Mother Goose (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Dunedin , New Zealand |
Area served | New Zealand, Australia, United States, Canada |
Key people | Craig Johnston (vocals), Marcel Rodeka (drums), Pete Dickson (lead guitar), Kevin Collings (rhythm guitar), Steve Young (keyboards), Denis Gibbins (bass guitar), Justin McCarthy (lead guitar), Neil Shilkin (keyboards) |
| Products | Studio albums, singles |
Mother Goose emerged as a New Zealand band in the mid-1970s, originating from Dunedin in 1975.[1] Their quirky single "Baked Beans" attracted considerable notice, although their later releases found it challenging to fully engage the rock music audience.
Relocation across the Tasman Sea
After a well-received show at Albert Park in Auckland, Mother Goose made the decision to move to Australia,[1] where they performed at venues such as Cloudland in Brisbane and the Playroom on Queensland’s Gold Coast during late 1976. Promoter Ivan Dayman connected them with Melbourne-based manager Garry Spry, who successfully negotiated a contract with Mushroom Records. Their first album, Stuffed, was launched in 1977.[1]
Early in their careers, notable bands including Cold Chisel, Men at Work, The Angels, and Midnight Oil served as opening acts for Mother Goose. In 1977, the band undertook a nationwide tour alongside Supercharge.
United States
By June 1978, the group had established themselves in Hollywood, California, setting up their own recording studio and signing with Scotti Brothers Records.[1] After producing demos for five months, they parted ways with Scotti Brothers and moved to New York City. There, backed by agents Mecca Artists and impresario Sid Bernstein, they secured residencies at venues such as The Other End and The Great Gildersleeves. Nevertheless, legal complications with Scotti Brothers combined with the band's unconventional style prevented them from obtaining another major label deal.[1] Lead guitarist Peter Dickson exited the group in February 1979 and was succeeded by New York–based Justin McCarthy,[1] who remained until the band's dissolution in 1984.
Later years
Following nearly a year in the United States, Mother Goose returned to Australia in 1979 and initiated their 'Catch Me If You Can Tour'. They released two additional albums: Don't Believe in Fairytales (1979) and This is the Life (1982), maintaining tours across Australia and Canada until their breakup in 1984.
In 1985, Johnston and Rodeka became members of The Incredible Penguins, contributing to a charity single—a rendition of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"—which peaked at number 10 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart that December.
Mother Goose reunited on 23 March 2007 to perform at the Re:Sound concert celebrating three decades of the Dunedin Sound, sharing the stage with groups such as The Chills, Sneaky Feelings, and The Clean.
Band members
- Craig Johnston (vocals) (sailor)
- Marcel Rodeka (drums) (pixie)
- Pete Dickson (lead guitar) (baby)
- Kevin Collings (rhythm guitar) (bumble bee)
- Steve Young (keyboards) (ballerina)
- Denis Gibbins (bass guitar) (Minnie Mouse)
- Justin McCarthy (lead guitar) – joined in 1979 replacing Dickson
- Neil Shilkin (Noah Shilkin) (keyboards) – replaced Young in 1981[2]
Studio albums
| Album Title | Details | Highest Chart Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Stuffed |
|
23 |
| Don't Believe in Fairytales |
|
62 |
| This Is the Life |
|
- |
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Peak Chart Positions |
Associated Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | New Zealand | |||
| 1977 | "Baked Beans" / "Moonshine Lady" | 29 | 37 | Stuffed |
| "Moonshine Lady" / "Somebody Broke My Heart" | - | - | ||
| 1978 | "I Think It's You" | - | - | non-album single |
| 1979 | "Living in a Silent Movie" | - | - | Don't Believe in Fairytales |
| "Saving for a Rainy Day" | - | - | ||
| 1982 | "I Can't Sing Very Well" | - | - | non-album single |
| "Margueritta and Me" | - | - | This Is The Life | |
| "Lonely Girls" | 98 | - | ||
| "Tonight" / "Welcome to Radio" | - | - | ||
| 1983 | "Find a Way Out" | - | - | non-album single |