In this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Gil Matthews, drummer of  Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Gil could read drum music even before he could read English. By the time he was 11, his drumming took him on a six-month tour of the US. After being in various bands in the '60s, in early 1970 Gil became the in-house producer and engineer at Havoc Records. In 1971, the recently signed Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs came into Havoc Studios to record The Dawn Song. Gil played drums, produced and engineered the track for the group. He would become the group's full-time drummer soon after. 

In late January 1972 the band with Gil on drums would perform to an audience of 35,000 people at the Sunbury Pop Festival. The festival has gone down as Australia's Woodstock. The band's setlist was recorded and released as a double album called Aztecs Live! At Sunbury. The group's next single would be Most People I Know Think I'm Crazy. Gil produced the single experimenting with many innovative studio techniques. His work on the song paid off reaching number two on the charts in 1972 and is now an Australian rock classic. The band came to an end originally in 1974 after the release of their album More Arse Then Class. 

Since then Gil has remained in music and more recently has founded his label Aztec Records. With his fully analogue studio, his label specialises in reissuing Australian music from the '60s and '70s.  

Jack talked to Gil via phone about his early beginnings, his early drumming work along side Buddy Rich, his early work with Havoc Records, the recording process of The Dawn Song, his production work on Most People I Know, analog tape recording techniques he used with the band, the band's performance at the Sunbury Pop Festival in 1972, the band's 1974 album More Arse Than Class, and his work today with his label Aztec Records.

 "It is Australia's Woodstock . . . Sunbury was like the top of the tree, people came all over Australia . . . kids and dogs and people, smoking dope all over the place - you know diving in the creek out of the tree, girls topless - some naked - the younger generation just let their hair down and wanted to go and hear music." - Gil Matthews on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about the 1972 Sunbury Festival

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

In this episode of <a href="https://www.2nurfm.com.au/shows/vinyl-vibes">Vinyl Vibes</a>, Jack is joined by Gil Matthews, drummer of &nbsp;Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. Gil could read drum music even before he could read English. By the time he was 11, his drumming took him on a six-month tour of the US. After being in various bands in the '60s, in early 1970 Gil became the in-house producer and engineer at Havoc Records. In 1971, the recently signed Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs came into Havoc Studios to record The Dawn Song. Gil played drums, produced and engineered the track for the group. He would become the group's full-time drummer soon after.&nbsp;
In late January 1972 the band with Gil on drums would perform to an audience of 35,000 people at the Sunbury Pop Festival. The festival has gone down as Australia's Woodstock. The band's setlist was recorded and released as a double album called Aztecs Live! At Sunbury. The group's next single would be Most People I Know Think I'm Crazy. Gil produced the single experimenting with many innovative studio techniques. His work on the song paid off reaching number two on the charts in 1972 and is now an Australian rock classic. The band came to an end originally in 1974 after the release of their album&nbsp;More Arse Then Class.&nbsp;
Since then Gil has remained in music and more recently has founded his label <a href="https://www.google.com/url?esrc=s&amp;q=&amp;rct=j&amp;sa=U&amp;url=https://www.aztecrecords.com.au/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwif1paU_J2DAxXI_GEKHTCrDPIQFnoECAUQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3lzZAa8uD1J6cgjtWl1HMS">Aztec Records</a>. With his fully analogue studio, his label specialises in reissuing Australian music from the '60s and '70s. &nbsp;
Jack talked to Gil via phone about his early beginnings, his early drumming work along side Buddy Rich, his early work with Havoc Records, the recording process of The Dawn Song, his production work on Most People I Know, analog tape recording techniques he used with the band, the band's performance at the Sunbury Pop Festival in 1972, the band's 1974 album&nbsp;More Arse Than Class, and his work today with his label Aztec Records.
&nbsp;"It is Australia's Woodstock . . . Sunbury was like the top of the tree, people came all over Australia . . . kids and dogs and people, smoking dope all over the place - you know diving in the creek out of the tree, girls topless - some naked - the younger generation just let their hair down and wanted to go and hear music." - Gil Matthews on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about the 1972 Sunbury Festival
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

Vinyl Vibes is a new music show created by Jack Hodgins. It features in-depth interviews with those who were a part of the vinyl era of music. If you are rocker, a groover or somewhere in between then this show is for you. On the podcast version you can find the uncut interviews but on the On Demand version you can listen to interviews along with music.

This show is the full creation of Jack Hodgins who is the producer, host and editor for the show. Jack has been a lover of older music since he can remember with Buddy Holly being the person who got him into music. He is even a musician himself having released his own EP.

Vinyl Vibes is a new music show created by Jack Hodgins. It features in-depth interviews with those who were a part of the vinyl era of music. If you are rocker, a groover or somewhere in between then this show is for you. On the podcast version you can find the uncut interviews but on the On Demand version you can listen to interviews along with music.
This show is the full creation of Jack Hodgins who is the producer, host and editor for the show. Jack has been a lover of older music since he can remember with Buddy Holly being the person who got him into music. He is even a musician himself having released his own EP.

Vinyl Vibes

Jack Hodgins interviews the likes of Colin Hanton (Quarrymen) about their music and lives.

Jack Hodgins interviews the likes of Colin Hanton (Quarrymen) about their music and lives.

Gil Matthews - Drummer of Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs

On this episode Jack is joined by Lonnie Lee, Australian rock and roll pioneer.

Lonnie grew up in a time before rock and roll, when artists like Johnny Ray and Nat King Cole ruled the airwaves. But everything changed in 1955 when he first heard Bill Haley and from that point onward rock and roll was his passion. In 1957, Lonnie entered a competition setting out to find “Australia’s Elvis” and he won. From there, his career began to take off, getting gigs around Sydney and doing other various competitions. After taking a year out of music in 1958 due to a car accident, Lonnie made his musical comeback in 1959.

Lonnie came to record through promoter Lee Gordon, who signed Lonnie to the Leedon label. During his first session, he didn’t have a B-side for his debut single, so in the studio he and Johnny O’Keefe penned Ain’t It So in about 20 minutes. It would become Lonnie’s first hit, making it into the top ten on the Sydney charts in late 1959. Through the early '60s, Lonnie would have a string of other hits including Starlight Starbright and I Found a New Love.

More recently, Lonnie has just released his first book in a planned set of four on his life — the first book in the series Almost a Star — and goes into his early life before his success in rock and roll.

Jack phoned Lonnie to talk about his early musical memories, the impact Johnny Ray had on him, life pre-rock and roll, hearing Bill Haley and Elvis for the first time, his memories of winning a competition in 1957 that was looking for Australia’s Elvis, his work throughout 1957, the car accident he had in late 1957, his time as a jackaroo in 1958, what it was like being isolated from rock and roll during most of 1958, his comeback to music in 1959, how he came to be signed to the Leedon label, how Ain’t It So came to be, the success he had throughout the late '50s and early '60s, how he came to be the first Aussie artist to have a full-colour album cover, his 2019 album Back to Base X, and his new book Almost a Star.

"So he (a friend of Lonnie's) went and bought this record and of course it was 'Rock Around the Clock' and it was just amazing — hearing this song was just... like a blind person seeing for the first time." – Lonnie Lee on this episode of Vinyl Vibe, talking about hearing rock and roll for the first time.

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins. 

On this episode Jack is joined by <a href="https://lonnielee.com/official/">Lonnie Lee</a>, Australian rock and roll pioneer.
Lonnie grew up in a time before rock and roll, when artists like Johnny Ray and Nat King Cole ruled the airwaves. But everything changed in 1955 when he first heard Bill Haley and from that point onward rock and roll was his passion. In 1957, Lonnie entered a competition setting out to find &ldquo;Australia&rsquo;s Elvis&rdquo; and he won. From there, his career began to take off, getting gigs around Sydney and doing other various competitions. After taking a year out of music in 1958 due to a car accident, Lonnie made his musical comeback in 1959.
Lonnie came to record through promoter Lee Gordon, who signed Lonnie to the Leedon label. During his first session, he didn&rsquo;t have a B-side for his debut single, so in the studio he and Johnny O&rsquo;Keefe penned Ain&rsquo;t It So in about 20 minutes. It would become Lonnie&rsquo;s first hit, making it into the top ten on the Sydney charts in late 1959. Through the early '60s, Lonnie would have a string of other hits including Starlight Starbright and I Found a New Love.
More recently, Lonnie has just released his first book in a planned set of four on his life &mdash; the first book in the series <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Almost-Star-Book-Lonnie-Lee-ebook/dp/B0FCXY4D55">Almost a Star</a> &mdash; and goes into his early life before his success in rock and roll.
Jack phoned Lonnie to talk about his early musical memories, the impact Johnny Ray had on him, life pre-rock and roll, hearing Bill Haley and Elvis for the first time, his memories of winning a competition in 1957 that was looking for Australia&rsquo;s Elvis, his work throughout 1957, the car accident he had in late 1957, his time as a jackaroo in 1958, what it was like being isolated from rock and roll during most of 1958, his comeback to music in 1959, how he came to be signed to the Leedon label, how Ain&rsquo;t It So came to be, the success he had throughout the late '50s and early '60s, how he came to be the first Aussie artist to have a full-colour album cover, his 2019 album Back to Base X, and his new book Almost a Star.
"So he (a friend of Lonnie's) went and bought this record and of course it was 'Rock Around the Clock' and it was just amazing &mdash; hearing this song was just... like a blind person seeing for the first time." &ndash; Lonnie Lee on this episode of Vinyl Vibe, talking about hearing rock and roll for the first time.
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.&nbsp;

Lonnie Lee - Australian Rock and Roll Pioneer

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes Jack talks with bass player of The New Dream and Country Radio, John Bois. John is best known for being the bass player in The Dingoes who did the iconic track Way out West, however, prior to this, he was in two groups, The New Dream and Country Radio. John joined The New Dream in early 1970 and got his first taste of national success with the band’s Top 40 bubblegum hits, The Groupie and Soft Delights.

Wanting to get away from bubblegum, John joined Greg Quill’s Country Radio in 1972. Shortly after joining the group, fellow members Greg Quill and Kerryn Tolhurst would pen the band’s signature song Gypsy Queen. It would reach number 9 on the Australian singles chart.

After recording an album and three singles in August 1973 John left country radio to join The Dingoes. More recently John has embarked on a solo career with a recent release being his 2024 album The Coal Minner’s Dimonds.  

Jack called John to talk about his time in Chicago Piano, how he came to join the New Dream, his memories of playing with new Dream, songs on the New Dream setlist, why he wanted to leave New Dream, how he came to join Country Radio, the recording of Gypsy Queen, playing the 1973 Sunbury festival, and his 2024 album The Coal Minner’s Dimonds. 

"That issue for an artist… are you doing anything that is really worthwhile? The New Dream was very poppy, and I kind of recognised that. There came a time when I needed a bit more than that, and that was country radio." – John Bois on this episode of Vinyl Vibes

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins. 

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes Jack talks with bass player of The New Dream and Country Radio, John Bois. John is best known for being the bass player in The Dingoes who did the iconic track Way out West, however, prior to this, he was in two groups, The New Dream and Country Radio. John joined The New Dream in early 1970 and got his first taste of national success with the band&rsquo;s Top 40 bubblegum hits, The Groupie and Soft Delights.
Wanting to get away from bubblegum, John joined Greg Quill&rsquo;s&nbsp;Country Radio in 1972. Shortly after joining the group, fellow members Greg Quill and Kerryn Tolhurst would pen the band&rsquo;s signature song Gypsy Queen. It would reach number 9 on the Australian singles chart.
After recording an album and three singles in August 1973 John left country radio to join The Dingoes. More recently John has embarked on a solo career with a recent release being his 2024 album <a href="https://johnbois.com/music">The Coal Minner&rsquo;s Dimonds</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Jack called John to talk about his time in Chicago Piano, how he came to join the New Dream, his memories of playing with new Dream, songs on the New Dream setlist, why he wanted to leave New Dream, how he came to join Country Radio, the recording of Gypsy Queen, playing the 1973 Sunbury festival, and his 2024 album The Coal Minner&rsquo;s Dimonds.&nbsp;
"That issue for an artist&hellip; are you doing anything that is really worthwhile? The New Dream was very poppy, and I kind of recognised that. There came a time when I needed a bit more than that, and that was country radio." &ndash; John Bois on this episode of Vinyl Vibes
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.&nbsp;

John Bois - Bassist of The New Dream and of Country Radio

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes Jack talks with legendary LA session musician Louie Shelton. Louie was doing music professionally by the time he was 12, playing in the country band Shelby Cooper & the Dixie Mountaineers. It was when he saw Elvis at his high school auditorium that his life changed, and he started playing rock and roll. Throughout his teen years, he was known as a virtuoso of guitar, and it was suggested he should go to LA to be a session musician. He took this advice and moved to LA, however it would take a few years before his dream would be realised.

It was when he started doing demo sessions for upcoming writers that he came to the attention of songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Boyce and Hart had the opportunity to write and produce for an upcoming TV show called The Monkees and wanted Louie to be a part of it. At the first writing session, Hart and Boyce said to Louie that they wanted a Beatles sounding song, and Louie, on the spot, started playing the riff to what would become Last Train to Clarksville. They recorded the backing, and the Monkees overdubbed their vocals. It would be a smash hit, reaching number one in the United States and number 14 in Australia. Louie soon became the most sought-after session musician in LA.

He would go on to play on records by the likes of The Jackson Five, Boz Scaggs, The Carpenters, and Lionel Richie to name a few. Today, Louie is still active in making music and playing the odd gig here and there.  

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins. 

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes Jack talks with legendary LA session musician Louie Shelton. Louie was doing music professionally by the time he was 12, playing in the country band Shelby Cooper &amp; the Dixie Mountaineers. It was when he saw Elvis at his high school auditorium that his life changed, and he started playing rock and roll. Throughout his teen years, he was known as a virtuoso of guitar, and it was suggested he should go to LA to be a session musician. He took this advice and moved to LA, however it would take a few years before his dream would be realised.
It was when he started doing demo sessions for upcoming writers that he came to the attention of songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Boyce and Hart had the opportunity to write and produce for an upcoming TV show called The Monkees and wanted Louie to be a part of it. At the first writing session, Hart and Boyce said to Louie that they wanted a Beatles sounding song, and Louie, on the spot, started playing the riff to what would become Last Train to Clarksville. They recorded the backing, and the Monkees overdubbed their vocals. It would be a smash hit, reaching number one in the United States and number 14 in Australia. Louie soon became the most sought-after session musician in LA.
He would go on to play on records by the likes of The Jackson Five, Boz Scaggs, The Carpenters, and Lionel Richie to name a few. Today, Louie is still active in making music and playing the odd gig here and there.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.&nbsp;

Gil Matthews - Drummer of Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs

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