Python Lee Jackson: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:03, 13 June 2018

Revision as of 00:54, 19 September 2018

Line 44:

In June, the quartet added former [[Wild Cherries]]' Melbourne-born singer, Malcolm McGee (1 November 1945{{spaced ndash}}17 May 2012), and opened Rhubarb's club in Sydney's [[Liverpool Street, Sydney|Liverpool Street]]. McGee described how Python Lee Jackson is "the ultimate name. Group names are becoming more and more ridiculous – PLJ is the name to end all names."<ref name="Lewes">{{cite news | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44025118 | title = Clothes Help on the (L)Adder to success | last = Lewes | first = Jackie Lee | newspaper = [[The Australian Women's Weekly]] | volume = 34 | issue = 25 | date = 16 November 1966 | accessdate = 22 May 2017 | page = 61 | via = [[National Library of Australia]] }}</ref>

Jackie Lee Lewes of ''[[The Australian Women's Weekly]]'' opined in November 1966 that "Their music is loud and furious" and cited McGee, who felt their sound was in "the Chicago-style city blues idiom."<ref name="Lewes"/> Lewes also reported that "The members [of [the group] say they have created a modern image – not only with their music but also with their up-to-date clothes."<ref name="Lewes"/> The magazine provided a double page spread of the band members modelling their clothing.<ref name="Lewes"/>

In September 1966, Bentley left and was replaced by Bob Welsh on piano.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The band released its first single, "Emergency Ward" (November 1966), backed by a cover version of Bo Diddley's "[[Who Do You Love? (Bo Diddley song)|Who Do You Love?]]" as its [[A-side and B-side|B-side]].<ref name="McFarlane"/> Some sources cite "Emergency Ward" as a single by local DJ [[Ward "Pally" Austin|Ward Austin]] featuring Python Lee Jackson as his backing group.<ref name="Aus DJs">{{cite web | archiveurl = http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/146775/20140703-0000/www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rarecollections/rare-collections/4660646.html | url = http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rarecollections/rare-collections/4660646.html | title = Ward Austin | last1 = Kilby | first1 = David | last2 = Kilby | first2 = Jordie | date = 5 May 2013 | work = DJs on Disc | publisher = [[Radio National]] ([[Australian Broadcasting Commission]] (ABC)) | archivedate = 3 July 2014 | accessdate = 26 May 2017 }}</ref> Their second single was a cover of [[Major Lance]]'s "[[Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um]]", backed by "Big City Lights", in December 1966.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nuttall">{{cite web | archiveurl = http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/43557/20170504-0001/www.poparchives.com.au/feature0608.html?id=1699 | url = http://www.poparchives.com.au/feature0608.html?id=1699 | title = 'Um Um Um Um Um Um' – Python Lee Jackson (1966) | last = Nuttall | first = Lyn | work = Pop Archives – Sources of Australian Pop Records from the 50s, 60s and 70s | archivedate = 4 May 2017 | accessdate = 22 May 2017 }}</ref>

Late in 1966 Hardy was replaced by [[Duncan McGuire]], from [[Doug Parkinson]]'s group the Questions, for three weeks. McGuire appeared on the band's version of [[Sam and Dave]]’s "[[Hold On, I'm Comin' (song)|Hold On, I’m Coming]]", backed by "Your Mother Should Have Warned You", before Hardy (now using by the name, Virgil East) returned for the band's first trip to Melbourne in March 1967. Like its predecessor, the new single was a minor hit. While in Melbourne the group performed at the Catcher night club, from 17 to 19 March, with various local bands each night. The group returned for an extended stay from 30 March to 16 April.

In April 1967 Dave MacTaggart from Adelaide band the Black Pearls replaced Virgil East. On 11 June, the group appeared on Opus TV with [[the Loved Ones]] and [[Ray Hoff|Ray Hoff and the Off Beats]]. The new line-up released the band's final Australian single, "It’s a Wonder", backed by "I Keep Forgetting", in August before Welsh left to be replaced by saxophone player. [[Bernie McGann]].

Line 54:

A few months later Liber left and worked with [[Billy Thorpe]] and Gulliver Smith’s band, the Noyes. Former member East joined Jeff St John's next project, Yama. Liber's replacement was Laurie Arthur from [[The Strangers (Australian band)|the Strangers]]. Python Lee Jackson continued to play gigs, appearing at Melbourne clubs, Sebastians, and Berties until they broke up in January 1968.

McGee then joined vocal trio [the Virgil Brothers with Rob Lovett (formerly of the Loved Ones) and Mick Hadley (ex-[[Purple Hearts (Australian band)|Purple Hearts]]). McGee recorded two singles with the Virgil Brothers, including their Australian hit, "Temptation 'Bout to Get Me", but he left the group after they moved to the UK in late 1969 and was replaced by Danny Robinson (ex-the Wild Cherries). McGee later played with McGuire in Rush<!-- Not the Canadian group -->. MacTaggart reunited with Liber briefly in Billy Thorpe's band. Montgomery reunited with David Bentley in the David Bentley Trio.

== British period ==