Chantoozies
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | www |
The Chantoozies represent an Australian pop ensemble established in 1986, comprising four female singers—Eve von Bibra, Angie La Bozzetta, Ally Fowler, and Tottie Goldsmith—alongside four male instrumentalists: Brett Goldsmith (bass, keyboards, programming), Scott Griffiths (keyboards, programming), Frank McCoy (guitar, vocals), and David Reyne (drums, backing vocals). Their band name is a playful alteration of the French term for a female vocalist, "chanteuse."
Their inaugural single, "Witch Queen," launched through Mushroom Records in January 1987, climbed to number 4 on the Australian singles chart. Over the course of the 1980s and 1990s, Chantoozies achieved sales nearing 300,000 units and secured both Gold and Platinum status within Australia.
After a 23-year pause from releasing singles, Chantoozies returned in early 2014 with a rendition of Promises' "Baby It's You," produced by Brian Canham of Pseudo Echo. The music video featured notable Australian actors including Hugh Jackman, Anthony LaPaglia, and Eric Bana.
Before Chantoozies
- David Reyne served as drummer for Clutch Cargo (which evolved into Australian Crawl in 1978) but departed prior to any recordings to focus on his acting career. In 1984, he also played drums for Cats Under Pressure alongside Simon Hussey and Mark Grieg, while pursuing acting roles in television series such as Sweet and Sour and Possession.
- Frank McCoy's musical background includes participation in various groups like The Stockings, rockabilly bands The Crackajacs and El Prezzos, as well as country outfits including the Chaff Bandits, Crummy Cowboys, Hang em High, and The Real McCoys.
- Brett Goldsmith was part of Wayback 5 in 1986 alongside vocalist Kate Ceberano.
- Ally Fowler and Eve von Bibra were both actors on the 1980s soap opera Sons and Daughters; Fowler additionally appeared on shows like Neighbours, All Saints, and Big Sky.
- Tottie Goldsmith had acting roles in several television dramas such as The Henderson Kids, The Young Doctors, Starting Out, Neighbours, and Prisoner.
- Angelica ('Angie') Arnott featured in the TV series Special Squad.
1986–1992: From Chantoozies to Gild the Lily
The Chantoozies initially formed as a cover band to celebrate Tottie Goldsmith's 24th birthday. Their first club performance attracted an audience of 600, which subsequently led to a contract with Mushroom Records. Their debut single, released in January 1987, was a cover of Redbone's "Witch Queen" that peaked at number 4 nationwide. The follow-up single in June 1987 was a rendition of John Kongos' "He's Gonna Step On You Again", which faced competition from a version by The Party Boys and reached number 36. In May 1988, they released "Wanna Be Up", co-written by Brett Goldsmith and von Bibra, which climbed to number 6. September 1988 saw the release of "Kiss'n' Tell", attaining number 25. By this time, Greg Millikan had taken over keyboard duties from Griffiths. To promote their top ten debut album issued in August 1988, Chantoozies toured alongside James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite.
In 1989, both Griffiths and Tottie Goldsmith departed; Millikan replaced Griffiths on keyboards. The single "Come Back to Me" was released in November that year. October 1990 marked the release of "Walk On," while their cover of The Angels' "My Boyfriend's Back" appeared on the soundtrack for the film The Crossing.
February 1991 brought out a cover of Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With" as the second single from their sophomore album; this track reached number 21. Their second album, Gild the Lily, was unveiled in April 1991. Later that year saw the release of their version of Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" before the group disbanded.
Post Chantoozies
- Eve von Bibra resumed her acting career with appearances in mid-1990s television series such as Time Trax and The Damnation of Harvey McHugh. She portrayed Jackie in the 2006 movie Kenny. Additionally, von Bibra contributed behind the camera on programs like RocKwiz (2007–2012), Angry Boys (2011), and Outland (2012). In November 2008, she featured on RocKwiz, delivering both solo and duet performances.
- Angelica La Bozzetta originated the role of Natalie Nash in Home and Away and made guest appearances on 1990s series including Blue Heelers and Big Sky. She also acted in the 2003 film The Rage in Placid Lake.
- Ally Fowler returned to television with roles in the 1990s series Cody and Big Sky, and from 2005 onward became a regular cast member on All Saints.
- Brett Goldsmith pursued a career as a singer-songwriter and performer, later branching into hospitality venue development, and more recently established himself as a fashion photographer.
- Tottie Goldsmith exited Chantoozies in 1989 prior to the release of their second album to focus on her solo singing career. In the mid-1990s, she hosted the show Sex/Life and acted in television dramas such as Stingers, Blue Heelers, and Life. As of January 2022, she is a contestant on I'm a Celebrity Australia.
- David Reyne left the group early in 1990 to concentrate on acting, appearing in series like Bony (1990) and The Flying Doctors (1988–1994). He subsequently transitioned into television presenting roles, hosting shows including Getaway (1992–2006) and 9am with David and Kim (2006–2009).
- Scott Griffiths provided keyboard and synthesiser contributions to Sir Piers’ 2003 single "Don't You Love Me".
- Frank McCoy continued performing within Melbourne’s live music scene as frontman of The Real McCoys, a band noted for late-night performances featuring local and international artists. He also formed the guitaroke duo Cheese and Greens.
In 1998, Fowler, von Bibra, and La Bozzetta reunited under the Chantoozies name to perform "Wanna Be Up" during Mushroom Records’ 25th anniversary celebration at the Mushroom 25 concert.
The four female lead singers briefly reassembled Chantoozies for the June to August 2006 Countdown Spectacular Tour, delivering a rendition of "Wanna Be Up".
2012–present: Reformation
In 2012, Chantoozies appeared at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 event alongside artists such as Leo Sayer, Mondo Rock, Uncanny X-Men, and Pseudo Echo. That year they also toured with Rick Astley and performed at the Carols by Candlelight at Myer Music Bowl as part of the ‘Legends of Rock’ lineup. On 25 April 2014, they released their first new track in over two decades—a cover of Promises’ "Baby It's You". By May 2015, following Angela LaBozzetta’s departure for family reasons (now Arnott), the group continued as a trio. On 17 July 2019, they played at the Big Red Bash festival held in Birdsville, Queensland.
Tottie Goldsmith exited again in February 2020, leaving Fowler and von Bibra as a duo. Later that year, they issued Compilation, which included most singles from their albums (with "Come Back" excluded), tracks such as "Slightest Notion", select non-album singles (excluding "Black and Blue"), plus a new song titled "No Fool for You", released as a single in 2021. This was followed by another single, "Every Night", launched in early 2023.
On 26 July 2025, Tottie made a temporary return to substitute for Fowler during a performance at Sandstone Point Hotel on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Albums
| Album Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Chantoozies |
|
8 |
| Gild the Lily |
|
71 |
Compilation albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Chantoozies Compilation |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Peak Chart Rankings | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1987 | "Witch Queen" | 4 | Chantoozies |
| "He's Gonna Step on You Again" | 36 | ||
| 1988 | "Wanna Be Up" | 6 | |
| "Kiss 'n' Tell" | 25 | ||
| 1989 | "Come Back to Me" | 72 | Gild the Lily |
| 1990 | "Walk On" | 96 | |
| 1991 | "Love the One You're With" | 21 | |
| "I'll Be There" | 167 | Singles not included on albums | |
| 2014 | "Baby It's You" | — | |
| 2015 | "Black and Blue" | — | |
| 2019 | "Take Me in Your Arms" | — | |
| 2021 | "No Fool for You" | — | Compilation |
| 2023 | "Every Night" | — | Non-album single |