Band of Light

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Band of Light


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Origin = Australia
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Label = WEA
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Past_members =Phil Key
Norm Roue
Ian Rilen
Tony Buettel

Band of Light was an Australian heavy blues style based rock band formed in October 1972 and disbanded in late 1974. Phil Key was the founding member, bringing with him Peter Roberts, both of whom were originally with the The La De Das. Ian Rilen (bass) replaced Roberts after three gigs, with Norm Roue (slide guitarist) and Tony Buettel (drummer) joining to complete the lineup. The band allowed Phil to develop his own songs written with his wife Pam, under the pseudonym of "Wheel", using a quasi-religious philosophy which explored themes of racial equality, social justice, spiritual harmony and cosmic enlightenment. The music was energetic and funky with a heavy blues and boogie style interlaced with intense slide guitar work. In early 1973 they signed a recording contract with WEA, releasing two LP's, one EP and four singles. They worked consistently touring from Sydney to Melbourne doing pub gigs and concerts whilst playing alongside such bands as Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, Carson, Coloured Balls (Lobby Loyde's band), Chain, Madder Lake and Buffalo. They highlighted themselves during the 1973 Sunbury Music Festival, and were included on the resulting live concert triple LP set "The Great Australian Rock Festival Sunbury 1973" with the track "Messin' with the Kid". Phil Key disbanded the group in late 1974 and died in May 1984 of a congenuial heart condition.

Their albums have long been sought after as rarity vinyl's with 'Total Union' fetching up to AUD $300, 'The Archer' USD $100 and the EP 'Band of Light' USD $250. 'Total Union' is now re-released as a remastered CD, with the 'Archer' to follow later in 2007.

Band Members

*Tony Buettel 1972-1974
*Dannie Davidson 1974
*Eddie Hansen 1974
*Phil Key 1972-1974
*Ian Rilen 1972-1974
*Peter Roberts 1972
*Norm Roue 1972-1974
*Ray Vanderby 1974
*Bill Williams 1974

Discography

"Albums"

*Total Union - August 1973 WEA WS 20011 - Peaking at #13 Australian National Top 20 Album Charts - Remastered CD May 2006 Aztec Music AVSCD012Tracks:1. My First Home - 2. Free Them from Hunger - 3. Spaces of Time - 4. If - 5. Earthbound Blues - 6. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
*with the bonus additions for the remastered CD of7. The Destiny Song - 8. Over “B” - 9. Moonstruck - 10. Messin’ with the Kid (live) - 11. The Cat

*The Archer - 1974 Warner (WEA) 600011Tracks:1. The Archer - 2. Bread & Wine - 3. Indigo Heaven - 4. Invitation - 5. My Black Swan - 6. Our Reason for Being - 7. Seeker - 8. Silis the Sun

"EP's"

*Band of Light - 1974 Warner Bros EPW 261 Tracks:1. The Destiny Song - 2. If - 3. Moonstruck - 4. Free Them from Hunger (shorter edited version of original from LP)

"Singles"

*The Destiny Song b/w Over "B" - Peaking at #18 Australian National Top 40 Singles Charts - April 1973 Warner Bros WBA 4035
*Free Them from Hunger (shorter edited version of original from LP) b/w The Cat - 1973 Warner Bros WBA 4043
*Moonstruck b/w If - November 1973 Warner Bros WBA 4055
*The Archer, A Sagittarian Rhapsody b/w Silis the Sun - November 74 Warner Bros WB100006

References

* [http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/8216/band_of_light.htm Milesago]
* [http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/b/bandoflight.html Australian Rock Database]
* Liner notes from The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop, 1999 by Ian McFarlane

External links

* [http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/music/4909/ Review of Total Union remastered CD]
* [http://www.sergent.com.au/bandoflight.html New Zealand Music]