The Pink Finks
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Pop and R&B music singles and EPs |
The Pink Finks were a Melbourne-based Australian pop and R&B group active during the mid-1960s. They hold significance as the initial band to include both Ross Wilson and Ross Hannaford, who later gained widespread recognition with Daddy Cool.
History
Established in early 1965, the band originated when 16-year-old R&B aficionado Ross Wilson joined Rick Dalton and Ross Hannaford’s school ensemble, The Fauves, which primarily performed covers of The Shadows and The Ventures. The Pink Finks functioned on a part-time basis while the members were still attending school. Their musical style, heavily influenced by British groups such as The Rolling Stones, concentrated on R&B and blues cover songs.
In early 1965, David Cameron took over guitar duties from original member Rick Dalton, who subsequently became part of Running Jumping Standing Still, a group featuring former members of The Missing Links.
Throughout their short-lived existence, The Pink Finks released four singles. Their first record was a rendition of The Kingsmen’s "Louie Louie", issued on their own Mojo label, which achieved local success by reaching #16 in Melbourne in June 1965. Later singles included interpretations of The Shirelles’ "Untie Me", Howlin' Wolf’s "Back Door Man", and "It Hurts Me So" originally by the Spencer Davis Group.
In early 1966, Franklin, Cameron, and Ratz departed to attend university and were succeeded by Chris Kinman on bass, Leigh Lansdown on drums, and Jimmy Niven on keyboards. August 1966 saw Michael Edwards join the lineup adding trumpet and saxophone. Niven later became involved with the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band and The Sports.
Richard Franklin shifted his career from music to film directing, earning credits for films such as Roadgames, Psycho II, and Hotel Sorrento. He died in 2007.
After completing his studies at the NIDA, David Cameron pursued acting and directing. His acting credits include Australian television series like Bellbird as well as films like Mad Max. He later moved into directing television projects and currently teaches at The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA).
Wilson and Hannaford went on to join several influential bands including The Party Machine, Sons of the Vegetal Mother, Daddy Cool, and Mighty Kong.
Chris Kinman relocated back to Brisbane in the late 1960s and established Kinman Guitar Electrix in 1996, a company specializing in boutique guitar pickups.
Leigh Lansdown teamed up with UK native Duncan Fry to form "The Harris Tweed Band" in 1965, which remains active primarily performing in Melbourne’s southern suburbs.
Personnel
- David Cameron – guitar
- Rick Dalton – guitar/vocals
- Michael Edwards – saxophone/trumpet (1966)
- Richard Franklin – drums
- Ross Hannaford – vocals/guitar
- Chris Kinman – bass (1966)
- Leigh Lansdown – drums (1966)
- Jimmy Niven – keyboards (1966)
- Geoff Ratz – bass
- Ross Wilson – vocals/guitar
Singles
- "Untie Me" (Joe South) / "Nowhere to Run" (1965) [In INS2451]
- "Back Door Man" / "Somethin' Else" (1965) [In INS2505]
- "Louie Louie" / "Got Love If You Want It" (Slim Harpo) (1965) [Mojo 001]
- "You're Good For Me" (Johnny Chester) / "Comin' Home Baby" (1966) [W&G S2625]
- "It Hurts Me So" (Steve Winwood) / "Drop Down Mama" (1987) [From The Vault FTV2]
EPs
- In Group (1965) [In E2558]
- Louie Louie (December 1980) [Raven RV06] – features Louie, Louie, Back Door Man, Comin' Home, You're Good For Me, Rub My Root, Somethin' Else, Untie Me