Ayers Rock (band)

Ayers Rock was a jazz fusion/progressive rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group formed in 1973, and included many well-travelled rock performers; drummer Mark Kennedy had previously played in Spectrum, and played on sessions for King Harvest and Friends. Bassist Duncan McGuire (who was also an experienced recording engineer and producer) had been in Australian groups since the late 1950s, including The Phantoms, The Epics, and The Questions (which later became Doug Parkinson In Focus) and had also played with King Harvest. Guitarist Ray Burton had played with The Dave Bridge Quartet, The Delltones and The Executives, and worked with Helen Reddy in the U.S., where he wrote the music for Reddy's international hit "I Am Woman".

These three joined forces with guitarist Jimmy Doyle, who had also played with The Delltones and Dig Richards and was musical director for pianist Winifred Atwell on her Australian tours. They formed the group initially as McGuire Kennedy and Burton, changing their name a few months later to Ayers Rock when they were joined by saxophonist Col Loughnan. Loughnan had started his career as a vocalist, and took over as lead singer in The Delltones following the tragic death of original member Noel Widerberg.

Ayers rock signed to Mushroom Records and issued their first single, "Rock 'N Roll Fight", in December 1973. In 1974 Ayers Rock issued their first full-length, "Big Red Rock", which was recorded live at Melbourne's Armstrong's Studios and included a new version of McGuire's "Lady Montego", which was originally performed by Friends. The success of the album allowed the group to tour the United States in 1975-1976. After their second album, "Beyond", was released in 1976, the group went on a hiatus; in 1979, some members reconvened for a third LP, 1980's "Hotspell". They disbanded in 1981.

Members

*Chris Brown - guitar/vocals 1974-81
*Ray Burton - guitar/vocals 1973-74
*Keith Casey - percussion 1976
*Andy Cohen - keyboards 1976-8
*James Doyle - guitar/vocals 1973-75
*Russell Dunlop - drums 1976
*Doug Gallacher - drums 1976
*Steve Hogg - bass 1976
*Mark Kennedy - drums 1973-76
*Col Loughnan - saxophone, flute, clarinet,keyboards, percussion, vocals
*Duncan McGuire - bass
*Hamish Stewart - drums 1976-81
*Phil Stone - guitar
*Joe Tattersal - drums
*John Young - bass 1977

Discography

Albums

*"Big Red Rock" (Mushroom Records, 1974)
*"Beyond" (Mushroom, 1976)
*"Hotspell" (Red Rock/RCA Records, 1980)

ingles

*"Rock N Roll Fight (Going On)/ Sorrowful Eyes" (December 1973)
*"Lady Montego/ Goin' Home" (November 1974)
*"Little Kings/ Get Out To The Country" (1975)
*"Song For Darwin/ Place To Go" (May 1976)
*"On The Avenue/ Sister Feels She Should" (December 1979)
*"Lies/ Feel The Heat" (July 1981)

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/soho/square/8216/ayers.htm Official website]
* [http://wm10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:k9fyxqr5ldae~T1 Ayers Rock] at Allmusic.com