Levi Smith's Clefs

Levi Smith's Clefs

Company type	Musical ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	1963 in Adelaide, Australia
Founder	Winston "Tweed" Harris (as The Clefs)
Defunct	1972
Headquarters	Adelaide, later Melbourne and Sydney , Australia
Products	Music recordings, live performances

Levi Smith's Clefs, initially known as The Clefs, was an Australian ensemble blending R&B and pop rock, established in Adelaide in 1963. The group welcomed lead singer Barrie "The Bear" McAskill in 1965, who assumed leadership and rebranded the band in 1967 following the departure of founding keyboardist Winston "Tweed" Harris. Their sole studio album, Empty Monkey, was released in March 1970 amid several personnel changes before the band dissolved in 1972. After disbandment, former members went on to join acts such as Tully, Fraternity, and Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly (SCRA). Winston Harris (1941–2004) passed away from throat cancer at age 63, drummer Russell Dunlop (1945–2009) died following a seizure also at 63, and Richard Lockwood, who played flute and saxophone in 1968, succumbed to bowel cancer in 2012.

The Clefs

Formed in Adelaide during 1963, The Clefs began as an R&B band under the direction of keyboardist Winston "Tweed" Harris. Initial members comprised Michael Atkins on drums, Bruce Howe on bass, Dennis Marshall handling saxophone, Trevor Pridham as vocalist, and Les Tanner on guitar. Pat Aulton briefly served as co-lead singer before shifting to a career in production. According to Australian music historian Ian McFarlane, the band quickly became a favored dance act within Adelaide’s club scene. In 1965, Barrie McAskill (formerly of the Fabulous Drifters) replaced Aulton as co-lead vocalist alongside Bev Harrell, Harris, Howe, Tanner, Bob Jeffrey on saxophone, and Vince Jones on drums.

Bev Harrell departed to pursue a solo career that led her to prominence as a pop singer during the mid-1960s. The Clefs issued three singles in 1966: "I Can Only Give You Everything," "Last Night," and "A Boy Like Me." Early in 1967, Harris relocated to Melbourne where he formed the R&B/pop outfit the Groove, which achieved nationwide recognition by winning the 1968 "Hoadley's Battle Of The Sounds" contest. Utilizing their victory prize trip to London in March 1969, the Groove disbanded two years later in 1971. Subsequently, Harris pursued a career as a producer and arranger. He died from throat cancer at age 63.

Levi Smith's Clefs

Following Harris’s exit, McAskill assumed control of the group and, acting on talent manager Peter Raphael's advice, renamed it Levi Smith's Clefs—a nod to Four Tops' frontman Levi Stubbs. McAskill, a Scottish-born soul and R&B vocalist nicknamed "The Bear" due to his stature and deep voice, led a series of evolving lineups from 1967 until their dissolution in 1972. The band's sound was characterized by robust R&B reminiscent of Max Merritt & the Meteors and served as a launching pad for musicians who later joined Tully, Fraternity, Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly (SCRA), and Mighty Mouse. Over sixty musicians cycled through the ensemble during this period.

In 1969, Levi Smith's Clefs moved from Melbourne to Sydney where they secured an eighteen-month residency at the Whisky A-Go-Go club located in Kings Cross. This tenure coincided with a thriving live music scene bolstered by American servicemen on leave from Vietnam.

Prominent members throughout this era included vocalist Inez Amaya; guitarist Les Stacpool; organists Ian Walsh and Michael Carlos; bassists Doug Stirling, John Blake, John "Yuk" Harrison, John Helman; and drummers Gil Matthews and Jimmy Thompson—who had previously performed with Tony Worsley & the Fabulous Blue Jays and Vince Maloney Sect before joining Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Canadian-born Michael Carlos emphasized that the group's exceptional musicianship significantly influenced his artistic growth.

By 1968, the lineup consisting of McAskill, Amaya, Blake, Carlos, guitarist Mick Jurd, flautist/saxophonist Richard Lockwood, and drummer Robert Taylor underwent a major change when all but Jurd left to form Tully—a progressive rock band that became the resident ensemble for Australia's theatrical production of Hair; Amaya also joined the cast.

McAskill and Jurd replenished the band by adding John Bissett on organ, Tony Buettel on drums, and Bruce Howe on bass. They toured nationally and recorded Levi Smith's Clefs’ only album, Empty Monkey, which was released in March 1970 through Sweet Peach Records. As one of Australia’s pioneering albums merging soul, R&B, pop, and progressive rock influences, it failed to achieve commercial success. Notably featuring an eleven-minute rendition of The Beatles' "You Can't Do That," it spawned singles including "Lisa" (January 1970) and a cover version of Junior Walker’s "Shotgun" (April).

In early 1970 several members—Bissett, Buettel, Howe, and Jurd—departed to establish Fraternity. McAskill subsequently formed a brass-heavy ensemble that maintained a yearlong residency at Sydney’s Chequers nightclub. Under his leadership as Levi Smith's Clefs they released singles covering Ten Years After’s "Love Like a Man" (September 1970) and "Gonna Get a Seizure" (April 1971). Additionally, they contributed two tracks to the split EP Best of Whisky A-Go-Go, alongside Sydney-based pop group Autumn.

Between 1970 and 1971 numerous musicians cycled through the band’s lineup including returning organist Michael Carlos (formerly of Tully), saxophonist Bob Jeffrey; briefly featured vocalist Julie Robinson; organist Bruce Howard; guitarists Jim Kelly and Billy TK; Ted Yanni on guitar; bassists John "Yuk" Harrison and Doug Stirling; drummers Russell Dunlop, Allan Turnbull, and Greg Henson. Dunlop along with Kelly and Kenny later formed Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly (SCRA). Dunlop passed away in 2009 after an extensive career as a session drummer.

By late 1971 McAskill led a lineup also performing under names such as Barrie McAskill's Bear Brigade or McAskill's Marauders. They toured Adelaide but disbanded early in 1972 when Carlos and Henson joined the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in Sydney; Carlos remained involved until its closure in 1976. Early that year McAskill created Barrie McAskill's People with guitarist Michael Barnes, bassist Ken Firth, guitarist Vince Melouney, and drummer Kevin Murphy.

Midway through 1972 McAskill relocated to Melbourne where he revived Levi Smith's Clefs as a four-piece featuring Doug Stirling on bass, Kevin Murphy on drums, Mick Elliott (later succeeded by Les Stacpool) on guitar. Ian Clyne joined on keyboards followed by Mal Capewell (saxophone/flute), Russell Smith (trumpet/vocals), Barry Harvey (drums), Phil Manning (guitar), and Barry Sullivan (bass)—all alumni of prominent groups such as Chain and Company Caine.

Shortly thereafter Capewell and others left to form Mighty Mouse which triggered Chain’s reunion. Electronic musician Steve Dunstan contributed experimental sounds prior to the group's final dissolution late in 1972.

Subsequent Activities

After returning to Sydney in January 1973, Barrie McAskill established the band McAskill, featuring Eddy McDonald on bass, Dallas "Digger" Royall handling drums, Doug Stirling on bass, and Alvin Tutin playing guitar. The following year saw the group relocate back to Melbourne, with Royall remaining on drums and new members Ian Mawson (keyboards, formerly of Company Caine), Warren Ward (bass, ex-Flying Circus and Blackfeather), and Lindsay Wells (guitar, ex-Healing Force, Chain, and Blackfeather) joining the lineup. By 1975, the ensemble included Bob Fortesque (bass, ex-Blackfeather), Paul Johnson (drums), Eddie McDonald (bass, ex-Avengers [NZ], Bakery), Roger McLachlan (bass, who later joined Little River Band), Howie Morgan (keyboards), and Jeff Spooner (guitar). The group ultimately dissolved in 1976.

In 1977, McAskill moved back to Adelaide and created several bands such as East End Street Band, Barrie McAskill's on Fire, Soul Survivors, Who Dat Dere, and Topsy and the Bear. Later that same year, he formed Barrie McAskill's God's Warriors & the Amazons with Geoff Spooner on guitar, Paul Johnston followed by Lee 'Fred' Cass on drums, and Bob Fortescue on bass. The following year brought further changes with Ross Hannaford joining on guitar, Mal Logan on keyboards, and John van Boxtel taking over drums.

Levi Smith's Clefs reunited for brief performances in Melbourne during 2002, 2003, and 2008. These gigs featured Barrie’s wife Jan McAskill contributing vocals and keyboards. Additionally, an expanded edition of Empty Monkey was re-released on CD in 2008. Barrie McAskill continues to be acknowledged as a steadfast figure in Australian rock music—a passionate advocate for soul, R&B, and jazz genres, an expert bandleader, and a foundational member of Levi Smith's Clefs.

Members

• Michael Atkins – drums (1963–65)
• Trevor Pridham – lead vocals (1963)
• Pat Aulton – lead vocals (1963–65)
• Winston "Tweed" Harris – keyboards (1963–67) (d. 2004)
• Bruce Howe – bass guitar (1963–67)
• Les Tanner – guitar (1963–67)
• Dennis Marshall – saxophone (1963–67)
• Bev Harrell – lead vocals (1965)
• Vince Jones – drums (1965–72)
• Barrie McAskill – lead vocals (1965–72)
• Inez Amaya – vocals (1967–68)
• John Blake – bass guitar (1967–68)
• Michael Carlos – organ (1967–68, 1971, 1972)
• John "Yuk" Harrison – bass guitar (1967–68, 1971, 1972)
• John Hellman – bass guitar (1967–68)
• Bob Jeffrey – saxophone (1967–68, 1971, 1972)
• Gil Matthews – drums (1967–68)
• Les Stacpool – guitar (1967–68, late 1972)
• Doug Stirling – bass guitar (1967–68, 1969–71, 1972)
• Jimmy Thompson – drums (1967–68)
• Ian Walsh – organ (1967–68)
• Mick Jurd – guitar (1968–69)
• Richard Lockwood – saxophone, flute (1968) (d. 2012)
• Robert Taylor – drums (1968)
• John Bissett – organ (1968–69)
• Tony Buettel – drums (1968–69)
• Bruce Howe – bass guitar (1968–69)
• Linda Cable – vocals (1969–71)
• Michael Darby – drums, guitar (1969–71)

• Steve Doran – organ (1969–71)
• John Freeman – drums (1969–70)
• Peter Karlenick – guitar (1969–71)
• Steve Bowden – trumpet (1970)
• Mick Cousins – trombone (1970–71)
• Ken Deakin – vocals (1970–71)
• Bill Harrower – saxophone (1970–71)
• Russell Dunlop – drums (1971) (d. 2009)
• Bruce Howard – organ (1971)
• Jim Kelly – guitar (1971)
• Mick Kenny – trumpet (1971)
• Ken Tate – trombone (1971)
• Alan Turnbull – drums (1971)
• Billy TK – guitar (1971)</ small >
• Greg Henson – drums < small >(1971, 1972)< / small >
• Julie Robinson – vocals < small >(1971, two gigs)< / small >
• Ted "The Head" Yanni – guitar< small >(1971)< / small >
• Michael Barnes – guitar< small >(1972)< / small >
• Ken Firth – bass guitar< small >(1972)< / small >
• Vince Melouney – guitar< small >(1972)< / small >
• Kevin Murphy – drums< small >(1972)< / small >
• Mick Elliott – guitar< small >(1972)< / small >
• Mal Capewell – saxophone, flute< small >(late 1972)< / small >
• Ian Clyne – keyboards< small >(late 1972)< / small >
• Steve Dunstan – guitar< small >(late 1972)< / small >
• Barry Harvey – drums< small >(late 1972)< / small >
• Phil Manning - guitar< small >(late 1972)< / small >
• Barry Sullivan - bass guitar< small >(late 1972)< / small >

Albums

• Empty Monkey (March 1970) – Sweet Peach (SPB 504)

Extended plays

• Best of the Whisky A-Go-Go (split EP featuring two tracks by Autumn, 1970)

Singles

• "Road Runner" (1969) Sweet Peach – AUS #84
• "Lisa" (January 1970) – Sweet Peach (SP 011)
• "Shotgun" (April 1970) – Sweet Peach (SP 021)
• "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart" (1970)
• "Love Like a Man" (1970) – Chart Records (PR 202)
• "Dancing and Drinking" (1971)

Notes

References