Mike McClellan has carved a very successful career across many decades because he is a craftsman, a showman, a man with a curious mind and a passion for singing and songwriting that he still works at today at the ripe old age of 80. 

As he prepares for his latest tour, Mike reflects on what drives him, what makes him happy, what has influenced him and what has touched him over the year.  

As you will discover in this chat, Mike is a master storyteller, whether he is singing those words or recounting stories of his life and times. 

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

Mike McClellan has carved a very successful career across many decades because he is a craftsman, a showman, a man with a curious mind and a passion for singing and songwriting that he still works at today at the ripe old age of 80.&nbsp; As he prepares for his latest tour, Mike reflects on what drives him, what makes him happy, what has influenced him and what has touched him over the year.&nbsp;&nbsp; As you will discover in this chat, Mike is a master storyteller, whether he is singing those words or recounting stories of his life and times.&nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
&copy; 2025

The H Files with Kevin Hillier has a very simple charter. Kevin Hillier wants to chat to interesting people and bring their unique and fascinating stories to you. Their stories are the star of the show. Those 'stars' might make you laugh, cry, groan, scream or all of the above. One thing for sure, you will be richer for the experience. 

The H Files with Kevin Hillier has a very simple charter. Kevin Hillier wants to chat to interesting people and bring their unique and fascinating stories to you. Their stories are the star of the show. Those 'stars' might make you laugh, cry, groan, scream or all of the above. One thing for sure, you will be richer for the experience.

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 24 Mike McClellan. 

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were. In the first of a four-part series, The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation. 

Part One features Greg Macainsh, the man who wote the songs, and what game changing songs they were - Living in the Seventies, Balwyn Calling, You Just Like Me Coz I'm Good in Bed, Toorak Cowboy, Women in Uniform and Ego is Not a Dirty Word. Greg created the sound of Skyhooks and lyrically shattered the stereotypical rock song. 

Greg shares some of his thoughts on the band, the music, fame and much more. 

You will also hear from David Briggs, the former Little River Band guitarist and songwriter given the task of remastering some Skyhooks material over the years.         

Songs excerpts included in this episode in order

Toorak Cowboy  (demo with Steve Hill on lead vocals)

Living in the Seventies

Horror Movie 

All My Friends are getting Married 

Women in Uniform

Balwyn Calling

Love's not Good Enough    (3XY Rocktober Concert 1984 Hey hey It's Saturday) 

Powdertown

Carlton ( Lygon Street Limbo)     

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were. In the first of a four-part series, The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.&nbsp;
Part One features Greg Macainsh, the man who wote the songs, and what game changing songs they were - Living in the Seventies, Balwyn Calling, You Just Like Me Coz I'm Good in Bed, Toorak Cowboy, Women in Uniform and Ego is Not a Dirty Word. Greg created the sound of Skyhooks and lyrically shattered the stereotypical rock song.&nbsp;
Greg shares some of his thoughts on the band, the music, fame and much more.&nbsp;
You will also hear from David Briggs, the former Little River Band guitarist and songwriter given the task of remastering some Skyhooks material over the years.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Songs excerpts included in this episode in order
Toorak Cowboy&nbsp; (demo with Steve Hill on lead vocals)
Living in the Seventies
Horror Movie&nbsp;
All My Friends are getting Married&nbsp;
Women in Uniform
Balwyn Calling
Love's not Good Enough&nbsp; &nbsp; (3XY Rocktober Concert 1984 Hey hey It's Saturday)&nbsp;
Powdertown
Carlton ( Lygon Street Limbo)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
&copy; 2025

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 27 Skyhooks Part 1 Greg Macainsh 

Peter Asher has had a career like a Russian doll. It started as an 8 year old actor working with the likes of Boris Karloff. While Peter's sister Jane became a leading actress, Peter was drawn to music and with Gordon Waller became the worldwide hit making duo Peter & Gordon. They did get some help from Peter's sister's boyfriend and Asher house lodger Paul McCartney, who wrote a few songs the duo recorded.

As Peter tells Kevin, being in a recording studio for the first time with Peter & Gordon was where he discovered his next calling - record producer. This led to running Apple Records' A&R Department for The Beatles, discovering James Taylor and relocating to America for the next phase of his incredible career.

Peter brilliantly combined being an artist manager and record producer, working with Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Robin Williams, Steve Martin and Diana Ross to name but a few. 

It is an incredible career that is still going, both on and off stage, and it is a great privilege to have Peter Asher CBE on The H Files.     

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

Peter Asher has had a career like a Russian doll. It started as an 8 year old actor working with the likes of Boris Karloff. While Peter's sister Jane became a leading actress, Peter was drawn to music and with Gordon Waller became the worldwide hit making duo Peter &amp; Gordon. They did get some help from Peter's sister's boyfriend and Asher house lodger Paul McCartney, who wrote a few songs the duo recorded.
As Peter tells Kevin, being in a recording studio for the first time with Peter &amp; Gordon was where he discovered his next calling - record producer. This led to running Apple Records' A&amp;R Department for The Beatles, discovering James Taylor and relocating to America for the next phase of his incredible career.
Peter brilliantly combined being an artist manager and record producer, working with Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Robin Williams, Steve Martin and Diana Ross to name but a few.&nbsp;
It is an incredible career that is still going, both on and off stage, and it is a great privilege to have Peter Asher CBE on The H Files. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
&copy; 2025

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 26 Peter Asher. 

Andy Kim has been a star for a very long time and his musical footprint started in the legendary Brill Building in New York, the mecca for budding songwriters from all over the world. When a young, wide-eyed Canadian walked in for a meeting with Jeff Barry, it was a life changing experience, and the start of a Hall of Fame musical career.

Andy talks about writing Sugar Sugar, a worldwide number one song for The Archies, and his solo hits like the classic Rock Me Gently. Success opened many doors, including backstage with Elvis and having a Beatle present him with his Gold Album. 

Andy Kim has enjoyed a long and colourful musical journey and he shares much of it here.           

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

Andy Kim has been a star for a very long time and his musical footprint started in the legendary Brill Building in New York, the mecca for budding songwriters from all over the world. When a young, wide-eyed Canadian walked in for a meeting with Jeff Barry, it was a life changing experience, and the start of a Hall of Fame musical career.
Andy talks about writing Sugar Sugar, a worldwide number one song for The Archies, and his solo hits like the classic Rock Me Gently. Success opened many doors, including backstage with Elvis and having a Beatle present him with his Gold Album.&nbsp;
Andy Kim has enjoyed a long and colourful musical journey and he shares much of it here.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
&copy; 2025

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 24 Mike McClellan.

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