The Delltones

The Delltones
The Delltones (original members: 1958), Brian Perkins Noel Widerberg Ian ‘Peewee’ Wilson Warren Lucas.
Background information
Genres	Rock and roll, surf rock, doo-wop
Years active	1958–1973 1978–2015 2016–on hiatus
Labels	CBS/Coronet, Chase, EMI Records, Festival Records, HMV, K-Tel, Leedon Records, Parlophone Records, RCA, Seven, Spin, Starseed, Summit
Associated acts	Johnny O'Keefe
Website	www.thedelltones.com/
Members	See: Members
Past members	See: Members

The Delltones are an Australian rock 'n' roll band, formed in 1958. They started out as a vocal harmony group with members: Brian Perkins, Noel Widerberg, Ian 'Peewee' Wilson, and Warren Lucas. In June 1962 lead vocalist Noel Widerberg died in a motor vehicle accident in Brighton-le-Sands in Sydney, and three weeks later the group's single "Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands" entered the Australian charts, reaching the top five. . Noel Widerberg's position was filled by Col Loughnan.

The Delltones have been performing for Australian audiences for over five decades; their most successful recording years were in the 1960s. Wilson is the only current member from the original line-up. In the mid-1980s, he transformed the group from a vocal quartet to a five-piece vocal band. This, along with other stylistic changes, led to the band's resurgence and the chart topping, rock ‘n roll revival album, Bop Til Ya Drop. The Delltones remain one of the most consistent live entertainers in Australia.

In 1958, Ian "Peewee" Wilson and Noel Widerberg, both lifesavers at the Bronte Surf Club, began singing together at the club socials. They were both interested in four-part Doo Wop harmony music. In the latter part of 1958, they met Warren Lucas, a member of a vocal group The Sapphires, and the three experimented with harmony. Later that year, Warren Lucas recruited Brian Perkins, and the four met at a Bronte Club social and went looking for an echo in the shower room – The Delltones were formed. They began harmonising at talent quests and on street corners. Their first "engagement" was at a Kings Cross nightclub. The manager heard the boys singing outside and invited them in to perform an impromptu show consisting of four songs – their total repertoire. They were paid with spaghetti bolognese and beer.

In early 1959 The Delltones found their way into the 2GB Studios of Bob Rogers, who was a top radio DJ at the time. They auditioned the Noel Widerberg composition "Why" for him during a commercial break. Rogers telephoned Lee Gordon, the American promoter, to announce that he had found a vocal backing group that Gordon needed for his upcoming show. It was headed by Tab Hunter. The Delltones went on to perform on many of Lee Gordon's "Big Shows" with their own spot. They provided harmony backup vocals for some American stars such as: The Everly Brothers, Fabian, Crash Craddock, Conway Twitty, Jimmie Rodgers, Tommy Sands and Lloyd Price, as well as Australian Rock 'n Roll pioneers such as Johnny Rebb, Johnny Devlin, and soon to be mentor, Johnny O'Keefe.

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