For example – Why isn’t AC/DC a Scottish band ?
The Youngs (scots), Bon (‘Bonnie’) Scott, Geordies, general poms, Taffs. Ok, some Aussie passport holders but it’s pushing a point to call them an Aussie band really. It’s possibly the most Commonwealth band there’s ever been,
Who’s the most Commonwealth band around ?
by 23 Comments
Maybe some Ska bands could push the Commonwealth envelope…
Yes? Welcome
Harry- did you see that Easybeats TV show. They were in the UK being interviewed and the interviewers were calling them a British / European band on account of their origins and they protested saying their sound was forged in Australia. “So when did you start calling yourself an Australian Band?”. They replied “Well just now, actually.”
If the Easybeats regarded themselves as an Aussie band then ridiculous to suggest ACDC aren’t an Aussie band. That sound was classic blues based pub rock forged in the beer barns of Australia.
Now a band like the Bee Gees, I wouldn’t argue similarly.
Yebbut, Aussies from early childhood onwards. Made by the Oz pub scene, undoubtedly.
See also Jimmy Barnes (Scot). And Colin Hay (Scot). And John Paul Young (Scot). And Billy Thorpe (Pom).
The Bee Gees though, Manchester only aren’t they ?
Crowded House – NZ/Aus, with occasional Brit participation. Split Enz – NZ with occasional Aus members,
Bee Gees were brought up in Queensland and won talent contests as kids. Spicks and Specks was recorded here before going to UK.
I know. It is all so unnecessarily obtuse, entirely on my part.
But since this has been all so blokey, we must also remember Olivia Newton John (born in Cambridge and moved to Oz as a 6 year old).
The Bee Gees were from the Isle of Man, though, rather than mainland GB. Making them surely the most successful act from a Crown Protectorate.
Three legs. Three heads. One vision.
Not least as big bro George Young was a/the Easybeat
Quintessence: one Brit, two Aussies, one Canadian, one from Mauritius (head of state: Elizabeth R)… and, okay, one American. Most diverse Commonwealth band, perhaps.
We have a leading contender here I think.
CSNY must be in with a shout. N brit and Y Canadian, although C & S are both American. So 50% score on the Commonwealthometer.
I must say, it’s quite enchanting how annoyed Americans of my acquaintance get when pointing out England sent more prisoners to the US than Australia…of course that may or may not be true (more likely not… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_transportation), but the effect is marvelous.
Mike Garrick’s 1965 band (on the “October Woman” album) was fairly commonwealthy:
Alto Saxophone – Joe Harriott (Jamaica)
Double Bass – Coleridge Goode (Jamaica)
Drums – Colin Barnes (UK)
Piano – Michael Garrick (UK)
Trumpet – Shake Keane (St. Vincent & the Grenadines)
An impressive Caribbean presence in that band. It made me wonder if there was not a jazz band with a wide range of Commonwealth nationalities.
John Mayer’s Info Jazz Fusions for example.
I can’t be arsed to check but Brotherhood of Breath?
Oddly enough, Retro, I was thinking of Brotherhood of B myself but did not have the time to go though them all and check nationalities.
Fascinating that about Jerry Dammers. The son of a clergyman he was born and spend the first two years of his life in India. Settled in Coventry in 1965.
Hope he’s got documentation to prove that.
Messrs Golding and Staple from The Specials were born in Jamaica, Jerry Dammers born in India and the others, England.
First Osibisa album:
Ghana x 3
Nigeria x 1
Grenada x 1
Antigua x 1
Trinidad x 1
Howzat?
Sounds like a winner to me.
Agreed, very good call. The first five-fer I think.
Prompted by the above mention of them, I had a listen to the first two Osibisa albums.
Most satisfying. A great live band in their early days too.
A breakthrough band in my appreciation of non- European/American music.