Mississippi (band)
Encyclopedia
Mississippi was an Australian band (1972–1975), which featured some big names in Australian rock music, Graeham Goble
, Beeb Birtles
and Kerryn Tolhurst
. The band started as Allison Gros in Adelaide, South Australia in 1970 and moved to Melbourne
in 1971 where they recorded as Allison Gros, Drummond and in 1972 became Mississippi; this band eventually evolved into Little River Band
by 1975.
" is a traditional English folk ballad with the most widely recognised version recorded by Steeleye Span
on their 1973 album Parcel of Rogues
. The Adelaide based folk-rock band Allison Gros is believed to be named after this folk ballad and consisted of Graeham Goble
(vocals, guitar), Russ Johnson (vocals, guitar) and John Mower (vocals, guitar). They recorded one single on independent label Gamba "Naturally" released in 1970. The band moved to Melbourne in 1971 and signed to the Fable Records label and released two singles; "If I Ask You" and "All the Days". Under the pseudonym Drummond they recorded a 'chipmunk' version of the 1950s rock song "Daddy Cool
", which spent 7 weeks at the top of the Australian national charts
from September 1971. The success of their single rode largely on the back of the success of Australian band Daddy Cool
, who had scored a number one hit for 10 weeks with "Eagle Rock
", which Drummond's single replaced at #1.
. In late 1972, Mississippi were joined by Beeb Birtles
on bass and vocals and Derek Pellicci
on drums. Birtles had been bassist with popular Australian band Zoot
.
1973 saw several changes in line-up, a new single release "Early Morning" (AUS chart position #56, 1973) and supporting the Jackson Five Australian tour in October of that year.
In 1974 they appeared at the Sunbury music festival and released another single "Will I?" (AUS chart position #26, 1974). They did a tour of the UK in 1974, and after a disastrous tour, broke up. In London band members met up with former Masters Apprentices bassist Glenn Wheatley
who agreed to become their manager, should they decide go back to Australia. Wheatley was eager to return to Australia after spending some time working in the USA & the UK. In the UK, they also met up with Glenn Shorrock
(ex-Twilights
) who had also been in the UK for several years, without seeing much success and also wished to return home. From this nucleus, the Little River Band
was born.
In 1975, they returned to Australia and reformed, with the addition of Glenn Shorrock
, firstly under the name Mississippi. After a few months of touring, on the way to a gig in Geelong, Victoria one day, they changed their name to the Little River Band
, which they took from a signpost along the road. Under the guidance of producer Glenn Wheatley
, they became one of Australia's most successful bands to make it big in the USA.
Graeham Goble
Graeham George Goble is a musician, singer/songwriter and record producer, best known as a founding member of rock performers Little River Band ....
, Beeb Birtles
Beeb Birtles
Beeb Birtles , is a Dutch / Australian musician, one of the founding members of the Little River Band....
and Kerryn Tolhurst
Kerryn Tolhurst
Kerryn Tolhurst is a noted Australian musician and songwriter who was based in the USA in the late 1970s and 1980s.His musical career began in Melbourne with the Adderly Smith Blues Band. He subsequently joined Sundown, led by Keith Glass, which was one of Australia's first country-rock groups...
. The band started as Allison Gros in Adelaide, South Australia in 1970 and moved to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1971 where they recorded as Allison Gros, Drummond and in 1972 became Mississippi; this band eventually evolved into Little River Band
Little River Band
Little River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only...
by 1975.
1970-1972: Allison Gros and Drummond
"Allison GrossAllison Gross
"Allison Gross" is a traditional ballad, catalogued as Child Ballad #35. It tells the story of "the ugliest witch in the north country" who tries to persuade a man to become her lover and then punishes him by a transformation.-Synopsis:Allison Gross, a hideous witch, tries to bribe the narrator to...
" is a traditional English folk ballad with the most widely recognised version recorded by Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
on their 1973 album Parcel of Rogues
Parcel of Rogues (album)
Parcel of Rogues is an album by the Electric folk band Steeleye Span. It was their most successful album thus far, breaking into the Top 30....
. The Adelaide based folk-rock band Allison Gros is believed to be named after this folk ballad and consisted of Graeham Goble
Graeham Goble
Graeham George Goble is a musician, singer/songwriter and record producer, best known as a founding member of rock performers Little River Band ....
(vocals, guitar), Russ Johnson (vocals, guitar) and John Mower (vocals, guitar). They recorded one single on independent label Gamba "Naturally" released in 1970. The band moved to Melbourne in 1971 and signed to the Fable Records label and released two singles; "If I Ask You" and "All the Days". Under the pseudonym Drummond they recorded a 'chipmunk' version of the 1950s rock song "Daddy Cool
Daddy Cool (The Rays song)
"Daddy Cool" was a song by US doo-wop group, The Rays and was released on Cameo Records as the B-side of their 1957 single "Silhouettes". It became a #3 hit on the Billboard Pop singles chart. The song was written by Bob Crewe and Frank Slay, who had also written the A-side, "Silhouettes"...
", which spent 7 weeks at the top of the Australian national charts
Kent Music Report
The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998...
from September 1971. The success of their single rode largely on the back of the success of Australian band Daddy Cool
Daddy Cool (band)
Daddy Cool is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1970 with the original line-up of Wayne Duncan , Ross Hannaford , Ross Wilson and Gary Young . Their debut single "Eagle Rock" was released in May 1971 and stayed at number 1 on the Australian singles chart for ten weeks...
, who had scored a number one hit for 10 weeks with "Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock (song)
"Eagle Rock" is a classic Australian song, released by Daddy Cool in May 1971 on the Sparmac Record Label. It went on to become the best selling Australian single of the year, achieving gold status in eleven weeks, and remaining at #1 on the national charts for a record ten weeks. "Eagle Rock"...
", which Drummond's single replaced at #1.
1972-1975: Mississippi
In 1972, the band became known as Mississippi and released a self-titled debut LP (AUS chart position #21), which featured the single "Kings of the World" (AUS chart position #7, 1972) on the Bootleg label, a label recently set up by Brian CaddBrian Cadd
Brian George Cadd is an Australian singer-songwriter, keyboardist and producer who has performed as a member of The Groop, Axiom, Flying Burrito Brothers and solo...
. In late 1972, Mississippi were joined by Beeb Birtles
Beeb Birtles
Beeb Birtles , is a Dutch / Australian musician, one of the founding members of the Little River Band....
on bass and vocals and Derek Pellicci
Derek Pellicci
Derek Allan Pellicci is an Australian pop music drummer. He is best known as a founding member of Little River Band...
on drums. Birtles had been bassist with popular Australian band Zoot
Zoot (band)
Zoot are a pop/rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1965 as Down the Line. They changed their name to Zoot in 1967 and by 1968 had relocated to Melbourne...
.
1973 saw several changes in line-up, a new single release "Early Morning" (AUS chart position #56, 1973) and supporting the Jackson Five Australian tour in October of that year.
In 1974 they appeared at the Sunbury music festival and released another single "Will I?" (AUS chart position #26, 1974). They did a tour of the UK in 1974, and after a disastrous tour, broke up. In London band members met up with former Masters Apprentices bassist Glenn Wheatley
Glenn Wheatley
Glenn Dawson Wheatley is an Australian artist manager and entertainment industry executive.Wheatley began his career as a musician in Brisbane in the mid-1960s and in the late 1960s became nationally famous as a member of leading pop-rock band The Masters Apprentices...
who agreed to become their manager, should they decide go back to Australia. Wheatley was eager to return to Australia after spending some time working in the USA & the UK. In the UK, they also met up with Glenn Shorrock
Glenn Shorrock
Glenn Barrie Shorrock is an English-born Australian singer-songwriter. He was a founding member of pop groups The Twilights, Axiom and Little River Band as well as being a solo performer....
(ex-Twilights
The Twilights (band)
The Twilights were an Australian rock music group of the mid to late 1960s. Alongside their own career successes, The Twilights are also notable for the inclusion of vocalist Glenn Shorrock, who later fronted Axiom, Esperanto and Little River Band, and guitarist Terry Britten who went on to become...
) who had also been in the UK for several years, without seeing much success and also wished to return home. From this nucleus, the Little River Band
Little River Band
Little River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only...
was born.
In 1975, they returned to Australia and reformed, with the addition of Glenn Shorrock
Glenn Shorrock
Glenn Barrie Shorrock is an English-born Australian singer-songwriter. He was a founding member of pop groups The Twilights, Axiom and Little River Band as well as being a solo performer....
, firstly under the name Mississippi. After a few months of touring, on the way to a gig in Geelong, Victoria one day, they changed their name to the Little River Band
Little River Band
Little River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only...
, which they took from a signpost along the road. Under the guidance of producer Glenn Wheatley
Glenn Wheatley
Glenn Dawson Wheatley is an Australian artist manager and entertainment industry executive.Wheatley began his career as a musician in Brisbane in the mid-1960s and in the late 1960s became nationally famous as a member of leading pop-rock band The Masters Apprentices...
, they became one of Australia's most successful bands to make it big in the USA.