Band of Light
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | October 1972 |
| Founder | Phil Key |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Band of Light was a Sydney-based Australian blues rock group formed in October 1972. The original lineup consisted of Tony Buettel on drums, Phil Key handling lead vocals and guitar, Peter Roberts on bass, and Norm Roue playing slide guitar. Shortly after formation, Ian Rilen replaced Roberts as the bassist. The band scored a top 20 hit with "The Destiny Song" in July 1973 on the Go-Set National Charts. They released two studio albums: Total Union in August 1973, which reached No. 13 on the charts, followed by The Archer in 1974. The group dissolved later that same year. Phil Key passed away in May 1984 due to a congenital heart defect, while Ian Rilen died from bladder cancer in October 2006.
History
Band of Light originated in Sydney under the leadership of New Zealand-born Phil Key (formerly of the Mergers and the La De Da's). Key enlisted Peter Roberts (ex-Freshwater, the La De Da's) as bassist. Norm Roue (previously with Gutbucket, Lotus, Wolfe) joined as slide guitarist, and Tony Buettel (ex-Bay City Union, Levi Smith's Clefs, Fraternity) completed the rhythm section on drums. Soon after their formation, Ian Rilen (formerly of Space and Lotus) took over bass duties from Roberts. The band appeared at the 1973 Sunbury Music Festival, and their live performance of "Messin' with the Kid" was included on the triple live album Sunbury 1973 – The Great Australian Rock Festival. Their management was handled by Sebastian Chase.
Serving as a creative outlet for Key’s songwriting ambitions, Band of Light often featured compositions co-written with his wife Pam under the alias Wheel. Their lyrics frequently addressed issues such as racial equality, social justice, spiritual unity, and cosmic awareness. Musically, their style was characterized by vigorous blues-rock infused with prominent slide guitar work. In early 1973, they secured a deal with WEA and released their debut single "The Destiny Song" in July—a catchy boogie track that climbed to No. 18 on the singles chart.
The band toured extensively across Sydney and Melbourne, performing alongside notable acts including Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, Carson, Coloured Balls, Chain, Madder Lake, and Buffalo. Their first album Total Union, released in August 1973, peaked at No. 13 on the album charts. Reviewers praised its powerful and resonant sound that energized listeners through a blend of hard rock and blues influences. That same month saw the release of "Free Them from Hunger," a follow-up single which failed to enter the charts. Later releases such as the standalone single "Moonstruck" and a four-track EP did not achieve commercial success.
By mid-1974, Buettel, Rilen, and Roue had left the group. Rilen later explained that he felt disconnected from the band’s lyrical themes which diverged from his preference for conventional rock subject matter. Phil Key then reassembled Band of Light with new members Dannie Davidson (ex-Tamam Shud, Kahvas Jute) on drums and Billy Williams (ex-Classic Affair) on bass to record their sophomore album The Archer. This album adopted a more stripped-back sound but failed to chart. The live ensemble was further augmented by Eddie Hansen (ex-Ticket) on lead guitar and Ray Vanderby on keyboards before disbanding late in 1974.
Afterwards
Following his departure from performing, Tony Buettel moved into music production during the 1980s working with bands such as Uncanny X-Men and Strange Tenants. Phil Key left the music business entirely and took up taxi driving in Sydney; he died in May 1984 due to a congenital heart condition. Peter Roberts went on to collaborate with groups including Chariot, Flake, Rockwell T. James, the Romantics, and Audio Smash. Ian Rilen continued his career with several bands like Blackfeather (1975), Rose Tattoo (1976–77), Sardine v (1980–83), and X (1977–79, 1983–90). Rilen passed away at age 59 from bladder cancer on 30 October 2006.
Band of Light’s recordings have become prized collectibles; original vinyl copies of Total Union can command prices up to A$300, while The Archer typically sells for around USD$100 and their EP fetches approximately USD$250. In May 2006, Total Union was reissued as a remastered CD including five additional bonus tracks.
Band members
- Tony Buettel – drums (1972–74)
- Phil Key – lead vocals, guitar (1972–74)
- Peter Roberts – bass guitar (1972)
- Norm Roue – slide guitar (1972–74)
- Ian Rilen – bass guitar (1972–74)
- Billy Williams – bass guitar (1974)
- Dannie Davidson – drums (1974)
- Eddie Hansen – lead guitar (1974)
- Ray Vanderby – keyboards (1974)
Studio albums
| Album title | Album information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Total Union |
|
13 |
| The Archer |
|
– |
EPs
| Title | EP information |
|---|---|
| Band of Light |
|
Singles
| Year | Track title | Highest chart positions |
Album appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | "The Destiny Song" | 18 | Band of Light |
| "Free Them from Hunger" | – | Total Union | |
| "Moonstruck" | – | Band of Light | |
| 1974 | "The Archer, A Sagittarian Rhapsody" | – | The Archer |
References
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