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Page Updated 28/02/2008 |
Bonnie’s Laurie Allen Tribute
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One of the things I have noticed in the Aussie country music scene is it doesn’t seem to matter how big an artist is in this business they will nearly always be willing to help fellow artists out by joining in harmonies or picking up a guitar to help out for the sake of the show, charity shows are amazing, they in them-selves really show what this business is all about with no jealousy’s, ego’s aside and Laurie was always one to add to the quality of a show with out hesitation, by picking up a guitar, or join in on the keyboard or harmonies or even helping to produce an album… because the music was so important and the show must go on…..……here you will find some other artists that were lucky enough to have shared in Laurie’s talents. |
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Memories, what great memories. Congratulations, obviously a lot of work gone into your
site. Never met Laurie although briefly met Bobby when I worked on “Homicide”
back in the 60’s ( 1960’s that
is). We need to ask baby boomers to advise you of similar sites so we can all
place links on them. Keep rocking Richard Felstead, Albury NSW. For all those who love the 60’s and Rock N Roll visit Richards great site |
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Hi, I hung out with Laurie back in the eighties, did a few
gigs with him, great guy. This photo was taken at Sydney airport when he came to see
off when I was returning to Scotland, we lost touch after this, but I was
truly saddened to hear of his passing. The web site is great, really glad
this has been done. I am returning to Australia (Adelaide) later this year,
may see you around the country gigs… Thank you to Roddy for sending me this photo, I appreciate it so much |
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Fellow artist, rocker and friend of Laurie’s from the 60’s
was on many shows with Bobby & Laurie and remembers being at the party where
solo artists Laurie Allen and Bobby Bright decided to join forces and become
Bobby & Laurie, the rest is history so to speak. John also shared memories of a show he did with Bobby
& Laurie at the Town Hall in Ararat, returning to the motel where they
were staying Bobby & Laurie were watching the Goon Show on TV, Laurie was
sitting on top of the wardrobe…ahhhh the Laurie humour, nice memories John.
Thank you John for getting in touch and sharing…. |
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Greg Hayes
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Good friend of Laurie’s, sharing gigs with Laurie, and I think may be responsible for the voice on Laurie’s answering machine… |
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Kenny Arnott
Thank you Ken for the information and the chat we had, very much appreciated…. |
Kenny Arnott recorded a single
in December 1964 “The Rebel
Johnny Yuma” and “The Prisoner Song” …Crest CRS-7 004-A Backing Musicians…..
The Blue Jays Laurie Allen .. Keyboard
& Vocals Ray Eames… Lead
Guitar Doug Flowers.. Rhythm Guitar Kenny Arnott… Rhythm
Guitar Dennis Tucker.. Bass Guitar Bobby Johnson.. Drums Produced by Kenny Arnott & Laurie Allen |
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Lionel Rose
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1972
Laurie Allen produced Lionel Rose’s second album called “Jackson’s Track” Lionel recorded “Just History” and “Had To Leave her”, both penned by Laurie. |
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Colin Cook
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Laurie played the organ on Colin Cooks recording of “Heart”. |
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Col
Joye
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Col Joye recorded a number of
Laurie songs, “Through Childrens Eyes”, “Sunshine
On Your Face” and “Concert In The Sky”. |
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Colleen
Hewitt
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Colleen & sister Glenys, were members of The Laurie Allen Revue, Colleen later to become a top recording artist in her own right. |
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Gary Young
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was the drummer in the Bobby & Laurie backing group The Rondells and The Laurie Allen Revue, other groups Gary was involved in were The Changing Times, Ram Jam Big Band, Turnstile, Sons Of The Vegetal Mother, the mega famous Daddy Cool and Hot Dog. |
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Wayne Duncan, |
bass player in The Rondells and The Laurie Allen Revue was also a part of The Changing Times, Turnstile, Son Of Vegetal Mother, Daddy Cool and Hot Dog |
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The Singing Kettles |
The Singing Kettles 14th Album had three songs co-written
by Laurie Allen and Mick Hamilton, “What Amanda Needs”, “Saturday
Morning” and “It’s Too Late Now”. Their 15th
album was co-produced by Laurie Allen with three of Laurie’s compositions on
it, “First Star On The Right”,
“Had To Leave Her” and “Raindrops |
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Johnny Chester
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Johnny Chester also recorded “What Amanda Needs”.
co-written by Mick Hamilton. |
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Normie Rowe
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it was Laurie Allen that suggested to Normie Rowe that he record “It Ain’t Necessarily So” that did become a number one hit for Normie. |
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Mick Hamilton & Allan Caswell |
Mick Hamilton & Allan Caswell co-wrote ‘Gaylene” with Laurie, “B” side to “Merry Bloody Xmas”. |
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Lee Conway |
Lee Conway managed The Laurie Allen Revue and it was through his association with Laurie at this time that he first embarked on his own music career in what was to become a very successful solo career |
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Jan Kelly
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Was a good friend of Laurie’s and recorded an album called I’m A Woman with Laurie Allen’s song “Danielle” |
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Silver Wings Band 1980 |
Laurie was a part of Silver Wings for some years and they recorded a number of Laurie’s songs.. “I’ve Been Through It Before” “Honky Tonk Woman & Neon Lights”. Laurie playing piano, reached No.2 on the 4CD Country Charts. |
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Greg Champion |
Greg Champion CD called Champs, recorded in 1992. Yobbo Chorus James Gillard,
Col Joye, Col Buchanan, Lee Kernaghan,
GC, Barry Newman, Fraser Sandeman, Justine Rigby and Laurie Allen. |
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Cowboy Bob Purtell
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1975 Purtell’s recorded “Motivating Day”
written by Laurie Allen for ATA Records. Receiving a Gold Guitar CMA Awards. For Best New Talent. 1978 releasing
his album called Cross Country Cowboy Produced by Laurie Allen with
Laurie’s compositions, “Truckers Lullaby” and “Gearjammers Ball”
* Cowboy” and “Motivating Day”..Laurie also playing piano and
backup singing. |
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Nola McFarland
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“I’ll Always Love You” Volume One… JRM
Records A CD produced by
Laurie Allen with vocal backing by… Wayne Duncan, Laurie Allen, Bobby
Bright, Johnny Chester, Pete Hayes, Noel Watson, Jenni
Waltho, “Melodody Lane” & “I’ll Always Love You”, “Red
River Valley” and “We Could Never Make it Alone” written by Laurie Allen. Guitars…Laurie
Allen, Barry Roy, Pete Hayes Del Vechio...Laurie Allen Fiddle &
Banjo.. Pete Hayes Piano…Laurie
Allen, Barry Ladgrove. Pedal
Steel…..Ray Hasler Drums…….Harold Frith Bass….Wayne
Duncan, Pete Hayes Triangle….See
Through Sue Mandolin…George
Mack Harmonica
….Bobby Bright |
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Warren Keats
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Warren Keats guitarist in Laurie’s band Mystery Train and LBW was Laurie’s one and only apprentice with his new CD “Hello & Welcome” in 2002 Produced by Laurie Allen, Bernie O’Brien and Warren Keats. “Rollin Home” written By Laurie Allen “Swaggin” Written By Jack & Laurie Allen CD available from Wasteland Music Services warrenkeats@warrenkeats.com |
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Bernie O’Brien
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part of The Rondells and
Laurie’s bands Nite Trane
and LBW Bernie O’Brien’s CD called “Born For The Nightlife” recorded in 2002. Produced by Laurie Allen, Bernie O’Brien and Warren Keats.
CD available from Wasteland Music
Services warrenkeats@warrenkeats.com |
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Ian Castles
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Ian Castles CD “August Mood” produced at Wasteland
Studio’s, co-produced by Laurie Allen, Warren Keats and Bernie
O’Brien winning a Tiara Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival
for his version of Laurie Allen’s song “Closing Of The Door”. CD available from icastles@satlink.com.au |
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My name is Paul
McGovern and I met Laurie through a mutual friend by the name of Bob Jones in
1987. Bob and I were working together in The Southern Comfort Band at the
time and on occasion he would tell me that he had been to Laurie’s flat in Lakemba for a session of Jack Daniels and music listening
and that many a brain cell had been destroyed., he eventually took me to
Laurie’s to watch an Everly Brothers video and I
was advised I would have to write off the next day, I actually had to write
off the next week. From there a good friendship began, we would hang around
and go gigging, I would pick Laurie up and drive him back and have one for
the road, anyone knowing Laurie would know what that meant. How do I sum up so many wonderful memories of a beautiful
friend in an email? The Laughs were many of the knee
slapping variety and most of the stories can never be told in polite company. I relied on Laurie to tell me what was real and true in
music and what real country and rock and roll was about. I once asked him for a bottle of what I thought was coke
in his fridge and he said “no problem” it had 99% JD and a dash of coke for colour and I nearly passed out. Laurie and I were on stage when our dear friend Nelson Arentz keeled over with a brain haemorrhage
at the Hollywood Country music club at Lansvale. I taught him how to let down tyres
of cars of individuals that got on his bad side. I’m not sure that he ever
put the knowledge to use ( hi Geoff) nudge wink. I loved his dry laconic sense of humour
for example… “Jesus Laurie, I’ve been trying to ring you for weeks”..Laurie..”Serves
you right”. Another time when Laurie asked me to play guitar for him
in a Buddy Holly type show, Laurie said very dryly “I’m Buddy” when we both
stopped laughing I thought bugger it I have done stranger gigs before and
seeing as Laurie looked as much like Buddy Holly as Kamahl
does and the band did not know one Buddy Holly song between them, they were
all young guys, as expected the show was an abomination (but great fun) and
we laughed our way through it then in the car park a bloke came up to Laurie
and said “you’re looking good for your age Buddy, I have all your records”. and he was serious. Not long before he took his final bow he came to see my
band The Firebyrds at St Mary’s Band Club
and I introduced him to the audience and then we played “I Belong With You”
for him and he was quite emotional about it. I was honoured to play guitar on
his “Me and Jack Daniels” album and honoured to
have shared so many great and sad times with a legend like Laurie. Laurie had a sense of who he was and his contributions and
was a tremendous friend and confidant to me. Laurie, I miss you and I love you and will never forget
our friendship… simply irreplaceable. Thank you Paul McGovern for sharing your memories of Laurie. |
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I recently played “Carroll County Accident” at the country music club I belong to up here in NSW and some one said “Porter Wagoner” I said nah…..Bobby & Laurie….. That rocked them. Thanks Wayne I love this story |
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