When the sun sets over Carlton

The Australian rock scene of the 70s was at its best, courtesy of Marshall Amplification and bands like the Skyhooks, Sports, Company Caine, Mighty Kong, The Toads and Murtceps.

For the best part of the seventies Australia created ever more sophisticated popular rock bands that had re-drawn the boundaries of acceptability and given the youth of Australia its own music, so no JOK, Johnny Chester or Delltones; but JOK did make the stage at Sunbury to a surprisingly joyous crowd, about the time l was looking for my clothes l had left on the river bank.

To celebrate the 70s, Warner Music & Festival Records have released a new double CD set When the Sun Sets over Carlton: Melbourne’s Countercultural Inner City Rock Scene of the ‘70’s. A deluxe 2CD set documents the arts and politics-infused rock scene that gave Melbourne and Australia such multi-faceted cultural icons as Paul Kelly, Joe Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, Jane Clifton, Peter Lillie, Ross...

ELO

In September, Shock Entertainment will release Live in Hyde Park by Jeff Lynne’s ELO on DVD and Blue-ray and digital formats. This release offers fantastic value with full length concert and feature length documentary on the same disc.
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The Production Company presents their 2015 season with West Side Story, starring Anna O’Byrne who is returning from London to play Maria and Gareth Keegan who starred in Show Boat last season, is Tony. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set on New York’s Upper West Side in the mid 1950’s where racial and social tensions are high. There are only 10 performances 11-19 July at the State Theatre.

Nice Work If You Can Get It is the new Gershwin musical comedy and features many of George Gershwin’s biggest hits. This 1920’s era musical features some extravagant dance numbers and glittering costumes. It is an unlikely love story between a wealthy playboy and the feisty bootlegger. Starring Rohan Browne (Singin’ in the Rain) who plays wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter and Esther Hannaford (King Kong, Hairspray) is Billie Bendix, the feisty bootlegger who is on the run from the law. 10 performances only 15-23 August. Jerry Herman’s ...

PABLO RETURNS

Pablo Francisco is a stand-up comedian of Chilean origin
His stand-up act was introduced to America at large when he landed his own half-hour comedy special on Comedy Central Presents in 2000. In 2001 and 2002, Francisco toured as part of ‘The Three Amigos’ with Carlos Mencia and Freddy Soto. Since then, he has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Mind of Menica as ‘The Voiceover Dude’ and recently Frank TV. Pablo Francisco will return to Australia for his 4th national tour, performing in Melbourne in April 2015. When Pablo Francisco hits the stage, he immediately brings his audiences to their feet with boisterous laughter and applause. He weaves together his arsenal of characters, spontaneous outbursts, and clever insights to create a stand-up show that more resembles an hour-long comedic jazz riff. He is an off-the-wall, animated character that points out the absurdity in an illogical, pop-culture obsessed world. His unmatched take on all...

Gary Turner – Entertainment

NOEL FIELDING

Noel Fielding, star of multi award winning comedy duo The Mighty Boosh, will return to Australia for a national tour in April 2015. Noel will present a unique brand of standup comedy, live animation, music and some of Fielding’s best known TV characters including The Moon and Fantasy Man. There will also be muscular support from the loose stylings of Mike Fielding (Naboo/Smooth). Noel’s additional television credits include The IT Crowd as well as appearances in Doll and Em, How Not to Live Your Life, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. He also co-presented Comic Relief does Top of the Pops. Noel has also been a team captain on the last four series of the long running music show Nevermind The Buzzcocks. Noel’s film credits include the BAFTA nominated short, Sweet, the debut feature from Mighty Boosh director Paul King, Bunny and the Bull and Horrid Henry: The Movie. Noel has held two exhibitions of his ar...

Baz Luhrmann’s much-loved hit show Strictly Ballroom the Musical will open in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre on the 17th January 2015.

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL had its Global Premiere on Saturday 12 April at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. This new production is staged by the original creative team behind the classic 1992 film, including director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann, set and costume designer Catherine Martin, choreographer John O’Connell and co-writer Craig Pearce.

Strictly Ballroom the Musical is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart. This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of students at the National Institute of Dramatic Art back in 1984.

Tickets for Strictly Ballroom the Musical are on sale now from www.ticketek.com.au or telephone 132 849. They will appear at the Rod Laver Arena on April 8th. Ticke...

SLOW HAND



Eric Clapton (born Eric Patrick Clapp) was a stained glass window designer before he took on a career as a blues guitarist. Clapton was influenced by artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B King, Albert King and Elmore James. Eric’s real break came in 1963 when he joined The Yardbirds just in time for the first British invasion on the American rock and roll scene. Clapton only last 12 months claiming the band had become far too commercial.

Three years later in 1966 Robert Stigwood met jazz drummer Ginger Baker (Peter Baker) who was working with Alexis Korner and Scottish bass player, Jack Bruce who was working with Manfred Mann and matched them up with Clapton. The three agreed to work together under the name ‘Cream’, and Stigwood produced their first single Wrapping Paper.

In 1967 Cream debuted in the USA with the release of their first album Fresh Cream which turned Gold and a hit single I Feel Free. By the end of 1968 Cream...

Gary Turner – Entertainment

Ross D Wylie (surname is actually spelt Wyllie) was born in 1948 and grew up in Brisbane. As a young child he suffered polio that left him with a limp. Ross turned to music and by the time he was 16 he was singing in local band The Kodiaks before releasing his first single Short Skirts followed by A Bit of Love.


Ross was later offered the job of compere for a new pop show called ‘Uptight’ and moved to Melbourne. ‘Uptight’ was then born in October 1967.

Two years later Ross recorded the Ray Stevens song Funny Man which became Ross’ first national hit. It was followed by a Johnny Young composition The Star (arranged by John Farrar) which became a No.1 hit and was also recorded by Herman’s Hermits.

Ross later left the television series and teamed up with Fable Records in 1971 and recorded He Gives Us all His Love (a Randy Newman song) and It Takes Time. In 1972 he released Sweet White Dove produced by...

PRINCE

He sings, dances, writes songs, plays guitar, piano, horns, and his music has conquered the world. Prince (real name Prince Rogers Nelson) has been compared to Jimi Hendrix for his appearance and guitar playing skills, Michael Jackson for his record sales and statue and David Bowie for his sexual outrageousness. It has been 5 years since Prince put out a record and now he is planning to release two at the same time. “Plectrumelectrum’ and ‘Art Official Age’ will be release next month in conjunction with a series of Special events.

ROD STEWART TOUR Hot off the heels of a spectacular summer of sold-out concerts and rocking the opening of the Commonwealth Games before a worldwide audience of more than 1.5 billion viewers, Rod Stewart has announced that he will tour Australia in 2015. Frontier Touring announced nine concerts across Australia plus Special outdoor concerts at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley and the iconic Hanging Rock in Macedon. Notably Ro...

Grinspoon, one of Australia’s favourite rock bands announce hiatus before their final show for 2013.

Seven albums, 13 ARIA nominations, over half a million records sold and a back catalogue that’s etched into Aussie rock history. They’re one of our best-loved and most enduring bands – Grinspoon.

With well over 1,000 shows, six consecutive Top 10 album debuts and multi-platinum sales across an amazing 18 year career, it’s fair to say Grinspoon have earned time off. And so the band wish to announce that they’re taking a long-term, indefinite break – founding members Phil Jamieson, Pat Davern, Joe Hansen and Kristian Hopes going on hiatus to pursue individual projects for the forseeable future. www.grinspoon.com.au

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Australia’s Number One Party Musical ‘Grease’ arrives at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne on January 2, 2014 after electrifying sell-out seasons in Brisbane and Sydney. Due to huge demand, new tickets will go on sale on December 2 for performances...