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-all these pictures sent to me by peter Williams
2 months ago I did a email interview with New Zealand singer and musician Peter Williams who was a member of Max Merritt and the Meteors from 1961-67, a founding member of Australian group the Groove and a member of The Mixtures another Australian group which Part 1 was about the Max Merritt and the Meteors period, 2nd part the Groove and here is the 3rd and final part of the interview talking about the Mixtures and Now so enjoy the read everyone.
After the Groove I had a deal with MAM music writing songs with a certain amount of success a real big hit would have been desirable but it was elusive but my songs were recorded by quiet a few artists so I can't complain about that.
The Cookies and I formed a vocal group called the Spirit Of Progress(named after the express train that ran from Sydney to Melbourne in those days). We did a tour of England with Cliff Richard and found him easy to get along with. We released a single on Phillips called "hey Feet"bw Kentucky Freeway. I released a solo record "Give Me A Sign" bw My Guitar I wrote both sides.
I wrote three songs for the Mixtures This song's for you, Daddy Brings Home The Bacon and Captain Zero with Mick Flinn then I joined the band when Idris Jones left.
I can't remember my first gig with the band but we played at all the major venues in the UK working on the same circuit as Garry Glitter,the Sweet,The Searchers and many more. We Worked at the London Palladium which it was a real experience because if it's fame.
We did a ten tour week tour back in Australia to promote Captain Zero touring every state then on our return to the UK Mick Flinn left and English bass player Chris Spooner joined us. We releaed 2 or 3 more singles in the UK without success so decided to relocate back to Australia, The Mixtures had achieved success from home before so why not again but it did'nt happen and we toured Australia and NZ extensively for the next few years. Chris Spooner was a great bass player and enjoyed the Australian lifestyle eventually. Don Lebler left replaced by Willie Fennell, Fred Wieland departed soon after eventually going back to the UK he was replaced by Brenton Fosdike on guitar, Willie left and was replaced by John Petkovitch on drums. Rob Scott joined us on Keyboards. After 3 or 4 years the band decided to settle in perth for a while unfortunately Chris drowned in a fishing accident and shortly after we called it quits. Not too long after we joined forces with a band called Breakaway even joined our names and called ourselves BRIX.
In 1979 Idris, Don and I reformed to do one show outside the Opera House in Sydney with around 20 of the major acts of the 70's for Radio 2SM's Concert of the Decade to 150,000 people an amazing experience. We did a reunion with the last edition of the band in 1986 in WA for the America's Cup.
Following Bris in 79 Rob,Scott and I formed possibly Australasia's first Electronic Duo this was before the days of Drum Machines or Sequencers we called ourselves Scott and Williams,
This duo lasted for 5 years we actually had 2 Crew SOund/Paul Close. Lights/Lee Gamble. Then followed a Trio called Look Sharp myself,Paul Reynolds and Brenton Fosdike. We later joined by keyboard player Bruce Coleman(NZ band Hi Revving Tongues) and drummer Lino Constanzo to appear at the Burswood Casino in Perth.
In the late 80's I moved back across Australia to Victoria where I teamed up with David Briggs(ex Little River Band) to form a duo for live and recording work in his Melbourne studio, session work etc.
1990 was a shift back to NZ for a couple of years working with a group Backlash & solo projects.
1993 Back to Western Australia for a couple of years solo work then two years later back to Christchurch for good.
Working solo and duo with Pat Kearns as Big Daddy
More recently singing occasionally with About Time formed by Max Merritt's original drummer Peter Sowden & Brian Ringrose(Ray Columbus's original guitarist) the band also features Trevor Wright(bass) Don Mills(keyboards)Jim Phillips(sax)Dave Cooper(Sax). Also vocalists Norm Bland,Lorraine Lyles, Kelly Ensor and Anthony Easterbrook-Carter and myself.
I was hoping to finish my career with a "bang" but did'nt expect it to be the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Who knows what the future holds.
.jpeg)
-all these pictures sent to me by peter Williams
2 months ago I did a email interview with New Zealand singer and musician Peter Williams who was a member of Max Merritt and the Meteors from 1961-67, a founding member of Australian group the Groove and a member of The Mixtures another Australian group which Part 1 was about the Max Merritt and the Meteors period, 2nd part the Groove and here is the 3rd and final part of the interview talking about the Mixtures and Now so enjoy the read everyone.
After the Groove I had a deal with MAM music writing songs with a certain amount of success a real big hit would have been desirable but it was elusive but my songs were recorded by quiet a few artists so I can't complain about that.
The Cookies and I formed a vocal group called the Spirit Of Progress(named after the express train that ran from Sydney to Melbourne in those days). We did a tour of England with Cliff Richard and found him easy to get along with. We released a single on Phillips called "hey Feet"bw Kentucky Freeway. I released a solo record "Give Me A Sign" bw My Guitar I wrote both sides.
I wrote three songs for the Mixtures This song's for you, Daddy Brings Home The Bacon and Captain Zero with Mick Flinn then I joined the band when Idris Jones left.
I can't remember my first gig with the band but we played at all the major venues in the UK working on the same circuit as Garry Glitter,the Sweet,The Searchers and many more. We Worked at the London Palladium which it was a real experience because if it's fame.
We did a ten tour week tour back in Australia to promote Captain Zero touring every state then on our return to the UK Mick Flinn left and English bass player Chris Spooner joined us. We releaed 2 or 3 more singles in the UK without success so decided to relocate back to Australia, The Mixtures had achieved success from home before so why not again but it did'nt happen and we toured Australia and NZ extensively for the next few years. Chris Spooner was a great bass player and enjoyed the Australian lifestyle eventually. Don Lebler left replaced by Willie Fennell, Fred Wieland departed soon after eventually going back to the UK he was replaced by Brenton Fosdike on guitar, Willie left and was replaced by John Petkovitch on drums. Rob Scott joined us on Keyboards. After 3 or 4 years the band decided to settle in perth for a while unfortunately Chris drowned in a fishing accident and shortly after we called it quits. Not too long after we joined forces with a band called Breakaway even joined our names and called ourselves BRIX.
In 1979 Idris, Don and I reformed to do one show outside the Opera House in Sydney with around 20 of the major acts of the 70's for Radio 2SM's Concert of the Decade to 150,000 people an amazing experience. We did a reunion with the last edition of the band in 1986 in WA for the America's Cup.
Following Bris in 79 Rob,Scott and I formed possibly Australasia's first Electronic Duo this was before the days of Drum Machines or Sequencers we called ourselves Scott and Williams,
This duo lasted for 5 years we actually had 2 Crew SOund/Paul Close. Lights/Lee Gamble. Then followed a Trio called Look Sharp myself,Paul Reynolds and Brenton Fosdike. We later joined by keyboard player Bruce Coleman(NZ band Hi Revving Tongues) and drummer Lino Constanzo to appear at the Burswood Casino in Perth.
In the late 80's I moved back across Australia to Victoria where I teamed up with David Briggs(ex Little River Band) to form a duo for live and recording work in his Melbourne studio, session work etc.
1990 was a shift back to NZ for a couple of years working with a group Backlash & solo projects.
1993 Back to Western Australia for a couple of years solo work then two years later back to Christchurch for good.
Working solo and duo with Pat Kearns as Big Daddy
More recently singing occasionally with About Time formed by Max Merritt's original drummer Peter Sowden & Brian Ringrose(Ray Columbus's original guitarist) the band also features Trevor Wright(bass) Don Mills(keyboards)Jim Phillips(sax)Dave Cooper(Sax). Also vocalists Norm Bland,Lorraine Lyles, Kelly Ensor and Anthony Easterbrook-Carter and myself.
I was hoping to finish my career with a "bang" but did'nt expect it to be the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Who knows what the future holds.
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I was a close friend of Chris Spooner and his family and worked with him before he joined the Mixtures. I am aware that, following his tragic death when he was washed off a rock whilst fishing, a memorial plaque of some sort was placed near the scene. I have been trying to get further information on this memorial to find out if it still exists and exactly where and would be grateful for any information at roy.tyzack@btinternet.com Thank you.
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