The Twilights

The Twilights

Company type	Private
Industry	Music
Founded	1964 in Adelaide, Australia
Headquarters	Adelaide , Australia
Products	Rock music, albums, singles

The Twilights emerged as an Australian rock ensemble in 1964, originating from Adelaide. The original lineup featured Peter Brideoake on rhythm guitar, John Bywaters handling bass duties, Clem "Paddy" McCartney, and Glenn Shorrock as lead vocalist. Within a year, the group expanded with the addition of Terry Britten on lead guitar and Laurie Pryor on drums. Drawing inspiration from the British Invasion, they quickly established themselves as a leading Australian band during the mid-1960s, celebrated for their instrumental skills, compelling stage presence, and embrace of global musical trends. Their most notable success was a rendition of "Needle in a Haystack," initially performed by the Velvelettes, which reached number one on the Go-Set singles chart in 1966. That same year, they claimed victory in the Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds competition, securing an opportunity to travel to London.

Despite efforts to penetrate the UK music scene, their attempts did not yield significant results. Back home in Australia, they achieved a number three hit with "What's Wrong with the Way I Live?" (1967), penned by members of the Hollies. Additional top-five singles included "Young Girl" and "Cathy Come Home," both released in 1967. Their musical style later evolved to incorporate elements of psychedelia. In 1968, they produced a pilot episode for a sitcom modeled after The Monkees for the Seven Network, but it was never aired due to the withdrawal of sponsorship. Following diminishing chart performance and the exit of their manager Gary Spry, the band dissolved in early 1969. After disbanding, Shorrock went on to form Axiom and subsequently fronted Little River Band, while Britten achieved international acclaim as a songwriter for artists including Cliff Richard and Tina Turner.

1964–1965

Formed in mid-1964 within Elizabeth, a suburb on the outskirts of Adelaide, South Australia, The Twilights began as a beat pop outfit. The founding members comprised Frank Barnard on drums, Peter Brideoake playing rhythm guitar, John Bywaters on bass, Kevin Peek as lead guitarist, Clem "Paddy" McCartney, and Glenn Shorrock sharing lead vocal duties. Several members had previously played with bands such as the Hurricanes and the Checkmates. Their ambition was to pursue careers as pop musicians rather than engage in factory employment.

Taking cues from influential British groups like the Beatles, the Hollies, the Who, and the Small Faces, they combined vocal talent from the Checkmates with instrumentalists from the Hurricanes to form a fully electric band. Shortly after formation, Kevin Peek departed and was succeeded by Terry Britten on lead guitar. By late 1964, they secured representation under Melbourne-based manager Gary Spry.

Their first single release was "I'll Be Where You Are" backed with "I Don't Know Where the Wind Will Blow Me," issued through EMI's Columbia Records in June 1965. Both songs were co-written by members of The Twilights and managed to enter the Kent Music Report's top 100 chart.

Known for energetic live shows, The Twilights quickly developed a strong following. While Adelaide would later produce other musically proficient groups, Spry's dedicated management positioned them as an emerging major act. Early in 1965, Barnard left due to Spry's strict policy against romantic partners accompanying the band on tour; he was replaced by Laurie Pryor on drums. Spry also encouraged a move to Melbourne late that year, where they secured a three-month engagement at his nightclub Pinocchio's. Their proficiency at performing current hit songs contributed to their growing popularity within Melbourne’s music scene.

1966

Beginning in April 1966, the Twilights took part in Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, securing victory in the South Australian state final held at Thebarton Town Hall, where they outperformed the Masters Apprentices. In July, at Festival Hall, Melbourne, they triumphed in the national final, earning additional points for their sound quality, originality, stage presentation, and audience engagement. Due to a rule restricting group members to five, McCartney did not perform during their winning set but rejoined the band for the encore. Their first-place prize included a trip to the United Kingdom, and they embarked on their journey to London on 26 September 1966 aboard the passenger ship Castel Felice.

Their most successful national chart entry was a rendition of the Velvelettes' "Needle in a Haystack" released in August 1966, which climbed to No. 1 on Go-Set’s National Top 40 by October, overtaking the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine". The follow-up single, "You Got Soul" (December), reached No. 24 across Australia. While residing in London, they issued a self-titled album in December 1966 under EMI/Columbia, produced by David Mackay. This album combined original compositions, tracks penned by Barry Gibb and Hans Poulsen, and mod-rock covers that were concert staples.

During their time in London, the band embraced Mod hairstyles and Carnaby Street fashion trends, mirroring styles popularized by the Beatles. Despite optimistic expectations, they were taken aback by the caliber of British bands and found it challenging to land lucrative engagements. They completed a week-long residency at Liverpool's Cavern club to favorable reviews. Under their EMI agreement, they recorded three songs at Abbey Road Studios with producer-engineer Norman Smith, known for his work with the Beatles on "Penny Lane"; he also permitted them to observe those sessions. Nevertheless, their efforts to penetrate the UK music scene did not achieve commercial success.

1967

Upon their February 1967 return to Australia, the Twilights released their take on the Hollies' "What's Wrong with the Way I Live?", which reached No. 3 nationally. Written by Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, and Graham Nash of the Hollies, it was recorded at Abbey Road and featured intricate harmonies alongside a distinctive banjo motif. The single's B-side, "9.50," composed by Britten, is a psychedelic rock piece later covered by Divinyls during the early 1980s.

Their subsequent single "Young Girl" (May), authored by Pryor and recorded at Abbey Road Studios, highlighted Britten’s use of a variable volume pedal and attained a peak position of No. 4. The B-side track "Time and Motion Study Man" incorporated sitar instrumentation and conveyed social commentary reflecting Britten’s interest in Eastern philosophies. Although some critics expressed skepticism toward Australian groups experimenting with exotic instruments, the Twilights received acknowledgment for effectively integrating these influences.

In November 1967, they released "Cathy Come Home" / "The Way They Play," both featuring sitar elements. Inspired by the 1966 BBC-TV drama of the same title, this single reached No. 4 but marked their final appearance within the top ten charts. "Cathy Come Home" also initiated Britten’s ongoing practice of drawing creative inspiration from film and television productions in his songwriting. Additionally, the band performed albums such as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (June 1967) and Small Faces' Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (May 1968) with remarkable accuracy shortly before their official Australian releases.

1968

The Seven Network approached the group to create a weekly sitcom modeled after The Monkees and the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night, initially backed by Ford Motor Company. However, Ford later withdrew its sponsorship, and without securing an alternative backer, the project was ultimately abandoned. Concurrently, all members collaborated with the studio ensemble Pastoral Symphony to release a rendition of "Love Machine" in May 1968, which climbed to No. 10 on the charts.

Tracks originally intended for the television show’s soundtrack were repurposed as the Twilights' sophomore album, Once Upon a Twilight, released in June 1968. Despite this, singles from the album saw limited success; only "Always" was issued as a single in May, peaking at No. 40. Manager Spry stepped down mid-year due to conflicting business commitments. The band’s declining chart performance indicated a waning phase in their career.

Nevertheless, 1968 marked the pinnacle of their achievements. They were pioneers among Australian groups in adopting British-made Marshall amplifiers, which contributed to their robust sound and precise musicianship. In the 1968 Go-Set pop poll, they earned the distinction of Australia’s Top Group. Their live sets blended original compositions with popular Motown and soul covers, often incorporating comedic elements such as Shorrock’s persona "Superdroop."

Their August 1968 single "Tell Me Goodbye" / "Comin' on Down", recorded at Armstrong's Studios under producer MacKay, did not manage to enter the top 40.

By late 1968, internal strains surfaced as members grew tired of relentless touring. Their final single, "Sand in the Sandwiches" (November 1968), produced by New Zealand’s Howard Gable, adopted a playful beach theme but failed both commercially and critically. The B-side, "Lotus", showcased their musical strengths but received minimal radio exposure.

1969: Breakup

The group officially dissolved early in 1969 following Pryor’s departure, as he was unwilling to undertake a second trip to the UK. The remaining members announced their disbandment in Go-Set on 22 January and planned farewell performances in Sydney and Melbourne. Their concluding concert in New South Wales at the Sydney Trocadero attracted 5,000 attendees, with many more unable to gain entry. The final Melbourne appearance took place at Bertie’s Discotheque.

According to McFarlane, the Twilights’ style, musicianship, and songwriting were among the closest Australian acts came to matching international influences. Richie Unterberger from AllMusic characterized them as skilled, harmony-rich British Invasion-style rock reminiscent of the Hollies. Nimmervoll emphasized their significance as a crucial transitional force in Australian music history, bridging the gap between overseas imitation and an emerging local identity.

Post break-up

Both of their studio albums were re-released under EMI's budget imprint, Music for Pleasure. In 1983, a live recording titled Twilight Time Live was issued, followed by the 1989 CD compilation The Way They Played, curated by Baker and released through Raven Records. Aztec Music undertook a remastering of Once Upon a Twilight in 2006, featuring both mono and stereo versions.

Following his departure from the Twilights, Spry concentrated on managing the Groove and operating his booking firm AMBO (Australian Musicians Booking Organisation), which he co-founded in 1967 alongside other managers. Shorrock had a brief stint managing Brisbane's teen-pop band the Avengers and also contributed to AMBO. By late 1969, he became the lead vocalist for Axiom, alongside Brian Cadd and Don Mudie; the group released two albums and several successful singles before dissolving in 1971. Subsequently, Shorrock co-founded Little River Band (active 1975–1982 and 1987–1996) and developed a solo career.

Britten transitioned into freelance songwriting and production for Australian artists such as Zoot and Ronnie Burns. In 1969, he returned to England to establish Quartet with Peek, Alan Tarney, and Trevor Spencer; the band issued one single before disbanding. Britten later penned hits for notable performers including Cliff Richard, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and Australian singer Christie Allen.

Pryor played with progressive rock group Healing Force and then Chain between 1971 and 1972 before becoming a studio session musician. He passed away on 19 May 2010 at age 63 following an illness. Brideoake went back to Adelaide in 1969 to study composition under Richard Meale at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, where he began teaching in 1975.

Reunions

Except for Pryor, who was unable to participate due to illness, the final lineup consisting of Brideoake, Britten, Bywaters, McCartney, and Shorrock reunited for two Beatles tribute shows entitled All You Need Is... the Beatles held in Adelaide in November 2000. The Twilights performed alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as well as guests Doc Neeson and Ross Wilson. They regrouped once more for the Long Way to the Top national concert tour in 2002 after appearing in the TV documentary series of the same name broadcast on ABC in August 2001.

On 28 March 2014, Bywaters became the inaugural inductee into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame. Later that year on 10 October, Shorrock was inducted, followed by McCartney, Brideoake, and Britten during April 2015. The surviving members reunited again for an all-star Rock of Ages concert promoted by Aztec Music at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre in 2011. Peter Arthur Brideoake (born 1945) died on 4 February 2022 at age 76.

Personnel

• Frank Barnard – drums (1964–1965)
• Peter Brideoake – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1964–1969; deceased 2022)
• John Bywaters – bass guitar (1964–1969)
• Clem "Paddy" McCartney – lead vocals (1964–1969)
• Kevin Peek – lead guitar (1964; deceased 2013)
• Glenn Shorrock – lead vocals (1964–1969)
• Terry Britten – lead guitar, vocals (1964–1969)
• Laurie Pryor – drums (1965–1969; deceased 2010)

Albums

• The Twilights (December 1966) – EMI/Columbia Records (33OSX-7779); reissued in 1968 by Music for Pleasure and again in 1996 by EMI
• Once Upon a Twilight (June 1968) – EMI/Columbia Records (OSX-7870 mono; SECO 7870 stereo)
• Best of The Twilights (compilation released in 1969) – His Master's Voice (OELP-9777)
• The Twilights: The Way They Played (compilation from 1978) – EMI; reissued by Raven Records in 1989 and again in 1996 (RVCD-03)
• Twilight Time Live (live album issued in 1983) – Raven RVLP-08

Extended plays

• Bad Boy (1966) – Released by Columbia Records (SEGO-70129)
• Needle in a Haystack (1967) – Issued through Columbia Records (SEGO-70139)
• Always (1968) – Distributed by Columbia Records (SEGO-70161)

Singles

• "I'll Be Where You Are" / "I Don't Know Where The Wind Will Blow Me" (June 1965) – Columbia (DO 4582), AUS KMR: Peaked at No. 66
• "Come on Home" (October 1965) – Columbia (DO 4610), AUS KMR: Reached No. 95
• "If She Finds Out" / "John Hardy" (February 1966) – Columbia (DO 4658), AUS KMR: Climbed to No. 24
• "Baby Let Me Take You Home" (May 1966) – Columbia (DO 4685), AUS KMR: Attained No. 75
• "Bad Boy" (June 1966) – Columbia (DO 4698)
• "Needle in a Haystack" (August 1966) – Columbia (DO 4717), AUS Go-Set: Topped at No. 1, AUS KMR: No. 2
• "You Got Soul" (December 1966) – Columbia (DO 4742), AUS Go-Set & KMR: Positioned at No. 24
• "What's Wrong with the Way I Live" (February 1967) – Columbia (DO 4764), AUS Go-Set: No. 3, KMR: No. 7
• "Young Girl" (May 1967) – Columbia (DO 4787), AUS Go-Set: No. 4, KMR: No. 11
• "Bowling Brings out the Swinger in You" / instrumental version – EMI Custom PRS 1736 (promotional release, 1967)
• "Cathy Come Home" / "The Way They Play" (November 1967) – Columbia (DO 5030), AUS Go-Set: No. 4, KMR: No. 8
• "Always" (May 1968) – Columbia (DO 8361), AUS Go-Set: Reached No.40, KMR: No.36
• "Tell Me Goodbye" / "Comin' on Down" (August 1968) – Columbia (DO 8448), AUS KMR: No.44
• "Sand in the Sandwiches" (November 1968) – Columbia DO 8602

Go-Set Pop Poll

The Go-Set Pop Poll, organized annually by the youth-oriented music magazine Go-Set from 1966 through to 1972, surveyed readers to identify favored artists.

|- | 1966 | the group | Best Australian Group | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up |- | 1967 | the group | Top Australian Group | style="background:silver;"| Runner-up |- | 1968 | the group | Best Australian Group | style="background:gold;"| Winner |-

South Australian Music Awards

Since its inception in 2012, the South Australian Music Awards hosted by SA Music have honored local musicians and oversee the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.

! |- | 2018 | The Twilights | Inducted into Hall of Fame | |-

External links

• Archived page for "The Twilights" originally from Nostalgia Central as of August 27, 2003; accessed October 14, 2023.