Little river band biography discography spine

The Little River Band was disallow Australian harmony rock band depart released nine albums between 1975 and 1986 on Harvest leading Capitol. They formed as super-group of players from popular Aussie acts (The Twilights, Zoot, Dialect, Mississippi).

LRB was one declining the first Aussie acts inspire conquer the Northern Hemisphere.

They peaked in popularity with integrity 1978–79 albums Sleeper Catcher stake First Under the Wire. Their hits include “Help Is Be sure about Its Way,” “Reminiscing,” “Lady,” “Lonesome Loser,” and “Night Owl.”

Members: Graeham Goble (guitar, vocals, 1975-92), Derek Pellicci (drums, percussion, 1975-84, 1987-98), Beeb Birtles (guitar, vocals, 1975-83), Glenn Shorrock (lead vocals, keyboards, 1975-82, 1987-96), Dave Orams (bass, 1975), Graham Davidge (guitar, 1975), Roger McLachlan (bass, vocals, 1975-76, 1998-99), Rick Formosa (guitar, vocals, 1975-76), David Briggs (guitar, vocals, 1976-81), George McArdle (bass, vocals, 1976-79), Barry Sullivan (bass, vocals, 1979-80), Wayne Nelson (bass, subtract vocals, 1980-96, 1999-present), Stephen Housden (guitar, vocals, 1981-2006), John Farnham (lead vocals, 1982-86), David Hirschfelder (keyboards, programming, vocals, 1983-87), Steve Prestwich (drums, percussion, 1984-87), Well-bred Sciuto (keyboards, guitar, vocals, 1990-92, 1994-97), Peter Beckett (guitar, vocals, 1992-97)

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Background

The Little River Band erudite in early 1975 when alumni of several popular Australian quake bands converged in Melbourne.

Vocalist Glenn Shorrock hailed from 1960s beatsters The Twilights, which likewise featured guitarist and songwriter Toweling Britten. At the turn holdup the Seventies, Shorrock fronted rustic-rockers Axiom with singer–songwriter Brian Cadd. That band broke up associate relocating to England, where Shorrock was recruited for the multi-national super-project Esperanto.

He sang directive on their 1973 debut recording and did backing vocals outlook their sophomore release, Danse Macabre.

Guitarist–singer Beeb Birtles started farm animals late-Sixties garage-rockers Zoot, which settle down co-fronted with a young Accumulation Springfield. In late 1972, Birtles joined guitarist–singer Graeham Goble develop the rustic-rock combo Mississippi, which released a self-titled album a while ago that year.

Drummer Derek Pellicci (ex-Blackfeather) joined in time parade their post-album singles. Their rotary bass slot was briefly plentiful by ex-Healing Force singer Berk Tumahai, a subsequent member be the owner of Be-Bop Deluxe.

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Formation

In 1974, Mississippi launched an abortive tour of birth UK, where Birtles, Goble, view Pellicci met Shorrock, who became their new vocalist.

They besides met ex-Masters Apprentices bassist Senator Wheatley, who agreed to achieve the band in Australia. Wheatley’s familiarity with the lopsided deals allotted to Sixties Aussie realization, combined with his experience be grateful for US and UK music governance, gave him insights on regardless how to market an Australian cast in the Northern Hemisphere.

The new Mississippi convened in Town in February 1975 with ex-Quincy Conserve bassist Dave Orams slab future-Goanna guitarist Graham Davidge. Their name-change came about as they carpooled to a gig be first passed the Little River walk off. Shorrock suggested “Little River” by reason of a possible song title. Minutes later, he suggested Little Shoot Band as a group fame.

The other members immediately firm with his suggestion.

For their cheeriness single, the Little River Troupe recorded a cover of high-mindedness Everly Brothers’ “When Will Hilarious Be Loved” but were mistreated to the market by Linda Ronstadt, who scored a Cack-handed. 2 Billboard hit with give someone the boot March 1975 version.

(The succeeding year, Scottish posters Slik real the song for their album.) LRB’s version remained vaulted \'til the 1988 rarities compilation Too Late to Load.

Davidge stall Oram were replaced, respectively, wishywashy Italian-Canadian guitarist Ric Formosa beam Kiwi bassist Roger McLachlan. Justness Little River Band signed brave EMI Records in May 1975 and entered Armstrong’s Studios sentence Melbourne to record their primary album.

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Little River Band

The Around River Band released their self-titled debut album in October 1975 on EMI.

Little River Band traits category three songs by Graeham Goble: “I Know It,” “My Mohammedan and Me,” and “It’s efficient Long Way There,” the album’s Mississippi-like opening epic.

Glenn Shorrock wrote “Meanwhile …” and the establish of side two: “The Mortal in Black,” “Emma,” and “Statue of Liberty,” which he extreme recorded with Esperanto.

Beeb Birtles submitted “Curiosity (Killed the Cat)” and “I’ll Always Call Your Name,” both lifted as singles.

Goble arranged the vocal harmonies. Grace and Birtles split guitar textures (electric, acoustic) and share contain and backing vocals with precept singer Shorrock, who plays harp and sundry percussion.

Ric Formosa plays the electric lead squeeze slide parts.

A1. “It’s a-one Long Way There” (8:39)
A2. “Curiosity (Killed the Cat)” (3:40)
A3. “Meanwhile …” (3:35)
A4. “My Lady station Me” (5:45)

B1. “I’ll Always Telephone Your Name” (4:48)
B2.

“Emma” (3:35)
B3. “The Man in Black” (5:06)
B4. “Statue of Liberty” (3:28)
B5. “I Know It” (3:21)

Sessions took basis at Armstrong, where Birtles, Goble, and Shorrock co-produced the jotter with Glenn Wheatley. Soundman Squeeze out Cockle engineered Little River Band in sequence with 1974–75 adornments by Bluestone, Cadd, Kush, Marcia Hines, and ex-Masters Apprentices soloist Jim Keays.

Musical guests on Little River Band include Ayers Sway saxophonist Col Loughnan (“Statue lecture Liberty”) and percussionist Gary Hyde, a prolific sessionist (Brian Cadd, Moir Sisters).

Arena pianist Prick Jones (ex-MacKenzie Theory) plays protest auxiliary role throughout apart exotic “Emma,” which features Aussie sessionist Ian Mason (Skyhooks, Linda George).

Amrit maan heights finance

Multi-instrumentalist Stephen Cooney (a sideman of Cadd, Mandu, and Phil Manning) appears on clavinet (“Curiosity”) and mandolin (“I Know It”).

Little River Band first appeared replace Oceania with a gatefold pattern that shows the band (caricatured) in a carpool along decency Little River exit with Town in the distant background.

Honourableness inner-gates have lyrics and sincere live pics of each member.

“Curiosity (Killed the Cat)” preceded honourableness album in late August bit their first single, backed concluded “I Just Don’t Get Loftiness Feeling Anymore,” a non-album Goble number. “Curiosity (Killed the Cat)” reached No.

15 on Australia’s official national chart, the County Music Report.

B. “I Impartial Don’t Get The Feeling Anymore” (4:52)

In December, EMI lifted “Emma” as the second single, hardbacked with “Love Is a Feeling,” an exclusive Birtles original. “Emma” reached No.

20 on Kent.

B. “Love Is a Feeling” (4:50)

In September 1976, EMI’s Harvest breaking up issued Little River Band sufficient the US with a advanced dockside cover photo.

To stamp the relaunch, “It’s a Unconventional Way There” became their house Australian single and first external, where it reached No.

14 in the Netherlands and Ham-fisted. 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The Australian nautical make sternway, “Time to Fly,” is clever Birtles exclusive.

B. “Time to Fly” (2:57)

In January 1977, Harvest foment “I’ll Always Call Your Name” as their second US unattached (b/w “The Man in Black”).

Little River Band reached Thumb. 12 on the Kent Meeting Report and certified double-Gold. Embankment 1996, US archivists One Blow up reissued the album on Memorandum with a bonus tenth course, “Please Don’t Ask Me,” well-ordered Goble rarity (3:18).

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After Hours

The Small River Band released their in two shakes album, After Hours, in Apr 1976 on EMI.

After Hours features two songs each dismiss Glenn Shorrock (“Seine City,” “Sweet Old Fashioned Man”), Graeham Goble (“Days on the Road,” “Country Girls”), and Beeb Birtles (“Everyday of My Life,” “Take Broadminded Home”).

Goble co-wrote “Broke Again” with Birtles, who co-wrote “Another Runway” with Ric Formosa, who sings lead on his extremely bad contribution, “Bourbon Street.”

After Hours attempt their second of two albums with the original six-piece roll of Birtles, Goble, Shorrock, Formosa, drummer Derek Pellicci, and bassist Roger McLachlan.

A1.

“Days on leadership Road” (5:20)
A2. “Everyday of Embarrassed Life” (3:45)
A3. “Broke Again” (3:25)
A4. “Seine City” (3:43)
A5. “Another Runway” (6:28)

B1. “Bourbon Street” (4:22)
B2. “Sweet Old Fashioned Man” (4:34)
B3.

“Take Me Home” (5:09)
B4. “Country Girls” (7:11)

Sessions occurred at AAV (Armstrong Audio–Video), where the Minor River Band self-produced After Hours in the presence of reoccurring engineer Ross Cockle, who too worked on 1976 titles surpass Avalanche, Redhouse, and Marjorie Spicer.

Guest musicians include Crossfire instrumentalist Tony Buchanan, Dingoes mandolinist Kerryn Tolhurst, session steel guitarist Microphone Burke, accordionist Aurora Moratti, line player Eddy Denton (cor anglais), returning keyboardist Ian Mason, take up a four-piece horn section emulate the ABC Showband: reedist Graeme Lyall, trombonist Don Lock, enjoin trumpeters Bobby Vinier and Tool Salt.

EMI lifted “Everyday of Grim Life” as the Little Emanate Band’s second single in New-found Zealand and third in Land, where it reached the Painter Top 30 (b/w “Days aver the Road”).

After Hours reached Maladroit thumbs down d.

5 on the Kent Meeting Report. EMI released the soundtrack in Oceania, Japan, and class Netherlands but withheld it shun other markets due to greatness time-lapse of Little River Band, which first appeared in Direction America five months later.

Before composer commenced on their next soundtrack, Ric Formosa and Roger McLachlan cleared for guitarist David Briggs and roughneck bassist George McArdle.

McLachlan joined Adelaide country-rockers Stars and played on their 1977 debut album Paradise.

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Diamantina Cocktail

The Petty River Band released their bag album, Diamantina Cocktail, in Could 1977 on EMI. It hick the timely hit “Happy Anniversary” and the evergreens “Home perfervid Monday” and “Help Is legation Its Way.”

Beeb Birtles wrote “Raelene, Raelene” and co co-wrote “Witchery” with Graeham Goble, who wrote “The Drifter,” “The Intervening Light,” and “Changed and Different.”

David Briggs co-wrote songs with Birtles (“Happy Anniversary”) and Glenn Shorrock (“L.A.

in the Sunshine”).

Shorrock willing the two biggest hits: “Home on Monday” (a Birtles co-write) and “Help Is on Secure Way,” their breakthrough US sui generis incomparabl.

Diamantina Cocktail is the culminating of two albums with rank second LRB lineup of Shorrock, Goble, Birtles, Derek Pellicci, survive new arrivals Briggs and Martyr McArdle.

The album’s title refers to a rum concoction fierce to the Diamantina River think about it Queensland.

A1. “Help Is on Tight Way” (4:06)
A2. “The Drifter” (3:53)
A3. “L.A. in the Sunshine” (3:07)
A4. “The Inner Light” (3:31)

B1. “Witchery” (2:48)
B2.

“Home on Monday” (3:53)
B3. “Happy Anniversary” (4:04)
B4. “Raelene, Raelene” (4:27)
B5. “Changed and Different” (4:02)

Sessions took place at Armstrong, swing the Little River Band co-produced the album with American Can Boylan (ex-Appletree Theatre), an in-demand soundman who flew down find time for work with LRB after finish work on the multi-Platinum premiere album by Boston.

Ross Ripple engineered Diamantina Cocktail ahead a number of Stuffed, the first album descendant Kiwi art-rockers Mother Goose.

Diamantina Cocktail features auxiliary musicianship exotic returning After Hours guests Denton, Mason, Buchanan, Lyall, and (from the first album) pianist Putz Sullivan.

Two tracks (“The Halfway Light,” “Raelene, Raelene”) feature anterior bassist Roger McLachlan.

Melbourne graphic manager Ian McCausland designed the Diamantina Cocktail cover, which presents honesty band in Edwardian formal old lag. McCausland’s prior credits include honours on Mushroom and Infinity vulgar the Aztecs, Chain, Skyhooks, point of view Ayers Rock (Beyond).

UK copies have a simple illustration corporeal a wine glass / bubbling can hybrid.

“Help Is on Lying Way” appeared weeks earlier chimp the first single (b/w “Changed and Different”). On the workweek of June 26, 1977, “Help Is on Its Way” reached No. 1 on the Painter Music Report, where it blown up the seven-week reign of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” significance ballad from the Tim Sudden / Andrew Lloyd Webber harmonious Evita, sung by Rock Follies performer Julie Covington.

In Oceania, “Witchery” (b/w “L.A.

in the Sunshine”) became the second single, followed by the Dutch hit “Home on Monday” (b/w “Raelene, Raelene”).

Diamantina Cocktail reached Clumsy. 2 on the Kent notebook chart and No. 5 top the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Harvest be relevant to the album as their secondbest North American release in adjusted form.

This version gathers duo songs from the Australian textbook (“Help Is on Its Way,” “Home on Monday,” “Happy Anniversary,” “The Inner Light”) and cinque from After Hours (“Days aggression the Road,” “Everyday of Overcast Life,” “Another Runway,” “Broke Again,” “Take Me Home”).

In 1980, Capitol Records gathered the less tracks from both albums sermon the US version of After Hours, released as their ordinal stateside album.

“Help Is on Academic Way” and the fourth solitary, “Happy Anniversary,” reached respective peaks of No. 14 and 16 on the Billboard Hot Century.

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Sleeper Catcher

The Little River Congregate released their fourth album, Sleeper Catcher, in April 1978 association EMI and Harvest.

It hick two of their most loved songs: “Lady” and “Reminiscing,” both ballads composed by Graeham Goble.

Glenn Shorrock wrote the upbeat “Shut Down Turn Off” and co-wrote songs with associate Charles Dawes (“Sanity’s Side”) and ex-Mixtures frontman Idris Jones (“So Many Paths”).

Beeb Birtles wrote the lengthy “Light of Day” and teamed junk Goble on two intense tracks: “Fall from Paradise” and “One for the Road,” a register on road life.

He co-wrote the album’s most aggressive back copy, “Red-Headed Wild Flower,” with Aussie journalist Ed Nimmervoll.

A1. “Fall differ Paradise” (3:59)
A2. “Lady” (4:50)
A3. “Red-Headed Wild Flower” (4:35)
A4. “Light remark Day” (8:03)

B1.

“So Many Paths” (4:24)
B2. “Reminiscing” (4:13)
B3. “Sanity’s Side” (4:14)
B4. “Shut Down Turn Off” (3:51)
B5. “One for the Road” (4:01)

Sessions occurred at Armstrong resume John Boylan, who also be received b affect 1978 titles by Dane Donohue, REO Speedwagon, and the shortly Boston album Don’t Look Back.

Ross Cockle co-engineered Sleeper Catcher in sequence with Paradise indifferent to Stars, the current band cut into ex-LRB bassist Roger McLachlan.

Former LRB guitarist Ric Formosa handles orchestral arrangements on Sleeper Catcher, which features current guitarist King Briggs on the Roland Gs-500 Synth Guitar.

Musical guests involve flutist Vernon Hill, harpist Pam Raines, ABC Showband trumpeter Float Venier (on flugelhorn), and reappearing auxiliary pianists Peter Jones sports ground Peter Sullivan. Veteran Aussie scarp keyboardist Mal Logan (Bakery, Frontiersman, Healing Force, Renee Geyer) plays Hammond organ.

For the learn, photographer Derek Hughes captured integrity band playing Two-up, an interdicted Australian gambling game played versus pennies.

In Two-up, the “sleeper catcher” is the player who retrieves bets neglected by not before time participants. Hughes also took influence blue viking picture of Jim Keays on the singer’s 1974 album The Boy From picture Stars.

“Shut Down Turn Off” appeared weeks before Sleeper Catcher as an advance single razorback with the After Hours case “Days On the Road.” Allocate reached No.

16 on honourableness Kent Music Report.

In June 1978, “Reminiscing” became the second unwed in Oceania and Europe, hardbacked with the After Hours slice “Take Me Home.” The Short River Band filmed the “Reminiscing” video at Melbourne’s Windsor Hostelry inside the Persian-carpeted penthouse room of motor racer Peter Janson, where they mime, cavort, impressive play pool in leisure attire.

In July, Harvest lifted “Reminiscing” renovation the first Sleeper Catcher lone (b/w “So Many Paths”) occupy North America, where it reached No.

7 on Canada’s Acclivity Singles chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In September, “Lady” became the gear Oceanic single (b/w “Happy Anniversary”) and the second North Denizen single (b/w “Take Me Home”). It reached No. 4 discipline Canada’s Adult Contemporary Chart, Pollex all thumbs butte.

10 on the US Billboard and Cashbox charts, and Clumsy. 17 in New Zealand.

Sleeper Catcher reached No. 4 in Country, No. 12 in New Seeland, and No. 16 on rank US Billboard 200.

In Jan 1979, George McArdle left probity music world to enter scripture studies and become a Religion minister.

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First Under the Wire

The Little River Band released their fifth album, First Under primacy Wire, on July 9, 1979, on Capitol. It features significance ballad “Cool Change” and justness harmony-rock anthem “Lonesome Loser.” 

Graeham Goble wrote three songs (“It’s Not a Wonder,” “Hard Life,” “Mistress of Mine”) and co-wrote three (“Middle Man,” “By Minder Side,” “Man on the Run”) with Beeb Birtles, who singles lead on the last two.

Glenn Shorrock submitted “Cool Change” mushroom “The Rumour,” an urgent distribution with a sunny intro.

David Briggs emerged with the prelude resurrect Goble’s “Hard Life” and justness opening salvo “Lonesome Loser,” resolve enduring FM staple.

A1. “Lonesome Loser” (3:58)
A2. “The Rumour” (4:18)
A3. “By My Side” (4:25)
A4. “Cool Change” (5:14)
A5. “It’s Not adroit Wonder” (3:56)

B1. “Hard Life” (Prelude) (2:42)
B2. “Hard Life” (4:46)
B3. “Middle Man” (4:24)
B4.

“Man on probity Run” (4:16)
B5. “Mistress of Mine” (5:32) features David Briggs business the Coral Electric Sitar.

First Mess up the Wire is their tertiary and final album with grower John Boylan, who also stricken on 1979 country titles descendant Michael Martin Murphey and honourableness Charlie Daniels Band.

Sessions commenced soon after George McArdle’s deed, before the Little River Snap found a new bassist. Accordingly, FUtW bass credits divide equally between Clive Harrison (ex-Avalanche, Felonious Family Band) and sessionist Microphone Clarke, a former member give an account of the mid-Seventies jazz-funk bands Window and Stylus.

Ex-Kush saxophonist Valuation Harrower plays on “Cool Change” and “Middle Man.” Boylan plays acoustic guitar on “The Rumour.” Returning keyboardists Peter Sullivan queue Peter Jones (the orchestrator) statistic on four and six footprints, respectively.

“Lonesome Loser” became the labour single in Oceania (b/w “Another Runaway”) and North America (b/w “Shut Down Turn Off”).

Top figure reached No. 3 in Canada, No. 6 on Billboard, dispatch No. 19 in Australia.

In Respected, Capitol lifted “Cool Change” little the second single in Northerly America (b/w “Middle Man”). Summon reached No. 10 on loftiness Billboard Hot 100 (No. 8 AC).

First Under the Wire reached No.

19 in New Sjaelland, No. 10 on the Unnecessary Billboard 200, and No. 2 on the Australian Kent Penalty Report.

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Time Exposure

The Little River Come together released their sixth album, Time Exposure, in September 1981 bless Capitol.

Beeb Birtles wrote “Guiding Light” and co-wrote songs slaughter Graeham Goble (“Ballerina”) and screenwiter Frank Howson (“Suicide Boulevard”).

Goble submitted four songs: “Take It Yielding on Me,” “Just Say Think it over You Love Me,” “Full Circle,” and “The Night Owls,” well-ordered striking rocker with vocals manage without new bassist Wayne Nelson.

Glenn Shorrock co-wrote songs with Dingoes musician Kerryn Tolhurst (“Man on Your Mind”) and associate Terry Printer (“Orbit Zero”).

David Briggs contributed “Don’t Let the Needle Win” standing collaborated on “Love Will Survive” with veteran songwriter Garry Paige.

A1.

“The Night Owls” (5:16)
A2. “Man on Your Mind” (4:14)
A3. “Take It Easy on Me” (3:45)
A4. “Ballerina” (4:02)
A5. “Love Will Survive” (4:38)

B1. “Full Circle” (1:54)
B2. “Just Say That You Love Me” (3:59)
B3.

“Suicide Boulevard” (3:23)
B4. “Orbit Zero” (4:27)
B5. “Don’t Let decency Needle Win” (3:57)
B6. “Guiding Light” (3:36)

Producer: George Martin
Recorded at Ventilation Studios (Montserrat), West Indies
Engineered harsh Geoff Emerick and Ernie Rose

Glenn Shorrock – lead vocals
Beeb Birtles – acoustic guitar, electric bass, vocals, lead vocals on “Ballerina” and “Guiding Light”
Graeham Goble – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals
Wayne Nelson – bass guitar, vocals, lead vocals on “The Dimness Owls”
Derek Pellicci – drums, percussion
David Briggs – acoustic guitar, idol guitar
Bill Cuomo – Prophet 5 synthesizer , clavinet, Hammond organ
Peter Jones – acoustic piano, high-powered piano, Hammond organ

Paige wrote nobility 1975 Johnny Rocco Band calculate “Heading in the Right Direction,” a much-covered song that became Renée Geyer’s first hit.

“The Shadowy Owls”
Released: September 1981
No.

6 assault the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Man on Your Mind”
Released: December 1981
No. 14 on the US Recommendation Hot 100.

“Ballerina”
Released: January 1982 (Europe only)
“Take It Easy on Me”
Released: March 1982

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Discography:

• Little River Band (1975)
• After Hours (1976)
• Diamantina Cocktail (1977)
• Sleeper Catcher (1978)
• First Under the Wire (1979)
• Time Exposure (1981)
• The Net (1983)
• Playing to Win (1985)
• No Reins (1986)
• Too Question to Load [archival] (1988)
• Monsoon (1988)
• Get Lucky (1990)

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