The 69'ers
| The 69'ers | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Peter Knox's New Improved 69'ers, Francis Butlers Original 69'ers |
| Origin | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Rock, pop, jug, country |
| Years active | 1969–1976 |
| Labels | Du Monde, Festival, Infinity |
| Associated acts | Omnibus, Locoweed, Richard Clapton Band, The Fabulous Zarsoff Brothers |
| Past members | see Members section below |
The 69'ers were an Australian rock, pop, jug and country band formed in 1969. They released two albums, The 69er's Album (1971) and Francis Butlers 69er's Live (1974). The group toured Australia and appeared at the Sunbury Pop Festival in 1973 and 1974. The ensemble went through numerous different members, including two competing line-ups, before finally disbanding in February 1976. According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, they played a "good-time mix of vintage rock'n'roll, jugband music and country-swing" and were able to "capture the humour and downright silliness of the form in such a boisterous, zany and garrulous fashion".
The 69'ers were formed in 1969 in Sydney as an acoustic jug band with Malcolm Billdream on washboard; Francis Butler on guitar, lead vocals, harmonica and kazoo; Graham Coop on guitar and Alex Smith on bass guitar (later in rock band, Bullett). Butler had previously been in Lepers Profound with John Allen on bass guitar, Hans van Kalken on vocals and Terry Wilson on guitar. In mid-1969 the group competed in the "New Sounds of '69" contest organised by Martin Erdman in conjunction with local radio station, 2UW, and signed a recording contract with Erdman's independent label, Du Monde. By this time the band had acquired Paul Wylde on keyboard.
By 1970, The 69'ers had become a trio with Butler joined by Brian Bethell on bass guitar, guitar and vocals; and Keith Longman on drums and vocals. In late 1970 they released their debut single, "On the Road Again" / "Cup of Tea Take Three". "On the Road Again" was a cover version of the Even Dozen Jug Band song, not the 1968 Canned Heat song of the same name. During the 1970s The 69'ers became popular on the Sydney club circuit. They had a cult following in Collaroy, a northern beach side suburb, where they regularly performed at the 1066 Wine Bar.
In December 1971 The 69'ers issued a second single, "Morning Blues" / "Push Bike Hood". Both singles appeared on their debut album for Du Monde, The 69'ers Album (1971), which was distributed by Festival Records. It was produced by Erdman and included four band originals as well as a range of covers. Session musicians include Buddy Emmons on steel guitar, Keith Harris on banjo, Col Nolan on piano; and later The 69'ers members, Peter Knox and Dave Ovendon on vocals. In 1971 Knox joined on bass guitar, guitar and vocals, he was a veteran of Red McKelvie's Third Union Band and the Original Batterea Heroes.
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