Australian Music: '70s "Countdown" Quiz

Answer: The six thirty news

"Horror Movie" was the second single from Skyhooks "Living in the Seventies" album. It was their first number 1 hit in Australia.
When Skyhooks first appeared on "Countdown" their bass player (Greg Macainsh) was in hospital. So Red Symons's girlfriend (Jenny Keath) dressed up like Greg and did the gig.
Lead singer, Graeme "Shirley" Strachan tragically died in 2001 when he crashed his helicopter on Queensland's Sunshine coast.

Answer: Bony Moronie

Hush formed in 1971 and made the N.S.W. finals of "Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds" in 1972.
Hush was one of "Countdown's" leading bands in the early years of the show. Their version of "Bony Moronie" was their first big hit, and the song they performed on their first "Countdown" appearance. At the time, glam-rock was big in Australia and Hush were well known for their colourful outfits and big stage act.

Answer: We'll start swayin'

The Ted Mulry Gang released their version of "Darktown Strutters Ball" in 1976 on their "Struttin'" album. Ted was originally a solo artist, but formed his own band in 1972, the Ted Mulry Gang. It wasn't long before they became known simply as "TMG". Other hits for the band were "Jump in my Car" and the infamous "Dinah". The song was black-balled as the radio stations thought it was too racy at the time.
In early 2001 Ted announced that he had an inoperable brain tumour, and he passed away in September the same year.

Answer: I look in your eyes

"Love is in the Air" may not have been one of John Paul Young's biggest hits in the seventies, but it has enjoyed a second lease of life since. It was the final song in the movie "Strictly Ballroom" when everyone gets on the floor and dances. John first appeared on "Countdown" in 1975 singing "Yesterday's Hero".

At the time he was an unknown, but Robbie Weekes, the show's floor manager, secretly arranged for the audience to scream. They ended up ripping his shirt off and pulling him off stage! It's a wonder John ever appeared on the show again! It worked though, John became an overnight sensation with young fans across Australia.

Answer: Summer love

Sherbet had more Top 40 hits in the '70s than any other Australian band, and "Summer Love" and "Howzat" were their biggest hits. Sherbet were also one of the most frequent acts on "Countdown", although it has been said this may have been due, in part, to Daryl Braithwaite's grandmother. She lived down the road from Ian Meldrum's house, and she used to take him scones and tell him to play Sherbet more!
Sherbet was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1990.

Answer: Broken boned

AC/DC (Acca Dacca to their fans) is a well known Australian rock band that was first formed in 1973 by Scottish brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. "Long Way to the Top" was the first track on the "High Voltage" album from 1975. Of course, any Aussie brought up in the '70s remembers singing: "It's a long way to the shop, if you want a sausage roll".
Lead singer, tragically Bon Scott died in mysterious circumstances in 1980, and the band briefly thought of splitting. They continued however, with replacement singer Brian Johnson taking the mike.

Answer: Get my fun

Dragon originally formed in New Zealand in 1972 but relocated to Sydney in 1975. "April Sun in Cuba" was their first big hit, peaking at number 2 on the Australian charts in 1977. They followed with more hits: "Are You Old Enough" (#1 in '78) and "Still in Love" (#15 also in '78).
Tragically, the band lost two members from overdoses in 1976 and 1986. Lead singer Marc Hunter died of oesophageal cancer in 1998.
There is some debate over the correct lyrics and another version is "Get my fun". I prefer "Get my sun" as the lyrics state "Summer's on the run" and the chorus says "Take me to the April sun in Cuba".

Answer: Inside the bubble?

Little River Band (LRB) formed in 1975 and was named after a road sign for the town of Little River in Victoria.
"Help is on its Way" was a single taken off the "Diamantina Cocktail" album and reached number 14 on the Australian charts.
LRB enjoyed great success in the U.S. with "Reminiscing" reaching number 3. Other hits included: "Lonesome Loser" and "Cool Change". Their first Aussie hit was "Curiosity Killed the Cat" in 1976.

Answer: The police chief

Ol' 55 specialised in retro, '50s era music and dressed in 1950s rocker gear. They first formed in 1975 from a band called Fanis. "On the Prowl" was their second single and it went straight into the Australian Top 20. Their debut album "Take it Greasy" peaked at number three. Ol' 55 introduced to the world lead singer Frankie J. Holden and saxophonist Wilber Wilde.

Answer: I ripped up the town

Rose Tattoo formed in 1976 and debuted at Chequers nightclub, the same place that launched AC/DC a few years before. They performed on "Countdown" in 1977 and were almost banned from ever performing on the show again after singer Angry Anderson exchanged chewing gum mouth-to-mouth with guitarist Mick Cocks.

Despite being portrayed as a hard man of rock, or perhaps because of it, Angry Anderson does a lot of charity work. In 1993 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his role as a youth advocate. He also became involved in the Dunn Lewis Youth Development Foundation, a legacy of the Bali bombings in 2002.