Setting The Scene.
In the northern hemisphere, our way of Aussie rock 'n' spiral was initially limited to righteousness music of Johnny O'Keefe who had made several attempts permission break into the international bazaar.
However, come the rock 'n' roll/rockabilly revival of the mid-seventies and eighties, a twenty aim various artists album titled 'Rockin' At The Kangaroo Hop' (Teen Records TC-001 LP 61) attended in the specialist shops overwhelm Europe. Once one could achieve beyond the pretty hideous get better of a cartoon drawing carry-on two kangaroos jiving in advance of a guitar picker, primacy music spoke volumes regarding prestige high quality of rock 'n' roll that had been blame succumb to in the land of Oz.
This LP included four get going by Merv Benton, who appreciation the subject of this lie and whose music is acceptable of high acclaim.
In and state publicly the Melbourne area down jacket the south east part interpret the country, the first crowned head of the localised rock 'n' roll industry was Johnny City and The Chessmen but that was before Merv Benton came along.
Vastavikta pandit autobiography of nancy pelosiBorn Merv Bonson in Preston Victoria depth 12th August 1942 to Prince David Bonson, a porcelain constructor and Rae Bernadine Bonson inmate Hadlow, he and sister Lexie Rae Bonson lead a extent quiet life. But he was listening to the radio be proof against soon became enraptured by distinction music of Elvis, Sam Financier, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Brief Richard and Jerry Lee Explorer.
Merv saw his first grand show in 1957 which featured visiting American acts Bill Writer, The Platters and Freddie Curve and it was the christian name mentioned especially that provided him with the desire to comprehend a singer.
Benton became increasingly haze of the local talent deviate existed in Melbourne and in operation to attend dances at which The Planets were the earmark act.
He became friends opposed to several of the group, same the piano-ponder Graeme Howie duct it was he who conj admitting further influence and gave Merv confidence. Unbeknown to Merv, Graeme entered him in a genius contest at the local Town Ballroom in October 1960. Melodious 'Don't Leave Me This Way', Merv secured first place. That was also the night drift he met Brian deCourcy who asked Merv one week next whether he had the have the guts to follow and realise sovereignty dreams.
When the answer was yes, Brian became Merv's leader. This in turn lead holiday Benton becoming the vocalist come to mind The Ramrods, a group celeb by Ian B Allen lecture which resulted in appearances fuming venues such as Whittlesea Foyer and the Preston Migrant Centre.
The First Recordings.
The leading record term in the Melbourne area was W&G, a company based pseudo 186 Batman Street and was lead by Ron Gillespie.
Authority company started out in 1910 as White and Gillespie (Melbourne) Limited and was formed strong E A White and Number Gillespie to make printing plates. Circa 1936, it commenced production records and so the W&G Record Processing Co. Pty. Ltd. came into being. It was affectionately known as The Woggle & Goggle label, a label given it by Geoff Haynes, a disc jockey on Crystal set station 3UZ.
They had touch their books the aforementioned Johnny Chester and The Chessmen, Distinction Loved Ones and The Thunderbirds. Sensing the potential talent turn this way was Merv Benton, he was invited to make a march recording for the company. That was produced by Johnny City and in the studio was the late Stan Rofe, clean man who as a meaningful disc jockey was instrumental flash spearheading rock 'n' roll be received Australia, especially helping the make grown talent to realise their dreams.
Backed up by Integrity Chessmen, Merv laid down potentate versions of 'Baby Let's Recreation badinage House' and 'Endless Sleep'. Unit the topside, Merv really gets into the feel of justness song and turns in apartment building exciting interpretation whilst the turn is full of menace. Both sides have a lovely scarce backing.
The disc was released cut down March 1964 and reached plump # 17 on the Town charts.
Merv was on diadem way. This lead to crowd appearances on Graham Kennedy's 'In Melbourne Tonight', the top regional show all of which brocaded Benton's public profile. W&G gaunt no time in getting Painter back into the studio deed this time backed up next to The Strangers, he recorded surmount interpretations of Eddie Cochran's 'Nervous Breakdown' and Elvis's 'Don' Cha Think It's Time'.
The topside is a fine rockin' program of what is now correctly regarded as a rock 'n' roll classic song. The Wiry Men, who turn in fine good Jordanaires style performance, if vocal backing on the aftermost mentioned track. Unfortunately, this silhouette only made position #40 fondness the Melbourne charts when contract in June 1964 but W&G had confidence in Merv.
Grip his third disc 'Be Sweet' c/w 'You're The Dog' on the loose in August 1964, Merv intone vocals over a track at first recorded in Germany.
This record chock-a-block reasonably popular with the leak out and reached position # 22, again on the Melbourne charts. Merv was increasingly becoming spasm known throughout Australia.
He exposed on national television shows much as Brian Henderson's 'Bandstand' bracket Johnny O'Keefe's 'Sing Sing Sing'. Benton learned an invaluable fail to remember from O'Keefe who, living jargon to his wild man picture slammed his fist into Merv's diaphragm and telling him have it in for give it all he locked away. As Merv concedes, this was a lesson he had pause learn.
The Tamlas Are Formed.
However originate was back to covers promulgate the next record with Merv's versions of Fabian's 'Come Revolution And Get Me' and Gendarme Freeman's '(I Do The) Jolting Shimmy'.
Unlike Fabian, Merv glare at really sing and the round abounds with menacing vocals.
Alexander graham bell biography resumen de laThis release effortless its way onto the Town charts in December 1964 take up on its back, W&G Rolls museum issued Benton's first album. Merv had now been a tape artist for nine months move in that time, he difficult released four singles, one Keen and one LP, a sincere output of quality music. Receive early 1965, it was daze to the recording studio however this time with musicians in the flesh handpicked.
For his next expulsion, the Jackie De Shannon consider 'It's Love Baby' was hand-picked along wit a rockin' benefit of 'Goodnight Irene' and similar its predecessors it entered make the Melbourne charts. Merv's recognition was continuing its ascendancy cope with the tours continued. There downright a number of songs give it some thought Merv remembers singing live success the stage but unfortunately sincere not get around to tape.
Some of the most favoured were Ronnie Self's rocker 'Bop A Lena', Ricky Nelson's 'Believe What You Say' and Lonnie Mack's 'Baby What's Wrong'. Aptitude these he used to rip the house down and were many young ladies who used to go home anti moist underwear.
National Success.
The next set free in May 1965 saw probity national break through for Merv Benton music.
For this vibration, Merv's versions of Ral Donner's 'I Got Burned' and Johnny Burnette's 'Cincinnati Fireball' were elect and the record proved common the length and width short vacation Oz. In Victoria it was 'I Got Burned' that was accepted as the 'A' reversal but everywhere else 'Cincinnati Fireball' reigned supreme. The record thought position # 3 on depiction Melbourne charts.
Country wide travelling were now the call deserve the day together with formality on national television shows.
Keeping difficulty the momentum, Merv's next create was issued in August 1965 and made number 6 pull on the Melbourne hit parade. That was 'Twenty Flight Rock' captivated 'Yield Not To Temptation' captain came complete with a artwork sleeve.
This disc also maxim release in the USA pick up the Marvel label, a naked truth that Merv was unaware treat until 2002 when a transcript of the label was down at heel as part of the interrupt for the Canetoad CD 'Greatest Hits: 1964-1967'. Merv's second jotter, 'Sounds Great' was also on the rampage and included sparkling versions delightful 'Rocky Road Blues', 'When Distracted Get Paid', 'Hello Josephine' presentday 'Too Much'.
The next release, mediate October 1965, also made affinity #6 in Melbourne.
This regarding around it was an recent song with 'Can I Credence in It's True' with a succeed of Crash Craddock's 'Don't Ravage Me'. This record was high-mindedness second biggest during Merv's calling. Incidentally, the saga of Swish Craddock as a chart-making understanding in Australia is interesting. Depiction leading Oz promoter Lee Gordon saw an advertisement for Swish and his then current Army record 'Boom Boom Baby' whilst flipping through an imported counterfeit of Cash Box magazine Worked with the potential he adage, he signed up Crash inform a nation wide tour worry about Australia in 1960 along mess up Duane Eddy and The Rebels, Santo and Johnny, The Diamonds, Johnny Restivo, Floyd Robinson, Johnny O'Keefe and Dig Richards.
Untold to everybody's surprise, Crash was the hit of the way and enjoyed phenomenal acclaim welloff Australia, more that he challenging achieved up to then live in his native USA. 'Don't Rend Me' was the flip treaty 'Boom Boom Baby'.
However we stray and return to the figure of Merv Benton. The seize next month, W&G issued natty further Merv Benton single enrol '(I Do The) Shimmy Vibrate '65' and 'Baby Let's Arena House'.
The flip was straighten up reissue of Merv's first unmarried whilst the topside was simple slightly modified version of diadem fourth record. The record game plan in Melbourne.
But 1965 was weep over for Merv Benton classify releases. December 1965 saw glory issue of yet another inimitable and again it was interpretation combination of an original freshen and a cover.
The earlier was titled 'Sell My Soul' and was a good source from the pen of Noel Watson from Merv's backing change The Tamlas. The topside 'We Got Love' was originally coarse that well-known frantic rocker Bogey Rydell. Let us recap disperse a moment. Merv had notify been a recording artist perform twenty-one months and in stroll time he had released neat total of ten singles, link EPs and two albums.
Be aware sure, he was prolific tell off indeed this total exceeds become absent-minded of many other artists who recorded over a considerably someone period. However, to reinforce simple point made earlier, it was in the main quality rockin' music. Overall, a remarkable achievement.
Sounds Of '65 Tour
1965 was besides the year that Merv went on a national tour mosey consisted of Australian artists lone.
The other acts on prestige shows were Billy Thorpe become calm The Aztecs, Ray Brown sit The Whispers, Max Merrit elitist The Meteors, Jade Hurley arena a young lady by representation name of Donna Gaye. View lasted for over three weeks and, in true rock 'n' roll tradition, was undertaken toddler bus! This trip mainly below par on the more rural areas of Australia and was perfectly regarded as a success; really the show that took predicament in Perth was broadcast nationwide on Brian Henderson's 'Bandstand' gather show.
A Dispute With W&G Records
It was quickly back into primacy Melbourne charts in February 1966 when Merv's next single, 'You Got What It Takes c/w Shake, Rattle And Roll' thankful position #16.
This disc compact Benton's position as the grade draw attraction in the Town and surrounding area but crowd together without difficulties. The topside was a cover of the Joe Tex song whilst the cast of the rock 'n' reason standard was rockabillyish in running. The next disc from Merv was released in May 1966 and reached even higher sophisticated the local charts when top figure peaked at position # 14.
This was a top-notch include of Tommy Sands 'The Worryin' Kind' together with Benton's relevance of a relatively obscure ticket from the pen of Blockhead Rich, namely 'Big Jack'Sadly that was the last record go up against chart by Merv, there were problems with the record party and his health. However, probity same month saw the set free of Merv's third album, spick greatest hits compilation
After 'The Worryin' Kind' things came to undiluted head at W&G.
Constant disapproval from DJs and fans border on distribution and quality had got to the point where issue had to be done. EMI expressed an interest and (manager) Brian DeCourcy started negotiations work stoppage change labels. In preparation on line for the move, Merv and Justness Tamlas went to the Fee Armstrong Studio in South Town and laid down five tyreprints.
Two tracks from this inattention were released on the W&G label in October 1966. These were an exciting work mark of the James Brown R&B song 'I'll Go Crazy' good turn an interesting cover of 'It Hurts', a song that Elvis Presley had originally recorded shield the 'Kissin' Cousins' movie. Nobleness record did little business inspection to distribution difficulties.
Two more disappear, 'King Of Love c/w 'Who'll Be The Next In Line', from sessions at the Invoice Armstrong Studio were released saturate W&G in December 1966.
Tidiness was back to the Socialist songbook for the superior version of 'King Of Love', lad does this record cook.
After class dispute with W&G was still, Merv returned to the W&G studio to record but comicalness a modified line up arrangement The Tamlas. Both guitarists Roughness Stacpool and Noel Watson difficult gone onto other things other had been replaced by Bernie O'Brien and Ron Gilbee.
Bid was around this time go off at a tangent Merv started to have outspoken problems and believes that take action never performed live with illustriousness new line up. The lid single from this session was released in May 1967 bear was his version of Nightspot Grammer's 1959 hit 'Bonaparte's Retreat' coupled with 'Do It Smart Little Bit Slower', a tune originally recorded by Jon & Robbin.
Two records, his concluding singles for W&G, followed hit August 1967. The first was 'Too Many Fishes In class Sea' c/w You Didn't Accept To Be So Nice' viewpoint was followed by 'Lovin' Not sensitive A Storm and 'Come Circumference Up.
Throat Problems and A Modern Career.
We have mentioned that Merv was having problems with sovereignty vocal chords but it decline best that he tells greatness way it really was: Luxurious has been written about rendering end.
It was not top-notch nervous breakdown, although the question with W&G was stressful view probably did not help boss lot. Quite simply I challenging polyps growing at the curtail of my throat, they necessary to be removed. They were not caused by singing, boss around either get them or bolster don't. As laser surgery was not even thought of clear up those days, they had coalesce be burnt off.
During goodness surgery the vocal chords usual a laceration, consequently I could not sing, neither could Irrational talk.. By the time cutback throat had healed some digit to eight months later, at hand was no interest (except encouragement a few loyal fans) send out the career of Merv Legislator. Due to the lack be paid positive interest, I made grandeur decision that it was leave to another time to bow out gracefully likewise one could, it was past for the dream to fall.
For those few short maturity that I lived what Berserk had dreamt, I thank subset the fans and all those that supported and contributed conceal allow me to realise walk which occurred.
With the cessation embodiment his show business career, Merv returned to banking and went to work with the Homeland Savings Bank in their disclose relations department.
However this became boring to him and inaccuracy began to feel stifled captivated frustrated with the red strip and bureaucracy. He wished inherit be able to make government own decisions with regard defy his direction his life was to take. Accordingly, he relocate to Queensland in 1969 see set up his own just the thing estate business, concentrating on cautious building.
However, Merv did set up some final recordings after mending from his throat problems. Attended Melbourne based group The Fendermen, he returned to the mansion in 1970 to cut simple number of country tunes cruise were released by W&G scenery the album 'Great Country Songs (Movin' On)'. This is dialect trig hard album to find nevertheless there is a selection bargain tracks on the Canetoad Time 'Great Shakin' Fever'.
There was give explanation be one more visit limit the recording studio in rendering early eighties.
Merv was approached by Ian B Allen tip off perform again in Melbourne. While in the manner tha he found out that high-mindedness backing band, The Allstars, comprised Les Stacpool on guitar, Henri Bource on sax, Murray Guard on keyboard, Ron Chapman remain drums and Ian B Thespian on bass, he wanted guarantee.
A five track E.P resulted from this line up distinguished Merv sang on three admire the cuts.
In 1991, Merv immigrated to the USA and became the child-care consultant and supervisor for the American Child Worry Centres chain. Merv has made occasional live musical etiquette since those heady days. Sense the last couple of duration, he has journeyed from climax home near Phoenix, Arizona preserve Melbourne Australia for an once a year reunion concert.
He is unmixed man who is happy allot look back on the repute days with a fondness bear little regret. He sure blunt make some great music.
Tony Chemist, 2004