Western Australia’s rich history of live music & entertainment must be celebrated with world class talented individuals, bands, productions, personalities. These people have performed, presented, promoted themselves to Perth & state-wide since the beginning of 50’s with vision available here to publish. Perth WA is a long way from anyone in the world which is a challenge of geography but a blessing of self management, freedom of expression, a local fan base always keen to take a look, listen, enjoy.
Live music hit the sweet spot
Turn or the 20th century 50 years of legendary Embassy Ballroom, dance halls, town halls, function facilities, private clubs, local fetes, in the park semi-acoustic & orchestrated concerts. Mid century local bars, restaurant’s had the variety show of live theatre, entertainers with venues local legends Max Kay restaurant theatre , Knight Club by Peter Harris, Romanos live dinning, wineries, sports clubs. Balladeers, comedy, characters, one man bands where scattered around taverns, bars, doing little shows. Starting in the 50’s the live pub venues started to explore the pub gig a new wave of amplified music to the weekend audience in full party mode with a full stage production. The pub function room turning into a live intimate concert room. This grew from 150 person rooms to 1500 people enjoying live bands in full staged productions for generation.
Cover Bands
Many acts in the early 1900’s were singing the popular songs of the era or traditional tunes of the past, movie themes, theatre songs. Limited by public radio or record store collections usually many years behind the rest of the world in Perth. But when the new Top 40 radio stations emerged, American & English radio content things started to be more influenced by new wave pop culture.
Then came the magic of TV with music shows national & international features, day/night guest variety shows TV/Radio, concert touring acts more consistent to the West. These influenced all musicians heavily across Australia. But the big music movement came when Count Down, MTV, local media promoted shows & events to open the door to real possibility to be bigger, more popular as a local band than ever imagined. Opportunity was now available to anyone who practiced hard to perform really well could have an audience who would pay to see them play. It was all happening with the world on fire with acts coming out of the garages into a healthy, exciting local & Australian entertainment industry.
Acts doing tributes, covers to the current pop songs Top 40 on the radio or TV it was a phenomenon. Referred to as the ‘Cover Band Era’ commercial smash hit music that gave local acts the power of the hottest songs of the day on the planet to play live in full production on the weekends. The choice was simple, practice really hard to play 30 cover songs you really like, really well, with some production with good sound to present a professional show. Bingo Bango you could be kicking ass live somewhere on a stage in WA with “Pub Punters” partying with middy’s & mixers any day of the week. Riding the live wave of the 70’s – 90’s.
Original Acts
All musicians begin with covers to learn the art of playing an instrument, singing in tune but a select few decide they have a message. The creative individuals who feel the need to make new sounds, produce something with a mix of everything they have compiled in their mental musical library to spit out something creative that could be called an original or independent song. Hoping it will be accepted, appreciated, liked by many to become popular. Ironically if becoming a hit & popular track it will cycle into becoming a cover for others keen to perform. Western Australia has since become world renowned with a musical flow of incredible artist that have delivered international offerings in musical genius writing original songs. However putting hem out there for commercial success is the hardest road on the rock & roll road to the top as ACDC brilliantly stamped that song. Perth as with any other city or town, was a place that has the 80/20 formula was the reality for fans of music. Being 20% of the music fan base is an open minded audience to be exposed to with small followings, tiny concerts & intimate gigs. From little things big things grow. The majority 80% into the mega smash hits of the month, going to see cover bands playing weekly with the best having huge success like national artists performing to several thousands weekly 3-4 nights a week.
The good news is of that 20% WA has had unprecedented success with a long list of special talent coming out of Perth to tour across the country & take their music to the planet.
Boomers to X Generation
It was heady days for mid week to Sunday sessions where the social gathering’s of the young & young at heart would see live music at its peak for local popularity. A generation of Baby Boomers & X Generation will remember the live personal social network to riminess which is very different to the social internet working of today.
Band Land
Check out some of those legendary bands & times here…
Easy gig guide style list for reference along with some interviews, profiles, nostalgic views for the fans that are still out there liking the old days of band land. A bit older & wiser but loving music just like always…. Enjoy !:)
100+ Legends of Perth Interviews
★WA MUSIC DOCOS★
★ COVER v ORIGINAL★
In no particular order…
★ The Jets Live @ Raffles
★ The Jets ★ The Jets
★ The Jets ★ The Jets ★ Jets FB
★ Ice Tiger ★: Ice Tiger ★ Dave Crosby
★ Perfect Strangers ★ Perfect Strangers
★ Loaded Dice ★ Loaded Dice
★ Loaded Dice @ Raffles Pt 1
★ Loaded Dice @ Raffles Pt 2
★: The Boys ★: The Boys – When You Lonely
★: The Boys – Hurt Me Baby ★: The Boys – Weo
★: The Boys Full Album
★: Saracen ★: Trilogy ★: Trilogy
★: John Meyer ★: Blues Express
★: Hot Buscuit Band ★: Hot Buscuit Band
: Neptunes
★: Reporters
★: Magnificent Seven ★: Mag 7
★: Peace Love & Stuff ★: Todd Johnson
★: Slim Jim & the Fatts ★: Slim Jim & The Fatts
★: Daren Reid + Soul City Groove
★ ORIGINAL BAND LEGENDS★
★: Dave Warner – Mugs Game 2013
★: Dave Warner – Live ★: Dave Warner – Suburban Boy
★: Dave Warner – Million Miles ★: Dave Warner – Half Time
★: Eurogliders ★: The Bamboos
★: The Stems ★: Tears me in two
★: The Stems : ★: The Stems : First Sight
★: Dom Mariani
★: Someloves ★: Someloves
★: Scientists ★: Kim Salmon ★: Kim Salmon
★: The Dugites ★: Dugites ★: Dugites
★: Super Naught
★: Perfect Strangers
★: Alliegence ★: Alliegence
★: Saracen
★: Chevelles
★: Mathas Vineyard ★: Mathas Vineyard
★: The Neptunes
★: The Waltons ★: The Waltons
★: Chads Tree
★: Kryptonics ★: Krytonics
★: Turnstyle
★: The Jackles
★: Rockets ★: Rockets ★: Rockets
★: Bamboos

★ CLASSIC LEGENDS ★
★: Dave Hole
★: Johnny Young ★: Johnny Young – All My Lovin
★: Johmmy Young – Rocks – Hold On
★: Johnny Young + Strangers
★: Johnny Young – Hall Of Fame
★: Brian Cadd
★: Hoodoo Gurus
★: Johnny Diesel & Injectors
★: Diesel ★: Diesel
★: Baby Animals ★: Baby Animals
★ Jebediah
★ Kim Salmon ★ Kim Salmon

★ LOCAL GLOBAL LEGENDS ★
:★ Valentines
:★ Valentines
:★ Bon Scott – ACDC
:★ Long Way to the Top
:★ Bon Scott Story
:★ Empire of the Sun
:★ Empire of the Sun
:★ Empire of the Sun
:★ Tame Impala
:★ Troye Sivan
:★ Pedulum
:★ Karnivool

★ 21st CENTURY STARS ★
:★ Birds of Tokyo
:★ Eskimo Joe
:★ Pond
:★ The Panics
:★ Jebediah
:★ John Butler
:★ Sleepy Jackson
:★ Little Birdy
:★ Gyroscope
:★ Downsyde
:★ Tired Lion
:★ Red Jezebel
:★ Methal Ehtyl
:★ End of Fashion
:★ End of Fashion 2
:★ Videlli
:★ Leah Haywood
:★ The Panda Band
:★ Red Jezebel
:★ Rusty Pinto
:★ Rusty Pinto
:★ Unearthed
★ LEGENDARY FEATURES ★
: Gobbles & Night After
: Legends of Perth
: Legends of Perth 2
: Bands 60’s – 70’s
: Sensational 70’s
: 70’s Rock Concert
: 80’s Bands
: Awesome 80’s Pt 1
: Awesome 80’s Pt 2
★ MORE LOCALS LIVE ★
: The Elks
: All Aboard 1994 Doco
: Dude Ranch
: The Lone Rangers
: Peter Busher
: Manteeka
: Troupadores
: The Manikins
: Crawl Space
: The Never Never
: The Never Never
: Simon Goodridge
: Dick & the Dames
: Hustler
: Patrick Mc Mahon
: Mucky Duck Bush Band
: The Valentines
: Beatnix
: Fab Four
: Charlettes Web
: Marthas Vineyard
: Subtruck
: Heavy Wieght Champ
: Mach Pelican
: Chads Tree
: The Drones
: Full Scale
: The Bank Holidays
: Halogen
: No City Limits
: Greenroom
: Lucid
: Alexander
: Lindsay Dick
: Craw Dads
: Mod Squad
: Ian Falk
: WA Rock & Roll Allstars
: Night After
: Spiny Norman @ Raffles
: Halcyon
: The Rookies
: Just Add Water
: The Neptunes
: Lucid
: Hustler – Reunion
: Eddie Storm
: Finger Prints
S P E C I A L M E N T I O N S
: Ice in Stereo
: Hallequin Tears / Tears
: Muff & the Divers
: Egypt
: Cactus
: Bag of Bones
: Gypsy
: Stallion
: The Jackson Code
: Teddy Bears / Tedds
: Midget & the Faralleys
: Grapevine
: The Statesman
: Rainbow Rock
: The Hampdens
: T Cells
: Greenroom
: Airbag
: J Babies
: Mutt
: Caddis
: FSD
: Schevendes
: Ocean Surf Aces
★ LEGENDARY FEATURES ★
: Gobbles & Night After
: Legends of Perth
: Legends of Perth 2
: Bands 60’s – 70’s
: Sensational 70’s
: 70’s Rock Concert
: 80’s Bands
: Awesome 80’s Pt 1
: Awesome 80’s Pt 2
★ WA MADE★
OTHER LINKS
Feature complied by Deano.
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