This is a must see for anyone interested in the history of Aussie rock n roll. They were the pioneers of our music scene. What is remarkable is that a few still playing today...
It's amazing not just cause it's footage of 50s Aussie rock, it's incredible to see an entire live 50s rock and roll concert filmed in 1959. They didn't even have live Rock and Roll albums back then. In the USA and the UK, most 50s footage is from tv variety shows or local American bandstand type dance shows, and the performances are usually mimed and lipsynced. Very little live footage and usually in fragments. This is the holy grail for any 50s rockers, its a miracle this.video treasure was preserved and wound up playing on UA-cam instead of gathering dust in some warehouse. Hope there's more complete 50s concert footage out there in the interzones. Rock on....
Amazing Kim. We'd really like to hear about your fathers journey if you are happy to share some of his stories. You can contact us at rocknroll1959film@gmail.com
THIS IS MASSIVE! MOST OF THESE ARTISTS ARE EITHER GONE OR NOT PERFORMING ANYMORE. BUT JOHNNY DEVLIN IS A KIWI BOY. I KNEW HIS BROTHER JOE IN PALMERSTON NORTH. HE WAS IN AWE OF THE GIFT HIS BROTHER HAD REALLY. BUT THIS WHOLE SHOW IS JUST PURE BRILLIANT MOVIE!!! THANKS GUYZ.
Been waiting for this superb historical exposition of our Aussie rock & roll trailblazers to feature on UA-cam since hearing about it's revived publication a couple of years back . And I ain't disappointed . Utterly fantastic retrospective insight into the live expression and artistry of the scintillating music and iconic performers of that era . Have had the privilege and pleasure of personally meeting two of those pioneers featured in this presentation : Lonnie Lee , and the late great Johnny Rebb . Both gracious and unaffected gentlemen . Thanks all round .
I was 15 years old in 1959 and crazy for rock&roll music, always as a hunter of any rock&rolling Radio waves over the World. Now 80 years old. Best regards from Canary Islands.
Desde principios de los 70 soy coleccionista de LP´s entre otros formatos . Sobre todo de Rock & Roll (la música más GRANDE que ha existido) ¿en que isla vives? EL Roque Nublo ya sabemos donde queda ;-)
As a child I’m only in my 40’s. I love this music and there was always talk of this film existing somewhere. I never thought I would ever get to see it… wow ❤
A real little time capsule, good quality film, just look how excited the teenagers were , A real piece of history that has to be cherished and preserved. A time of innocence and hope . Many thanks for sharing this one .
Yep excited for sure but not screaming like that. If you look at the audience there is no way that screaming is coming from them. A pity so much screaming had to be overdubbed. Great footage though
@@timibell5623 What are you talking about? Were you there? I saw all those singers at concerts in Melbourne in the late 50s and early 60s and we screamed as much as anyone did at Elvis concerts back then.
I noticed that Johnny Devlin sings "Hippy Hippy Shake" at 44:16 in this film clip. It was written and recorded by Chan Romero in 1959, and went on to become a huge hit for the Swinging Blue Jeans in 1964.
Chan was over the moon to hear of his song included in the movie. It appears he only found after the film was found. He really appreciated his journey to Australia and was eager to see if we had any more material from those days. A lovely person, widely loved and sadly no longer with us.
Warren does a great job. JOK is unbelievable. He never stops wriggling. No Fabian. Pity he baulked as he missed the chance. Heres to sweet little 60. Who would have thought. Love the revolving stage. Great quality film and vision to do it. Thanks Lee. Bless you
This film is so special & historic for so many reasons... this was Sydney's original sporting & entertainment venue which was located right down the bottom end of Rushcutters Bay... the old Sydney Stadium!, for many reasons cos this place gave us so many great events in sport & entertainment for 62 years & many famous boxers & entertainers hit that boxing ring/centre stage, so many great Australian performers from the late 50's/early 60's performed in this film including the legendary Johnny 0'Keefe, sadly some of these performers are no longer with us & also the old Stadium itself!, all that's left of the old place is a plaque on a monument miserably hidden on a patch of grass behind a bushy meshed fence off a widened New South Head Road near the Eastern suburbs railway overpass.
Peter Paige, seen singing in The Graduates, was the only person to perform as a sportsman and a musician at the stadium. He was part of Australia’s national wrestling team earlier in his youth and competed on that stage as a wrestler.
I'm now 82, but at 17 and in my last year at high school, I was at that concert. My first music event. Our school used to hold its annual boxing tournament there, so I also boxed on that stage in 1957 and 1958. Being a jazz fan my later experiences of the Rushcutters Bay Stadium were more to my taste. I saw Sarah Vaughan and Dizzy Gillespie perform there and also Sammy Davis Jnr in ensuing years.
@rocknroll1959film I 100% agree!, they should had placed that original plaque & stone monument near the traffic lights opposite Rushcutters Bay Park cos that's exactly where the main ringside entrance was to Sydney Stadium.
How fantastic are these artists I am 73 and still listening to them Wow such fabulous memories and JOK he is still the king the energy the passion he is extraordinary Just Loved this show
This is absolutely amazing to see! Clarity is fantastic and restored, I gather. The artists are great, but look at the crowd....amazing Autraliana! Back when this country was united as one.
Saw J.O'K & the Dellies in 1961 Adelaide. The night I got booked for consuming alcohol within 300 yards of a dance. My poor old mum was mortified. SO good to see this tape & the old Holdens in 1959 Sydney. This brought back SO many great memories for this 80 year old. Thank you SO much!!!🤩👍
It is stunning to consider all of Lee Gordon’s achievements and now this film adds yet another dimension to his endeavours. I love that he even sung on his Leedon label. She’s the Ginchiest is the funniest song in its hip cool way. Very creative.
Thank you for finding this rare film print and for presenting it here for all to see after such a long lost history. Your detailed description is excellent and necessary to understand the value of this film. Hope it gets millions of world-wide views. Presume this was around 4x 2000 foot spools of 35mm?
@@rocknroll1959film Vinegar Syndrome. A chemical breakdown in the base. Considering it can be very bad, the opening few minutes are the main parts that seem affected. A scan from 35mm should be sharper and better tone than seen in this file. Was it converted to DVD or something to upload here? The vision has a video impression to it.
Fabulous - absolutely fantastic. I started playing in bands when I was 14 in 1963 and I remember most of these names, but too young to have seen them. It is so wonderful to witness the simplicity and excitement of these early days. Dave Bridge from the Joy Boys was my guitar idol! I'd love to know the names of each of the backing musicians?
@sMansGuitars - Absolutely yes - no foldback! I played I band during the 1960s and we played without foldback - but we didn't have to play to such a large audiences!
The great J.O.K. Incomparable! What a great history lesson of Australian rock and roll.Even my dad back then wouldn't miss 6 o'clock rock with Johnny O'Keefe.Thanks for posting.
65 years ago! Most of these people if still alive would be in their 80's, I'll have to ask my mum if she went to this. My family lived up the road in Paddington, went to all the wrestling and music shows. I remember the Stadium, walked passed it so many times but never went in, bit too young. Amazing time capsule. Seems cardies were the big thing in those days.
Looks very similar to a Dan electro but I don't think it is. Also I don't think the guy is really even playing it his hand is not forming chords properly or making proper chord changes
Thank you. Yes in the sound mastering I tried to 'clear a way' for the bass to be heard. It was tricky, since you want to keep the sound as close to the original as possible.
Excellent little film really enjoyed it. there's a distinct lack of original 1950s concert footage on the net, would love to see full concerts of Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly ,The Teenagers etc.
You won't find any concert footage of any of those rockers anywhere because it wasn't done. The only live footage in the 50s was of Elvis and that was because he was so controversial. But there is quite a lot of t v footage of the rockers, on Bandstand, Ed Sullivan and other American shows in the 50s and 60s.
i have lots of footage of the singers mentioned and as you mention there is a huge amount on the internet. During the 50s many companies filmed footage directly from the TV screen which is why much is of poor quality. I'm aware concert footage does exist but the companies that own it refuse to release it. and in some cases they sadly destroyed it.
You outdid yourself, Mark Laria. I am a 77-year-old Rock and Roll enthusiast and I don't mind tellin you that this is, by far, the best I've seen yet. I have introduced my 12-year-old great-granddaughter and her 7-year-old brother to 50's and 60's music and they love it. I would like to thank you profusely for adding this vintage outstanding music for everyone to enjoy. God's blessings to you and your loved ones. 🙏💖🕺
Thank you I really appreciate these sincere words of appreciation. I will always be happy to hear this film returns memories and new introductions to such a critical time in Australia's music evolution.
So different to Britain, where they often ended with the seat-ripping as the closing act. Something of an exaggeration, but often so. I'm so pleased for Australia and music history that this has been found. 37'47" is one of music history's finest moments.
I saw this at the Randwick Ritz last year, my plan was to take all my family next time it was on, to show them the music that is me, I missed this show at the Stadium as I wasn't very fond of Fabian. Lee Gordon's shows were good value all that Entertainment for eight Bob a ticket up in the bleachers. if you were rich twenty five Bob for a ringside ticket
@@margaretlinscott7099 ...and smarter; and more attractive. The casualising tendencies in dress, speech, manners, behaviour which the music so loved today greatly encouraged, has had its almost irresistible influence established in all ages groups, everywhere. Societies everywhere have been undone by its success. In its infancy, the charges brought against the music's influence were resented as the misunderstandings of fuddy duddy's; but, they were proved right long ago.
Gordon employed paid screamers to his gigs, or so the rumour goes. However lets not mistake that for faked enthusiasm because the rock'n'roll fans, especially the girls, were delirious with excitement. Its a surprise to many that this was the case in Australia during the late 1950s, pre-dating the Beatles mania by 5 years. It was so intense in fact that Fabian's arrival had to be directed to Essendon airport for safety concerns when his tour reached Melbourne. Things got out of hand and he had to be escorted from the airport landing area to his car via a forklift. Likewise in Sydney, Fabian attempted to appear at a record store, which eventuated in pandemonium, fainting, smashed windows, injuries and ultimately not even appearing in the store.
The beginning soundtrack sounds a lot like Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat ". The picture of Lee Gordon at the beginning of the film was shot in Australia since the telephone device on the desk is a European style telephone. The overall is very interesting.
@@Patracat I remember an interview I read with Nelson around 1962 or 63 where he said that the next step for him was to have a big orchestra and conduct it. Then suddenly the Beatles arrived and goodbye to the “big orchestra”, everything changed. He did some good R&B like "Alligator Boogaloo" or "Casbah" or "Hey Joe" (65 or 66). Before the Beatles no one knew what direction to take, whether musical or otherwise. Everything was too conservative, it never seemed to change.
Thank you so much for upload this, we have very little visual material of our Kiwi acts (the NZBC never really kept much) so to see such great footage of Devlin is amazing (apart from the already brilliant but lower quality 16mm t/r of Bandstand). Of course it's great to see JOK in HD (sorry fellow Kiwi's, I think JOK's better than Devlin!) along with Col and Lonnie etc.. And is that Jimmie Sloggett I recognise on Sax with the Rebels? He was a key session musician in NZ and had a big hit in 63 with 'Yakety Sax' which of course was later used to close every Benny Hill Show.
Great to hear these sorts of well wishes from New Zealand. The film was a hit over there and Johnny Devlin really shone. Yes it is Jimmie Sloggett. He came along to the premiere in Melbourne.
Hi there Head to the website and you’ll get all info you need plus photos. The CD purchase page will give you all running times and sequential order of the songs
No, not before Elvis. All these Aussie rockers were inspired by Elvis! This film was made in 1959, when most of them had been around for only a few years.
At 32:33 Johnny Rebb talks about the song he is about to sing, "We belong together" made popular by Richie Valens, who died in a plane crash just eight months earlier.
I wonder about the guitarist standing on the far left with Johnny Rebb and the Rebels - he bears quite a resemblance to him, except that his hair is lighter. Is he related to him?
Did you watch the whole film? From 48:00 the girls are absolutely ecstatic, jumping, screaming and trying to drag Col off stage. I’ve noticed a lot of people make comments like this but they either haven’t watched the whole film or aren’t aware that the new Rock’n’Roll craze was primarily taken on by young teens who sat in certain areas of the stadium. Even people in their twenties found it difficult to adjust to Rock’n’Roll . This is why certain sections of the audience look a little taken aback or not sure how to react. It’s actually a flashpoint in Australias cultural past. Even the start of the film is full of pandemonium when fans rushed the Sydney department store to see Fabian appear. It got so out of control that he was waived on by police, windows were smashed, a few ended up in hospital. There are many reports of the Sydney Stadium being absolutely deafening with screams in the 50s concerts, not just the Fabian ones.
@@rocknroll1959film Exactly. Thanks for explaining that. I'm a bit tired of seeing those comments from people who are obviously too young to have been there, as I was for several concerts at Festival Hall in Melbourne at that time. Sometimes you couldn't hear the singers over the screaming.
My understanding is the audience screamed for the entire performances. It was a bit annoying for the performers as difficult to hear themselves over the screaming.
Yes the same type of screaming as seen on JOK’s album Shakin at the Stadium. Albeit a little more realistic than the screaming included on that album! It was in its early stages so I guess they just wanted to assure the teens that it was the hip new thing by making it prominent in the film.
@@rocknroll1959film Yeah, that Shakin' at the Stadium E.P. is sadly just studio recordings with Robert Iredale at Festival dubbing in unconvincing screaming. He did the same with Digby Richards and Ray Brown.
I believe the Fabian segment was removed from the print in Australia at the insistence of his manager - but made it intact in the other print that went to New Zealand at the time. That NZ print is probably lost. Read description above for more details.
There is some of the films Fabian footage held at the NFSA. But very little, if any of him on stage performing. And certainly none with sound. It is mostly of his arrival at Essendon Airport amongst literally thousands of ferocious teenagers. This was placed at the start of the film to introduce the viewer to him as the main attraction.
Agreed. I hear constant screaming but see few girls screaming (copied from a recording of an Elvis or Sinatra show maybe?). Not a good move - spoils an otherwise great film.
59 Elvis est à l armé et le vrai rock'n'roll commence à être plus vraiment plus médium a croire que le vrai rock'n'roll est mort quand Elvis a l armé . Dans les années qui vont suivrent ont pourra voir les vrais pionniers en Europe .
Fun fact is that Lee Gordon was the only promoter permitted by the Colonel to tour Elvis in 59 just before his army stint. See Elvis and the Wallaby. He was also the only promoter to take Elvis out of the USA.
@@michaelclifford5840 Lee Gordon did not take Elvis out of the USA. Apart from a brief fling over the border in Canada, Elvis never performed anywhere outside the USA, even when he was in the army in Germany and visited Paris briefly.
this is lovely, but I can't tune out the horrific 8 or so second loop of screaming that they play throughout the entire thing, even over the music. I don't understand.
Despite the wildly original title, this extravaganza is quite entertaining and well filmed. The whole production sunk to the bottom due to the hideous injection of 'beatlemania' level crowd screaming. The screaming, of course, does not match any of the audience footage, which is jarring and inappropriate. As far as the talent... well, OK, I'll go as far as to say that they were well rehearsed.... Too bad most of them just couldn't sing very well. The musicians were quite adequate however and I enjoyed them. But ultimately these were just copy bands nobody ever heard of.
These were the pioneers of Australian Rock’n’Roll. They are well known and respected for their work in Australia and New Zealand. It was a different time, rough and ready, but with stage energy that eclipsed the performance of the imported stars more often than not. These were performes who worked very hard to take the place of potential imported stars. It’s why they are such good entertainers. Gordon realized this after a few years and had them appear regularly after that.
@@Patracat You, whoever you are, simply don't like what I have said and choose to mask YOUR inadequacy by calling me ignorant. I'm not ignorant at all. What I said is true. I don't need a college degree in Australian history to make those observations.
Y A LAS 1HORA Y 2 MININUTOS EL HOMBRE BAJO IMITANDO Y PARECER A ELVIS PRESLEY LO SIENTO HACE EL RIDICULO CON SUS MOVIMIENTOS POR QUE ELVIS PRESLEY MEDIA 6 PIES Y EL SE VE MUY CORTO , PERO CLARO TIENE DERECHO LO UNICO ESTE SERVIDOR COMPRA UN DISCO DE EL. PORQUE ELVIS PRESLEY ES EL REY Y LOS BEATLES LA MEJOR BANDA DE ROCK DE LA HISTORIA DE LA MUSICA.🙏🙏👑🎸⚡✌
That's some kind of cultural appropriation! It's just "off" enough to be kind of amusing. Otherwise, the Aussies really nailed down American rock n roll.
By all accounts, many of the US/UK artists were often taken aback by the quality of stage presence of the locals. And more than a few were intimidated by it.
I disagree, as a Kiwi I'm really impressed at how well the Aussies perform here. And as anybody who knows about our NZ/Australia sibling rivalry, that's saying something!
No-one then, was as good as the US, Britain included. The US had a whole music industry, song writers, musicans, recording facilities that were then better than any other country.
If we take your angle further, Rock'n'Roll is wannabe blues music and as such Elvis was a wannabe blues artist. All artists take inspiration, imitate it and at times add to it in significant ways. JOK's song 'Wild One' was later covered many times by such artists as Iggy Pop. I don't know of any artists who've not imitated and gained influence from others.
I'm not sure how much you can spoil the only R&R live film from the 1950s ever made. It genuinely reflects the period and follows a trend reflected most clearly by O'keefe's 1958 record "Shakin' at the Stadium', where crowd sounds were overdubbed as well. The film's sound engineers definitely improved on this technique. Ultimately, the film was made to attract a teenage audience, not music critics. It was effectively paid for by teenagers. Perhaps look at it as a 'screaming tax'.
This is a must see for anyone interested in the history of Aussie rock n roll.
They were the pioneers of our music scene.
What is remarkable is that a few still playing today...
Lonnie Lee played in Taree, NSW only a few weeks ago.
It's amazing not just cause it's footage of 50s Aussie rock, it's incredible to see an entire live 50s rock and roll concert filmed in 1959. They didn't even have live Rock and Roll albums back then. In the USA and the UK, most 50s footage is from tv variety shows or local American bandstand type dance shows, and the performances are usually mimed and lipsynced. Very little live footage and usually in fragments. This is the holy grail for any 50s rockers, its a miracle this.video treasure was preserved and wound up playing on UA-cam instead of gathering dust in some warehouse. Hope there's more complete 50s concert footage out there in the interzones. Rock on....
The best and first concert ever filmed in the World. Saw my Mum & Aunty in the Audience. Well done Mark., finding the film and restoring it for 2024.
Let’s not forget your valued assistance in the NSW screenings Wayne. You added another dimension to the films story and helped in drawing big crowds.
Well it’s certainly not the first concert and nor the worst but we understand why u love it
Where was your mum and aunty sitting
All those fresh faced young girls bless them! Grandmas now I should think.
@@johnturnbull7176 or great Grandmas.
I saw this in 2023 at the Westgarth Theatre in Melbourne. Great to see it now on You Tube.
This is so special. Lee Gordon was my Dad Alan Heffernan’s business partner. So great to see the stories shared on film.
Amazing Kim. We'd really like to hear about your fathers journey if you are happy to share some of his stories. You can contact us at rocknroll1959film@gmail.com
Hi Kim This is Bob hayden a friend of your brother and parents. can we talk sometime about your parents Kind regards Bob
They did such a great Job putting this together. Lee & Peter Legends of Australian Rock
Looks fabulous. Congrats on a great restoration
@@georgecav Thank you George
Why does rock and roll seem like it was so much fun in simpler times. Thanks for sharing. Great clothes.
Because it was.
THIS IS MASSIVE! MOST OF THESE ARTISTS ARE EITHER GONE OR NOT PERFORMING ANYMORE. BUT JOHNNY DEVLIN IS A KIWI BOY. I KNEW HIS BROTHER JOE IN PALMERSTON NORTH. HE WAS IN AWE OF THE GIFT HIS BROTHER HAD REALLY. BUT THIS WHOLE SHOW IS JUST PURE BRILLIANT MOVIE!!! THANKS GUYZ.
Lonnie lee is going strong as ever..
Been waiting for this superb historical exposition of our Aussie rock & roll trailblazers to feature on UA-cam since hearing about it's revived publication a couple of years back . And I ain't disappointed . Utterly fantastic retrospective insight into the live expression and artistry of the scintillating music and iconic performers of that era . Have had the privilege and pleasure of personally meeting two of those pioneers featured in this presentation : Lonnie Lee , and the late great Johnny Rebb . Both gracious and unaffected gentlemen . Thanks all round .
Unaffected is one of the best words to describe Lonnie Lee I've heard. Totally agree.
I was 15 years old in 1959 and crazy for rock&roll music, always as a hunter of any rock&rolling Radio waves over the World. Now 80 years old. Best regards from Canary Islands.
Desde principios de los 70 soy coleccionista de LP´s entre otros formatos . Sobre todo de Rock & Roll (la música más GRANDE que ha existido) ¿en que isla vives?
EL Roque Nublo ya sabemos donde queda ;-)
@@orlymg1985 That big ol island down under, just head south and listen out for the laughing bird sounds :)
As a child I’m only in my 40’s. I love this music and there was always talk of this film existing somewhere. I never thought I would ever get to see it… wow ❤
This film is gold and your generosity to post it on UA-cam for all to experience is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Kind works Mark - much appreciated
FANTASTIC THANKS!!!!
A real little time capsule, good quality film, just look how excited the teenagers were ,
A real piece of history that has to be cherished and preserved.
A time of innocence and hope .
Many thanks for sharing this one .
Yep excited for sure but not screaming like that. If you look at the audience there is no way that screaming is coming from them. A pity so much screaming had to be overdubbed. Great footage though
@@timibell5623 What are you talking about? Were you there? I saw all those singers at concerts in Melbourne in the late 50s and early 60s and we screamed as much as anyone did at Elvis concerts back then.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS AUSSIE LATE 50s ROCK N ROLL ‼️ 😁👍😉👌😎🌞🌞🌞 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 🇦🇺
I noticed that Johnny Devlin sings "Hippy Hippy Shake" at 44:16 in this film clip. It was written and recorded by Chan Romero in 1959, and went on to become a huge hit for the Swinging Blue Jeans in 1964.
It was a hit for Chan in Australia, I have a copy of his 45.
I saw Chan Romero at the Marrickville RSL years ago He put on a terrific show @@blueycarlton
Chan was over the moon to hear of his song included in the movie. It appears he only found after the film was found. He really appreciated his journey to Australia and was eager to see if we had any more material from those days. A lovely person, widely loved and sadly no longer with us.
Warren does a great job. JOK is unbelievable. He never stops wriggling. No Fabian. Pity he baulked as he missed the chance. Heres to sweet little 60. Who would have thought. Love the revolving stage. Great quality film and vision to do it. Thanks Lee. Bless you
This film is so special & historic for so many reasons... this was Sydney's original sporting & entertainment venue which was located right down the bottom end of Rushcutters Bay... the old Sydney Stadium!, for many reasons cos this place gave us so many great events in sport & entertainment for 62 years & many famous boxers & entertainers hit that boxing ring/centre stage, so many great Australian performers from the late 50's/early 60's performed in this film including the legendary Johnny 0'Keefe, sadly some of these performers are no longer with us & also the old Stadium itself!, all that's left of the old place is a plaque on a monument miserably hidden on a patch of grass behind a bushy meshed fence off a widened New South Head Road near the Eastern suburbs railway overpass.
Peter Paige, seen singing in The Graduates, was the only person to perform as a sportsman and a musician at the stadium. He was part of Australia’s national wrestling team earlier in his youth and competed on that stage as a wrestler.
That’s another fun fact of the ‘old tin shed’ as it was fondly known.
I'm now 82, but at 17 and in my last year at high school, I was at that concert. My first music event. Our school used to hold its annual boxing tournament there, so I also boxed on that stage in 1957 and 1958. Being a jazz fan my later experiences of the Rushcutters Bay Stadium were more to my taste. I saw Sarah Vaughan and Dizzy Gillespie perform there and also Sammy Davis Jnr in ensuing years.
All my thoughts in a nutshell. Its disgraceful where it is. What other public monument in Australia requires breaking into private property to access?
@rocknroll1959film I 100% agree!, they should had placed that original plaque & stone monument near the traffic lights opposite Rushcutters Bay Park cos that's exactly where the main ringside entrance was to Sydney Stadium.
How fantastic are these artists I am 73 and still listening to them Wow such fabulous memories and JOK he is still the king the energy the passion he is extraordinary Just Loved this show
This is absolutely amazing to see! Clarity is fantastic and restored, I gather. The artists are great, but look at the crowd....amazing Autraliana! Back when this country was united as one.
That was Fantastic 💯 ❤ Took us right there 🖒 Wonderful Loved every minute 💕💓
Absolutely fantastic! Big thank you for uploading this.
After watching J'OK there's absolutely no doubt he was truly our King of Rock. I'm grateful I saw him live twice.
I saw most of those singers in Melbourne, and J O'K was absolutely sensational. He could work the audience as if he' d been taking lessons from Elvis
Saw J.O'K & the Dellies in 1961 Adelaide. The night I got booked for consuming alcohol within 300 yards of a dance. My poor old mum was mortified. SO good to see this tape & the old Holdens in 1959 Sydney. This brought back SO many great memories for this 80 year old. Thank you SO much!!!🤩👍
It is stunning to consider all of Lee Gordon’s achievements and now this film adds yet another dimension to his endeavours.
I love that he even sung on his Leedon label.
She’s the Ginchiest is the funniest song in its hip cool way. Very creative.
Thank you for finding this rare film print and for presenting it here for all to see after such a long lost history. Your detailed description is excellent and necessary to understand the value of this film. Hope it gets millions of world-wide views.
Presume this was around 4x 2000 foot spools of 35mm?
Thank you. Yes it was on 4 metal reels, weighed a ton and had enough vinegar vapour to make quite a lofty salad.
@@rocknroll1959film Vinegar Syndrome. A chemical breakdown in the base. Considering it can be very bad, the opening few minutes are the main parts that seem affected. A scan from 35mm should be sharper and better tone than seen in this file. Was it converted to DVD or something to upload here? The vision has a video impression to it.
The start was a bit rough as that was the bit exposed on the outside of the reel. Definitely not a video grab. Straight from the reel.
Fabulous - absolutely fantastic. I started playing in bands when I was 14 in 1963 and I remember most of these names, but too young to have seen them. It is so wonderful to witness the simplicity and excitement of these early days. Dave Bridge from the Joy Boys was my guitar idol! I'd love to know the names of each of the backing musicians?
I still have a single of Dave Bridge --- The Swan, if I recall. Should get it out and listen to it.
Fabulous! Thank you.
What a time to live I still have all the programs from all the shows
That’s great.
Great to see the Delltones at their peak
RIP Noel Wildeburg...
God, look at the size of those Amps. The output of those is just a shade louder than my car stereo....LOL
I was amazed at the size of the amplifiers - Moody, Goldentone, home made?
@sMansGuitars - Absolutely yes - no foldback! I played I band during the 1960s and we played without foldback - but we didn't have to play to such a large audiences!
I love these old Old songs, this video is awesome..🇺🇲🇦🇺🎼❤️🙂 25:57
The great J.O.K. Incomparable! What a great history lesson of Australian rock and roll.Even my dad back then wouldn't miss 6 o'clock rock with Johnny O'Keefe.Thanks for posting.
65 years ago! Most of these people if still alive would be in their 80's, I'll have to ask my mum if she went to this. My family lived up the road in Paddington, went to all the wrestling and music shows. I remember the Stadium, walked passed it so many times but never went in, bit too young. Amazing time capsule. Seems cardies were the big thing in those days.
56:35. I've never seen a guitar like that or seen one played like a salvation army drum. Wild!
Danelectro Longhorn
@@andrewdavison3293
I've seen pictures of Link Wray with a Dano Longhorn and it looks a lot different. Still an interesting looking guitar isn't it?
Looks very similar to a Dan electro but I don't think it is. Also I don't think the guy is really even playing it his hand is not forming chords properly or making proper chord changes
Thanks for restoring and uploading this gem. It's amazing how the bass guitar cuts through even with the equipment back then.
Thank you. Yes in the sound mastering I tried to 'clear a way' for the bass to be heard. It was tricky, since you want to keep the sound as close to the original as possible.
@@rocknroll1959film I can't imagine how long it would have taken to remaster the sound, but you did a great job.
Thank you - Yes the sound itself was a bit of journey in itself.
Very good..film old time .....australian rock....saludos from chile..❤
No Fabian no loss..Good stuff.Well filmed history. Thanks RocknRabbit Farmer.
Excellent. (77f). I’m gonna have to find my old autograph book. My time!
We'd love to see it :)
Excellent little film really enjoyed it. there's a distinct lack of original 1950s concert footage on the net, would love to see full concerts of Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly ,The Teenagers etc.
You won't find any concert footage of any of those rockers anywhere because it wasn't done. The only live footage in the 50s was of Elvis and that was because he was so controversial. But there is quite a lot of t v footage of the rockers, on Bandstand, Ed Sullivan and other American shows in the 50s and 60s.
i have lots of footage of the singers mentioned and as you mention there is a huge amount on the internet. During the 50s many companies filmed footage directly from the TV screen which is why much is of poor quality. I'm aware concert footage does exist but the companies that own it refuse to release it. and in some cases they sadly destroyed it.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. Repeat to fade . . . .
You outdid yourself, Mark Laria. I am a 77-year-old Rock and Roll enthusiast and I don't mind tellin you that this is, by far, the best I've seen yet. I have introduced my 12-year-old great-granddaughter and her 7-year-old brother to 50's and 60's music and they love it. I would like to thank you profusely for adding this vintage outstanding music for everyone to enjoy. God's blessings to you and your loved ones. 🙏💖🕺
Thank you I really appreciate these sincere words of appreciation. I will always be happy to hear this film returns memories and new introductions to such a critical time in Australia's music evolution.
So different to Britain, where they often ended with the seat-ripping as the closing act.
Something of an exaggeration, but often so.
I'm so pleased for Australia and music history that this has been found.
37'47" is one of music history's finest moments.
I saw this at the Randwick Ritz last year, my plan was to take all my family next time it was on, to show them the music that is me, I missed this show at the Stadium as I wasn't very fond of Fabian. Lee Gordon's shows were good value all that Entertainment for eight Bob a ticket up in the bleachers. if you were rich twenty five Bob for a ringside ticket
Amazing to see the old Sydney Stadium so clearly. What an amazing piece of Australian music history!
Yes it must be pretty special for people who were around to experience it.
Been looking for this forever. Thank you so much for putting it online
Amazing
unreal great historical film
Fantastic memories for this dinosaur. I saw this film during its cinema release a year or so ago.
It was a pleasure to chat with you up there Richard.
So young, before most people had TV ..
I was there
We were young though looked so much older, than teens today.
Has your voice recovered, or did they not make you scream ?
More sensible as well, methinks. I've got teenage granddaughters...@@margaretlinscott7099
@@margaretlinscott7099 ...and smarter; and more attractive.
The casualising tendencies in dress, speech, manners, behaviour which the music so loved today greatly encouraged, has had its almost irresistible influence established in all ages groups, everywhere. Societies everywhere have been undone by its success. In its infancy, the charges brought against the music's influence were resented as the misunderstandings of fuddy duddy's; but, they were proved right long ago.
Gordon employed paid screamers to his gigs, or so the rumour goes. However lets not mistake that for faked enthusiasm because the rock'n'roll fans, especially the girls, were delirious with excitement. Its a surprise to many that this was the case in Australia during the late 1950s, pre-dating the Beatles mania by 5 years.
It was so intense in fact that Fabian's arrival had to be directed to Essendon airport for safety concerns when his tour reached Melbourne. Things got out of hand and he had to be escorted from the airport landing area to his car via a forklift.
Likewise in Sydney, Fabian attempted to appear at a record store, which eventuated in pandemonium, fainting, smashed windows, injuries and ultimately not even appearing in the store.
Special regards to Pee Wee Wilson and the Deltones. So good!!!
Nice.Thank You.
The beginning soundtrack sounds a lot like Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat ". The picture of Lee Gordon at the beginning of the film was shot in Australia since the telephone device on the desk is a European style telephone. The overall is very interesting.
Yes it was shot at his office in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney
Thanks! I was trying to remember what it was. I should have known, I've got five Sandy Nelson LPs and still play them occasionally
@@Patracat I remember an interview I read with Nelson around 1962 or 63 where he said that the next step for him was to have a big orchestra and conduct it. Then suddenly the Beatles arrived and goodbye to the “big orchestra”, everything changed. He did some good R&B like "Alligator Boogaloo" or "Casbah" or "Hey Joe" (65 or 66). Before the Beatles no one knew what direction to take, whether musical or otherwise. Everything was too conservative, it never seemed to change.
Thank you so much for upload this, we have very little visual material of our Kiwi acts (the NZBC never really kept much) so to see such great footage of Devlin is amazing (apart from the already brilliant but lower quality 16mm t/r of Bandstand). Of course it's great to see JOK in HD (sorry fellow Kiwi's, I think JOK's better than Devlin!) along with Col and Lonnie etc.. And is that Jimmie Sloggett I recognise on Sax with the Rebels? He was a key session musician in NZ and had a big hit in 63 with 'Yakety Sax' which of course was later used to close every Benny Hill Show.
Great to hear these sorts of well wishes from New Zealand. The film was a hit over there and Johnny Devlin really shone. Yes it is Jimmie Sloggett. He came along to the premiere in Melbourne.
Any chance for a complete list of the performers and the songs they sang?
Hi there
Head to the website and you’ll get all info you need plus photos. The CD purchase page will give you all running times and sequential order of the songs
excellent
Fabulous!
Looks and sounds like tenor sax player Jimmy Sloggett in the opening numbers. Does anyone know who the other instrumentalists are?
Yes that’s Jimmie Slogget. He watched the film at the Melbourne premiere.
Jimmy Taylor on Piano
@@baronessp Thank you.
great stuff !!
Thanks for posting this, amazing footage
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well done
Wow !!!!!!!!
Early 50's I think, before elvis. Even in the USA we had the platters in early 50's and yes, I am 86 and remember😮😮😮😮
No, not before Elvis. All these Aussie rockers were inspired by Elvis! This film was made in 1959, when most of them had been around for only a few years.
Great 👍
JOK's lower body got a lot of attention, which was kind of different from how they showed Elvis in the USA.
At 32:33 Johnny Rebb talks about the song he is about to sing, "We belong together" made popular by Richie Valens, who died in a plane crash just eight months earlier.
Blue birds over the mountain was also recorded by Ritchie Valens 0:14
Is this available on blu ray? It should be!
Very cool Woodstock 1959
I wonder about the guitarist standing on the far left with Johnny Rebb and the Rebels - he bears quite a resemblance to him, except that his hair is lighter. Is he related to him?
Did they add the constant screaming later? I didn't see any evidence of such in the audience.
Did you watch the whole film? From 48:00 the girls are absolutely ecstatic, jumping, screaming and trying to drag Col off stage. I’ve noticed a lot of people make comments like this but they either haven’t watched the whole film or aren’t aware that the new Rock’n’Roll craze was primarily taken on by young teens who sat in certain areas of the stadium. Even people in their twenties found it difficult to adjust to Rock’n’Roll . This is why certain sections of the audience look a little taken aback or not sure how to react. It’s actually a flashpoint in Australias cultural past.
Even the start of the film is full of pandemonium when fans rushed the Sydney department store to see Fabian appear. It got so out of control that he was waived on by police, windows were smashed, a few ended up in hospital.
There are many reports of the Sydney Stadium being absolutely deafening with screams in the 50s concerts, not just the Fabian ones.
@@rocknroll1959film Exactly. Thanks for explaining that. I'm a bit tired of seeing those comments from people who are obviously too young to have been there, as I was for several concerts at Festival Hall in Melbourne at that time. Sometimes you couldn't hear the singers over the screaming.
El viejo Rock n roll nunca ha de morir.
My understanding is the audience screamed for the entire performances. It was a bit annoying for the performers as difficult to hear themselves over the screaming.
Yes the same type of screaming as seen on JOK’s album Shakin at the Stadium. Albeit a little more realistic than the screaming included on that album! It was in its early stages so I guess they just wanted to assure the teens that it was the hip new thing by making it prominent in the film.
@@rocknroll1959film Yeah, that Shakin' at the Stadium E.P. is sadly just studio recordings with Robert Iredale at Festival dubbing in unconvincing screaming. He did the same with Digby Richards and Ray Brown.
I love that music but I wasn't born then I was born 1962
Fabian headed this show, so when will you show his segment?
I believe the Fabian segment was removed from the print in Australia at the insistence of his manager - but made it intact in the other print that went to New Zealand at the time. That NZ print is probably lost. Read description above for more details.
I think a couple or three others were missing.
😅@@rainscratch
What about this famous R & R movie from the Moukmouk island ? Are you Australian ?!
But where is the Fabian footage? It cannot be completely lost
There is some of the films Fabian footage held at the NFSA. But very little, if any of him on stage performing. And certainly none with sound. It is mostly of his arrival at Essendon Airport amongst literally thousands of ferocious teenagers. This was placed at the start of the film to introduce the viewer to him as the main attraction.
His record company/management refused permission to have him appear in the film.
Is this Lee Robinson who later did
“Skippy theBush Kangaroo”?
It certainly is :)
POW POW POW POW !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The sound of the audience seems fake.
Agreed. I hear constant screaming but see few girls screaming (copied from a recording of an Elvis or Sinatra show maybe?). Not a good move - spoils an otherwise great film.
And now we see those Pastors at churches were all right, knowing what we do of the music industry.
59 Elvis est à l armé et le vrai rock'n'roll commence à être plus vraiment plus médium a croire que le vrai rock'n'roll est mort quand Elvis a l armé . Dans les années qui vont suivrent ont pourra voir les vrais pionniers en Europe .
Fun fact is that Lee Gordon was the only promoter permitted by the Colonel to tour Elvis in 59 just before his army stint. See Elvis and the Wallaby. He was also the only promoter to take Elvis out of the USA.
@@michaelclifford5840 Lee Gordon did not take Elvis out of the USA. Apart from a brief fling over the border in Canada, Elvis never performed anywhere outside the USA, even when he was in the army in Germany and visited Paris briefly.
1959 HABIA MIL VECES MEJORES EXPONENTES DEL ROCK"N ROLL, LO SIENTO.
I saw the real ones back in the day
Was that Sqiggy?
this is lovely, but I can't tune out the horrific 8 or so second loop of screaming that they play throughout the entire thing, even over the music. I don't understand.
Despite the wildly original title, this extravaganza is quite entertaining and well filmed. The whole production sunk to the bottom due to the hideous injection of 'beatlemania' level crowd screaming. The screaming, of course, does not match any of the audience footage, which is jarring and inappropriate. As far as the talent... well, OK, I'll go as far as to say that they were well rehearsed.... Too bad most of them just couldn't sing very well. The musicians were quite adequate however and I enjoyed them. But ultimately these were just copy bands nobody ever heard of.
These were the pioneers of Australian Rock’n’Roll. They are well known and respected for their work in Australia and New Zealand. It was a different time, rough and ready, but with stage energy that eclipsed the performance of the imported stars more often than not. These were performes who worked very hard to take the place of potential imported stars. It’s why they are such good entertainers. Gordon realized this after a few years and had them appear regularly after that.
This is an ignorant post by somebody who obviously isn't Australian and knows nothing at all about rock'n'roll in this country.
@@Patracat You, whoever you are, simply don't like what I have said and choose to mask YOUR inadequacy by calling me ignorant. I'm not ignorant at all. What I said is true. I don't need a college degree in Australian history to make those observations.
Y A LAS 1HORA Y 2 MININUTOS EL HOMBRE BAJO IMITANDO Y PARECER A ELVIS PRESLEY LO SIENTO HACE EL RIDICULO CON SUS MOVIMIENTOS POR QUE ELVIS PRESLEY MEDIA 6 PIES Y EL SE VE MUY CORTO , PERO CLARO TIENE DERECHO LO UNICO ESTE SERVIDOR COMPRA UN DISCO DE EL. PORQUE ELVIS PRESLEY ES EL REY Y LOS BEATLES LA MEJOR BANDA DE ROCK DE LA HISTORIA DE LA MUSICA.🙏🙏👑🎸⚡✌
This is some hep cat stuff.
I just sleep with him
That's some kind of cultural appropriation! It's just "off" enough to be kind of amusing. Otherwise, the Aussies really nailed down American rock n roll.
bad memories they were not up to the standard of the u s a performers in those days
By all accounts, many of the US/UK artists were often taken aback by the quality of stage presence of the locals. And more than a few were intimidated by it.
I disagree, as a Kiwi I'm really impressed at how well the Aussies perform here. And as anybody who knows about our NZ/Australia sibling rivalry, that's saying something!
No-one then, was as good as the US, Britain included. The US had a whole music industry, song writers, musicans, recording facilities that were then better than any other country.
All wannabe Elvis ‘
If we take your angle further, Rock'n'Roll is wannabe blues music and as such Elvis was a wannabe blues artist. All artists take inspiration, imitate it and at times add to it in significant ways. JOK's song 'Wild One' was later covered many times by such artists as Iggy Pop. I don't know of any artists who've not imitated and gained influence from others.
@@rocknroll1959film you know. O thing about Elvis
@@SuperBeachbum74 he probably knows more than you.
Over dubbed screaming spoiled it!!!
I'm not sure how much you can spoil the only R&R live film from the 1950s ever made. It genuinely reflects the period and follows a trend reflected most clearly by O'keefe's 1958 record "Shakin' at the Stadium', where crowd sounds were overdubbed as well. The film's sound engineers definitely improved on this technique. Ultimately, the film was made to attract a teenage audience, not music critics. It was effectively paid for by teenagers. Perhaps look at it as a 'screaming tax'.
In 1959 I was two..
That's great music in them day it would be cool living in
The days of rock n roll Music
Not like the shit music to day