Australian music legend Beeb Birtles joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most remarkable careers in Australian rock history.

From the colourful pop explosion of Zoot to the international success of Little River Band, Beeb reflects on six decades in music, songwriting, fame, faith, and the ever-changing music industry.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Zoot, Beeb shares stories from the band's early days with Rick Springfield and Darryl Cotton, the origins of the band's iconic name, and the surprising connection to Doc Neeson. He also revisits the pre-Zoot era with Down the Line and their work as a backing band for John Farnham.

The conversation explores Beeb's role in Little River Band, including writing the band's debut single Curiosity Killed the Cat, helping create timeless hits like Everyday of My Life, Home on Monday and Happy Anniversary, and witnessing Australian music conquer the world stage.

Shayne and Beeb also discuss the rise of Yacht Rock, the pressures of fame, spirituality, Christian faith, and what continues to inspire creativity after more than sixty years in music.

Whether you're a fan of classic Australian rock, Little River Band, Zoot, or the golden era of 70s music, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode:
The story behind changing his name from Gerard Bertelkamp to Beeb Birtles
Celebrating 60 years of Zoot
The origins of the name "Zoot" and its connection to Doc Neeson
Working in Down the Line as a backing band for John Farnham
Memories of Rick Springfield and Darryl Cotton
The groundbreaking success of Zoot's Eleanor Rigby
The formation and early days of Little River Band
Writing Little River Band's first single Curiosity Killed the Cat
The stories behind the classic LRB songs.
Breaking into the American market and global success
Little River Band's place in Yacht Rock history
Creativity, songwriting and solo work
Faith, spirituality and life beyond fame
The future of Australian music and preserving its legacy

Subscribe to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians and industry legends who created — and continue to create — the soundtrack of our lives.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast

#BeebBirtles #LittleRiverBand #Zoot #YachtRock #AustralianMusic #ClassicRock #RickSpringfield #JohnFarnham #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian #MusicPodcast #AustralianRock #LRB #70sMusic #RockHistory #DocNeeson

Image © Jackson Moon Photography. Taken at the German Club as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival, February 22, 2019.

Australian music legend Beeb Birtles joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most remarkable careers in Australian rock history.
From the colourful pop explosion of Zoot to the international success of Little River Band, Beeb reflects on six decades in music, songwriting, fame, faith, and the ever-changing music industry.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Zoot, Beeb shares stories from the band's early days with Rick Springfield and Darryl Cotton, the origins of the band's iconic name, and the surprising connection to Doc Neeson. He also revisits the pre-Zoot era with Down the Line and their work as a backing band for John Farnham.
The conversation explores Beeb's role in Little River Band, including writing the band's debut single Curiosity Killed the Cat, helping create timeless hits like Everyday of My Life, Home on Monday and Happy Anniversary, and witnessing Australian music conquer the world stage.
Shayne and Beeb also discuss the rise of Yacht Rock, the pressures of fame, spirituality, Christian faith, and what continues to inspire creativity after more than sixty years in music.
Whether you're a fan of classic Australian rock, Little River Band, Zoot, or the golden era of 70s music, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode:
<ul data-start="1429" data-end="2232">
<li data-section-id="1pxzine" data-start="1429" data-end="1504">The story behind changing his name from Gerard Bertelkamp to Beeb Birtles</li>
<li data-section-id="wsz6m7" data-start="1505" data-end="1535">Celebrating 60 years of Zoot</li>
<li data-section-id="emlssz" data-start="1536" data-end="1601">The origins of the name "Zoot" and its connection to Doc Neeson</li>
<li data-section-id="1invvh" data-start="1602" data-end="1663">Working in Down the Line as a backing band for John Farnham</li>
<li data-section-id="x35840" data-start="1664" data-end="1712">Memories of Rick Springfield and Darryl Cotton</li>
<li data-section-id="1gieleq" data-start="1713" data-end="1767">The groundbreaking success of Zoot's Eleanor Rigby</li>
<li data-section-id="qqvrhn" data-start="1768" data-end="1819">The formation and early days of Little River Band</li>
<li data-section-id="qv1gf6" data-start="1820" data-end="1889">Writing Little River Band's first single Curiosity Killed the Cat</li>
<li data-section-id="1etr5na" data-start="1890" data-end="1985">The stories behind the classic LRB songs.</li>
<li data-section-id="1syxoqz" data-start="1986" data-end="2040">Breaking into the American market and global success</li>
<li data-section-id="zw8khb" data-start="2041" data-end="2090">Little River Band's place in Yacht Rock history</li>
<li data-section-id="177zp6u" data-start="2091" data-end="2130">Creativity, songwriting and solo work</li>
<li data-section-id="5wb1g6" data-start="2131" data-end="2173">Faith, spirituality and life beyond fame</li>
<li data-section-id="1ipg24z" data-start="2174" data-end="2232">The future of Australian music and preserving its legacy</li>
</ul>
Subscribe to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians and industry legends who created &mdash; and continue to create &mdash; the soundtrack of our lives.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast
#BeebBirtles #LittleRiverBand #Zoot #YachtRock #AustralianMusic #ClassicRock #RickSpringfield #JohnFarnham #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian #MusicPodcast #AustralianRock #LRB #70sMusic #RockHistory #DocNeeson
Image &copy; Jackson Moon Photography. Taken at the German Club as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival, February 22, 2019.

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.

Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive — the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock’s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.

From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.

Featuring legendary guests including:


Stewart Copeland (The Police) — on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.


Leo Sayer — sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.


Russell Morris — reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.


Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) — taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.


Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) — reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.


Steve Kilbey (The Church) — exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.

Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations — and are still climbing.

Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.

And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,

Keep on Rocking!

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.
Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive &mdash; the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock&rsquo;s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.
From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.
Featuring legendary guests including:
<ul data-start="899" data-end="1588">
<li data-start="899" data-end="1036">
Stewart Copeland (The Police) &mdash; on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.
</li>
<li data-start="1037" data-end="1143">
Leo Sayer &mdash; sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.
</li>
<li data-start="1144" data-end="1244">
Russell Morris &mdash; reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.
</li>
<li data-start="1245" data-end="1359">
Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) &mdash; taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.
</li>
<li data-start="1360" data-end="1476">
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) &mdash; reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.
</li>
<li data-start="1477" data-end="1588">
Steve Kilbey (The Church) &mdash; exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.
</li>
</ul>
Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations &mdash; and are still climbing.
Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.
And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,
Keep on Rocking!