Jump to content

Wild Cherries

From Alfawiki
The Wild Cherries
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1964
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
ProductsMusic singles, albums

The Wild Cherries emerged as an Australian rock ensemble in late 1964, initially focusing on R&B and jazz before transforming into a prominent psychedelic group within Melbourne's dance circuit.[1][2]

By 1967, the band featured founding member Les Gilbert on keyboards, drummer Keith Barber, bassist Peter Eddey, guitarist Lobby Loyde (formerly of The Purple Hearts), and vocalist Dan Robinson. Under the Festival Records label, they issued four singles, with "Krome Plated Yabby" (June 1967) and "That's Life" (November 1967) achieving positions within the Go-Set National Top 40.[1][3]

In 2007, Half A Cow Records released a compilation titled The Wild Cherries: That's Life. Subsequently, Lobby Loyde went on to join Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, establish Lobby Loyde & the Coloured Balls, and develop a solo career.[1]

Early years: 1964–1966

During 1964, architecture students at Melbourne University—John Bastow (vocals), Rob Lovett (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Les Gilbert (bass guitar)—formed The Wild Cherries. Although trained as a classical pianist, Gilbert initially played bass and devised the band's name through a chain of associations: Chuck Berry – Buck Cherry – Black Cherries – Wild Cherries. Soon after, blues musician Malcolm McGee (lead guitar, vocals) and drummer Geoff Hales joined the lineup. Their first performance took place at Melbourne’s inaugural discothèque, the Fat Black Pussycat in South Yarra. Shortly thereafter, Kevin Murphy replaced Hales on drums.

This ensemble recorded an informal rendition of Manfred Mann’s "Without You" before Lovett departed in October 1965 to become part of The Loved Ones. The remaining four members produced three additional rehearsal recordings, including a cover of John D. Loudermilk’s "Tobacco Road." Early in 1966, Murphy left for the United Kingdom and was succeeded by English-born drummer Keith Barber. The group recorded two songs—an original titled “Get out of My Life” and a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson’s "Bye Bye Bird"—but did not secure a recording contract. By June 1966, the band dissolved; McGee moved to Python Lee Jackson while Bastow resumed his studies.

Peak years: 1967–1969

At the close of 1966, Barber and Gilbert revived The Wild Cherries by recruiting vocalist Dan Robinson (previously with The Weird Mob) and bassist Peter Eddey (also from The Weird Mob). Gilbert transitioned to playing the Hammond organ. After extensive rehearsals, former Purple Hearts lead guitarist Barry Lyde—known as Lobby Loyde—joined in January 1967.

The group signed with Festival Records and undertook a week-long engagement in Sydney at the Here disco in February, substituting for Jeff St John & The Id. Upon returning to Melbourne, they secured performances at venues such as the Catcher and Sebastian’s. In April, they resumed an extended residency at Sydney’s Here Disco, receiving positive media attention and recording their debut single featuring Loyde’s "Krome Plated Yabby" alongside an incomplete Otis Redding cover.

Issued in June 1967, "Krome Plated Yabby" peaked at No. 44 on national charts. This was followed by Loyde’s "That's Life" in November, which climbed to No. 37 by January 1968. Early that year saw Eddey’s departure; he was replaced by John Phillips (formerly of The Running Jumping Standing Still) on bass.

Their third single, "Gotta Stop Lying," released in April 1968, did not chart. The final Festival single, "I Don't Care," co-written by Robinson and Loyde and characterized by a "wall of sound" production incorporating orchestration and female backing vocals, also failed to enter the charts. Following these releases, founding member Gilbert exited in September 1968; Barber, Phillips, and Robinson soon followed suit. Loyde maintained control of the band’s name.

Music historian Ian McFarlane described these Festival singles as "exciting, revolutionary excursions into a musical void with no concessions to commercial demands," highlighting their significance as classic examples of hard guitar psychedelia.

Subsequently, Loyde assembled Brisbane musicians Matt Taylor (vocals, harmonica), Barry Harvey (drums), Steve Pristash (bass), and Barry Sullivan (rhythm guitar). This formation performed briefly during October 1968 before Loyde departed to join Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs. Brian Wilson took over vocal duties while Tim Piper joined as lead guitarist in December. The Wild Cherries disbanded in April 1969 without producing further recordings. Later that year, Harvey, Piper, and Sullivan became members of Chain.

Later period: 1971–1972

In 1971, Loyde resurrected The Wild Cherries as a hard rock trio featuring Johnny Dick on drums and Teddy Toi on bass, both previously associated with Max Merritt & the Meteors and Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs. This formation issued the single "I am the Sea (Stop Killing Me)" through Havoc Records in November 1971, which was subsequently included in Raven Records' 1994 anthology Golden Miles: Australian Progressive Rock 1969–1974. The group participated in the first Sunbury Pop Festival held in January 1972 but dissolved soon after.

Post-breakup activities

Following the breakup, Loyde established Lobby Loyde & the Coloured Balls in March 1972. Meanwhile, Dick and Toi returned to perform with Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. During the 1970s, Loyde embarked on a solo trajectory and had a brief tenure with Rose Tattoo before his passing in April 2007.

Gilbert exited the music scene but resumed academic pursuits in 1975 by studying composition. Presently, he co-manages Magian Design Studio alongside Gillian Chaplin, focusing on sound and multimedia art installations.

Barber joined the New Zealand ensemble the La De Da's and moved to the United Kingdom in 1969 to record a Beatles cover under Parlophone Records. He stayed there until 1975 and succumbed to cancer in May 2005.

Dan Robinson succeeded Malcolm McGee in The Virgil Brothers, recording a single in the UK before returning to Australia. He later collaborated with several bands such as Duck, Hit and Run, Champions, and Rite on the Nite.

In 2002, Barber, Loyde, and Robinson reunited The Wild Cherries to perform live at Melbourne's Corner Hotel, showcasing their four Festival singles publicly for the first time. Shortly before Loyde’s death, Half A Cow Records released a compilation titled The Wild Cherries: That's Life in 2007.

Kevin Murphy relocated to the UK after his time with the band to join the Graham Bond Organization but returned to Australia by 1967. Between 1967 and 1971, he also played with The Virgil Brothers, Doug Parkinson, Rush, and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Murphy passed away in 1994.

Band members

  • John Bastow – lead vocals (1964–1966)
  • Malcolm McGee – lead guitar, vocals (1964–1966)
  • Rob Lovett – rhythm guitar, vocals (1964–1965)
  • Les Gilbert – bass guitar, keyboards including Hammond organ (1964–1966, 1967–1968)
  • Geoff Hales – drums (1964)
  • Kevin Murphy – drums (1964–1966)
  • Keith Barber – drums (1966, 1967–1968, 2002)
  • Dan Robinson – vocals (1967–1968, 2002)
  • Peter Eddey – bass guitar (1967–1968)
  • Lobby Loyde (also known as Barry Lyde) – guitars (1967–1969, 1971–1972, 2002)
  • John Phillips – bass guitar (1968)
  • Matt Taylor – vocals and harmonica (1968)
  • Barry Harvey – drums (1968–1969)
  • Steve Pristash – bass guitar (1968–1969)
  • Barry Sullivan – rhythm guitar (1968–1969)
  • Brian Wilson – vocals (1968–1969)
  • Tim Piper – lead guitar (1968–1969)
  • Johnny Dick – drums (1971–1972)
  • Teddy Toi – bass guitar (1971–1972)
  • Gavin Carroll – bass guitar (2002)
  • John O'Brien – keyboards (2002)

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named McF
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Miles
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GoSetWildCherries
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Wild_Cherries&oldid=79287"