The Crescents
| Company type | Vocal harmony ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1958 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Dennis O'Keefe, Kel Palace, Mike Downes, Col Loughnan |
| Fate | Disbanded after 1962 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Johnny O'Keefe (manager) |
| Products | Singles, extended plays |
The Crescents emerged as an Australian vocal harmony ensemble originating in Sydney toward the end of 1958, initially known as The 4 Tops (distinct from the American group Four Tops). They are chiefly recognized for their Top 10 single "Mr. Blue" and participated in promoter Lee Gordon's "Big Shows," sharing the stage with artists such as Johnnie Ray, Fabian, and Ricky Nelson.
The original lineup of The 4 Tops consisted of Dennis O'Keefe, Kel Palace, Mike Downes, and Col Loughnan. After O'Keefe's departure, the remaining trio adopted the name The Crescents. Under the management of Johnny O'Keefe, they gained prominence through live performances, television appearances on "Six O'Clock Rock", media coverage, and a recording deal with Leedon Records. Their association with Johnny O'Keefe facilitated their involvement in major tours organized by Gordon, attracting significant teenage audiences.
Throughout their career, The Crescents released seven singles and two extended plays; their only Top 10 success was "Mr. Blue," which charted in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. In 1962, Downes exited the group, followed by Loughnan who joined the Delltones, resulting in the group's dissolution.
Formation
Mike Downes, Col Loughnan, and Dennis O'Keefe were students at Marist Brothers College, Randwick. Both Downes and Loughnan participated in the school choir. Together with Kel Palace,[note 1] they formed a vocal quartet named The 4 Tops. At that period, Australia's audience was unfamiliar with the American Four Tops. Their performances frequently took place at dances held by Leichhardt Police Boys Club under the direction of Johnny O'Keefe (no familial relation to Dennis).
Within a few months, Dennis O'Keefe enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, prompting the remaining three members to rebrand as The Crescents. Johnny O'Keefe assumed managerial duties, focusing on their professionalism, grooming standards, and stagecraft.[1][2] Their television debut occurred on "Six O'Clock Rock" on 7 March 1959 and was met with favorable reception.[1][3]
During the 1950s music scene, performers typically had specialized roles; vocal harmony groups like The Crescents concentrated exclusively on singing without instrumental accompaniment. Loughnan took on lead vocals, Palace sang tenor parts, and Downes provided baritone harmonies. They frequently performed backing vocals for Johnny O'Keefe or appeared independently alongside his band, The Dee Jays.[1]
Rehearsals were held at Palace's family residence with Loughnan accompanying on piano,[1] drawing stylistic inspiration from groups such as The Diamonds, Danny & the Juniors, The Ames Brothers, and The Mills Brothers.[3] Their increasing popularity attracted promoter Lee Gordon’s attention and led to a recording contract with Leedon Records.[3]
Lee Gordon's Big Shows
A defining feature of Australia's entertainment landscape at that time was Lee Gordon's "Big Shows," which showcased North American headline artists supported by local performers. In August 1959, The Crescents participated in a Big Show headlined by American singer Johnnie Ray, accompanied by The Horrie Dargie Quintet, Johnny Rebb and The Rebels, Johnny O'Keefe, Shirley Simmons, The Crescents themselves, and the Lee Sisters during a six-day tour across state capitals.[1] Melbourne's The Age highlighted that "O'Keefe almost stole the show" while also commending The Crescents as the most favored support act.[4]
The success of this tour encouraged the young musicians to leave their day jobs,[1] marking a critical turning point for Loughnan who pursued music full-time thereafter.
In October 1959, The Crescents supported Fabian during Sydney Stadium’s Big Shows alongside Johnny O'Keefe, Col Joye, Lonnie Lee, and Johnny Devlin.[1] The venue featured a rotating stage that enhanced performance dynamics. While Fabian’s popularity was largely driven by his appearance, The Crescents drew enthusiastic teenage fans and received positive audience feedback.[1]
Initial Record Launches
In October 1959, Leedon introduced The Crescents' debut single, "Everlovin'"/"You Broke My Heart." The B-side, co-written by Loughnan and O'Keefe, gained radio exposure despite not entering the charts.[1] This airplay complemented their television appearances on programs such as Six O'Clock Rock, Bandstand, and Teen Time.[5]
Their rendition of the Fleetwoods' "Mr. Blue" was released in December 1959 with "How Important Can It Be" as the B-side. The single climbed into the Top 10, reaching No. 2 in Brisbane, No. 4 in Melbourne, and No. 8 in Sydney by January 1960; however, it remained their only charting hit.[1] This success established The Crescents as amicable competitors to the Delltones, with mutual admiration between the lead vocalists.[2][3][1]
Approximately 1,000 attendees gathered at the "Friends of Johnny O'Keefe Club Christmas Swing" event in Leichardt, where The Crescents supported O'Keefe by providing backing vocals during his extended performance.[2][1]
Their third single, "When You Wish upon a Star"/"The Hand of God," came out in April 1960,[3] but it did not achieve the same chart impact as their earlier releases.
O'Keefe's Automobile Accident
While performing on Queensland's Gold Coast, O'Keefe fell asleep behind the wheel during a late-night drive back to Sydney. On 27 June 1960, his red 1959 Plymouth Belvedere collided with a gravel truck near Kempsey. Although all three passengers survived with serious injuries, O'Keefe suffered significant head and facial trauma necessitating extensive surgical treatment. This event had a profound influence on both his personal life and professional trajectory. As their manager and mentor, O'Keefe's transformation directly affected The Crescents. Loughnan reflected:
"Johnny was changed by that accident—and understandably so. It must have been devastating for a young man... He was quite vain before, and suddenly he had lost his appearance."
In the years following, O'Keefe endured multiple widely publicized nervous breakdowns. To help cover medical costs, Gordon and Alan Heffernan organized a tour titled "The Most Mammoth Rock'n'Roll Show Ever," featuring nearly every prominent Sydney rock artist including The Crescents, with performances across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
In November 1960, Loughnan (not driving), Heffernan, Barry Stanton, and Ray Hoff were involved in a car accident when a tire blew out on a Victorian highway; their vehicle rolled down an embankment but they escaped with only minor injuries. Loughnan later recounted: "I had nightmares for years after that."
The Ricky Nelson Tour
In September 1960, The Crescents took part in the third Lee Gordon Big Show known as The Ricky Nelson Show. This six-concert series at Sydney Stadium featured artists such as O'Keefe, Lee, Joye, Devlin, Dig Richards, and Candy and Mandy. These concerts marked O'Keefe's first appearances following his car accident.
Subsequent Recordings
Leedon issued the EP Rock Time, which included covers of popular songs like "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (originally by Frankie Lymon), "Down by the Riverside," and "Dreaming," written by Loughnan and Palace. In a 1960 poll among Sydney viewers of Six O'Clock Rock assessing favorite artists, The Crescents placed fifth behind prominent solo performers.
Throughout that year, notable musicians including O'Keefe, Lee, the Delltones, The Crescents, Judy Cannon, and Rob EG frequently convened at Tom Hart's residence for social gatherings centered around piano singing—a vital rehearsal method for The Crescents.
In November 1960, they released "One More Kiss" backed with "Picture of Love" on Lee Gordon Records. This was followed by January 1961’s single "The Stars Will Remember" with "Love Love Love" on the flip side—originally a hit for The Clovers. Their sixth single embraced a religious theme: June 1961 saw the release of "The Way of the Cross" backed with "The Story of the Cross," featuring narration by Chris Christensen alongside backing vocals from The Crescents. Leedon also put out their second EP entitled The Crescents Hit it for Six, compiling earlier tracks; although the title referenced cricket terminology, its cover depicted the group dressed in baseball uniforms.
Decline and dissolution
Maintaining harmony vocals requires ongoing dedication, and by July 1961, Downes had grown tired of the effort and departed from The Crescents, with Alan Roberts stepping in as his replacement. This new formation recorded the tracks "Get a Job" and "Silhouettes," which had been staples in their live performances for some time. Despite this, the group's enthusiasm waned; Loughnan later reflected that without Downes, the ensemble lacked its original spirit. They persisted for an additional year until the tragic passing of their friend Noel Widerberg, the lead singer of the Delltones, who died in a car accident in July 1962.
Barry Carroll, formerly of the Sapphires, temporarily took over for several shows. Soon after, Warren Lucas from the Delltones invited Loughnan to become their lead vocalist, an offer he accepted amicably. Following this change, the remaining members Palace and Roberts opted to dissolve The Crescents.
Singles
| Year | A-side | B-side | Highest chart position | Record label | Catalogue number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | "Everlovin’" | "You Broke My Heart" | 84 | Leedon | LS565 |
| 1959 | "Mr. Blue" | "How Important Can It Be?" | 7 | Leedon | LS581 |
| 1960 | "When You Wish upon a Star" | "The Hand of God" | — | Lee Gordon | LS598 |
| 1960 | "One More kiss" | "Picture of Love" | 91 | Lee Gordon | LS602 |
| 1961 | "The Stars Will Remember (So Will I)" | "Love, Love, Love" | 96 | Leedon | LS6056 |
| 1961 | "Way of the Cross" | "Story of the Cross" | — | Leedon | LK12 |
| 1961 | "Get a Job" | "Silhouettes" | — | Leedon | LK101 |
EPs
| Year | EP title | Tracks | Label | Catalogue number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Rock Time | "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)" | Leedon | LEP314 |
| "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" | ||||
| "Down by the Riverside" | ||||
| "Dreaming" | ||||
| 1961 | Hit it for Six | "Mr. Blue" | Leedon | LEP316 |
| "You Broke my Heart" | ||||
| "Everlovin'" | ||||
| "Hand of God" | ||||
| "When You Wish upon a Star" | ||||
| "How Important Can It Be" |
References
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMcFarlane - ↑ "Johnnie Ray Show Appeals to Fans". The Age Melbourne: David Syme & Co. 9 Sept 1959. p. 9. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ↑ "The 'Crescents' are tops" TV Week. 3—9 October 1959. p. 58.