The Pleazers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 in Brisbane, Australia |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Pleazers were a rhythm and blues band originating from Australia, who gained popularity in New Zealand. Formed initially in Brisbane under the name G-Men in 1964, they produced a single studio album titled Definitely Pleazers in 1966 before their dissolution in 1967.
History
The group originated in Brisbane during 1964 as the G-Men, featuring Jim Cerezo on lead guitar, Dennis Gilmore on drums, Vince Lipton handling bass, Billy London as vocalist, and Peter Newing playing rhythm guitar. Shortly thereafter, they relocated to Sydney, adopted the name the Pleazers, and adjusted their lineup to include Gilmore, London, Newing, lead vocalist Bobby Bacon, lead guitarist Bruce "Phantom" Robinson, and bassist Ronnie Peel, who had previously been part of the Mystics and the Missing Links.
Under contract with Eldred Stebbing of Zodiac Records, the band moved to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1965. Following an appearance on the television program Let's Go, their debut single "Last Night" failed to achieve significant success; however, their rendition of Them's "Gloria" released in February 1965 managed to enter the national singles chart. Music critic Richie Unterberger from AllMusic recognized them as among the limited New Zealand acts adept at British Invasion and R&B-influenced rock & roll.
In early 1966, English-born singer Shane Hales replaced Bacon as lead vocalist. The following March saw the release of a five-track EP entitled A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers, featuring Gilmore, Hales, London, Newing, Peel, and Robertson. Notably, "Bald Headed Woman" from this collection was later included on the compilation CD Pebbles, Volume 12: The World (1999).
Their first full-length album Definitely Pleazers, produced by John Hawkins, was issued by Zodiac Records in 1966. Later that year, they returned to Australia with Gus Fenwick taking over bass duties from Peel. The band ultimately disbanded in 1967. In 1987, Raven Records released a compilation album named A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers, which Unterberger rated three out of five stars for its solid British Invasion-inspired rock sound centered mainly on original compositions.
Members
- Jim Cerezo – lead guitar (formerly G-Men 1964)
- Denis 'Speedy' Gilmore – drums (formerly G-Men 1964)
- Vince Lipton – bass guitar (formerly G-Men 1964)
- Billy Bacon (London) – lead vocals (formerly The London Bros 1964)
- Peter 'Bunt' Newing – rhythm guitar (formerly G-Men 1964)
- Bob Cooper (also known as London) – lead vocals (formerly The London Bros 1964)
- Bruce "Phantom" Robinson – lead guitar (joined The Pleazers January 1965)
- Ronnie Peel – bass guitar (formerly Missing Links Sydney 1965)
- Shane Hales (also Trevor Hales) – lead vocals (New Zealand 1965)
- Gus Fenwick – bass guitar (formerly The Layabouts 1966)
Albums
- Definitely Pleazers (1966) – Zodiac Records (ZLP 1026)
- A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers (compilation, 1987) – Raven Records
Extended plays
- A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers (March 1966) Zodiac Records (EPZ 133)
- "Baby Jane," "Thou Shalt Not Steal," "I'm Movin' On," "Bald Headed Woman," "Don't Give Me no Lip Child"
Singles
- "Last Night" / "Poor Girl" (1965)
- "Gloria" / "That Lonely Feeling" (1965)
- "Like Columbus Did" / "Sometimes" (1965)
- "Is It Over, Baby" / "Hurtin' All Over" (1966)
- "Guilty" / "Can't Pretend" (1966)
- "Here Today" / "La La Lies" (1967)
- "Three Cool Cats" / "Security" (1967)