'It's almost summer' is one of the most under appreciated songs, had medium success but deserved much more here and in the states. I was a young teenager when it was released and loved it so much, still do. It was quirky but had a nice flow to it and IMO is a classic. Wish he was still here
Lived across the road, what an amazing time. I was there the first night he sang Over the Rainbow, a change of pace for Surf Cityites. Every cult of kid was there, rockers, Surfies, straights, gays, spruikers, beatniks, sharpies .. all stood in awe.
I had no idea who Billy Thorpe was until after he died, i was 15 when he passed away in 2007. As a girl growing up in the 90s i never listened to his music, but he was and will always be a icon to Australian Music, Rest in Peace Billy.
For some reason, this has me in tears. Billy, you never got the proper recognition in the United States. Thank you for your musical legacy. Rest in Power, Billy.
I read somewhere that Australian champion bodybuilder Paul Graham was once a promoter who was involved in Billy Thorpe’s early career at Sydney’s Kings Cross.
A really good, kind hearted, happy soul is Billy. A fantastic voice and musician, so deserved of many accolades. All the best to Lynn and family. Thank you Billy for the happiness you exuded to friends and fans too. May you be Resting in Paradise. Love
Lovely tribute to one of this country's most talented and respected musos. Love all of Billy's songs but Most People I Know Think I'm Crazy is my favourite. Sadly, taken too soon from this mortal realm but I bet he's rockin' it in rock'n'roll Heaven.
So many memories....Jimmy Hannan took me and my girlfriend to Surf City to see Billy and the Aztecs for the first time in 1963....well that was it, we went there and to The Beachhouse to see them weekly. I have so many fond memories of those days and will always treasure them....miss you Billy.
To Rose-I was 15 and going out with older friends.We would go to Bondi than in saturday pm go to Surf City at the Cross where Billy was playing with the Aztecs.Doing the surfers stomp with our white t shrts on that glowed purple with the special lights.Later on it was Saturday nites at the Beachouse near Hyde Park with the resident band Ray Brown and the Whispers.Who knows maybe you and I had a dance or at least stomped on the same floor. We stopped going to the house when gang violence erupted and nearly destroyed us and the place.Billy Thorpe will always be remembered as a aussie rock legend who left this world much too young.I hope he is somewhere over the rainbow and having a good time.
trackburner .....we may we'll have had a stomp together. I do remember anything white glowed in the lighting, which sometimes could be very amusing. We also used to go to The Beach House but on Friday nights to see Thorpe and the Aztecs. We also loved Ray Brown...he was such a lovely guy....happy stomping.
You want to hear some of the best blues rock guitar. Billy was definitely a king on the hill. He could rock non stop just tearing it up. Children of the sun got great air play in the states. But billy was so much more than that. Can't believe he's gone. But his music is forever.
Love you Billy Thorpe, enjoyed the whole episode of "THIS IS YOUR LIFE!" Wow what a legend, absolutely amazing !!!! Love and God Bless You and Your Gorgeous Wife and Family!
He did a great version of Poison Ivy too, plus many other great songs. He was inspired by American singer Gene Vincent who his mother took him to see performing when he was growing up.
gone WAY…. to soon.! throughly enjoyed reading his memoirs, multiple times. he was our lil manchurian devil we affectionately adopted. 😉☺️😊😄😆😉 ~claire~ brisbane queensland down under / OZ 🤘🏻🌏🇦🇺✌🏻
How good is it at 11.38 when the cop/security guard carries the young fan out RIGHT IN FRONT OF BILLY ON CENTRE STAGE!!! Hahahaha. Billy has a brief glance, but continues singing without missing a beat. Priceless ;-) ;)
Paul Simon must've learned from Billy on that because because a similar thing happened to him during his famous Central Park (New York City) reunion concert with Art Garfunkel back in 1981
I'd watched Billy Thorpe at the _Long Way to the Top_ concert in 2002; I'd already heard a few of his songs before, but to see him in action (along with some of Australia and New Zealand's other rock greats) was a truly remarkable experience in itself.
According to Wikipedia, "Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. Depending on the distance and nature of the lightning, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble (brontide)." We now know that this is completely wrong. It's actually Thorpie tuning up his Les Paul.
I attended a performance in the sixties featuring Billy and the 'new' Aztecs. A guitarist was ill so Billy filled in on rhythm guitar. He apologised that he would stick '12 bar blues' songs because he was unable to play anything more complicated at the time. He didn't get serious with the guitar until the seventies.
According to Wiki this show took place in 1996(?). It was in the Eighties that he was a hit for me (Children of the Sun). I didnt ever know he was such a musician and music legend.
Biggest legend ever in Australia, still loved and respected by his many many fans. When he died, 10,000 people attended his funeral and it was live streamed on TV all over Aust so everyone could see it. Me included, I cried my eyes out the whole time.
The greatest Rocker of all time !
The man that single handed owns Sunbury !
'It's almost summer' is one of the most under appreciated songs, had medium success but deserved much more here and in the states. I was a young teenager when it was released and loved it so much, still do. It was quirky but had a nice flow to it and IMO is a classic. Wish he was still here
Lived across the road, what an amazing time. I was there the first night he sang Over the Rainbow, a change of pace for Surf Cityites. Every cult of kid was there, rockers, Surfies, straights, gays, spruikers, beatniks, sharpies .. all stood in awe.
I had no idea who Billy Thorpe was until after he died, i was 15 when he passed away in 2007. As a girl growing up in the 90s i never listened to his music, but he was and will always be a icon to Australian Music, Rest in Peace Billy.
Billy transcended generations.There were lots of young people at concerts with their parents rockin' it out
You bet...❤
Brilliant to be watching this again so many years later. An icon.
For some reason, this has me in tears. Billy, you never got the proper recognition in the United States. Thank you for your musical legacy. Rest in Power, Billy.
I shed a tear as well .....
He's a great bloke , but I'm in the UK...and I've never heard of him until you tube.we missed out all those years ago...
Manchester's own...he is one of the best singer's..as good as Elvis...or Freddy...maybe better..its powerful and precise..
Wat a loving son thats how a son should be with his mom
Love Thorpie. I was one of those stomping kids at Surf City every Friday night. Awesome memories
I read somewhere that Australian champion bodybuilder Paul Graham was once a promoter who was involved in Billy Thorpe’s early career at Sydney’s Kings Cross.
So glad his mum was there for this - true Aussie champion and legend. He looked after his loved ones and mates.
A really good, kind hearted, happy soul is Billy. A fantastic voice and musician, so deserved of many accolades. All the best to Lynn and family. Thank you Billy for the happiness you exuded to friends and fans too. May you be Resting in Paradise. Love
Lovely tribute to one of this country's most talented and respected musos. Love all of Billy's songs but Most People I Know Think I'm Crazy is my favourite.
Sadly, taken too soon from this mortal realm but I bet he's rockin' it in rock'n'roll Heaven.
So many memories....Jimmy Hannan took me and my girlfriend to Surf City to see Billy and the Aztecs for the first time in 1963....well that was it, we went there and to
The Beachhouse to see them weekly. I have so many fond memories of those days and will always treasure them....miss you Billy.
To Rose-I was 15 and going out with older friends.We would go to Bondi than in saturday pm go to Surf City at the Cross where Billy was playing with the Aztecs.Doing the surfers stomp with our white t shrts on that glowed purple with the special lights.Later on it was Saturday nites at the Beachouse near Hyde Park with the resident band Ray Brown and the Whispers.Who knows maybe you and I had a dance or at least stomped on the same floor. We stopped going to the house when gang violence erupted and nearly destroyed us and the place.Billy Thorpe will always be remembered as a aussie rock legend who left this world much too young.I hope he is somewhere over the rainbow and having a good time.
trackburner .....we may we'll have had a stomp together. I do remember anything white glowed in the lighting, which sometimes could be very amusing. We also used to go to The Beach House but on Friday nights to see Thorpe and the Aztecs. We also loved Ray Brown...he was such a lovely guy....happy stomping.
You want to hear some of the best blues rock guitar. Billy was definitely a king on the hill. He could rock non stop just tearing it up. Children of the sun got great air play in the states. But billy was so much more than that. Can't believe he's gone. But his music is forever.
Wish Billy was still here, so that he could see what an impact he made on so many lives!!! And how much he is missed!
Thank-you for your music plus personality. May you
R.I.P.
Love you Billy Thorpe, enjoyed the whole episode of "THIS IS YOUR LIFE!" Wow what a legend, absolutely amazing !!!! Love and God Bless You and Your Gorgeous Wife and Family!
How lovely was his mum? Tells you a lot about the man.
Rock roll will never be the same with out u billy rip
Billy's version of over the rainbow is far superior to any other.
Could not agree more. Billys is the best version ever
Ab so bloody lutely Nobody will ever match his version of over the rainbow it brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it !
Yep, I've always said the same. Powerful and soulful, really showcases his voice. Beautiful
He did a great version of Poison Ivy too, plus many other great songs. He was inspired by American singer Gene Vincent who his mother took him to see performing when he was growing up.
Billy Thorpe.... legend!!, miss ya mate!, God bless you.🙏
Brisbane boy. Yes, Brisbane. Boggo Road 1993. Says it all. Never forget. Love you Billy.
One of our best ..Thank you Billy for your music.
The best rock n roller Australia has ever seen
Next to AC/dc
Children of the Sun
A good show about a brilliant singer and performer. Happy 70th., mate.
gone
WAY…. to soon.!
throughly enjoyed reading his memoirs, multiple times.
he was our lil manchurian devil we affectionately adopted.
😉☺️😊😄😆😉
~claire~
brisbane
queensland
down under / OZ
🤘🏻🌏🇦🇺✌🏻
How good is it at 11.38 when the cop/security guard carries the young fan out RIGHT IN FRONT OF BILLY ON CENTRE STAGE!!! Hahahaha. Billy has a brief glance, but continues singing without missing a beat. Priceless ;-) ;)
Paul Simon must've learned from Billy on that because because a similar thing happened to him during his famous Central Park (New York City) reunion concert with Art Garfunkel back in 1981
My grandads brother bill son , was a great man, taken far to soon, from the thorpes in England
I have Billy's book, what an amazing life he had
I'd watched Billy Thorpe at the _Long Way to the Top_ concert in 2002; I'd already heard a few of his songs before, but to see him in action (along with some of Australia and New Zealand's other rock greats) was a truly remarkable experience in itself.
RIP Billy ..... Tears ......
What great memories.Many,many thanks
ONE OF OUR GREATEST ROCKERS💙🎶RIP
💖💕💖 Manchester born 💖💕💖 Forever loved 🎶🙏🎶
if angry thinks he was louder than bill,tell him he is dreaming
One Of The Greats Of The 60s
Seems like a nice bloke. I wasn't particularly a fan. But I saw him perform Most People I Know live. Breathtakingly good.
Such lovely memories.
Classic Dawn, never seen that before, terrific
Miss ya really bad Billy
Remember the Summer that "Most People" was released.
Great times in Sydney.
Good beer and Greek Milkbars.
Love the music and voice thankful!!
'Most people" became the 70s teens theme song, IM ONE OF THEM
Never stopped rockin' Australia, never will
legend!
According to Wikipedia, "Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. Depending on the distance and nature of the lightning, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble (brontide)."
We now know that this is completely wrong. It's actually Thorpie tuning up his Les Paul.
I attended a performance in the sixties featuring Billy and the 'new' Aztecs. A guitarist was ill so Billy filled in on rhythm guitar. He apologised that he would stick '12 bar blues' songs because he was unable to play anything more complicated at the time. He didn't get serious with the guitar until the seventies.
According to Wiki this show took place in 1996(?). It was in the Eighties that he was a hit for me (Children of the Sun). I didnt ever know he was such a musician and music legend.
Biggest legend ever in Australia, still loved and respected by his many many fans. When he died, 10,000 people attended his funeral and it was live streamed on TV all over Aust so everyone could see it. Me included, I cried my eyes out the whole time.
Thanks mate for the music
Great man
That's another nice thing, is being able to say ah------- ah shit, classic.
1996 - Billy is 50 yrs old.
allymayful n
He died 11 years later.
good show, Vale Billy Thorpe.
Olivia Newton John and Max Merritt later sang at Billy's memorial
The adulation came with the teenyboppers. He was never mobbed at Surf City,
A fantastic tribute, but one of the big things I got from this is that Thorpie was mates with Sensei Kreese from The Karate Kid.
You went way way to soon Billy.
I only know this guy from the Rose Tattoo, Live At Boggo Road Jail dvd. I had to watch this all the way through to to learn of his history.
Vale Billy Thorpe.
"Oh, shit!"
That was great.
top job billy
why wasnt John Farnham on here.
Loves his MUM
What can i say Billy
I'm 14.21 in and just noticed 5 people disliked this....why, how ?
The pimple show LOL.
Why does everyone forget the BEACH HOUSE?
Too cool for cool🤟Great smile!
Great Smile - Great Personality
3 Singles In The Top 40.. TALENT
Vale Billy Thorpe.