The Dingoes

The Dingoes

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1973 in Melbourne, Australia
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia
Area served	Australia, United States
Key people	John Bois, John Lee, Broderick Smith, Chris Stockley, Kerryn Tolhurst, Mal Logan
Products	Albums, singles

The Dingoes are a country rock ensemble from Australia, originally active between 1973 and 1979 before reuniting in 2009. Formed in Melbourne, the band moved to the United States in 1976. The lineup that remained most consistent featured John Bois on bass, John Lee handling drums, Broderick Smith providing vocals and harmonica, Chris Stockley on guitar, and Kerryn Tolhurst also on guitar. Keyboardist Mal Logan became a member after Stockley was hospitalized following an altercation involving Melbourne criminal Dennis Allen.

Their first single, "Way Out West" released in 1973, entered the Australian top 40 charts. Subsequent singles such as "Boy on the Run," "Smooth Sailing," and "Into the Night" failed to break into the top 50. They produced three albums that reached the top 40: The Dingoes (1974), Five Times the Sun (1977), and Orphans of the Storm (1979).

On 27 August 2009, The Dingoes were honored with induction into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame. After regrouping later that year, they issued a new album titled Tracks in 2010, accompanied by an Australian tour. This was followed by a live album, Live at Last, which prompted another tour; however, Bois was absent due to professional obligations.

Previous bands

Kerryn Tolhurst, who served as lead guitarist, mandolin player, and songwriter, established the Adderley Smith Blues Band in Melbourne in 1964—recognized as one of Australia's pioneering authentic blues groups. Broderick Smith, taking on lead vocals and harmonica duties, joined the band in 1966. Both musicians were drafted for National Service during the Vietnam War period (1968–1970). Smith departed from the group due to these commitments, while Tolhurst maintained a performing lineup that included Joe Camilleri on saxophone in 1970. After completing his service, Tolhurst formed Sundown, a country rock outfit featuring singer-songwriter Keith Glass; Smith briefly joined before moving on to blues boogie band Carson in 1971. Subsequently, Tolhurst became part of Greg Quill's country rock band Country Radio (1972–1973), co-writing successful singles "Gypsy Queen" and "Wintersong".

Both Carson (with Smith) and Country Radio appeared at the first Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1972. During the 1973 festival, Carson recorded their performance including the track "Dingo," which was later released on the live album On the Air. Country Radio also performed at this event; live recordings from both bands were included on Mushroom Records' triple LP The Great Australian Rock Festival Sunbury 1973. Following this festival, Smith and Tolhurst exited their respective bands. Tolhurst briefly joined Mississippi (which later became Little River Band). In March 1973, Smith portrayed "The Father" in the Australian staging of the rock opera Tommy, performed in Sydney and Melbourne.

Guitarist Chris Stockley (formerly of Roadrunners and Delta Set) created psychedelic rock group Cam-Pact alongside Keith Glass in 1967; both left by late 1969. Stockley then became a member of rock band Axiom, which achieved top ten hits with "Arkansas Grass" and "A Little Ray Of Sunshine" before disbanding in 1971. John Lee (previously with Sayla) played drums for Blackfeather between February and April 1973. John Strangio contributed bass guitar for St James Infirmary and Middle Earth.

Formation and early years

Formed in Melbourne in April 1973, The Dingoes consisted of John Lee on drums, Broderick Smith handling lead vocals and harmonica, Chris Stockley on lead guitar, John Strangio playing bass, and Kerryn Tolhurst on guitar and mandolin. Strangio departed in August and was succeeded by John Bois, who had previously been part of New Dream and later Country Radio. Their sound was a fusion of R&B, country, and rock infused with distinctly Australian influences.

As one of the initial acts signed to Mushroom Records, their first single "Way Out West" was released in October 1973. Although credited to Lee, Bois, Smith, Stockley, and Tolhurst collectively, the song was solely penned by Tolhurst. Shortly before the single’s release, Stockley endured a severe gunshot injury at a party involving the infamous criminal Dennis Allen, resulting in a two-month hospital stay. During his recovery, keyboardist Mal Logan filled in and remained with the band until late 1974.

"Way Out West" climbed into the top 40 on the Kent Music Report and reached number 26 in Melbourne, eventually becoming their hallmark track. The Dingoes appeared at the 1974 Sunbury Pop Festival; their performance was included on Mushroom’s Highlights of Sunbury '74. That same year they recorded their self-titled debut album, produced by John French, with Logan contributing keyboards on several songs. In 1992, James Blundell and James Reyne covered "Way Out West," which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart; Smith also played harmonica on this rendition.

In May 1974, Lee left to join Ariel and was replaced by Ray Arnott (formerly of Cam-Pact and Spectrum). Released in June 1974, their debut album The Dingoes featured the single "Boy on the Run," co-written by Stockley and Smith; it reached number 24 in Melbourne but did not enter the national top 50. The album itself peaked at number 24 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart and earned the Federation of Australian Broadcasters' "Album of the Year" award for 1974. October saw the release of a non-album single "Smooth Sailing," written by Tolhurst, backed with "Dingoes Lament." Throughout that year, The Dingoes toured extensively across Australia supporting notable acts such as Bad Company, Leo Sayer, Bo Diddley, and Freddy Fender.

North America

Following their appearance at the Sunbury Pop Festival in early 1975, The Dingoes were approached by Billy McCartney, an Australian expatriate who had built a reputation as a tour manager for Elvis Presley and Rod Stewart in the United States. McCartney introduced them to Peter Rudge, who managed tours for The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd. After nearly ten months of discussions, Rudge agreed to oversee The Dingoes’ career in America.

This arrangement temporarily halted their progress in Australia as they awaited guidance from Rudge, which limited both touring and recording activities. During this interval, they contributed two tracks to the live compilation Live at the Station (1976). Plans for an American tour were made for mid-1976; however, Rudge's attention had shifted primarily to Lynyrd Skynyrd by that time. Before departing for the US, drummer Ray Arnott left amicably; he pursued a solo career and later collaborated with Renée Geyer Band, Cold Chisel, and Jimmy Barnes. John Lee rejoined the lineup in North America.

On McCartney and Rudge's advice, The Dingoes secured a two-album contract with A&M Records based in the United States. After three months rehearsing in Canada, they relocated to Mill Valley, California early in 1977. Their album Five Times the Sun was recorded in San Francisco with producer Elliot Mazer and featured session contributions from Nicky Hopkins and Garth Hudson. This release reached number 25 on Australian charts and included re-recorded versions of songs from their debut album. However, singles such as "Way Out West" and "Smooth Sailing" did not break into the top 50. Obtaining US green cards allowed them to reside for two years during which they toured across 40 states.

A significant blow occurred when members of Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a plane crash in October 1977; this tragedy affected The Dingoes’ management morale deeply. Early in 1978 Stockley departed to return to Australia where he joined Greg Quill's Southern Cross before forming Stockley, See & Mason. His replacement was American guitarist Andrew Jeffers-Hardin as the band moved near Woodstock, New York.

In mid-1978 they recorded their third album Orphans of the Storm at The Hit Factory in New York City and continued touring throughout the US until late that year but failed to achieve chart success there. Released in February 1979 alongside the single "Into the Night," this album preceded Smith’s return to Australia and ultimately led to the band’s breakup.

Years later, The Dingoes toured Australia again during Joe Cocker’s 2011 "Day on the Green" concerts.

After The Dingoes

Smith made his way back to Australia in late 1978, taking the helm of groups such as Broderick Smith's Big Combo. He broadened his career into television acting, appearing in Australian dramas including Janus, Law of the Land, and Snowy River: The McGregor Saga. Additionally, Smith performed as part of an acoustic duo with Mick Ahearne and contributed harmonica to the Backsliders, sharing duties with Ian Collard. His solo music career persisted with continued album releases, and in 2013, he teamed up with the psychedelic ensemble King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard—featuring his son Ambrose—for their album Eyes Like the Sky, where he provided narration.

Bois, Lee, and Tolhurst remained stateside after The Dingoes disbanded. Bois earned a master's degree and pursued a career as a high school biology instructor in Maryland and later Florida. Recognized as a dinosaur specialist, he contributed to the BBC documentary series Walking with Dinosaurs and authored a memoir titled The Dingoes' Lament, released in 2012. In 2017, he also published a scholarly article focusing on dinosaur nest ecology.

Lee joined Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band before collaborating with Johnny Bombay & the Reactions in Washington DC, eventually relocating to Nashville. He worked alongside several musicians, including Steve Marriott, prior to returning to Australia in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, prolonged alcohol misuse compromised his health, culminating in his death from liver failure in July 1999. Posthumously, a CD compilation named Back 2 3 4 was issued, featuring The Dingoes' track "So Long For So Little", recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York.

Tolhurst spent many years living and working in New York City as a songwriter, performer, and producer. His composition "All Fired Up" became a significant hit for Pat Benatar in 1988, reaching number two on Australian charts and ranking within the top 20 in both the US and Canada. In 1995, he collaborated with Paul Kelly on the Deeper Water album recorded in NYC. Tolhurst co-produced the "Spirit Returns" concert and album at Melbourne Festival in 1998, which included performances by Goanna, Ross Hannaford, and Liam O'Maonlai. He produced records for R&B artist Jimmy Norman and relocated to Tucson, Arizona in 2006 to establish a recording studio where he worked on Shane Howard's Goanna Dreaming as well as The Dingoes' reunion album Tracks. Following tours with The Dingoes and producing their live album Live at Last, Tolhurst returned to Australia in 2010 to continue his production and performance career.

Reformation

On 27 August 2009, The Dingoes were honored with induction into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame, joining esteemed artists such as Kev Carmody, Little Pattie, and Mental As Anything. Presented by Richard Clapton, they performed "Way Out West" along with "Boy on the Run". Melbourne drummer Ashley Davies (formerly of Wild Pumpkins at Midnight) joined Bois, Smith, Stockley, and Tolhurst for this reformation. Together they recorded the album Tracks during late 2009 and early 2010. Released on 6 August 2010 alongside an Australian tour, the album entered the ARIA Country Music Top 20 Chart at No. 14. In October that year, their debut album from 1974, The Dingoes, was recognized within the publication 100 Best Australian Albums.

In 2012, John Bois published his memoir titled The Dingoes' Lament through Melbourne Books. Toward the end of that year, the band reunited briefly for several concerts across Victoria featuring the four surviving original members alongside Ashley Davies on drums. This mini-tour included three sold-out performances at Melbourne’s Caravan Music Club in Oakleigh, supported by artists Steve Hoy and Ross Hannaford.

In May 2023, it was announced on Smith's official website that he had passed away at age 75.

Members

Active members

• Kerryn Tolhurst – rhythm and lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals (1973–1979, 2009–present)
• John Bois – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing and occasional lead vocals (1973–1979, 2009–present)
• Chris Stockley – lead guitar, backing vocals (1973–1978, 2009–present)
• Ashley Davies – drums (2009–present)

Past members

• Broderick Smith – lead vocals, harmonica (1973–1979, 2009–2023; deceased)
• John Lee – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1973–1974, 1976–1979)
• John Strangio – bass guitar (1973)
• Mal Logan – keyboards (1973–1974)
• Ray Arnott – drums, backing vocals (1974–1976)
• Andrew Jeffers-Hardin – guitar (1978–1979)

Timeline

Studio albums

Studio albums with Australian chart rankings

Album Title	Details	Highest Chart Position
		(AUS)
The Dingoes	Released: 1974 Label: Mushroom (L35110) Format: LP	24
Five Times the Sun	Released: 1977 Label: A&M (L36237) Format: LP	25
Orphans of the Storm	Released: 1979 Label: A&M (L36721) Format: LP	32
Tracks	Released: 6 August 2010 Label: Liberation Music (LMCD 0107) Format: CD	84

Live albums

Live album information

Album Title	Details
Live at Last	Released: 2011 Label: Liberation Music (LMCD 0131) Format: Double CD

Compilation albums

Compilation albums with Australian chart data

Album Title	Details	Peak Chart Position
		AUS
Way Out West – The Best of The Dingoes	Released: 1992 Label: Mushroom (D24508) Format: CD	—
Five Times the Sun ... and Other Delicacies	Released: 1995 Label: A&M (540318-2) Format: CD	—
"—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts.

Other appearances

Year	Song contributed	Album appearance
1976	"When a Man Loves a Woman" (cover of Percy Sledge)	group="nb"|name="Station"}
	"Marijuana Hell" (live version)	Live at the Station

ARIA Music Awards

Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding accomplishments within the Australian music scene. In 2009, The Dingoes earned induction into the prestigious ARIA Hall of Fame.

|- | 2009 | The Dingoes | ARIA Hall of Fame |

External links

• [ The Dingoes] on AllMusic
• The Dingoes discography at MusicBrainz
• The Dingoes on Milesago