Skyhooks (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Graeme "Shirley" Strachan, Greg Macainsh, Red Symons, Bob "Bongo" Starkie, Imants "Freddie" Strauks |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Skyhooks was a rock group originating from Melbourne, Australia, established in 1973. The band's most recognized lineup, active between 1974 and 1977, featured Graeme "Shirley" Strachan on lead vocals, Greg Macainsh handling bass and backing vocals, Red Symons on guitar, vocals, and keyboards, Bob "Bongo" Starkie playing guitar and providing backing vocals, alongside Imants "Freddie" Strauks on drums.
Distinguished by their extravagant costumes and makeup, their songs addressed themes such as drug use, sexuality, and the LGBTQ+ community, often embedding references to Australian culture. The band evolved from earlier ensembles fronted by Macainsh and Strauks and rose to national attention with their debut album Living in the 70's released in 1974. Although initially achieving moderate success, its popularity surged the following year due to exposure on the ABC TV music program Countdown. This album held the number-one spot on the Australian Kent Music Report for a record-breaking 16 weeks and sold more than 200,000 copies, making it the highest-selling album in Australia at that time. Their sophomore album Ego Is Not a Dirty Word (1975) also reached number one and remained there for 11 weeks.
Following the departures of Symons and Strachan in 1977 and 1978 respectively to pursue careers in media, Bob Spencer and Tony Williams joined as replacements before the band dissolved in 1980. The classic lineup reunited on several occasions, notably in 1990 and 1994, releasing new work including the chart-topping single "Jukebox in Siberia" in 1990. Tragically, Strachan died in a helicopter accident in 2001; original lead singer Steve Hill passed away in 2005, and founding guitarist Peter Starkie died in 2020.
According to music historian Ian McFarlane, Skyhooks had a profound influence on Australian social culture. In recognition of their contributions, they were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992. Additionally, in 2011 their album Living in the 70's was included in the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia's Sounds of Australia registry.
1966–1974: Early years and formation
Greg Macainsh and Imants "Freddie" Strauks first connected at Norwood High School located in Melbourne’s Ringwood suburb. In 1966 they formed Spare Parts with Macainsh on bass guitar and Strauks as lead vocalist. By 1968 Spare Parts had transformed into Sound Pump. Concurrently, Macainsh started another band named Reuben Tice in Eltham with Tony Williams providing vocals. In 1970 Macainsh reunited with Strauks—now playing drums—in Claptrap followed by Frame (1971), which featured Graeme "Shirley" Strachan as frontman. Frame’s lineup also included guitarists Pat O'Brien and Cynthio Ooms. Strachan joined after forming a friendship with Strauks and singing casually but left after about eighteen months to focus on carpentry and surfing.
In March 1973 Skyhooks officially formed in Melbourne with Steve Hill as vocalist, Peter Inglis on guitar, Macainsh handling bass and backing vocals, Peter Starkie on guitar with backing vocals, and Strauks on drums also contributing backing vocals. The band’s name was inspired by a fictional group featured in the 1956 film Earth vs. the Flying Saucers. Their first gig took place on April 16, 1973 at St Jude's Church hall in Carlton. Ross Wilson from Daddy Cool discovered them while performing with Mighty Kong and secured a publishing deal for Macainsh. By August that year Bob "Bongo" Starkie replaced his brother Peter on guitar while Red Symons took over from Inglis, bringing additional theatrical flair to their image. Towards the end of 1973 Michael Gudinski signed Skyhooks to his booking agency Australian Entertainment Exchange and subsequently to his label Mushroom Records.
Skyhooks cultivated a devoted following within Melbourne’s university crowd and pub rock venues but faced a hostile reception when they performed at the January 1974 Sunbury Pop Festival where they were booed off stage. Two live tracks from this performance were included on Mushroom’s compilation Highlights of Sunbury '74. Following this event Steve Hill left the band; Macainsh then invited Strachan—nicknamed "Shirley" due to his curly blond hair—from his previous time with Frame to join as lead vocalist.
1974–1975: Living in the 70's
A significant shift occurred when Strachan replaced Hill in Skyhooks, bringing enhanced vocal talent and a commanding stage presence. The band's identity was shaped by Macainsh's songwriting combined with the distinctive dual-guitar interplay of Starkie and Symons. Incorporating glam rock influences and candid lyrics reflecting 1970s Australian youth culture, they challenged conservative sensibilities through their flamboyant costumes, makeup, and theatrical performances. Six out of ten tracks on their debut album, Living in the 70's, faced bans from the Federation of Australian Commercial Broadcasters due to explicit themes; notable examples include "Toorak Cowboy" and "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed". Most compositions were penned by bassist Macainsh, with Symons contributing the track "Smut". Skyhooks were pioneers among Australian rock bands by achieving commercial success with songs addressing local environments and social issues such as drug use ("Carlton (Lygon Street Limbo)"), suburban relationships ("Balwyn Calling"), and the gay community ("Toorak Cowboy"). Radio host Billy Pinnell highlighted Macainsh’s influence in establishing Australian songwriting credibility through his focus on indigenous topics.
Their debut single, "Living in the 70's", released in August 1974, climbed to No. 28 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. Although the album initially found success primarily in Melbourne, it eventually dominated the Kent Music Report Albums Chart for 16 consecutive weeks between February and June 1975. Produced by Wilson, it became Australia's highest-selling album at that point, moving 226,000 units.
Skyhooks' performance at the Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1975 garnered praise from Rolling Stone Australia and The Age. Subsequently, Michael Gudinski assumed management duties. Their follow-up single, "Horror Movie", secured the No. 1 spot for two weeks in March. This achievement played a crucial role in stabilizing Mushroom Records financially and contributed significantly to its emergence as Australia's premier record label.
The album's popularity was largely propelled by exposure on ABC Television’s new pop program Countdown, rather than traditional commercial radio outlets. Notably, "Horror Movie" was featured as the first song aired during Countdown’s inaugural color broadcast. Despite facing radio censorship, ABC’s Double Jay chose "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed" as its first-ever broadcast track on 19 January.
1975–1976: Ego Is Not a Dirty Word
Skyhooks concluded their nationwide tour supporting Living in the 70's with an ANZAC Day show at Melbourne's Festival Hall, sharing the stage with Bob Hudson, AC/DC, and Split Enz. After a brief hiatus, they resumed work on their sophomore album, Ego Is Not a Dirty Word. Recording was temporarily halted due to unpaid studio fees until manager Michael Gudinski intervened to settle outstanding costs.
Released in July 1975, Ego Is Not a Dirty Word commanded the top position on Australian album charts for 11 weeks and achieved sales of 210,000 copies. Singles from this album included the title track reaching No. 2, followed by "All My Friends Are Getting Married" also peaking at No. 2, and "Million Dollar Riff" which attained No. 6. Additionally, a live rendition of Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock", released in 1976, reached No. 26.
Building on their domestic momentum, Skyhooks secured a $1.5 million contract with Mercury/Phonogram Records to enter the US market. The international edition of Ego Is Not a Dirty Word replaced two original tracks with successful songs from their debut album. Their US tour during March and April 1976 received mixed critical reception; comparisons were drawn between their theatrical style and Kiss due to Symons' makeup use. This limited their broader appeal despite some regional successes.
After returning from America, Skyhooks recorded their third studio album, Straight in a Gay Gay World, again produced by Ross Wilson in San Francisco. Released in August 1976, it reached No. 3 on Australian charts. The band supported this release with The Brats Are Back Tour and singles including "This Is My City" (No. 32) and "Blue Jeans" (No. 12). In October of that year, lead vocalist Strachan launched his solo career with a cover of Brenda Holloway's "Every Little Bit Hurts".
1977–1981: Final phase and dissolution
In February 1977, Symons departed from the band and was succeeded by Bob Spencer from Finch.[1][2] During this period, the group transitioned from their glam rock origins to embrace a more direct hard rock approach.[1][3] That same year, Skyhooks embarked on three national tours, and their inaugural single featuring Spencer, "Party to End All Parties", climbed into the top 30 by May.[1][4][5] Meanwhile, Strachan's second solo effort, a rendition of Smokey Robinson's "Tracks of My Tears", achieved a top 20 position in July.[1][4] Mushroom Records issued a singles compilation titled The Skyhooks Tapes, which entered the top 50 in September.[1][4][5] Although their widespread popularity was waning, their concerts continued to captivate audiences.[1][3]
In January 1978, the band toured New Zealand and appeared at the Nambassa festival. Their subsequent single, "Women in Uniform", reached No. 8 in February,[5] followed by the release of the album Guilty Until Proven Insane in March, which peaked at No. 7.[1][4][5] The album was produced by Eddie Leonetti and Jack Douglas.[2] Its second single, "Meglomania," attained number 93 in May.[4] Strachan declared his plan to exit the group but continued performing until his final concert on 29 July 1978.[3] His following solo singles did not break into the top 50.[4] Tony Williams, formerly of Reuben Tice with Macainsh, took over as lead singer.[1][2][6][5]
Williams' debut single with Skyhooks, "Over the Border," which addressed issues involving Queensland Police, reached the top 40 in April 1979,[4][5] but their fifth studio album, Hot for the Orient (released May 1980), did not enter the top 50.[4]
Between 1975 and 1977, Skyhooks ranked among Australia's most commercially successful bands alongside Sherbet. However, significant departures among key members led to a swift downturn. In 1980, following the poor reception of Hot for the Orient, including severe criticism from Ian "Molly" Meldrum on Countdown, the band controversially announced their split. They responded with a provocative advertisement titled "Why Don't You All Get Fu**ed" and performed their final show on 8 June in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.[1][3]
1982–1999: Reunions and subsequent releases
In December 1982, Mushroom Records issued a medley of Skyhooks tracks under the title Hooked on Hooks, which reached No. 21 on the charts. The demand for a reunion of the classic lineup—Macainsh, Bob Starkie, Strachan, Strauks, and Symons—resulted in the Living in the 80's Tour commencing on 23 April 1983. Supporting acts included The Church, Mental as Anything, The Party Boys, The Sunnyboys, and Midnight Oil—who acknowledged that Hooks were uniquely permitted to headline above them. This tour was captured and released as an LP entitled Live in the 80's.
A one-time reunion concert took place in October 1984. In 1990, Skyhooks recorded new material including "Jukebox in Siberia," which topped the ARIA Singles Chart for two weeks. That November saw the release of the compilation album The Latest and Greatest, which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and featured selections from their first four studio albums alongside two recent singles.
In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame; simultaneously their manager Gudunski and label Mushroom Records received Special Achievement Awards. Producer Ross Wilson—responsible for their initial three albums—had been individually inducted in 1989 and later honored with Daddy Cool in 2006.
The final new release from Skyhooks arrived in June 1999 with a double CD set titled Skyhooks: The Collection. The first disc compiled greatest hits similar to those on The Latest and Greatest but included additional tracks; the second disc, known as The Lost Album, contained previously unreleased recordings from sessions held in 1990 and 1994.
Post-Skyhooks Careers
Following their time with Skyhooks, Strachan and Symons established notable careers within Australian media, spanning radio and television. Symons hosted a breakfast program on ABC radio and penned comedic columns, gaining further recognition through his role as a house band member and Red Faces judge on the television program Hey Hey It's Saturday. Starkie remained active in the local music scene, performing with groups such as Ol' Skydaddys and Ram Band. Drumming duties for Strauks included stints with Melbourne-based rock outfit The Sports, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, the folk ensemble The Bushwackers, and Ol' Skydaddys. Macainsh supported tours for John Farnham during the Whispering Jack Tour and also collaborated with Dave Warner's from the Suburbs. In 1988, he founded and managed Back in Black, a successful tribute band honoring AC/DC, which served as an opening act for Skyhooks' reunion tour. Additionally, Macainsh contributed to the industry by serving on the boards of the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) from 1997 to 2000 and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) between 2001 and 2006. He is also recognized as an intellectual property attorney.
On 29 August 2001, Strachan tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident near Kilcoy, Queensland. To honor his memory, a tribute concert took place at the Palais Theatre on 11 September 2001, featuring remaining members—Strauks, Macainsh, Starkie, Symons, and Spencer—alongside guest vocalists Daryl Braithwaite and Wilson. This event marked the sole occasion where Symons shared the stage with his successor Spencer. During the concert, Braithwaite performed "All My Friends Are Getting Married," while Wilson delivered "Warm Wind in the City."
The 30th anniversary of Living in the 70's was celebrated in 2004 through performances by various configurations of the band; however, Strachan, Hill, and Inglis did not participate. Vocals were provided by Wilson, Williams, and Bob Starkie. In 2005, the original Skyhooks lineup reunited at Sydney's Annandale Hotel for a charity event supporting Hill during his battle with liver cancer; Inglis, Peter Starkie, Strauks, and Macainsh joined onstage. Hill passed away six weeks following this benefit. By November 2009, their official website documented 925 concerts in their "Skyhooks Tour Archive."
At the 2009 Helpmann Awards held in Sydney, Macainsh, Starkie, and Strauks performed under the Skyhooks name alongside rock vocalist Jimmy Barnes on the track "Women in Uniform." Although Symons was initially scheduled to appear, he withdrew shortly before the event and was replaced by guitarist Diesel.
Peter Starkie, original guitarist for Skyhooks, died at age 72 in September 2020 due to complications from a fall. Guitarist Bob Starkie succumbed to leukaemia on 29 November 2025 at age 73.
Members
- Classic lineup
- Greg Macainsh – bass guitar, backing vocals (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
- Imants "Freddie" Strauks (also known as "Freddie Kaboodleschnitzer") – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
- Bob Starkie (aka "Bongo Starr") – guitar, lead and backing vocals (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994; died 2025)
- Red Symons – guitar, keyboards, lead and backing vocals (1973–1977, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
- Graeme "Shirley" Strachan – lead vocals (1974–1978, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994; died 2001)
- Additional members
- Steve Hill – lead vocals (1973–1974; died 2005)
- Peter Inglis – guitar (1973)
- Peter Starkie – guitar, backing vocals (1973; died 2020)
- Bob Spencer – guitar, backing vocals (1977–1980)
- Tony Williams – lead vocals (1978–1980)
Timeline
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</timeline>
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Highest chart rankings | Certifications/Sales (sales benchmarks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS KMR | |||
| 1974 | Living in the 70's
|
1 |
|
| 1975 | Ego Is Not a Dirty Word
|
1 |
|
| 1976 | Straight in a Gay Gay World
|
1 |
|
| 1978 | Guilty Until Proven Insane
|
1 | |
| 1980 | Hot for the Orient
|
64 |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Highest chart rankings | Certifications/Sales (sales benchmarks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS KMR ARIA | |||
| 1977 | The Skyhooks Tapes
|
49 | |
| 1979 | The Best of Skyhooks
|
9 | |
| 1990 | The Latest and Greatest
|
4 |
|
| 1994 | Singles and B sides
|
– | |
| 1999 | The Lost Album
|
36 | |
| 2015 | Hits'n'Riffs
|
32 |
Video albums
| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS DVD | |||
| 2002 | Right There on Your DVD
|
25 |
|
Live albums
| Year | Album title | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| AUS KMR | ||
| 1978 | Live! Be in It
|
84 |
| 1983 | Live in the 80's
|
19 |
Box Sets
| Year | Title | Highest Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS ARIA | ||
| 1982 | The Skyhooks Box
|
– |
| 1982 | Bonus Album No. 1, Singles And B Sides
|
– |
| 1982 | Bonus Album No. 2, Demos And Dialogue
|
– |
| 1982 | Skyhooks Roadcase
|
– |
| 2015 | Don't You Believe What You've Seen or You've Heard
|
40 |
ARIA Music Awards
Since their inception in 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievement and creativity within the Australian music scene. Skyhooks received induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.
|- | 1992 | Skyhooks | ARIA Hall of Fame |
Australian Record Awards
|- | 1975 | Ego Is Not a Dirty Word | Group Album of the Year | |}
King of Pop Awards
The King of Pop Awards, determined by votes from TV Week readers between 1967 and 1978, honored prominent Australian musical artists.
|- | rowspan="3" |1975 | "Horror Movie" | Australian Record of the Year | |- | Ego is not a Dirty Word | Most Popular Australian Album | |- | Greg Macainsh (Skyhooks) | Best Australian Songwriter | |- |1976 | Straight in a Gay Gay World | Best Cover Design | |- |1978 | "Hotel Hell" by Skyhooks from Nightmoves | Best Australian TV Performer | |-
- Note: only wins are listed
See Also
References
- General
- Specific
External Links
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