTillery' which was released in 2003. In 2004 the boys hit the studio once more to record 2 more tracks, "I Can't Give You What I Haven't Got" and "Bringin' It All Back Home". This was a greatest hits album called 'From Here On In: The Singles (1997-2004)'. The same year he formed tribute super group The Wrights with Nic Cester (Jet) - Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) - Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon) - Kram (Spiderbait) - Davey Lane (You Am I/The Pictures) and Pat Bourke (Dallas Crane). He performed with the band as the lead and rhythm guitarist for parts 1 and 3 respectively and later released Stevie Wrights hit Evie with all three songs of "Evie: (Let You Hair Hang Down)", "Evie: (Evie)" which Chris was not involved with and "Evie: (I'm Losing You)". It wasn't until 2005 the boys hit the studio again to record the fifth album entitled "State Of Emergency" released in 2006. After almost a year and a half of touring Chris left the band and took up yoga and painting while his other band mates hit the surf. It wasn't until late 2007 that they hit the studio again to write and rehearse songs which resulted in the band's sixth studio album 'White Noise' with a single of the same name. Since then the boys have been performing to the general public throughout Australia, Japan, USA and more.

Peter first came to prominence with Stylus in 1975, releasing four albums with hits such as ‘Summer Breeze’ and ‘World of Make Believe’ before the band split in 1980. A successful solo career followed throughout the 80’s, with a top 20 hit for his first release, ‘Fear of Thunder’, and success with the song ‘Blame it on the Weather’ – not only for Peter but also for John Farnham, whose voice, incidentally, Peter’s soaring vocals are often compared to. Peter also became a regular on TV shows such as The Midday Show, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Tonight Live, and Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl. Other albums released include ‘Still Alive’ (with a reformed Stylus); ‘Changes’, ‘Bac2basix’ – a roots album filled with wonderful storytelling songs such as ‘Pioneers’, ‘Family’ and the ‘Poor Man’s Al Jolson; a jazz standards album, ‘About Time’; and ‘Home Grown’ – Peter’s own tribute to some of his favourite Aussie artists. Over the last decade, Peter has toured both solo and with Stylus, and with his close friend, Australian rock legend, the late Jon English. Their collaborative show, Uncorked’, filled with nostalgia and good humoured banter, delighted audiences everywhere throughout Australia. Peter works with many charities and has written songs for the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ and the ‘Sacred Heart Foundation’. His album, ‘OBSERVATIONS’ – which he describes as ‘a collection of songs that look at the heart of our everyday existence, some personal, some not’ – was released in October 2016. “I am extremely proud of this album,’ says Cupples. “I truly believe it is probably one of the best things I’ve ever done.” He is now bringing a night of great entertainment to the Taphouse with the songs of Burt Bacharach. From 'Say a Little Prayer' to 'What the World Needs Now' enjoy the songs you know and love.

Melbourne-born sisters, Vika and Linda Bull, grew up singing at church, and were taught how to harmonize by their Tongan mother. The talented siblings first made their mark as members of Joe Camilleri’s The Black Sorrows in the late 1980s, also providing backing vocals for other artists including Hunters and Collectors, Archie Roach, John Farnham, Deborah Conway, and Paul Kelly. In 1994 they left the band to launch their own career as a duo, releasing their debut self-titled album that same year. The album was produced by Kelly, and peaked at No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart, reaching certified platinum and nominated for an ARIA Music Award in 1995 for 'Breakthrough Artist – Album'. Vika and Linda had four singles, “Hard Love”, "We've Started a Fire", "When Will You Fall For Me", and "House of Love”, the latter two were featured as backing music on the soap opera, Home and Away. The pair have since had near-inseparable careers, releasing eight studio albums and twenty-one singles, collaborating closely with the likes of Paul Kelly, Diesel and Renée Geyer and cementing their place as national musical treasure. Vika and Linda have a long and decorated music career, with constant critical acclaim, including four ARIA Award nominations for Best Adult Contemporary Album, a Special Recognition Award at the Pacific Music Awards, and performed the national anthem at the AFL Grand Final. In 2019 they were inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame and in 2020, their retrospective album 'Akilotoa: Anthology (1994-2006) entered the Australian charts at number one, making Vika and Linda the first Australian female duo to debut at No. 1. They are currently finalists for the Artistic Excellence Award at the 2023 Australian Women in Music Awards. Their music has traversed genres over the past three decades, incorporating rock, country, gospel, reggae, R&B, soul and blues, as well as paying tribute to their rich Tongan heritage.

Tania Doko become a pop sensation in 1998 as one half of Melbourne duo ‘Bachelor Girl’. Their 1998 debut single, "Buses and Trains", was a top-10 hit in Australia and New Zealand; it peaked in the top 30 in Sweden and charted in the UK. The follow-up single, "Treat Me Good", reached the top 40 in Australia and New Zealand and their debut studio album, Waiting for the Day, was released in 1998 and reached the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart and achieved platinum certification. A successful songwriter in her own right, Tania went on to write hit records with The Veronicas, Jessica Mauboy, Eric Bazilian, Delta Goodrem, Sheppard, and Tina Arena, to name a few. She was also a judge on Channel 7’s Popstars. In 2012, Tania moved to Sweden where she worked as a singer/songwriter and vocal coach and is now an official APRA AMCOS Ambassador for the Nordic region. Bachelor Girl had already sold a total of more than 500,000 albums and singles worldwide when they reformed in 2017. In 2018 they released “Speak”, exactly 20 years to the day of their debut single. In February 2023, Bachelor Girl released "Calling Out Your Name", and in July this year she released “Harder Now”, her first single from her upcoming EP.

Lee (Vassilis) Simon was born in 1954 in Melbourne to Greek immigrant parents. At age five, he changed his first name to Lee, as "it was easier to use." He worked as an audio engineer from 1971 at local radio station, 3AW. His first job as a DJ was for radio 2BE in Bega, New South Wales followed by stints at 7HT (Hobart), 2NX (Newcastle) and 2SM (Sydney). Simon returned to Melbourne as a DJ and announcer for radio station 3XY (from 1975) and then EON FM (from 1980), where he became their programme director. He hosted Nightmoves, claimed as Australia's first adult and album-orientated music TV program for HSV 7, from 13 May 1977. Initially trialled for six weeks it was subsequently transmitted nationally via the Seven Network for late Friday night programming from about midnight to 1:00 a.m. By 1982 it was being broadcast on Network 10 at about 10:30 p.m. Monday nights. In 1985 it was re-branded as Rockit for the Nine Network. In 1995 Simon, as Program Director, was instrumental in Triple M Melbourne (formerly EON FM) beginning live radio broadcasts of AFL matches. As from 2010 he presented the retro music programme, Rock of Ages on Triple M. In 2018 he retired and was inducted into the Australian Commercial Radio Awards Hall of Fame later that year.

Mike Brady was born in England and moved with his family to Australia when he was 11 years old. His recording career began in the mid 60’s with the formation of MPD Ltd (Mike, Pete & Danny). After MPD Ltd, Mike spent the majority of his time building his career as producer and writer of jingles for Television and Radio. One such jingle brought Mike back into the public spotlight. He was asked to record a promotional song for Channel Seven’s Football program. This song being “Up There Cazaly” went on to be the biggest selling local single of its time, with sales in excess of 250,000 and has become the unofficial Anthem of all Australian Rules Football Fans. Over the years, he has been responsible for some of Australia’s most catchy advertising jingles. During the 70’s Mike formed his own Record Label and Record Production Company, Full Moon Records., and publishing company, Remix Publishing. Two hugely successful singles released by Full Moon were Mark Jackson’s “I’m An Individual” and Joe Dolce’s “Shuddap You Face”. “Shuddap You Face” broke the record previously held by Mike’s “Up There Cazaly” as the biggest selling single in Australian History and has been translated into many different languages. Mike and his company have produced albums for artists such as Tina Arena, Colleen Hewett, Mark Gillespie and Mike Rudd and Bill Putt. Many of Mike’s songs have been recorded by leading artists including Tina Arena, and John Farnham. In June 2013 Brady was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the community and to music as a composer and performer. On Monday 3rd July 2017 Mike was honored to be named Victorian of the Year in a ceremony in Melbourne.

Bill Armstrong - Legendary Music Producer was born in 1929. The Melbourne audio technician-turned-producer has been at the forefront of the local music industry for more than 60 years. In the mid-50s, Armstrong was working as a "balance officer" at ABC Radio, producing live-to-air programs, outside broadcasts and variety shows and working with the likes of Graham Kennedy. In 1956, he was charged with overseeing the PA system at the main stadium of the Melbourne Olympic Games. In 1965, Armstrong opened his own studio in a small terrace house in Albert Rd, South Melbourne. One of the first pop recordings made there was the backing track for The Easybeats' 1965 breakthrough hit "She's So Fine", which was overseen by British-born engineer Roger Savage. Over the next few years the studios expanded into six adjoining properties, including four studios equipped with 4-track machines. In 1968 Armstrong installed one of the first 8-track recorders in Australia, followed by 16 and then 24-track machines, together with state-of-the-art mixing desks in the early '70s. During this time, many of Australia's most distinguished producers and engineers worked there. The original engineering team were Roger Savage, Allan Pay and Philip Webster. Armstrong's studios soon overtook two other major studios in Australia at the time - the EMI and Festival Records facilities in Sydney - to become the most sought-after recording venue in the country, and the "engine room" of Australian pop and rock recording. Many of the most popular and successful Australian recordings from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s were made there, including hit albums and singles by The Masters Apprentices, The Twilights, The Groove, The Groop, Zoot, The Aztecs, Russell Morris, Brian Cadd, Daddy Cool, Franciscus Henri, Hans Poulsen, Spectrum, John Farnham, Skyhooks, Little River Band, The Sports, Models and many others. Many famous overseas artists also recorded there while visiting Australia, including Earl Hines, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, and Stephane Grapelli.[2] Armstrong left the company in 1977 and stuck with the music industry, working as the manager of SBS Radio in Sydney and Melbourne before establishing the first commercial FM radio station in 1980, EON FM, now Triple M. His contribution to the industry has been well recognised – an ARIA for Lifetime contribution to the Australian Music Industry, the Advance Australia Award for outstanding contribution to the industry and commerce, an APRA for Outstanding Contribution to the music industry and the National Film and Sound Archive's Cochrane-Smith award for his contribution to Sound Heritage, among them.

Bill Armstrong - Legendary Music Producer was born in 1929. The Melbourne audio technician-turned-producer has been at the forefront of the local music industry for more than 60 years. In the mid-50s, Armstrong was working as a "balance officer" at ABC Radio, producing live-to-air programs, outside broadcasts and variety shows and working with the likes of Graham Kennedy. In 1956, he was charged with overseeing the PA system at the main stadium of the Melbourne Olympic Games. In 1965, Armstrong opened his own studio in a small terrace house in Albert Rd, South Melbourne. One of the first pop recordings made there was the backing track for The Easybeats' 1965 breakthrough hit "She's So Fine", which was overseen by British-born engineer Roger Savage. Over the next few years the studios expanded into six adjoining properties, including four studios equipped with 4-track machines. In 1968 Armstrong installed one of the first 8-track recorders in Australia, followed by 16 and then 24-track machines, together with state-of-the-art mixing desks in the early '70s. During this time, many of Australia's most distinguished producers and engineers worked there. The original engineering team were Roger Savage, Allan Pay and Philip Webster. Armstrong's studios soon overtook two other major studios in Australia at the time - the EMI and Festival Records facilities in Sydney - to become the most sought-after recording venue in the country, and the "engine room" of Australian pop and rock recording. Many of the most popular and successful Australian recordings from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s were made there, including hit albums and singles by The Masters Apprentices, The Twilights, The Groove, The Groop, Zoot, The Aztecs, Russell Morris, Brian Cadd, Daddy Cool, Franciscus Henri, Hans Poulsen, Spectrum, John Farnham, Skyhooks, Little River Band, The Sports, Models and many others. Many famous overseas artists also recorded there while visiting Australia, including Earl Hines, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, and Stephane Grapelli.[2] Armstrong left the company in 1977 and stuck with the music industry, working as the manager of SBS Radio in Sydney and Melbourne before establishing the first commercial FM radio station in 1980, EON FM, now Triple M. His contribution to the industry has been well recognised – an ARIA for Lifetime contribution to the Australian Music Industry, the Advance Australia Award for outstanding contribution to the industry and commerce, an APRA for Outstanding Contribution to the music industry and the National Film and Sound Archive's Cochrane-Smith award for his contribution to Sound Heritage, among them.

John St Peeters was born in Melbourne, in 1956, to Italian-born parents, Pasqualino Lo Piccolo – a greengrocer – and Giovanna (née Basile). He grew up in Richmond with a younger sister, Josephine "Jo". Early in his career he performed as Johnny Lo Piccolo. From the age of 11 he played piano accordion on TV talent quests, such as Brian and the Juniors, New Faces, variety shows, including In Melbourne Tonight, and at clubs in Melbourne. John St Peeters and the Sharells were formed in 1974, as a vocal trio, with two female vocalists, Niki Nicholls and Kim Julin. They performed "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" on the Ernie Sigley Show in May 1975. They toured Australia, North America and South-East Asia before issuing a single, "Take Me if You Want Me", in October on the Astor label. He resumed his solo career in 1976 with a disco-based single, "You Know that You're Sexy", in November of that year. Peeters signed with EMI Records, which issued his next three singles, "Shiny Side Up" (June 1977), "Fadin' Away" (October) and "Love the Way You Move" (December): At the King of Pop Awards of 1977 St Peeters won Most Popular New Talent. In the following year his contract was taken up by RCA Records. He released his next single, "Deep Inside of Me", co-written by Peeters and Aldo Lennard, He followed with his debut album, So Many Ways (1978), produced by Spencer Lee. In 1979 he formed the John St Peeters Band and toured the Australia club circuit. He appeared on teen pop music TV show, Countdown, from 1976, he co-hosted an episode in June 1978. He later reflected "The biggest thrill of all, though, was making it on the biggest television music show that existed during those years — Countdown, hosted by Molly Meldrum. What a fantastic experience that was." He premiered his single, "Wonder World", on the show in March 1980; it is the theme song for Simon Townsend's Wonder World, a children's variety TV series.