SkyhooksOrigin, AustraliaGenres,Years active1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994Labels, Interfusion, Attic, United Artists,WebsitePast membersImants 'Freddie' StrauksSteve HillPeter InglissPeter StarkieBob StarkieTony WilliamsSkyhooks were an Australian band formed in in March 1973 by mainstays on and, and Imants 'Freddie' Strauks on. They were soon joined by Bob 'Bongo' Starkie on and backing vocals, and on guitar, and; became in March 1974. Described as a band, because of flamboyant costumes and make-up, Skyhooks addressed teenage issues including buying drugs in 'Carlton (Lygon Street Limbo)', suburban sex in ' Calling', the gay scene in ' Cowboy' and loss of girlfriends in 'Somewhere in Sydney' by Australian locales. According to, 'Skyhooks made an enormous impact on Australian social life'.Skyhooks had #1 albums on the Australian with their 1974 debut, (for 16 weeks), and its 1975 follow-up, (11 weeks). Their #1 singles were ' (January 1975) and ' (November 1990).Symons left Skyhooks in 1977 and became a radio and television personality.

1. Skyhooks Album Covers

Strachan had solo releases since 1976 and finally left the band in 1978 and was also a radio and television presenter. With altered line-ups, Skyhooks continued until they disbanded on 8 June 1980; they briefly reformed in 1983, 1984, 1990 and 1994. In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the (ARIA). Lead singer, Strachan died on 29 August 2001, aged 49, in a helicopter crash while solo piloting. Their original lead singer, Steve Hill, died in October 2005, aged 52, of liver cancer.In 2011, the Skyhooks album was added to the of Australia's registry. Contents.History Early years and Imants 'Freddie' Strauks both attended in the suburb of and formed Spare Parts in 1966 with Macainsh on and Strauks on. Spare Parts was followed by Sound Pump in 1968, Macainsh formed Reuben Tice in, with Tony Williams on vocals.

By 1970 Macainsh was back with Strauks, now on, first in Claptrap and by 1971 in Frame which had as lead vocalist. Frame also included Pat O'Brien on guitar and Cynthio Ooms on guitar. Strachan had befriended Strauks earlier—he sang with Strauks on the way to parties—and was asked to join Claptrap which was renamed as Frame. Strachan stayed in Frame for about 18 months but left for a career in and a hobby of in.Skyhooks formed in March 1973 in Melbourne with Steve Hill on vocals (ex-Lillee), Peter Ingliss on guitar , Macainsh on bass guitar and, Peter Starkie on guitar and backing vocals (Lipp & the Double Dekker Brothers) and Strauks on drums and backing vocals. The name, Skyhooks, came from a fictional organisation in the 1956 film. Their first gig was on 16 April 1973 at hall in.

At a later gig, former frontman, was playing in his group with Skyhooks as a support act. Wilson was impressed with the fledgling band and signed Macainsh to a publishing deal. In August, Bob 'Bongo' Starkie (Mary Jane Union) on guitar replaced his older brother Peter (later in ) and Ingliss was replaced by Red Symons (Scumbag) on guitar, vocals. The two new members added a touch of theatre and humour to the band's visual presence. By late 1973, Wilson had convinced to sign the band to his booking agency, Australian Entertainment Exchange, and eventually to Gudinski's label,.Skyhooks gained a cult following around Melbourne including university and, but a poorly received show at the January 1974 saw the group booed off stage. Two tracks from their live set, 'Hey What's the Matter?' And 'Love on the Radio' appeared on Mushroom's Highlights of Sunbury '74.

After seeing his performance on TV, Hill phoned Macainsh and resigned. To replace Hill, in March, Macainsh recruited occasional singer, surfer and carpenter Strachan from his Frame era. Strachan had been dubbed 'Shirley' by fellow surfers due to his curly blond hair a la. Living in the 70's. Main article:For Skyhooks, the replacement of Hill by Strachan was a pivotal moment, as Strachan had remarkable vocal skills, and a magnetic stage and screen presence.

Alongside Macainsh's lyrics, another facet of the group was the twin-guitar sound of Starkie and Symons. Adopting elements of in their presentation, and lyrics that presented frank depictions of the social life of young Australia in the 1970s, the band shocked conservative middle Australia with their outrageous (for the time), make-up, lyrics, and on-stage activities. A 1.2 metre (4 ft) high mushroom-shaped was confiscated by police after a performance. Six of the ten tracks on their debut, were banned by the Federation of Australian Commercial Broadcasters for their sex and drug references, 'Toorak Cowboy', 'Whatever Happened to the Revolution?' , 'You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed', 'Hey What's the Matter', 'Motorcycle Bitch' and 'Smut'.

Much of the group's success derived from its distinctive repertoire, mostly penned by bass guitarist Macainsh, with an occasional additional song from Symons—who wrote 'Smut' and performed its lead vocals. Although Skyhooks were not the first Australian rock band to write songs in a local setting—rather than ditties about love or songs about or other foreign lands—they were the first to become commercially successful doing so.

Skyhooks songs addressed teenage issues including buying drugs ('Carlton (Lygon Street Limbo)'), suburban sex ('Balwyn Calling'), the gay scene ('Toorak Cowboy') and loss of girlfriends ('Somewhere in Sydney') by Australian locales., Billy Pinnell described the importance of their lyrics in tackling Australia's:Macainsh broke down all the barriers. opening the door for Australian rock 'n' roll songwriters to write about local places and events.

He legitimised Australian songwriting and it meant that Australians became themselves. — Billy Pinnell, quoted in Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia p. 104The first Skyhooks single, 'Living in the 70's', was released in August, ahead of the album, and peaked at #7 on the Australian Singles Charts. Living in the 70's initially charted only in Melbourne upon its release on 28 October 1974.

It went on to spend 16 weeks at the top of the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Charts from February to June 1975. The album was by Wilson, and became the best selling Australian album, to that time, with 226,000 copies sold in Australia.Skyhooks returned to the Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1975. They were declared the best performers by and reviewers, and Gudinski now took over their. The second single, ', reached #1 for two weeks in March.

The band's success was credited by Gudinski with saving his struggling Mushroom Records and enabled it to develop into the most successful Australian label of its time.The success of the album was also due to support by a new pop music television show on national public broadcaster, rather than promotion by commercial radio. 'Horror Movie' was the first song played on the first colour transmission of Countdown in early 1975. Despite the radio ban, the 's newly established 24-hour rock music station chose the album's fifth track, the provocatively titled 'You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed', as its first ever broadcast on 19 January.Ego Is Not a Dirty Word. Main article:Skyhooks' 1975 national tour promoting Living in the 70's finished at Melbourne's with their (25 April) performance. They were supported by comedy singer, heavy rockers and New Zealand band.

Strachan then took two weeks off and considered leaving the band, however he returned—newly married—and they continued recording the follow-up album,. Initially, they were locked out of the recording studio until their manager, Gudinski, sent down the money still owed for recording the first album. Ego Is Not a Dirty Word spent 11 weeks at the top of the Australian album chart from 21 July 1975, and sold 210,000 copies. It was produced by Wilson again, with the single, 'Ego is Not a Dirty Word' issued in March ahead of the album, peaking at #1.

The next single, 'All My Friends Are Getting Married' reached #5 in July, and was followed by 'Million Dollar Riff' at #2 in October. Macainsh's then girlfriend, Jenny Brown, described the band in her 1975 book, Skyhooks: Million Dollar Riff.

A live version of 's ' from a December performance was released as a single in March 1976 and reached #13.With Australian commercial success achieved, Skyhooks turned to the US market. Gudinski announced a $1.5 million deal with /, which released a modified international version of Ego Is Not a Dirty Word with 'Horror Movie' and 'You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed' from their first Australian album replacing two tracks. A US tour followed in March–April 1976, but critics described them as imitators of due to the similarity of Symons' make-up and stage act to that of, and despite limited success in, and they failed to make inroads into the general US market. Later years to break-up. Main articles:, andAfter completing their 1976 US tour, the band remained in and recorded their third album with Wilson producing, —called Living in the 70's for US release with 'Living in the 70's' replacing 'The Girl Says She's Bored'—which appeared in August and peaked at #3 on the Australian album charts. In July, upon return to Australia they launched The Brats Are Back Tour with a single, 'This is My City', which reached the Top 20.

'Blue Jeans' followed in August and peaked at #13 on the singles chart. By October, Strachan provided his debut solo single, ' (a of 's 1964 hit), which reached #3. In February 1977, Symons left the band and was replaced on guitar by from the band. With Symons' departure the band dropped the glam rock look and used a more straight forward approach.During 1977 Skyhooks toured nationally three times, while their first single with Spencer, 'Party to End All Parties', entered the top 30 in May. Strachan released his second solo single, a cover of 's ', which reached the top 20 in July. Meanwhile, Mushroom released a, which entered the top 50 in September. The band's mass popularity had declined although they still kept their live performances exciting and irreverent.In January 1978 they toured New Zealand and performed at the festival.

In February their next single, ', was issued and peaked at #8, while its album followed in March and reached #6. The album was produced by Americans Eddie Leonetti. The second single from the album, 'Megalomania' issued in May, did not enter the top 40. Strachan told band members he intended to leave—but it was not officially announced for six months—he continued regular shows until his final gig with Skyhooks on 29 July. Strachan released further solo singles, 'Mr Summer' in October and 'Nothing but the Best' in January 1979, but neither charted in the top 50. Strachan's replacement in Skyhooks, on lead vocals, was Tony Williams (ex-Reuben Tice with Macainsh).Williams' first single for Skyhooks, 'Over the Border', a political song about the state of the at the time, reached the top 40 in April, and their fifth studio album, appeared in May 1980, but failed to enter the top 50.

From 1975 to 1977, Skyhooks were—alongside —the most commercially successful group in Australia, but over the next few years, Skyhooks rapidly faded from the public eye with the departure of key members, and in 1980 the band announced its break-up in controversial circumstances., usually a supporter of Skyhooks, savaged Hot for the Orient on his 'Humdrum' segment of Countdown—viewers demanded that the band appear on a following show to defend it. Poor reception of the album both by the public and reviewers led the band to take out a page-sized ad in the local music press declaring 'Why Don't You All Get Fu.ed' (title of one of their songs) and they played their last performance on 8 June, not in their hometown of Melbourne, but in the mining town of in. Reformations and later releases In December 1982, Mushroom released a medley of Skyhooks songs as ' which peaked at #21. Demands for the 'classic' line-up of the band—Macainsh, Bob Starkie, Strachan, Strauks and Symons—to reform were successful and on 23 April 1983, they started the Living in the 80's Tour. Support acts for the first concert included, The Party Boys, and —who acknowledged, 'Hooks were the only Australian band they would let top the bill above them'.

This tour was released on LP as.A one-off reunion concert took place in October 1984, and in 1990 the band finally recorded new material, including ', released in September, which peaked at the top of the for two weeks. In November, a compilation album, was released, which peaked at #4 on the ARIA Albums Charts. The tracks were taken from Skyhooks' first four studio albums along with two recent singles, 'Jukebox In Siberia' and the uncharted 'Tall Timber'.In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the (ARIA), while their manager, Gudunski, and record label, Mushroom Records, received a 'Special Achievement Award'. Producer of their first three albums, Wilson, had been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989 as an individual and again as a member of Daddy Cool in 2006.The final release of new Skyhooks material came in June 1999 when a twin-CD, Skyhooks: The Collection, was issued. Disc one contained a greatest hits package, very similar to ', with additional tracks. Disc two is referred to by fans as ', with previously unreleased songs from their 1990 and 1994 recording sessions.After Skyhooks Strachan and Symons each went on to successful careers in Australian media including radio and television.

Symons works on ABC radio and writes humorous newspaper columns. Starkie played locally with different bands including Ol' Skydaddys,. Strauks was drummer for Melbourne rock band, folk band The Bushwackers and the Ol' Skydaddys.

Skyhooks Album Covers

Macainsh played with on his Whispering Jack Tour and with, in 1988 he put together and managed a very successful tribute band called Back in Black who went on to support Skyhooks on their comeback tour. He was a board member of (APRA) (1997–2000) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) (2001–2006), and is an intellectual property lawyer.Strachan was killed in an air crash on 29 August 2001, when the he was learning to fly solo crashed into near, northwest of. A memorial concert was held on 11 September 2001 at the Palais Theatre, tributes were paid and some remaining members—Strauks, Macainsh, Starkie, Symons and Spencer—performed with guest vocalists and Wilson.

It is the only time Symons and his replacement, Spencer performed together on stage. Braithwaite performed 'All My Friends Are Getting Married' with the band whilst Wilson sang the rare Skyhooks track 'Warm Wind in the City'.The 30th anniversary of the release of the Living In The 70's album was commemorated in 2004, with different incarnations of the band performing. Absent were Strachan, Hill and Ingliss.

Vocals were by Wilson, Williams and Bob Starkie. The original line-up of Skyhooks including Hill reformed in 2005 at the Annandale Hotel in for a one-off, a benefit for Hill, who had been diagnosed with. The line-up of Ingliss, Peter Starkie, Strauks and Macainsh joined him onstage—Hill died six weeks later. In November 2009, the 'Skyhooks Tour Archive', displayed on the, listed 925 live shows.Macainsh, Starkie and Strauks appeared as Skyhooks at the 2009 in Sydney.

They performed 'Women in Uniform' with Australian rock icon providing vocals. Red Symons was also slated to perform with the band, but was replaced by Diesel after withdrawing a few days before the show.On 7 April 2010, reported that Skyhooks were to appear on the first episode of the new series of with on vocals. Sayer later appeared on air and denied the claims. Members Classic lineup. –, (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994).

Imants 'Freddie' Strauks (aka 'Freddie Kaboodleschnitzer') –, backing vocals, (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994). Bob Starkie (aka 'Bongo Starr') –, backing vocals (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994). – guitar, backing and lead vocals, (1973–1977, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994). – (1974–1978, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994; died 2001)Other members. Steve Hill – lead vocals (1973–1974; died 2005). Peter Ingliss – guitar (1973).

Peter Starkie – guitar (1973). – guitar (1977–1980). Tony Williams – lead vocals (1978–1980)Timeline. ^ (1999).:. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 22 November 2009. CS1 maint: unfit url.

^ Holmgren, Magnus; Notling, Fredrik; Brown, Jenny. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.

^ Nimmervoll, Ed; Greg Macainsh. Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2014. Music Australia.

23 June 2009. Archived from on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2009. ^ Jenkins, Jeff; (2007).: Wilkinson Publishing. Pp. 84, 89, 90, 104–128, 145, 266–267. Retrieved 22 November 2009.

^ (1993).: Australian Chart Book Ltd. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until created their own in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.

^. Retrieved 22 November 2009. ^.

Retrieved 26 November 2009. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2009. National Film and Sound Archive: 'Living in the 70s' on the.

Spencer et al, (2007) entry. Spencer et al, (2007) entry. Spencer et al, (2007) entry.

Spencer et al, (2007) entry. ^ Spencer et al, (2007) entry.

^ Brown, Jen Jewel (31 August 2001). Duncan Kimball (ed.). MILESAGO: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975.

ICE Productions. Retrieved 24 November 2009. ^ Jenkins (1994).

Retrieved 26 November 2009. ^ Spencer et al, (2007) 8 November 2014 at the entry. ^ Eliezer, Christie (2007).: Omnibus Press. Archived from on 12 November 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2009.

Duncan Kimball, ed. MILESAGO: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. ICE Productions.

Retrieved 24 November 2009. Brown, Jennifer Lois (1975). Skyhooks: Million Dollar Riff.: Dingo. Note: Brown was later known as Jenny Hunter Brown and then as Jen Jewel Brown. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 6 October 2001. Archived from on 20 March 2011.

Retrieved 26 November 2009. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 26 November 2009. PPCA - News & Media. Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA).

22 February 2005. Download sims 2 apartment life pcl 1. Retrieved 26 November 2009. Bodey, Michael (2 November 2009). Retrieved 26 November 2009.

Lang-Lemchert, Susan (2005). Susan Lang-Lemchert. Retrieved 26 November 2009. Nimmervoll, Ed. Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music.

White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2014.

^. Retrieved 17 November 2015.

Retrieved 7 July 2017. New Zealand charts portal. Retrieved 26 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 25 November 2009.

National Library of Australia. Retrieved 25 November 2009.External links.

at. at.

BANDGregory John Macainsh (Songwriter)Born:Melbourne, Australia 30/12/50Previous Bands:Spare Parts, Sound Pump, Reuben Tice, Clap Trap, FrameInstrument:BassFirst Album Ever Bought:The Rolling Stones - 'Out Of Our Heads'Fave Band From The Seventies:Sensational Alex Harvey BandFavourite Skyhook Memory:Playing with Brownsville Station in Flint Michigan '76Current:Mountainbiking, Co-writing & Production, Perfecting a kosher chicken stock, and now has a law degree.Favourite Websites:Redmond Symons (Songwriter, TV Villain)Born:Brighton, U.K. 13/06/49.Migrated to Australia aged 10.Previous Bands:Moloch & The Molecules, ScumbagInstrument:Guitar, KeyboardsFirst Album Ever Bought:Dr. John's Gumbo'Current:Early morning Radio - 774 ABCSolo Singles:'It's Only A Flipside' (EMI '76)'The Big Time' (Mushroom '87)'Sex Appeal' (Mushroom '88)Favourite Websites.

Shirl and FredSteve Hill Joined Skyhooks as Lead Singer in 1973. Departed Feb 1974.Previous Bands:LillieRecordings:'Hey What's The Matter' & 'Love On The Radio' on the 'Highlights of Sunbury 1974'.Vinyl & Cassette.(Mush. L25122) - Now Deleted'All My Friends Are Getting Married' (Demo Version) from the 'Demos & Dialogue Rarities' Box Set.(Roadcase.

D80985) - Still AvailableSadly Steve Hill passed away on 31st October 2005. His final wish was to play one last show with his Skyhooks mates, which he did on 13/9/05 at the Annandale Hotel, Sydney.Peter Inglis Joined Skyhooks on guitar in March 1973.

Departed July 1973.Previous Bands:Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Spanner.Recordings:Ron Rude LP (1981)Peter Starkie Bongo's older brother joined Skyhooks before him, March 1973. Departed July 1973.Previous Bands:King Bees, Lipp & The Doubledecker Brothers.Recordings:Possible live JoJoZep track.Bob Spencer Joined Skyhooks after the departure of Red Symons in February 1977. Part of the lineup till it's demise in June 1980. Currently plays guitar in the RAW Brit live show.Previous Bands:Finch. (Went on to join The Angels / Angel City after Skyhooks.)Singles:'Party To End All Parties' (Mush '77)'Women in Uniform' (Mush '78)'Meglomania' (Mush '78)'Over The Border' (Mush '79)'This Town is Boring' (Mush '80)'Keep The Junk In America' (Mush '80)'Hooked on Hooks' (Mush '82)Albums:'Guilty Until Proven Insane' (Mush. Be In It' (Double - Mush '78)'Best of Skyhooks' (Mush. '79)'Hot For The Orient' (Mush.'

80)'Skyhooks Box Set' (Vinyl / Cassette) (Mush '83)'Skyhooks Roadcase' (CD) (Mush '96)Other Recordings:The Angels - 'Beyond Salvation' (1990)Tony Williams Joined Skyhooks after Shirley's departure in January 1979 and stayed with the band till their demise in June 1980.Previous Bands:Stunned Mullets, Reuben Tice.Singles:'Over The Border' (Mush '79)'This Town Is Boring' (Mush'80)'Keep The Junk In America' (Mush'80)'Guitar Thunders In My Hand' (From The Vault '88) - Free flexi disc single with magazine.Albums:'Best of Skyhooks' (Mush. '79)'Hot For The Orient' (Mush.' 80)'Skyhooks Box Set' (Vinyl / Cassette) (Mush '83)'Skyhooks Roadcase' (CD) (Mush '96).