Johnny Devlin - 1958 - How Would Ya Be @320

How Would Ya Be/Honey Don't/Koala Bear/Pointed Toe Shoes/Twenty Flight Rock/Why Don't You Believe Me/Leroy/Cast Iron Arm/I'm Counting On You/Love Me/Move It/You're Gone Baby/Tiger/Crazy, Crazy Baby/Wicked, Wicked Woman/Gotta Lotta That/Matador Baby/I Got A Rocket In My Pocket/Slipping Around/Doreen



Johnny Devlin was New Zealand's first true superstar of the rock & roll era, a teen idol whose national fame and revolutionary impact made him a Kiwi counterpart to Elvis Presley. Born May 11, 1938 in the small town of Raetihi, Devlin was raised in nearby Wanganui, where in 1951 he made his solo performing debut yodeling at the local opera house. After graduating high school, he spent two years as a bank clerk, occasionally playing country & western music with his brothers in a band called the River City Ramblers. Then, in mid-1956, Devlin heard Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel"; overnight he became obsessed with rock & roll, snatching up Presley singles and performing Elvis songs on the amateur talent quest circuit. Complete with ducktail, loud suits, and hepcat lingo, he assimilated himself completely in the culture portrayed in American teen movies of the era, earning something of a reputation as the town eccentric.

Although Devlin regularly appeared in talent contests, he at first enjoyed little success, but in early 1957, he was spotted by Johnny Cooper, who had cut the first-ever New Zealand rock record, a cover of Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock," two years prior. Cooper became Devlin's mentor, and his career surged, he regularly won top honors at talent shows and played to increasingly enthusiastic crowds. After settling into a regular gig at Auckland's Jive Centre, Devlin's fame grew, and his nightly sets of dead-on Presley imitations were the stuff of massive teen hysteria; finally, in mid-1958, he recorded his debut single, "Lawdy Miss Clawdy." It was a massive hit, selling over 2000 copies in Auckland alone during its first month of release on its way to passing the unprecedented five-figure mark; trumpeted in the press as "New Zealand's Elvis Presley," Devlin was a true phenomenon, mobbed by fans wherever he went.

Between November 1958 and May 1959, Devlin's label Prestige released some eight singles, three EPs, and an LP, amounting to total sales of over 200,000 copies; with his backing band the Devils in tow, he toured the country, playing everywhere to capacity crowds. However, more conservative quarters were outraged over the hysteria and destruction left in Devlin's wake, and as more and more theater managers became wary of booking the band, his career began to slip. For his part, Devlin was becoming increasingly disillusioned, with backstage bickering and record-label trickery leaving him more and more disgusted by fame; in May 1959,he and the Devils toured Australia as part of a package tour including the Everly Brothers and Tab Hunter, and by the time they returned home, the ballyhoo had died down. Still, Devlin remains the benchmark by which all New Zealand phenoms are judged; no one was ever bigger among Kiwi teens except the Beatles, whose opening act during their 1964 NZ tour was none other than Johnny Devlin himself.

Ronnie Burns - 1971 - Virgo FLAC

Prophet/Jesus/Are You Ready/Maggie Mine/Maggie Mine/If I Die/Tomorrow And The Next Day/War Is Over/Please Be My Friend/Easy Rider



Ronnie Burns’ initial claim to fame was as a member of Melbourne band The Flies (usually billed as ‘Victoria’s top Beatles group’). They were Australia’s longest-haired band and supported many major overseas acts, including The Rolling Stones.

Melbourne born and bred, Ronnie Burns bought his first guitar aged eight, and by the time he was 14 he had formed a rock & roll band with his brother Frank. From there he entered the world of coffee houses and folk music until in 1964 the arrival of The Beatles changed everything. Burns grew his hair and formed The Flies.

In August 1965, Burns left the band to go solo. Over the next five years, he had nine hit singles in Melbourne, starting with The Very Last Day and True, True Lovin’. Ronnie’s big break came in 1966 when he released his third single, Coalman, backed by The Bee Gees.  It was a deserved national hit, and was followed up with a Bee Gees double, In The Morning b/w Exit Stage Right.

His profile was now high enough to make him runner-up to Normie Rowe in Go-Set‘s prestigious pop poll of 1966. The following year was the big one for Burns, culminating in being named Australia’s most popular male singer in the Go-Set poll. He was a genuine pop star, pursued wherever he appeared.

Ten days at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show saw daily riots, with audience hysteria a regular sight at his live shows. His popularity was acknowledged by the ABC who filmed a special documentary, The Life Of Ronnie Burns.

Burns maintained his chart blitz in 1968 with When I Was Six Years Old, written by Max Ross and Brian Cadd of Australian band, The Groop. He showed no signs of flagging in 1969 either, when he produced his biggest hit ever, Smiley – one of the few Australian anti-Vietnam War songs – penned by Johnny Young who would go on to fame with the national kids TV talent show, Young Talent Time.

Ronnie married dancer Maggie Stewart in 1970. Maggie went on to become choreographer on Young Talent Time and Ronnie became a regular judge on the show.

In 1971, Ronnie was banned from performing the track Virgin from his Virgo album on the television show Happening ’71. His November 1972 album (We’ve Only Just Begun) featured a cover photo of Ronnie naked except for a fur draped over him.

By the mid-70s, Burns had ditched the pop trappings for a more middle-of-the-road sound and a new nightclub image. He became a regular on the Australian Leagues Club circuit, and on television variety shows, and appeared in the 90s on the rock & roll revival circuit.