Garth Austin(The Avengers)

On Monday MArch 28th I was looking on Facebook using the I Pad when I saw the news about the passing of bass player and member of the legendary Brisbane group the Avengers Garth Austin which was very sad and an sad loss to the Brisbane music scene and to his family. Garth had played with an band called Neil and the Vipers which played around locally and in 1964 he joined the band the Tropics who would become the Avengers when he replaced original bass player Terry Walcott when I remember Garth telling me that he had seen an advert about the band and was impressed with the sound. He then recommnded Roger Jellicoe who was in the Endeavours to the Avengers when Keith Ryan who was the original guitarist left in 1965 and that line of Ross Bentley, Graeme Rabnott, Mick Monaghan, Garth and Roger lasted until 1966 which they played at the 4BC spectacular with the Easybeats, Tony Worsley and the Fabulous Blue Jays and MPD Limited as well as the other Brisbane groups The Feelgoods, The Down and Out, Mel and the Embers, The Dominoes and the Hi Lites, the TC's sound lounge on Elizabeth Street in the city, Deagon Racecourse, Sandgate Town Hall, Wynnum and many others. Garth left the Avengers in 1966 and I remember he told me that Peter Day who replaced him bought his bass guitar and amp. Then in the 70's Garth played in the country band Buck Skin which did 2 albums and in the early 1990's the Avengers with Ross, Roger, Garth, Mick and Graeme got back together for one of the Rock and Roll reunions which then they started playing more shows that would last for over 25 years with change of lead singer with Paul Yates on lead vocals joining in 2000. I first saw the Avengers at Kedron Wavell Sunday October 12th 2008 for the Rock and Roll Spectacular and then in 2011 on March 27th saw them at the Riverside Ballroom for the Rock and Roll Get Together. It was from 2012 until 2017 I saw the Avengers mainly at Easts Leagues Club as well as Carina Leagues Club and the Rock and Roll Reunions at Riverside 2013 and 2014 and Broncos Leagues Club in 2015 and Garth was always focused when he played but was always an nice man and friendly too which I had some talks with him and always after the show got to thank him for the show which he appreciated that. It is sad that he has passed away but has left an impact on the Brisbane rock and roll scene and may Gath's part in the Brisbane rock and roll history with the Avengers be remembered.