SPAT News

Sound Preservation Association of Tas. (Inc.) Newsletter

Third Edition, 2013

President Lindsay
Over the many years I have been associated with SPAT, it is always pleasing to find a sound recording that somebody is looking for. Recently I was asked by John Kincade about the recordings of Hoadley's Battle of the Bands from 1968. I was able to find the CD'S of the programmes, which I sent to John. Here is John's reply Thank you for the CDs, the second CD includes two songs by my band Tangerine Cobweb. It was great to listen to them again after 45 years. Tangerine Cobweb was formed in late 1967, however really only took off in mid 1968 when Alex [ Chuck } Rae joined the band as vocalist. Members of the Launceston band were: Alex Rae, vocal - Ian Banham lead guitar John Kincade rhythm guitar, Steve Collins drums and Peter McDermott bass guitar. The band played in Launceston and on the North-West Coast especially Excalibur in Burnie and Countdown at the Ulverstone Rowing Club where we had a permanent gig on a Friday evening. I went on to play in Mae West in 1969, Alex played in Jody who played at the Battle finishing in the placing's. Steve Collins morphed into the writer Stephen Dando-Collins. One of his earliest books Two heads are better than One, has a chapter about Tangerine Cobweb and his attempts at running dances in Launceston after his playing days. Continued P.2
RESOURCE/RESEARCH CENTRE & MUSEUM: 19 Cambridge Road, Bellerive, Tas. 7018. Phone/Fax: (03) 6245 1153 - Find us also on Facebook Email: soundtas@bigpond.com OR lindmc@bigpond.com

A Word from

Sound Preservation Assn. of Tasmania (Inc.) 19 Cambridge Road, BELLERIVE Tas. 7018

Association Newsletter

A Word from President Lindsay

continued from Page 1 President and Public Officer: Vice President : Secretary: Assist.Secretary: Treasurer: Hon.Auditor: Committee: Technical Sub-Committee:

S.P.A.T. Office Bearers

Lindsay McCarthy................................. Phone: (03) 6247 8695 Bruce McCarthy...,...Mobile 0417 525 969 Brian Kemp...........(03) 6245 1880 Judy Ferguson..(03) 6267 2363 Lyn Kemp. (03) 6245 1880 Ivan Wass ...................................................(03) 6243 6820 Stan Draper, Sam Turner, Nick Dewey, Sebrina Brennan, Jemma Dacy, Brian Coleman. Mike Hawkins, John Jongbloed

He had a real coup when he booked two bands who were just getting on their legs, through ex Launceston promoter, Michael Chugg. The bands were Daddy Cool & Spectrum. Of course Daddy Cool's song Eagle Rock went viral before the booking and Stephen made a killing on the night! This was at the Little Theatre in Launceston and the placed just rocked. I really appreciate what you guys are doing, and will send a donation. Thanks John glad we could help, the donation will be put to good use. Thanks for the pictures, just for the record Gwen D'Emden had Stephen Dando-Collins as a guest speaker at SPAT, back in the days we were at 47 Campbell Street. Thanks to al that paid up their subs, and those that gave donations THANK YOU ! Still a few stragglers however, you can pay by direct debit, our bank account is Bendigo Bank, Bayfield Street, Bellerive BSB 633000 - Account Number 121772156 Other contacts are SPAT email soundtas@bigpond.com Or myself lindmc@bigpond.com Home phone (03) 6247 8695 Since closing our web site SPAT is now on facebookcheck it out. To celebrate the coming of spring (its been a long cold winter) we are holding a social afternoon at SPAT HQ on Sunday 6th October at 2pm Also the start of daylight saving time. Many thanks to those that sent me birthday greetings, and attended my 80th celebration evening on July 25th As usual we will end the year with our Christmas/Anniversary social Afternoon at Bellerive on Sunday November 24th. This will mark 27 years since our inception as an association in 1986. Thank you from President

Dates for your Diary Social Afternoon Sunday 6th October, 2013 to celebrate the coming of Spring 2.pm in SPAT Centre. Bellerive. Next Committee Meeting: Wednesday October 2nd, 3.15 pm Annual Subscriptions
Concession ...........$20.00 Non Concession....$25.00 Family Concession ..$25.00 Family......$30.00

Lindsay

Some Subscriptions are still overdue .. Is Yours ?

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT SPAT CENTRE

1.

2.

CATALOGUING OF RECORDS MANNING CENTRE ETC. CAN YOU HELP ?

The Tangerine Cobweb Band, Launceston, Tasmania (Late 1960s)

DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN JOINING ?

SPAT NEEDS NEW MEMBERS

Maurice Chevalier
Maurice Chevalier, French singer and actor (born 1889, Paris). Chevaliers father, a Paris workman, died young, leaving his family without any financial resources, and Maurice was forced to earn his living at an early age. After having tried various jobs, he began his career as a singer at a slummy suburban variety theatre, later performing at the smaller bathing resorts on the coast and street corners in La Cite. During the First World War he entertained his comrades in the trenches. Finally he was wounded and ended as a prisoner of war, remaining in the prison camp at Alten-Grabow until the review star Mistinguette, with the help of the King of Sain, managed to get him home to France. After the war he became Mistinguette partner at the Folies Bergere. He was soon the acknowledged favourite of all Parisians and the most admired artist in the large reviews at the Casino de Paris. He declined offers from Hollywood to appear in silent films, saying; How can I be myself when I have no chance of saying a word or singing a note? With the introduction of sound films he changed his mind, and his many pictures brought him world-wide fame. But in the long run not even his high salary could keep him in Hollywood and he returned to his beloved Paris before the Second World War, remaining there during the occupation. After the war he was accused of collaboration with the Germans, but was acquitted. From 1948 he put on a series of one-man shows, in which he alone held the stage for two hours or more, in New York, London and Paris. Chevaliers gay and slightly risqu style of song, and his carefully cultivated broken English, made him the embodiment of French entertainment to British and American audiences of both theatre and cinema. His cheerful personality emerged also in his autobiography The Man in the Straw Hat (1950.

Australian Amateur Hour

Marie Ormiston was the permanent pianist for the Australian Amateur hour. Often because of the varied acts, she had to keep her wits about her to detect changes in key, pitch and pace of a song while accompanying the artist. On one occasion a tenor kept changing key. Finally after five changes, Marie stopped playing. The tenor however continued with his performance. A furious Dick Fair asked what had gone wrong. Well Dick she said, I had to stop, because I could not play in the cracks. Miss Ormiston had a tragic death. She lived at the Sydney suburb of Watson's Bay. Her unfenced garden stretched back to a high cliff top above the ocean. One evening while walking in her garden, she tripped and plunged to her death on the rocks below. Terry Dear and Harry Dearth also compared the Amateur hour over the years. The show was produced by 2UW, Sydney for the Major Network. SPAT has copies of some of these programmes, recorded in Hobart and Launceston. In the 1950's local musicians John Sidney and Michael Colrain were on the 1958 Hobart recording of the show. The Australian Amateur Hour was broadcast in Tasmania by 7HT and 7EX and the country stations. Two old friends of SPAT, Norm Stone & Gordon Bonner were involved with the Tasmanian productions.

Terry Dear and three artists rehearsing for a Cairns produced Australias Amateur Hour

SOUND WAY TO CELEBRATE 80th

President Lindsay McCarthy, celebrated his 80th birthday at the Shoreline Hotel on 25th July with over 80 family members and friends. Lindsays nephew Barry travelled from Melbourne, and his sister- in-law Michelle McCarthy from Queensland. Nephew Bruce, Vice President of SPAT and his wife Jenny McCarthy and her daughter Clarissa also attended together with Mathew and Miriam Bingley. The Mayor of Clarence Alderman Doug Chipman called in during the evening to drink to Lindsays health and spoke about his valuable contribution to the City of Clarence. Lindsay has volunteered widely within many organisations in the Clarence Community. He President, Public Officer and Life Member of the Sound Preservation Association of Tasmania Over the years, he has had a long time association with Community Radio Hobart FM 96 where he broadcasts two programmers each week. He is Treasurer of the National Servicemens Association, Hobart branch, and a committee member of the Royal Signals Association of Tasmania. The Sound Preservation wouldnt be where it is today without his input. Lindsays knowledge and skills make SPAT a very valuable asset to the community.
Lindsay looks on as SPAT Treasurer Lyn Kemp cuts one of the three chocolate cakes made for the occasion by Jenny McCarthy and Lyn Kemp

The Dining Room of the Shoreline Hotel showing a panorama photo of family and guests enjoying the occasion. This photo and that of Lindsay are the courtesy of SPAT member Tony Hope.