Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.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. 

In Part Three, guitarist Bob Starkie - universally known and loved as 'Bongo' - shares his memories in one of his final interviews before his passing in November 2025. We retrace the early days, pre replacing his brother Peter in Skyhooks, meeting Greg for the first time, being in studio with Ross Wilson, the American tour and life after Skyhooks, including his Rio adventure with Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs. 

Recorded only weeks before his death, Bob also talks about his health battle and his positivity is testament to the man. Ross Wilson also pays tribute to Bob in a small excerpt from his full Skyhooks chat, which will be in Part 4.   

Music in this episode 

‘Hey What’s the Matter’    Sydney Opera House 15th of September 1974.

‘Ego is not a Dirty Word’  Bridgeway Hotel, Pooraka South Australia Sunday 24th September 2023     Vocals Laura Davidson

‘Mercedes Ladies’    from  Ego is not a Dirty Word

‘Every Chase a Steeple’   from Ego is Not a Dirty Word

‘Is this America’   from Straight in a Gay Gay World

‘Carlton Lygon Street Limbo’   'Bongo' Starkie performing with fellow Skyhooks members Greg Macainsh and Bob Spencer 'Rockin' for the legendary Doc Neeson - The Voice of The Angels' in 2013 at Cherry Bar.

‘Horror Movie’      Bongo Starkie's Skyhooks Show performing 'Horror Movie' at the Harley Davidson National Hog Rally Saturday - 23rd September 2023

‘Party to end all Parties’        from The Skyhooks Tapes

‘Balwyn Calling’      Skyhooks featuring Ross Wilson Rockwiz October 2015

‘All My Friends are getting Married’     Bongo Starlie’s Skyhooks Show  Adelaide  October 2024  featuring  Sasha Theunissen  on vocals     

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.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;
In Part Three, guitarist Bob Starkie - universally known and loved as 'Bongo' - shares his memories in one of his final interviews before his passing in November 2025. We retrace the early days, pre replacing his brother Peter in Skyhooks, meeting Greg for the first time, being in studio with Ross Wilson, the American tour and life after Skyhooks, including his Rio adventure with Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.&nbsp;
Recorded only weeks before his death, Bob also talks about his health battle and his positivity is testament to the man. Ross Wilson also pays tribute to Bob in a small excerpt from his full Skyhooks chat, which will be in Part 4.&nbsp; &nbsp;
Music in this episode&nbsp;
&lsquo;Hey What&rsquo;s the Matter&rsquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sydney Opera House 15th of September 1974.
&lsquo;Ego is not a Dirty Word&rsquo; &nbsp;Bridgeway Hotel, Pooraka South Australia&nbsp;Sunday 24th September 2023&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Vocals Laura Davidson
&lsquo;Mercedes Ladies&rsquo; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;from&nbsp; Ego is not a Dirty Word
&lsquo;Every Chase a Steeple&rsquo;&nbsp;&nbsp; from Ego is Not a Dirty Word
&lsquo;Is this America&rsquo;&nbsp;&nbsp; from Straight in a Gay Gay World
&lsquo;Carlton Lygon Street Limbo&rsquo; &nbsp;&nbsp;'Bongo' Starkie performing with fellow Skyhooks members Greg Macainsh and Bob Spencer 'Rockin' for the legendary Doc Neeson - The Voice of The Angels' in 2013 at Cherry Bar.
&lsquo;Horror Movie&rsquo;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bongo Starkie's Skyhooks Show performing 'Horror Movie' at the Harley Davidson National Hog Rally Saturday - 23rd September 2023
&lsquo;Party to end all Parties&rsquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;from The Skyhooks Tapes
&lsquo;Balwyn Calling&rsquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Skyhooks featuring Ross Wilson Rockwiz October 2015
&lsquo;All My Friends are getting Married&rsquo; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bongo Starlie&rsquo;s Skyhooks Show &nbsp;Adelaide&nbsp; October 2024&nbsp; featuring &nbsp;Sasha Theunissen&nbsp; on vocals&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 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.

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