The Sports
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Stephen Cummings |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Studio albums: Reckless (1978), Don't Throw Stones (1979), Suddenly (1980), Sondra (1981) |
The Sports were an Australian rock ensemble active between 1976 and 1981. The group featured prominent members such as lead singer Stephen Cummings, bassist Robert Glover, drummer Paul Hitchins, guitarist and vocalist Andrew Pendlebury, and guitarist Martin Armiger. Their musical approach combined elements of 1970s British pub rock with new wave styles. They secured several top forty hits including "Who Listens to the Radio", "Don't Throw Stones", "Strangers on a Train", and "How Come". Their albums Don't Throw Stones (1979), Suddenly (1980), and Sondra (1981) all reached the top 20 on the Australian Kent Music Report charts.
In 2010, the album Don't Throw Stones was honored in the publication 100 Best Australian Albums.
History
Established in 1976 by Stephen Cummings, who previously performed with Melbourne’s rockabilly band The Pelaco Brothers, The Sports initially consisted of Cummings alongside former Pelaco guitarist Ed Bates, bassist Robert Glover, pianist Jim Niven, and drummer Paul Hitchins. Their early setlists featured a mix of cover songs and original compositions primarily written by Cummings and Bates. Their first release was the four-track EP Fair Game (1977) issued through independent label Zac Records, which attracted significant attention from London's New Musical Express.
Mirroring rock trends prevalent in London at the time, The Sports presented a new wave alternative to punk rock, with critics drawing parallels between Cummings and Mick Jagger and highlighting Bates' slide guitar work. Guitarist Andrew Pendlebury joined the lineup in 1977, adding to the band’s songwriting efforts. Their debut full-length album, Reckless (1978), produced by Joe Camilleri of The Pelaco Brothers, earned favorable critiques for fusing 1950s influences with a modern edge but was noted for not capturing the vibrancy of their live shows.
The album’s lead single, "Boys! (What Did the Detective Say?)", reached No. 55 on the Australian Kent Music Report. In 1978, Martin Armiger replaced Bates, steering the band towards a more commercial sound. This lineup supported Graham Parker & the Rumour during tours across Australia and the UK between 1978 and 1979. They also opened for Thin Lizzy at a major concert held at Sydney Opera House in 1978.
Their sophomore album, Don't Throw Stones (1979), produced by Pete Solley and Dave Robinson, climbed to No. 9 on Australian charts and produced two top 40 singles: "Who Listens to the Radio", which also attained No. 45 on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart, along with the title track. Early recordings were internationally released under this album’s name by Stiff Records.
The third studio effort, Suddenly (1980), continued collaboration with producer Solley and displayed a more polished pop sound aimed at wider commercial success. It peaked at No. 13 in Australia, featuring the lead single "Strangers on a Train" which reached No. 22. During this era, drummer Paul Hitchins was succeeded by Iain McLennan, who was later replaced by Freddie Strauks due to health concerns; keyboard duties transitioned from Jim Niven to Red Symons.
In 1981, The Sports scored another top 30 hit with "How Come" alongside a top 20 placing for their album Sondra. The group dissolved later that year as members embarked on individual paths: Cummings pursued a solo career; Armiger focused on composing for film and television; Pendlebury joined The Dugites; Strauks became part of Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons; Glover collaborated with Wilbur Wilde.
They briefly reunited for Mushroom Records' 25th anniversary concert in November 1998.
Keyboardist Jim Niven died from cancer in April 2012.
Members
- Stephen Cummings – lead singer (1976–1981)
- Andrew Pendlebury – guitar, backing vocals (1976–1981)
- Ed Bates – guitar (1976–1978)
- Jim Niven – keyboards, backing vocals (1976–1980; deceased 2012)
- Robert Glover – bass guitar (1976–1981)
- Paul Hitchins – drums (1976–1980)
- Martin Armiger – guitar, backing vocals (1978–1981; deceased 2019)
- Red Symons – keyboardist (1980)
- Iain McLennan – drummer (1980)
- Freddie Strauks – drums (1980–1981)
Studio albums
- Reckless (1978)
- Don't Throw Stones (1979)
- Suddenly (1980)
- Sondra (1981)
Live albums
- Missin' Your Kissing (1987)
King of Pop Awards
The King of Pop Awards, determined by readers of TV Week, were held annually from 1967 through 1978.
|- | 1978 | the band | Most Popular New Group | |-
TV Week / Countdown Awards
Countdown, an Australian music television program broadcast on ABC-TV between 1974 and 1987, collaborated with TV Week to present music awards from 1979 to 1987. These accolades combined votes from both the public and industry professionals.
|- | 1979 | the band | Most Outstanding Achievement | |-