The Easybeats

The Easybeats were a rock and roll band in the 1960s from Australia. They formed in Sydney in late 1964 and split at the end of 1969. They are widely regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the Sixties and were the first Australian rock act to score an international pop hit with their classic 1966 single "Friday On My Mind" (Note: the folk-pop group The Seekers had international hits in 1965)

Early career

Beginning their career in Sydney in late 1964, the boys were inspired by the "British Invasion" spearheaded by The Beatles. They quickly rose to become one of the most popular groups in the city. They were signed to a production contract with Albert Productions, one of Australia's first independent production companies. It was established by Ted Albert, whose family owned J. Albert & Sons, one of Australia's oldest and largest music publishing companies.

Related Topics:
1964 - The Beatles - Albert Productions - Ted Albert - J. Albert & Sons - Music publishing companies

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Albert then signed the band to a recording contract with EMI's Parlophone label, and they began a meteoric rise to national stardom. By the end of 1965 they were the most popular and successful pop band in Australia, and their concerts and public appearances were regularly marked by intense fan hysteria which was very similar to 'Beatlemania' and which was soon dubbed 'Easyfever'. Stevie Wright's charisma and energy (including 'mod' dancing and onstage backflips) were matched with well-written, hard-hitting rock songs.

Related Topics:
EMI - Parlophone

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During 1965 and early 1966 they released a string of hit singles, all co-written by Young and Wright, including "For My Woman" (#5), "She's So Fine" (#1), "Wedding Ring" (#6), "Sad And Lonely And Blue", "Easy As Can Be", "Women (Make You Feel Alright)" (#1), "In My Book", "Come And See Her" (#1), "I'll Make You Happy" (#1), and "Sorry" (#4), and all produced by Ted Albert. In addition, the Wright-Young songwriting team wrote a number of hits for other artists, including "Step Back", which became a #1 hit for Johnny Young (no relation) in 1966.

Related Topics:
Ted Albert - Johnny Young

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In early 1966, while the group were still touring Australia, manager Mike Vaughan flew to New York to attempt to secure an American recording contract for the band. After initial lack of interest, on the last scheduled day of his visit Vaughan was able to convince the United Artists label to sign The Easybeats. Ten days of negotiations resulted in a groundbreaking five-year contract for overseas releases.

Related Topics:
New York - United Artists

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Just before relocating to London in late 1966, they recorded a farewell TV show, The Coca Cola Special, which is still regarded as one of the prime artifacts of Sixties Australian pop TV. After taping the special, guitarist Harry Vanda returned home from the studio in the early hours of the morning to discover that his wife Pam had committed suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping tablets. Despite the tragedy, the group was obliged to go ahead with their plans to go to England.

Related Topics:
London - 1966 - Coca Cola - Suicide - Sleeping tablets

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