On the eve of his farewell tour of Australia, Ralph McTell joins me to chat about his many Australian experiences, his enormous catalogue of songs, his love affair with his guitar and the ups and downs of having such an iconic hit as Streets of London.  

My other guest is David Briggs, another man known for his prowess with the guitar. It was that skill which brought him to our attention as a long time member of the Little River Band in their halcyon days. Not only a guitarist, David wrote one of the band's biggest worldwide hits, Lonesome Loser. The story behind that song, his days on the road and in the studio with LRB plus life before all that are discussed in part one of this interview.       

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 33 with Ralph McTell and David Briggs.

Ralph is touring across Australia from May 7th tickets https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RALPHMC26

Coming soon Episode 34 with Francis Rossi of Status Quo fame and David Briggs Part Two. 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

© 2026

On the eve of his farewell tour of Australia, Ralph McTell joins me to chat about his many Australian experiences, his enormous catalogue of songs, his love affair with his guitar and the ups and downs of having such an iconic hit as Streets of London.&nbsp;&nbsp;
My other guest is David Briggs, another man known for his prowess with the guitar. It was that skill which brought him to our attention as a long time member of the Little River Band in their halcyon days. Not only a guitarist, David wrote one of the band's biggest worldwide hits, Lonesome Loser. The story behind that song, his days on the road and in the studio with LRB plus life before all that are discussed in part one of this interview.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 33 with Ralph McTell and David Briggs.
Ralph is touring across Australia from May 7th tickets <a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RALPHMC26">https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RALPHMC26</a>
Coming soon Episode 34 with Francis Rossi of Status Quo fame and David Briggs Part Two.&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
&copy; 2026

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 33 Ralph McTell & David Briggs 

Their musical footprint is undeniable and the mere mention of the name brings gasps to a generation. Spinal Tap blazed a trail through the music business, ignoring the rule book, rewriting the etiquette of rock, blowing up many sound systems worldwide and causing pandemonium at airport security.

And in one final act of anarchy, they blew themeselves up. Bass player Derek Small walked out. The shockwaves are still being felt as Derek tells Kevin in this illuminating chat about the demise of the band that brought the world classics like Big Bottom, Sex Farm and Bitch School. 

Derek is now carving out a solo career sans the influence of David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tuffnel and the shackles are off, as he launches into his post-Spinal Tap life with new original songs Rear View Mirror and Balls. 

Derek has much to get off his rockstar hairy chest and does so.       

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2026

Their musical footprint is undeniable and the mere mention of the name brings gasps to a generation. Spinal Tap blazed a trail through the music business, ignoring the rule book, rewriting the etiquette of rock, blowing up many sound systems worldwide and causing pandemonium at airport security.
And in one final act of anarchy, they blew themeselves up. Bass player Derek Small walked out. The shockwaves are still being felt as Derek tells Kevin in this illuminating chat about the demise of the band that brought the world classics like Big Bottom, Sex Farm and Bitch School.&nbsp;
Derek is now carving out a solo career sans the influence of David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tuffnel and the shackles are off, as he launches into his post-Spinal Tap life with new original songs Rear View Mirror and Balls.&nbsp;
Derek has much to get off his rockstar hairy chest and does so.&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; 2026

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 32 Derek Smalls Ex Spinal Tap. 

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 5 you'll hear Ross Wilson, who saw the band in the very early days, signed Greg to a music publishing deal and then became the producer of the first three Skyhooks albums. Ross' memories take you inside the studio, on the road in the USA and more.  

3XY disc jockey Mark Irvine got teamed with Shirl in 1984 for a short term Rocktober on-air promotion that became a permanent pairing. They became a very successful radio team and a professional and personal partnership was formed.

Peter Green was a 70s Wollongong teenager who loved the music and that passion led him to Melbourne, where he is now official historian and the man behind the Official Skyhooks Facebook page and YouTube channel, plus curator of Skyhooks memorabilia.     

Musical excerpts in this episode 

Hey What's the Matter   featuring Steve Hill  live Benefit Concert 

Living in the 70's     Shirl solo Live soundcheck Melbourne Music Festival 1988

Love's Not Good Enough    From Ego is Not a Dirty Word 

Blue Jeans   from Straight in a Gay Gay World 

Women in Uniform  from Guilty Until Proven Insane

Jukebox in Siberia     The Latest and Greatest      

Ego is Not a Dirty Word    Ross Wilson featuring Bongo Starkie  Five Decades of Cool Palais Theatre 2009

Every Litte Bit Hurts    Shirley Strachan solo single 

Crazy Heart    from Straight in a Gay Gay World

3XY Shirl & Irvine Show    1988  courtesy of Ken Francis 

Love on the Radio    live from the In the Heat of the Night concert Myer Music Bowl Melbourne 1975

Let it Rock       Hits and Riffs 

Meglomania, Life in ther Modern World and Don't Take Your Lurex to the Laundromat    from ABC TV Special  Guilty Until Proven Insane 

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2026

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 5 you'll hear Ross Wilson, who saw the band in the very early days, signed Greg to a music publishing deal and then became the producer of the first three Skyhooks albums. Ross' memories take you inside the studio, on the road in the USA and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;
3XY disc jockey Mark Irvine got teamed with Shirl in 1984 for a short term Rocktober on-air promotion that became a permanent pairing. They became a very successful radio team and a professional and personal partnership was formed.
Peter Green was a 70s Wollongong teenager who loved the music and that passion led him to Melbourne, where he is now official historian and the man behind the Official Skyhooks Facebook page and YouTube channel, plus curator of Skyhooks memorabilia.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Musical excerpts in this episode&nbsp;
Hey What's the Matter&nbsp; &nbsp;featuring Steve Hill&nbsp; live Benefit Concert&nbsp;
Living in the 70's&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Shirl solo Live soundcheck Melbourne Music Festival 1988
Love's Not Good Enough&nbsp; &nbsp; From Ego is Not a Dirty Word&nbsp;
Blue Jeans&nbsp; &nbsp;from Straight in a Gay Gay World&nbsp;
Women in Uniform&nbsp; from Guilty Until Proven Insane
Jukebox in Siberia&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The Latest and Greatest&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Ego is Not a Dirty Word&nbsp; &nbsp; Ross Wilson featuring Bongo Starkie&nbsp; Five Decades of Cool Palais Theatre 2009
Every Litte Bit Hurts&nbsp; &nbsp; Shirley Strachan solo single&nbsp;
Crazy Heart&nbsp; &nbsp; from Straight in a Gay Gay World
3XY Shirl &amp; Irvine Show&nbsp; &nbsp; 1988&nbsp; courtesy of Ken Francis&nbsp;
Love on the Radio&nbsp; &nbsp; live from the In the Heat of the Night concert Myer Music Bowl Melbourne 1975
Let it Rock&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hits and Riffs&nbsp;
Meglomania, Life in ther Modern World and Don't Take Your Lurex to the Laundromat&nbsp; &nbsp; from ABC TV Special&nbsp; Guilty Until Proven Insane&nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
&copy; 2026

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 31 Skyhooks Part 5 Ross Wilson, Mark Irvine and Peter Green 

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 4, the men chosen to replace two of the country's biggest pop stars in one of the country's most popular bands. Bob Spencer - a cocky guitar slinger from the pop group Finch - was enlisted to fill Red Symons' role and singer Tony Williams - an alumni of most of the group - was selected to front the band after Shirley Strachan departed for a media career. 

Bob and Tony take us through the early days fitting into the band and finding their place, plus the highs and lows of being a Skyhook.  

Musical excerpts in this episode 

Meglomania from Guilty Until Proven Insane   

BBB Boogie from Guilty Until Proven Insane   

Women in Uniform recorded live at Festival Hall Melbourne 1983 ’  

Point in the Distance from Guilty Until Proven Insane 

Why Don’t You All Get F....D live Sydney Opera House 1978 

Carlton Lygon Street Limbo  from the Pint on Pub live show 

Over the Border recorded live at Bombay Rock  February 1980 

 

The H Files with Kevin Hillier 

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2026

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 4, the men chosen to replace two of the country's biggest pop stars in one of the country's most popular bands. Bob Spencer - a cocky guitar slinger from the pop group Finch - was enlisted to fill Red Symons' role and singer Tony Williams - an alumni of most of the group - was selected to front the band after Shirley Strachan departed for a media career.&nbsp;
Bob and Tony take us through the early days fitting into the band and finding their place, plus the highs and lows of being a Skyhook.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Musical excerpts in this episode&nbsp;
Meglomania from Guilty Until Proven Insane&nbsp; &nbsp;
BBB Boogie from Guilty Until Proven Insane&nbsp; &nbsp;
Women in Uniform recorded live at Festival Hall Melbourne 1983&nbsp;&rsquo; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Point in the Distance from Guilty Until Proven Insane&nbsp;
Why Don&rsquo;t You All Get F....D live Sydney Opera House 1978&nbsp;
Carlton Lygon Street Limbo&nbsp; from the Pint on Pub live show&nbsp;
Over the Border recorded live at Bombay Rock&nbsp; February 1980&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The H Files with Kevin Hillier&nbsp;
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
&copy; 2026

The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 33 Ralph McTell & David Briggs

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