Lonnie Lee

Lonnie Lee (born 18 September 1940), born as David Lawrence Rix is an Australian singer, known for his tenure with bands Lonnie Lee and The Leeman and Lonnie Lee and The Leedons. A Pioneer of early Australian rockabilly music, and a performer of more than 60 years, at the peak of his career, Lee had eight top 100 singles on the national charts. Seven of them peaked in the top 40, including three top 20's and two top tens. His highest peaking song on the national charts was a #2. He achieved five Gold Records. He had his last hit with 'Sad Over Someone' in (1969), but still continues to tour and perform.

Lee, was born on a sheep farm in Rowena, New South Wales and got his first break in 1956 with a performance on radio 2UW's talent search, Alan Toohey's Amateur Hour where he came second. In February 1957, he won an MGM contest for 'Australia's own Elvis Presley' and in 1959 recorded his first record for Leedon Records called Ain't it so, which he wrote with Johnny O'Keefe and which became his first national hit. He also started Sydney's first Rockabilly trio. At this time, Lee made his first of many television appearances on the ABC's rock and roll television show Six O'Clock Rock as well as Bandstand

Other hits were Starlight Starbright (1959), Yes Indeed I Do (1960), I Found A New Love and Defenceless (1960). In 1961 and 1962 he made Sit Around And Talk, When The Bells Stop Ringing, Sitting By The River and Don't You Know Pretty Baby.

His last hit was in 1969 with his own song Sad Over Someone. Lonnie Lee continues to tour and perform regularly both national and internationally.

Lee's recording career achieved a number of notable firsts including

In 1961 Lee was awarded a commercial radio award, the 'Golden Microphone Award' as Australia's Most Popular Recording Star.

During the 1960s and 1970s, he toured the UK and US before settling in the US from 1971 recording and writing songs. His song writing included work with Roy Orbison, Cher, Florence Henderson and Glen Campbell. In 1984 Lee returned to Australia where he re-introduced the classic rock'n'roll with his show ' Lonnie Lee's Rock'n'Remember Show'. He brought many of that era's stars out from their regular jobs and back onto the stage. The live show was a great success and Lonnie even had a weekly radio show of the same name. In 1984 he enticed a Sydney promoter to bring his friend Fabian to Australia for a series of concerts and performed himself on these.

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