New Dream (band)
| Company type | Pop music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | The Dream |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Jenny Johnston, Alex Kadell (Alex Opitz) |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
New Dream was an Australian pop ensemble established in 1967 initially under the name The Dream. The founding members included Jenny Johnston on organ and Alex Kadell (also known as Alex Opitz) as lead vocalist, both previously part of Changing Times, alongside musicians from the Final Four. In March 1969, they transitioned to a bubblegum pop style and adopted the name New Dream. Their most notable hit, "Soft Delights" released in May 1971, climbed to No. 21 on the national Go-Set top 40 chart. The group issued a single album titled New Dream in 1973 but had ceased activity by late 1972, briefly reuniting in 1974 before disbanding permanently.
History
Towards the end of 1967, Alex Kadell (Alex Opitz) and Jenny Johnston, both from Changing Times, joined forces with members of Melbourne’s pop band the Final Four—Mark Archer (drums), Jack McGrath (guitar), Peter Nicoll (guitar), and Terry Stirzker (bass)—to create The Dream. Changing Times had previously featured prominent musicians Wayne Duncan and Gary Young. Kadell took on lead vocal duties while Stirzker played bass guitar. The Dream performed within local circuits and released a single under Festival Records in 1968 titled "Who Could Be Loving You?", a rendition of an Al Wilson track, with "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" as the B-side. They also served as opening acts for British bands the Who and Small Faces in January 1968. Before year-end, Nicoll was briefly replaced by Brian Holloway.
In March 1969, the band rebranded as New Dream and embraced bubblegum pop, continuing their association with Festival Records. Their first release under the new name was "Yours Until Tomorrow" in April 1969, followed by "Catching Up on Fun" in July. The single "The Groupie," launched in March 1970 and penned by American songwriter Buzz Cason—originally recorded by the Four Fuller Brothers—secured a spot within the national top 30. This lineup consisted of Johnston, Kadell, McGrath, John du Bois on bass, and Peter Reed on drums. In a July 1970 poll conducted by Go-Set, New Dream was voted No. 3 among groups; Kadell ranked No. 4 for male vocalist; du Bois placed No. 6 for guitarist; and Reed was No. 6 among drummers.
Their peak commercial success came with "Soft Delights" in May 1971, which reached No. 21 nationally. Written by Australian-born UK-based Mike Chapman and initially performed by Tangerine Peel, this single marked their highest chart position. Later releases such as "Candy Love" (September 1971) and "Turned 21" (March 1972) also entered the charts. In the July 1971 Go-Set popularity rankings, Johnston was placed No. 5 among female artists; New Dream ranked No. 6 as a group; du Bois was No. 6 bassist; "Soft Delight" secured No. 7 single; and Reed was No. 8 drummer. Du Bois departed in January 1972 and was succeeded by Graham Jones.
With this revised lineup, the band issued additional singles and recorded their self-titled debut album under the production of Brian Cadd. Music historian Ian McFarlane characterized the album as a blend of bubblegum pop hits combined with easy listening elements featuring lush harmonies and string arrangements. Although released in 1973, New Dream had already dissolved by late 1972. Subsequently, Kadell embarked on a solo path while Reed joined Gary Young's Hot Dog band. In 1974, Johnston and Kadell briefly revived New Dream to release two singles before disbanding again due to the declining popularity of their bubblegum style.
Members
- Mark Archer – drums (1967–69)
- Jenny Johnston – organ (1967–72, 1974)
- Alex Kadell (also known as Alex Opitz) – lead vocals (1967–72, 1974)
- Jack McGrath – guitar, backing vocals (1967–71)
- Peter Nicoll – guitar (1967–68)
- Terry Stirzker – bass guitar (1967–70)
- Brian Holloway – guitar (1968)
- John du Bois – bass guitar (1970–72)
- Peter Reed – drums (1970–72)
- Graham Jones – bass guitar (1972)
Albums
- New Dream (1973) – Released by Festival Records (FL-34728)
Extended plays
- The Dream
- Split EP with Cam-Pact: Something Easy / Who Could Be Loving You? (1968) – Festival Records (FX-11496)
Singles
- The Dream
- "Who Could Be Loving You?" (1968) – Issued through Festival Records (FK-2248)
- New Dream
- "Yours Until Tomorrow" (1969) – Festival Records (FK-2865)
- "Catchin' Up on Fun" (1969) – Festival Records (FK-3102)
- "The Groupie" (1970) – Festival Records (FK-3405)
- "Soft Delights" (1971) – Festival Records (FK-4178)
- "Candy Love" (1971) – Festival Records (FK-4268)
- "Turned 21" (1972) – Festival Records (FK-4557)
- "Ride a White Swan" (1972) – Festival Records (FK-4916)
- "Girl I'm Gonna Get You" (1973) – Festival Records (FK-5001)
- "I Can't Stop Dancing (Dancing in the Dark)" (1974) – Astor Records (A-7264)
- "Schlick Schlack Boom Boom" (1974) – Astor Records (A-7242)