you would have to have, because the music hasnt aged very well. I have no doubt they were massive and are still appreciated by those who were there at the time. but they sound quaint and antiquated now. they remind me of The Goodies. something that could only work in the early/mid 70's...
They were so bloody awesome & always will be. I'm still heartbroken Shirley left us way too soon. Nobody could ever replace him as the lead singer in the legendary Skyhooks. His superb voice was one of a kind. 😢😭💔💙🌟🌹
Saw them live in ‘74 at Memorial Drive in Adelaide. “Australia’s music to the world” was the concert name and the billing was Sherbert, Skyhooks and Ross, I am Pegasus, Ryan. In that order. Although I thought Skyhooks killed it. Saw them again in ‘90 at Whyalla where I am right now on the Jukebox tour, they were still great. Great band that played a huge part in pop culture in the ‘70’s. Bless them.
The Skyhooks commonly called "The Hooks" were the Aussie band that made the world sit up and listen.. well that's what it felt like if you were a teenager in the 70's and living in Melbourne. They were singing all about the burbs you hung out in, partying in some friend of a friends flat in Malvern one night and Toorak the next. Shirl, Red and the boys playing down the local hall or rockin at Sunbury was part of living in the 70's along with other classic groups like Slade, Queen, Kiss and Alice Cooper just to mention a few. Glad to say I lived through the Glam rock days and loved it. Thanks Hooks your legends.
I've lived in the USA UK and NZ since those days. As a musician who doesn't play a lot of covers these days I try to describe the music I grew up with. It's very different to what other musicians, particularly in the USA and UK listened to. And, they all expect you to know what they listened to, and played. Here is a band the Skyhooks who just were different, and great.
The three big Aussie bands of the mid 70s... Sherbert, AC/DC, and the Hooks. Fun fact, back in the mid 70s... AC/DC opened for the Hooks... and in the 90s... the Hooks opened for AC/DC.
Took me back to my childhood years as I was entering my adolescence,remembering that you either were a Skyhooks or a Sherbet fan that held no malice or divisions, but an innocent and a friendly competition among us. The great days of Australian music. Thanks Skyhooks, Cold Chisel,Sherbet, Dragon, Brian Cadd, Jon English, Stevie Wright, Ted Mulry Band, Joe Camilleri, PaulKelly, Mental as Anything, Renee Gayer and a bunch more I may not have remembered.
So true. Having grown up with classical music, I had little tolerance for music outside of pop; I was definitely on the Sherbet side (boring). My two best friends were way cooler and loved Skyhooks, so I was familiar with their music. Gone full circle now with compiling mp3 playlists: several songs by the Skyhooks and not a sign of Daryl and friends.
What a awesome band. And for Red Simons I would not like his life. What a strong man. With his family Tragedy and Shirl. He never showed it on TV, and pushed on with life. He has my respect and sets a example of strength.
Best Aussie band ever? *NOT BLOODY LIKELY!* The Twilights, Axiom, Doug Parkinson in Focus, The Easybeats, Little River Band.... Groups that *AVOIDED* the bullshit & gimmicks, they were the *BEST BANDS EVER!*
@@neilforbes416 and please don't forget Jeff StJohn and Copperwine, Masters Apprentices, Russell Morris or Richard Clapton. Many great songs from many great bands...
@@iansing5278 I was referring to groups. Russell Morris and Richard Clapton were solo artists, but thanks for the reminder about Master's Apprentices and Jeff St.John with Copperwine in the 1970s and The Id in the 1960s.
Little River Band? that 70's disco shit? please. AC/DC were 6 bazillion times better. then there's Midnight Oil, Angels, Lobby Lloyd, Tatts, Men At Work.... real music mate@@neilforbes416
I first heard the Skyhooks on a late, Sunday night international rock feature program (Rock Around The World) on local station KISW. If memory serves, it was just one live song, and the announcers mentioned that this band was 'big in Australia'. At that time, no Oz acts had yet truly broken in the US. I myself hadn't yet discovered the plethora of great Oz acts on Radio Australia. Anyway, the song I heard played was Ego Is Not A Dirty Word, and it sounded OK, but it wasn't until I saw the LP at the local shop later on and took the chance to buy it I became a fan. I have to admit, it was an acquired taste. The Skyhooks' guitars were a bit jazzy, but very good, and the songs... the songs themselves were excellent and entertaining, and I thought they would do better than they did here. But it didn't happen. Of all their records, Guilty Until Proven Insane was the best one that could have broken them here. It had all their originality, great guitars, and the album would have sounded great on US FM radio. I guess their record company at the time thought differently, unfortunately. Either way, this was a great documentary, and an interesting glimpse of what the Skyhooks were back then, a glimpse of a different world. Peace.
I first heard Skyhooks live, on their only US tour back in 1975 or '76, in Augusta, GA. The 'hooks totally impressed me such that I can't remember the other two bands that they opened for! Many Americans just didn't "get" Skyhooks, commonly mistaking them to be Oz's version of Kiss because of the make up. But I was a huge Kiss fan already back then and the 'hooks were worlds apart from them. I managed to find their two albums "Living in the 70s" and "Ego..." and thought both albums had great songs, my favorite being "Million $$ Riff".
Americans would not understand their songs as many of them referred to locations in Australia and specifically the State of Victoria and City of Melbourne
im not sure if it's in this video or another one that their manager says his greatest regret is not taking them to usa straight up; he says they could've been way bigger than KISS. in the end they did a short year long tour of usa towards the end and just got depressed because they were away from Australia
Thanks Red, we still talk about the night we saw Skyhooks at The Playroom Gold Coast. Another great venue that's gone but another great group that lives on in our memory!
@@rodwilliams4170 their career highlights were travelling overseas as a backup band pathetic And that loser red Simon a judge on hey hey it's Saturday geez total loser's
Over the years many of the musicians I loved have died. However hearing of Shirl's death made me sad like none of the others did. Skyhooks represented my youth and they will forever be a part of my life. Thx guys.
Thanks so much for uploading. What amazing feelings this doco raised in me. I just LOVED and adored Skyhooks growing up. Every time Shirley now being dead is mentioned in this doco I got the feeling of a hole in my stomach. He was so much part of my growing up, my youth, and they brought me such joy. Thank you SKYHOOKS!!!!.
I agree! I have always thought Red was an amazing guitarist and musician. His playing was always so melodic and never seemed to play filler notes, just what was needed.
Skyhooks first ever gig in series of so called warm up shows was at the Warrandyte football oval in the Whitehouse then Carlton, i was at there first gig .it was fantastic Steve Hill on vocals was out there Pete Starkey gtr, Peter Inglis gtr Fred Strauks drms Greg Mcanish bass. People walking in couldnt believe what they were seeing there had been nothing like this, i loved it they sounded really good, great memory great times
Greg Macanish ,brilliant,it was pointed out to me very early on when i was about 9 or 10 by older relatives who was the actual genious behind the songs
Good on yer Red ("We'd have to re-locate and adapt. I don't think I could be bothered.") Integrity is worth more than all the money in the world. I bought Jukebox In Siberia as soon as it came out. I think it was the last vinyl single I ever bought too. Just wanna say it again, the hardest part is writing great original songs -- most credit to Greg McCainsh, the real leader of the band.
I taught a kid from Siberia in Thailand (International school) about 10 years ago. I put the "Best of..." album on his thumb drive. Guess what song he fell in love with?
My first ever concert, Skyhooks at Memorial Drive Adelaide (the tennis courts behind the Adelaide oval) '75 I think, '76 maybe. Mind was blown and I was totally a rock and rolla from that day to now, fuckin awesome stuff and so Aussie!
Saw 'em at Manly beach in 1976 the bands were up on the walkway and we were down on the beach they were awesome and really kicked some arse that night.much better live....
Their first album was the first time any Aussie composers had done something truly original since Percy Grainger back before World War I. A totally unique crossover of alternate-Country with Glam and slightly alternate Rock. Ya gotta give a lot of credit to Greg McCainsh's songwriting, but also to Red and "Bongo" for very cool arrangements of the two guitars -- never too busy, always complementary, and always interesting. Way better than any US band of the time. Only fellow Aussies Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band and still-going European Prog-rock bands gave them any competition. Oh yeah, Shirley had that voice that he could easily have covered Plant in a Zeppelin Show. Indeed as Skyhooks were starting up Robert lost his high notes, but Shirley kept them (effortlessly it always seemed) right up till the end.
forestsoceansmusic great summary! I was in first grade when the first album came out but loved it even then as my older brothers were playing it. As a kid I couldn’t categorise the music or make comparisons; I just loved it. There are three supreme songwriters in Australia in my opinion, Greg Macainsh, Don Walker and Richard Clapton.
Skyhooks where my most favourite band 1974, once I understood that Horror Movie was the 6:30 News, I was hooked, because living in seventies, Vietnam War, Who knew. Love Skyhooks. Thanks guys. 🌟🌟👏👏🎶🎶🦋
ABC's _Countdown_ helped to make Shirl and the Hooks famous during the mid-to-late 70's - childhood memories for me growing up in a decade where music mattered and Molly didn't wear a hat on camera.
If "music mattered" then groups should *NEVER* need fuckwitted gimmickery to sell themselves. The *GREATEST* records produced in Australia came from groups and solo artists who relied entirely on their own talent.
Good on Gudinski for founding Mushroom Records and promoting so many great Aussie bands. (Already mentioned Cptn Macthbox Whoopee Band, but there was Madder Lake, and...wasn't Mackenzie Theory with Mushroom?)
Thanks skyhooks, regardless of the politics , the music was good, too me as a fifteen year old it was not about the image presented, but the music created.
Only 213 likes? I don't understand that. Skyhooks may not have been the best rock'n'roll band around (terms of musicianship or rock cred) but they had the songs and the look. Greg wrote great songs and the rest looked brilliant in their glam make up. The first record I ever bought was Ego ... and I'm not embarrassed to tell anyone that today (the second record was Abba, which is a bit embarrassing, haha!) They are a big part of the Oz rock story, and this short doco presented very well by Red is well worth watching. I kinda wish it'd been longer. Thanks guys.
I beg to differ. The level of songwriting and musicianship in Skyhooks far exceeded that of most of their peers. They should have sold a lot more records than they did. Unlike most of the bands of their era, their music still sounds fresh. As for cred, they were quite eclectic. It is impossible to categorize them because they touched on so many styles. Few bands could play such a broad variety of music. I wish the original recording lineup had lasted a few more years.
Oh man I loved this band one of my step brothers had the music and I sat on his bed and rocked out then I saw the duke box in Siberia tour night club in St Kilda really good never will forget
in 1975 a bus from Perth to Adelaide - the hitchhiker special - very cheap fares - slept on the ground at Balladonia - the driver/businessman played "living in the seventies" non-stop pretty well all the way - he was a recent arrival from Britain -
I got to see them twice, It was either Sherbert or Skyhooks mid 70s, Luckily having older brothers I was turned on to Skyhooks, Sherbert were more for the ladies, Shirl was a great singer and frontman, Greg McCainish wrote great songs.
What a lot of people now and then fail to realise is that the members of the classic lineup of Skyhooks were all incredible musicians. Shirley was one of the great Aussie vocalists. Just listen to Million Dollar Riff. Red and Bongo were great guitarists. Greg is one of the greatest Bass players Australia has ever produced as well as one of its greatest songwriters. Freddie, one of the greatest drummers. Skyhooks sound great on record and great live. That is the mark of a truly great musical group. In many ways, Skyhooks shared a similar magic to The Beatles in that the "Whole" was greater than the sum of the parts.
R.I.P. Peter Starkie (orignal lead guitarist) 1958-2020. Similarly tragic to Shirl.....Peter fell off a bloody ladder while helping his mother-in-law renovate her house just last September 2020. Really.
red Shirley really did build my house on phillip island and shirley and molly are in my heart red how ironical im in constant negotitations with the sunshine coast airport and the helicopter pad teaching grounds for students from malaysia and pakistan love you red
Skyhooks and Shirley Strawn, Great memories in my young teenage days, sitting around the bungalow with my mates after school playing “living in the 70s album” Cassette, over and over and over, I would also be playing my guitar along with the songs, red Symons was obviously a great contributor along with Shirley making this a great band and memorable songs/times, it’s so sad i don’t here much about Shirley memories these days on music programs. Thank you for this one red.😎✌🏻
Skyhooks,Split Enz,Icehouse should all have been international success - like AC DC , INXS.I booked Skyhooks through Mushroom 🍄 records before Living in the seventies was released and the were huge . They drove from Melbourne in a VX beetle to play at Warrnambool Surf Club and honor the $500 fee.I have seen all the best bands in the world 🌍 and they were world class and good people 😎
In the early eighties as a kid I sat and watched this fella called Shirley talking to a puppet crow and laughed along with the gags, then when Adelaide finally got Hey Hey It's Saturday there was this mean smart arse fella called Red Symons. By the time I hit my teen years mid way through the decade I was listening to Australian Made and discovered this group called Skyhooks, then I taped a copy of Ego is Not a Dirty Word borrowed from the library. As a teen who grew up listening to the previous 20 years of awesome Oz Rock, just like so many other young Aussies, we all have turned into middle aged lovers of this great era in Australian music. The shows that tour the country with our remaining music heroes are proof that great music never dies. We have lost many of those stars... Shirl, Doc, Michael, Chrissy, Guy, Bon, Malcolm and so many more.... But every time we play their songs, they haven't gone, their music still lives on. As Masters Apprentices one put it... Turn Up Your Radio!
ok one of the wonderful party issues when ever you went to a party and there would always be one group over there and another group over there and there was a challenge play some of that and some of that but whenever when skyhooks came on everyone was happy
What a range he had!!!! Shirl is still the greatest vocalist this country has ever produced. I've heard many attempt to sing "Women In Uniform" - even the great John(ny) Farnham, but NONE can pull it off as good as what Shirley did.
Nowadays I wouldn’t go with a so called friend in middle of no where! 😂cause back then you could pack just about anything. -Now days good luck,what have I done now 🥶🤷🏻♂️😂 jus kidding for those that can’t see humor even if it hits them straight in the face. I just hope they did something about the HELO as I call them. Not just laying out there. Anyways those are My thoughts. - Thx Johnny Coward.And that’s no joke.
I can't believe I haven't seen this.Ive seen, read and heard just about everything on Skyhooks, Shirl and Red. All their Records etc, I still have the herald sun when the tragic news broke about Shirl and I also have an old audio tape I recorded off the radio, when they were paying tributes and callers ringing up every 5 minutes paying their respects, playing Skyhook songs all night. Also ironically for years I've been trying to find a big framed picture of living in the 70's that Red's got on his wall, and I still can't find it anywhere on Ebay or other sites.
I had the privilege of going to one of their last concerts (ie post Jukebox In Siberia), I think they called it the "1970s tour - extra dates" A wonderful and memorable night.
As a Bassist I completely admire Greg Macainsh's Bass Style n sound....coupled with Reds awesome guitar riffs and Shirl's cheeky Aussie clever lyrics.....RIP
I remember them very well because they were so unique and clever, even for a "70's glam band", because each member took on a different character/personae on stage. They weren't just "fluff" either-they were great musicians, and wrote VERY clever tongue and cheek songs (LOVE "Ego Is Not A Dirty Word")! I was SO sorry to hear that "Shirley" died in that helicopter crash! SO sad and tragic! R.I.P, Shirl! I'm sure you're entertaining the Man upstairs greatly!!
Jeezis, Skyhooks were WAY better than Uriah Heep (who did some good stuff, but were only ever a B-grade British band). I don't think the timing of the US tour was wrong, it was the 'Support Band' format. They should've played small hip venues in New York and they would've cleaned up; not played sports stadiums to dumbing-down Middle America! Or maybe, supported acts like Zappa, or Lou Reed, or Iggy Pop. Those audiences and those BANDS would've really dug 'em.
red when i was a kid i had my radio tuned to 3aw listened to reverend kenworthy red that house you owned in Hawthorn with the big power plant in front breaks my heart to this moment 9.26 pm 16/7/2020
You had to be there to totally appreciate just how big and how good Skyhooks were in the 70s .
you would have to have, because the music hasnt aged very well. I have no doubt they were massive and are still appreciated by those who were there at the time. but they sound quaint and antiquated now. they remind me of The Goodies. something that could only work in the early/mid 70's...
Bet your fun to talk to at parties 😅
@@coldacrewow. You're happy with your life .
@coldacre Garth I would have thought they would be your favourite band , obviously you have no idea
Why doncha all get fucked?!
They were so bloody awesome & always will be. I'm still heartbroken Shirley left us way too soon. Nobody could ever replace him as the lead singer in the legendary Skyhooks. His superb voice was one of a kind. 😢😭💔💙🌟🌹
True
THE most original sound in Australian music up to then. Thank you Skyhooks.
Still remember the day shirl died, i cried all damn day!
It’s hard to imagine Australian music without Michael Gudinski. Rest In Peace
Wej
I cannot agree more. Mick was a great bloke.
Who?
Saw them live in ‘74 at Memorial Drive in Adelaide. “Australia’s music to the world” was the concert name and the billing was Sherbert, Skyhooks and Ross, I am Pegasus, Ryan. In that order. Although I thought Skyhooks killed it.
Saw them again in ‘90 at Whyalla where I am right now on the Jukebox tour, they were still great.
Great band that played a huge part in pop culture in the ‘70’s. Bless them.
The Skyhooks commonly called "The Hooks" were the Aussie band that made the world sit up and listen.. well that's what it felt like if you were a teenager in the 70's and living in Melbourne. They were singing all about the burbs you hung out in, partying in some friend of a friends flat in Malvern one night and Toorak the next. Shirl, Red and the boys playing down the local hall or rockin at Sunbury was part of living in the 70's along with other classic groups like Slade, Queen, Kiss and Alice Cooper just to mention a few. Glad to say I lived through the Glam rock days and loved it. Thanks Hooks your legends.
Meanwhile I was a teenager in the UK and never heard of them ( until I moved to Australia in my late 20s). Slade yes! Skyhooks? Nup.
Me too. It really was blissful.
Really. No one knew of them outside of Australia
I've lived in the USA UK and NZ since those days. As a musician who doesn't play a lot of covers these days I try to describe the music I grew up with. It's very different to what other musicians, particularly in the USA and UK listened to. And, they all expect you to know what they listened to, and played. Here is a band the Skyhooks who just were different, and great.
The three big Aussie bands of the mid 70s... Sherbert, AC/DC, and the Hooks.
Fun fact, back in the mid 70s... AC/DC opened for the Hooks... and in the 90s... the Hooks opened for AC/DC.
Hush were bigger than ACDC at that time ...
@ACDZ123 Everyone was bigger than ACDC at the time. ACDC had the last laugh though 😅
As a child in the late 70s or maybe early 80s i watched a childs program called Shirl's Neighbourhood .
That was a great show. I always liked Claude the Crow. Claude had a really cynical view of the world and I could identify with this.
Along with a couple of million other folks...lolz. 'Shirl's Neighbourhood' was an absolute top rating show.
Took me back to my childhood years as I was entering my adolescence,remembering that you either were a Skyhooks or a Sherbet fan that held no malice or divisions, but an innocent and a friendly competition among us. The great days of Australian music.
Thanks Skyhooks, Cold Chisel,Sherbet, Dragon, Brian Cadd, Jon English, Stevie Wright, Ted Mulry Band, Joe Camilleri, PaulKelly, Mental as Anything, Renee Gayer and a bunch more I may not have remembered.
So true. Having grown up with classical music, I had little tolerance for music outside of pop; I was definitely on the Sherbet side (boring). My two best friends were way cooler and loved Skyhooks, so I was familiar with their music. Gone full circle now with compiling mp3 playlists: several songs by the Skyhooks and not a sign of Daryl and friends.
Skyhooks had some Absolutely Brilliant songs which need to be played more on radio...👍🇦🇺
Great band, their contribution to Aus music cannot be understated.
What a awesome band. And for Red Simons I would not like his life.
What a strong man. With his family
Tragedy and Shirl. He never showed it on TV, and pushed on with life.
He has my respect and sets a example of strength.
Best Australian Band ever! Skyhooks made my teenage years such a joy! I miss Skyhooks. RIP Shirley!💖💖💖
Best Aussie band ever? *NOT BLOODY LIKELY!* The Twilights, Axiom, Doug Parkinson in Focus, The Easybeats, Little River Band.... Groups that *AVOIDED* the bullshit & gimmicks, they were the *BEST BANDS EVER!*
I certainly loved the Skyhooks as a teen in the 70's, but I think AC/DC was the favourite...not mine...but in general. ;D
@@neilforbes416
and please don't forget
Jeff StJohn and Copperwine, Masters Apprentices,
Russell Morris or
Richard Clapton.
Many great songs from many great bands...
@@iansing5278 I was referring to groups. Russell Morris and Richard Clapton were solo artists, but thanks for the reminder about Master's Apprentices and Jeff St.John with Copperwine in the 1970s and The Id in the 1960s.
Little River Band? that 70's disco shit? please. AC/DC were 6 bazillion times better. then there's Midnight Oil, Angels, Lobby Lloyd, Tatts, Men At Work.... real music mate@@neilforbes416
The 1st Aussie band I can't recall that sung about Australian suburbs. Shril was your typical Aussie larrikin and proud of it.
RIP Michael Gudinski you were the biggest legend in Australian music.
If it wasn't for Michael, we'd have no bands like, AC/DC Skyhooks Rose Tattoo & many many more, R.I.P Michael & Shirl 😭
I first heard the Skyhooks on a late, Sunday night international rock feature program (Rock Around The World) on local station KISW. If memory serves, it was just one live song, and the announcers mentioned that this band was 'big in Australia'. At that time, no Oz acts had yet truly broken in the US. I myself hadn't yet discovered the plethora of great Oz acts on Radio Australia. Anyway, the song I heard played was Ego Is Not A Dirty Word, and it sounded OK, but it wasn't until I saw the LP at the local shop later on and took the chance to buy it I became a fan. I have to admit, it was an acquired taste. The Skyhooks' guitars were a bit jazzy, but very good, and the songs... the songs themselves were excellent and entertaining, and I thought they would do better than they did here. But it didn't happen. Of all their records, Guilty Until Proven Insane was the best one that could have broken them here. It had all their originality, great guitars, and the album would have sounded great on US FM radio. I guess their record company at the time thought differently, unfortunately. Either way, this was a great documentary, and an interesting glimpse of what the Skyhooks were back then, a glimpse of a different world. Peace.
I first heard Skyhooks live, on their only US tour back in 1975 or '76, in Augusta, GA. The 'hooks totally impressed me such that I can't remember the other two bands that they opened for! Many Americans just didn't "get" Skyhooks, commonly mistaking them to be Oz's version of Kiss because of the make up. But I was a huge Kiss fan already back then and the 'hooks were worlds apart from them. I managed to find their two albums "Living in the 70s" and "Ego..." and thought both albums had great songs, my favorite being "Million $$ Riff".
Americans would not understand their songs as many of them referred to locations in Australia and specifically the State of Victoria and City of Melbourne
im not sure if it's in this video or another one that their manager says his greatest regret is not taking them to usa straight up; he says they could've been way bigger than KISS. in the end they did a short year long tour of usa towards the end and just got depressed because they were away from Australia
@@pvtjohntowle4081 yeah that's the thing also: it's quite possible becoming huge in usa would've just destroyed their unique australianess
Thanks Red, we still talk about the night we saw Skyhooks at The Playroom Gold Coast. Another great venue that's gone but another great group that lives on in our memory!
Living in the Seventies- what a defining moment for Australian music
As in nobody has hardly ever heard of these loser's
@@hatermchate6639 Well absolutely no-one has EVER heard of you that’s for sure. Might read your obituary someplace soon
@@rodwilliams4170 their career highlights were travelling overseas as a backup band pathetic
And that loser red Simon a judge on hey hey it's Saturday geez total loser's
@@hatermchate6639 you could go on RedFaces......as the gong!!!
@@hatermchate6639 i bet you don’t regret all the oxygen you have stolen from innocent children!!☠️
Thanks for the effort to honor Skyhooks Red😊
I was 11 years old when you came into my life and rocked it as a boy from Cheltenham in the 70’s👍👍
Every August 29th I light a candle in memory of shirl love skyhooks they are legends
Yes living in the 70;s was so much fun, glad I got to do that , it s bit shitty now!
Over the years many of the musicians I loved have died. However hearing of Shirl's death made me sad like none of the others did. Skyhooks represented my youth and they will forever be a part of my life. Thx guys.
8
' All my friends are getting buried '....
@@waynebow-gu7wr :(
@@oldsoulone1217 ?
@@waynebow-gu7wr I just put the sad emoji there in response to your comment about "all my friends are getting buried".
New days. A 57 year old grandmother is having good memories. Me.
So is a 58 year old American who lived in Canberra as a kid in the 70's
HokieBonzo I think steel panther need to do a deal with red and play some hooks for an Australian tour.
So is a 59 yr old Redcliffe chick, now on the Sunny Coast, living very close to where Shirl lived! ;D
Still play Skyhooks LOUDLY in my convertible - top down. Most times, people start to move to the beat. God Bless Shirl and Michael.
Thanks so much for uploading. What amazing feelings this doco raised in me. I just LOVED and adored Skyhooks growing up. Every time Shirley now being dead is mentioned in this doco I got the feeling of a hole in my stomach. He was so much part of my growing up, my youth, and they brought me such joy. Thank you SKYHOOKS!!!!.
petervad My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it.
Skyhooks....loved ‘em! RIP Shirl, you were a talent mate!
Freddies chopping and stuttered drum fills along with Red symons underrated guitar we're two reasons the sky hook's we're a fine live band
I agree! I have always thought Red was an amazing guitarist and musician. His playing was always so melodic and never seemed to play filler notes, just what was needed.
One of the best bands ever!
Skyhooks first ever gig in series of so called warm up shows was at the Warrandyte football oval in the Whitehouse then Carlton, i was at there first gig .it was fantastic Steve Hill on vocals was out there Pete Starkey gtr, Peter Inglis gtr Fred Strauks drms Greg Mcanish bass. People walking in couldnt believe what they were seeing there had been nothing like this, i loved it they sounded really good, great memory great times
The chemistry of the boys playing with each other made it work.
Greg Macanish ,brilliant,it was pointed out to me very early on when i was about 9 or 10 by older relatives who was the actual genious behind the songs
Good on yer Red ("We'd have to re-locate and adapt. I don't think I could be bothered.") Integrity is worth more than all the money in the world.
I bought Jukebox In Siberia as soon as it came out. I think it was the last vinyl single I ever bought too. Just wanna say it again, the hardest part is writing great original songs -- most credit to Greg McCainsh, the real leader of the band.
Greg McCainsh absolutely one of the most under-rated musicians in the country
I taught a kid from Siberia in Thailand (International school) about 10 years ago. I put the "Best of..." album on his thumb drive. Guess what song he fell in love with?
Thank you so much, love this doco. I still listen to Skyhooks regularly, their music always makes me feel happy and free. Love you Skyhooks.
My first ever concert, Skyhooks at Memorial Drive Adelaide (the tennis courts behind the Adelaide oval) '75 I think, '76 maybe. Mind was blown and I was totally a rock and rolla from that day to now, fuckin awesome stuff and so Aussie!
It was a classic on this side of the ditch as well, listening to these guys on a hot summers day in the Southern Alps!
How brilliant is this, thanks Max.
Glad you enjoyed it and very glad I found it on DVD and some time off work to work out how to upload it!
The Soundtrack of the Australian Culture. Yes they could have been big in The USA but never to be. But here they were huge to us.
My Friends and I listened to them in the USA...Love these guys!
Shirl and Red on stage were a power house together
Saw 'em at Manly beach in 1976 the bands were up on the walkway and we were down on the beach they were awesome and really kicked some arse that night.much better live....
Thanks for posting this. I only knew Skyhooks, as a Brit with a cousin in Oz. Loved them since 78.
Glad you enjoyed. I'm an Aussie who happens to now live in the UK.
Their first album was the first time any Aussie composers had done something truly original since Percy Grainger back before World War I. A totally unique crossover of alternate-Country with Glam and slightly alternate Rock. Ya gotta give a lot of credit to Greg McCainsh's songwriting, but also to Red and "Bongo" for very cool arrangements of the two guitars -- never too busy, always complementary, and always interesting. Way better than any US band of the time. Only fellow Aussies Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band and still-going European Prog-rock bands gave them any competition. Oh yeah, Shirley had that voice that he could easily have covered Plant in a Zeppelin Show. Indeed as Skyhooks were starting up Robert lost his high notes, but Shirley kept them (effortlessly it always seemed) right up till the end.
forestsoceansmusic great summary! I was in first grade when the first album came out but loved it even then as my older brothers were playing it. As a kid I couldn’t categorise the music or make comparisons; I just loved it. There are three supreme songwriters in Australia in my opinion, Greg Macainsh, Don Walker and Richard Clapton.
Skyhooks where my most favourite band 1974, once I understood that Horror Movie was the 6:30 News, I was hooked, because living in seventies, Vietnam War, Who knew. Love Skyhooks. Thanks guys. 🌟🌟👏👏🎶🎶🦋
ABC's _Countdown_ helped to make Shirl and the Hooks famous during the mid-to-late 70's - childhood memories for me growing up in a decade where music mattered and Molly didn't wear a hat on camera.
If "music mattered" then groups should *NEVER* need fuckwitted gimmickery to sell themselves. The *GREATEST* records produced in Australia came from groups and solo artists who relied entirely on their own talent.
Skyhook’s opened my eyes, to what was going on, in the 70’s.xxx
My first concert had Skyhooks opening for Slade and Uriah Heep.
Miss this band every day!
I've really enjoyed each of your videos Tracey. It's amazing seeing things come together.
Good on Gudinski for founding Mushroom Records and promoting so many great Aussie bands. (Already mentioned Cptn Macthbox Whoopee Band, but there was Madder Lake, and...wasn't Mackenzie Theory with Mushroom?)
Thanks skyhooks, regardless of the politics , the music was good, too me as a fifteen year old it was not about the image presented, but the music created.
Watching some great videos of Hooks and Shirl on the 19th anniversary of his passing.
I miss Skyhooks and I miss watching Shirl.
Only 213 likes? I don't understand that. Skyhooks may not have been the best rock'n'roll band around (terms of musicianship or rock cred) but they had the songs and the look. Greg wrote great songs and the rest looked brilliant in their glam make up. The first record I ever bought was Ego ... and I'm not embarrassed to tell anyone that today (the second record was Abba, which is a bit embarrassing, haha!) They are a big part of the Oz rock story, and this short doco presented very well by Red is well worth watching. I kinda wish it'd been longer. Thanks guys.
I beg to differ. The level of songwriting and musicianship in Skyhooks far exceeded that of most of their peers. They should have sold a lot more records than they did. Unlike most of the bands of their era, their music still sounds fresh. As for cred, they were quite eclectic. It is impossible to categorize them because they touched on so many styles. Few bands could play such a broad variety of music. I wish the original recording lineup had lasted a few more years.
Thanks so much for this. Just loved Shirley so much. RIP
One of the greats of the Seventies in Australia.
That was Excellent Thank You
Oh man I loved this band one of my step brothers had the music and I sat on his bed and rocked out then I saw the duke box in Siberia tour night club in St Kilda really good never will forget
in 1975 a bus from Perth to Adelaide - the hitchhiker special - very cheap fares - slept on the ground at Balladonia - the driver/businessman played "living in the seventies" non-stop pretty well all the way - he was a recent arrival from Britain -
I got to see them twice, It was either Sherbert or Skyhooks mid 70s, Luckily having older brothers I was turned on to Skyhooks, Sherbert were more for the ladies, Shirl was a great singer and frontman, Greg McCainish wrote great songs.
What a lot of people now and then fail to realise is that the members of the classic lineup of Skyhooks were all incredible musicians. Shirley was one of the great Aussie vocalists. Just listen to Million Dollar Riff. Red and Bongo were great guitarists. Greg is one of the greatest Bass players Australia has ever produced as well as one of its greatest songwriters. Freddie, one of the greatest drummers.
Skyhooks sound great on record and great live. That is the mark of a truly great musical group.
In many ways, Skyhooks shared a similar magic to The Beatles in that the "Whole" was greater than the sum of the parts.
R.I.P. Peter Starkie (orignal lead guitarist) 1958-2020.
Similarly tragic to Shirl.....Peter fell off a bloody ladder while helping his mother-in-law renovate her house just last September 2020. Really.
Who fell off the ladder? I'm so confused by your comment.
red Shirley really did build my house on phillip island and shirley and molly are in my heart red how ironical im in constant negotitations with the sunshine coast airport and the helicopter pad teaching grounds for students from malaysia and pakistan
love you red
Skyhooks and Shirley Strawn,
Great memories in my young teenage days, sitting around the bungalow with my mates after school playing “living in the 70s album” Cassette, over and over and over, I would also be playing my guitar along with the songs, red Symons was obviously a great contributor along with Shirley making this a great band and memorable songs/times, it’s so sad i don’t here much about Shirley memories these days on music programs. Thank you for this one red.😎✌🏻
Skyhooks,Split Enz,Icehouse should all have been international success - like AC DC , INXS.I booked Skyhooks through Mushroom 🍄 records before Living in the seventies was released and the were huge . They drove from Melbourne in a VX beetle to play at Warrnambool Surf Club and honor the $500 fee.I have seen all the best bands in the world 🌍 and they were world class and good people 😎
Right on cheers
Skyhooks was the first concert I had seen at feast..hall in Melbourne. It was so great. 💃💃
In the early eighties as a kid I sat and watched this fella called Shirley talking to a puppet crow and laughed along with the gags, then when Adelaide finally got Hey Hey It's Saturday there was this mean smart arse fella called Red Symons. By the time I hit my teen years mid way through the decade I was listening to Australian Made and discovered this group called Skyhooks, then I taped a copy of Ego is Not a Dirty Word borrowed from the library. As a teen who grew up listening to the previous 20 years of awesome Oz Rock, just like so many other young Aussies, we all have turned into middle aged lovers of this great era in Australian music. The shows that tour the country with our remaining music heroes are proof that great music never dies.
We have lost many of those stars... Shirl, Doc, Michael, Chrissy, Guy, Bon, Malcolm and so many more.... But every time we play their songs, they haven't gone, their music still lives on.
As Masters Apprentices one put it... Turn Up Your Radio!
ok one of the wonderful party issues when ever you went to a party and there would always be one group over there and another group over there and there was a challenge play some of that and some of that but whenever when skyhooks came on everyone was happy
What a range he had!!!! Shirl is still the greatest vocalist this country has ever produced. I've heard many attempt to sing "Women In Uniform" - even the great John(ny) Farnham, but NONE can pull it off as good as what Shirley did.
The soundtrack of my university days.
How good was the music! , how hot hot hot jana was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a great time, the seventies. Can we go back, who wants to come with 🤣🤣🇦🇺🇦🇺💜💜👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 skyhooks were so cool.
I'm comin'.
Thanks for posting this (I recorded it too....)
I watched this in New Zealand. They put them with Santana. It was fantastic. They had police there watching them.
Red so flamboyant on stage, so conservative off stage. Laughed when he was on the ABC
👍🏼’s up , brings back memories.
Nowadays I wouldn’t go with a so called friend in middle of no where! 😂cause back then you could pack just about anything.
-Now days good luck,what have I done now 🥶🤷🏻♂️😂 jus kidding for those that can’t see humor even if it hits them straight in the face. I just hope they did something about the HELO as I call them. Not just laying out there. Anyways those are My thoughts.
- Thx Johnny Coward.And that’s no joke.
Well presented Red 👍
“Let me tell your viewers that I assure you that I’m not a poofter” Ah they were the days. RIP Shirley.
I still remember the day it was announced Shirl died in an aviation accident i thought Aussie music was going down from now on,what a SHOCK.
Thank you, Skyhooks
I can't believe I haven't seen this.Ive seen, read and heard just about everything on Skyhooks, Shirl and Red. All their Records etc, I still have the herald sun when the tragic news broke about Shirl and I also have an old audio tape I recorded off the radio, when they were paying tributes and callers ringing up every 5 minutes paying their respects, playing Skyhook songs all night. Also ironically for years I've been trying to find a big framed picture of living in the 70's that Red's got on his wall, and I still can't find it anywhere on Ebay or other sites.
So sad we lost him a
Legend
Gotta love the skyhooks,!
Was first live band I ever saw at Lismore city Hall in the mid 70’s! I was still at school and they were awesome!!
So jelly of baby boomers,they lived in a fantastic era of music.
I remember it all very well. Great music ❤❤❤❤❤
Red has to be the smartest and coolest man in rock history, anywhere
I had the privilege of going to one of their last concerts (ie post Jukebox In Siberia), I think they called it the "1970s tour - extra dates" A wonderful and memorable night.
Rest in Peace michael gudinski
Thanks Red,
I'm from the Sunshine coast,lived in mdore when the hooks played at Noosa Aussie hop...
I cried when i heard about Shirls death on the radio!..
Tha you loved it!
As a Bassist I completely admire Greg Macainsh's Bass Style n sound....coupled with Reds awesome guitar riffs and Shirl's cheeky Aussie clever lyrics.....RIP
Women in uniform...... is my favourite.
That whole album was top notch.
How good is his outro singing!
Gets my hairs standing on end everytime!
Well Red you are a huge!!! success, your also a “Humble pie” 🎸 🎶
Red, we're going bushwalking: Red dons casual shoes, slacks & a suit jacket.
Great film huge fan
I remember them very well because they were so unique and clever, even for a "70's glam band", because each member took on a different character/personae on stage. They weren't just "fluff" either-they were great musicians, and wrote VERY clever tongue and cheek songs (LOVE "Ego Is Not A Dirty Word")! I was SO sorry to hear that "Shirley" died in that helicopter crash! SO sad and tragic! R.I.P, Shirl! I'm sure you're entertaining the Man upstairs greatly!!
🔥 🔥 🔥 heaven ☰ sent they ALL ARE ✈
Jeezis, Skyhooks were WAY better than Uriah Heep (who did some good stuff, but were only ever a B-grade British band). I don't think the timing of the US tour was wrong, it was the 'Support Band' format. They should've played small hip venues in New York and they would've cleaned up; not played sports stadiums to dumbing-down Middle America! Or maybe, supported acts like Zappa, or Lou Reed, or Iggy Pop. Those audiences and those BANDS would've really dug 'em.
red when i was a kid i had my radio tuned to 3aw listened to reverend kenworthy red that house you owned in Hawthorn with the big power plant in front breaks my heart to this moment 9.26 pm 16/7/2020