Kevin Borich - 1977 - Lonely One FLAC

Need Your Love/Tell Me Why/Lonely One/Six Million Dollar Role/White Ship/Tango Queen/Good To See You/By The Light/Rescue Dream/Acropolis


Kevin Borich was born in 1948 in Huapai north west of Auckland on New Zealand's North Island, he attended secondary school at Rutherford High School in Te Atatu, a suburb of Auckland. In 1961, at the age of 12, Borich recorded a private single on Astor Records with two sisters, Judi Donaldson and Sue Donaldson (later as New Zealand duo, The Chicks). As a guitarist, Borich formed The Mergers in late 1963 with fellow students, Brett Neilsen on drums and Trevor Wilson on bass guitar. Initially they performed covers of The Shadows material as an instrumental band after school and on week-ends.


With the addition of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Phil Key, The Mergers with Borich on lead guitar/vocals, Neilsen on drums/vocals and Wilson on bass guitar, were eventually renamed as The La De Das in 1964 in Auckland, New Zealand. In June 1965 they recorded their debut single, "Little Girl", and later that year added Bruce Howard on keyboards. From 1966 to 1967 they had five New Zealand top 10 hits, By 1968 they were based in Sydney and recorded their concept album, The Happy Prince, in 1969 on EMI. The La De Das recorded further albums and singles and despite critical acclaim had little chart success, only Borich remained throughout until he disbanded the group in 1975. After The La De Das, Borich toured with John Paul Young & the Allstars for some months before forming a new band.

Kevin Borich Express was formed in early 1976 by Borich on lead guitar, lead vocals and occasional flute with Harry Brus on bass guitar (ex-Blackfeather) and Barry Harvey on drums (Wild Cherries, Chain). They recorded a track, "The End of Me" before Brus and Harvey were soon replaced by Reuben San Fiansco on bass guitar and Gil Matthews on drums. Subsequent line-ups were typically a three piece with a succession of bass guitarist and drummers. They released their debut single, "Goin' Somewhere" in October using Fiansco, and John Annas on drums (Wendy Saddington Band), following in March 1977 was their debut album, Celebration! with Annas, and Tim Partridge on bass guitar (Mighty Kong (band), The Johnny Rocco Band). The album was favoured by critics and peaked in the top 30 on the Australian albums charts.

In early 1977, Borich supported the tour by UK rock guitarist, Jeff Beck; this was followed in October by supporting the Rockarena tour with Santana, Fleetwood Mac and Little River Band - Borich was invited on-stage to jam with Carlos Santana. In July 1977 they recorded the "Lonely One" album. On its completion, Tim Partridge left the trio. He was initially replaced by Tim Ayers from the Renee Geyer Band and then Bob Jackson. The single "Tango Queen" was released in November. Bob only lasted until March 1978, when he was replaced by Paul Christie. Following a farewell concert in Melbourne late in May, the Kevin Borich Express headed for the US where they toured extensively. In the US keyboardist Tim Schafer was added.

Kevin Borich - 1981 - Shy Boys Shy Girls

Can't Help It/Getting So Excited/Working On A New Day/Shy Boys, Shy Girls/Heart Breaker/ Waiting For You /They Got My Number



 Kevin Borich Express was formed in early 1976 by Borich on lead guitar, lead vocals and occasional flute with Harry Brus on bass guitar (ex-Blackfeather) and Barry Harvey on drums (Wild Cherries, Chain). They recorded a track, "The End of Me" before Brus and Harvey were soon replaced by Reuben San Fiansco on bass guitar and Gil Matthews on drums. Subsequent line-ups were typically a three piece with a succession of bass guitarist and drummers. They released their debut single, "Goin' Somewhere" in October using Fiansco, and John Annas on drums (Wendy Saddington Band), following in March 1977 was their debut album, Celebration! with Annas, and Tim Partridge on bass guitar (Mighty Kong, The Johnny Rocco Band). The album was favoured by critics and peaked in the top 30 on the Australian albums charts.

In early 1977, Borich supported the tour by UK rock guitarist, Jeff Beck. Mid 1977 saw the release of the band's follow-up album Lonely One. This was followed in October by supporting the Rockarena tour with Fleetwood Mac, Santana and Little River Band – Borich was invited on-stage to jam with Carlos Santana. In May 1978, the band toured USA in support of Australian heavy rockers, AC/DC, with Annas, Paul Christie on bass guitar and keyboard player Tim Shafer (Gary Wright Band). This line-up recorded, No Turning Back which was released in March 1979.

By mid-year, Partridge had returned with both Christie and Shafer departing, and together with Annas, Borich recorded Live!, using the 2JJ mobile studio equipment over performances in Melbourne and Wollongong. Live! contains one of the most incendiary and atmospheric versions of Little Red Rooster ever recorded along with a number of Borich standards.

In July, Kevin Borich Express appeared on Renée Geyer's album, Blues License. A European tour by Kevin Borich Express resulted in a compilation album being released in Germany. After the tour, John Watson (Heavy Division) replaced Annas on drums and the band recorded, Angel's Hand in November 1979.[ Similar line-up changes continued into the early 1980s with Michael Deep replacing Partridge in April 1980. This line-up collaborated with solo artist Dutch Tilders to record Blues Had a Baby and They Called It Rock'n'Roll in 1981 on RCA Records. Kerry Jacobsen (Dragon) replaced Watson on drums for Shy Boys Shy Girls mini-LP in late 1981

Kevin Borich - 1980 - Angels Hand

Rock 'n' Roll/Don't Let Go/Backs To The Wall/She Don't Care/Full Moon/One More Dream/1980's/Cannot Do Right/Angels Hand/Gone Fishing

Kevins 6th album (counting the greatest hits) was released in 1980 Kevin was a member of the La De Das until he disbanded them being the only original member left in 1975. He spent some time with the Stevie Wright All Stars and the John Paul Young and the Allstars and in 1976 formed the Kevin Borich Express which he has recorded a number of albums with as well as solo product.

This one of my favourite albums along with "Shy Boys Shy Girls" .

Kevin Borich - Celebration

Snowball King/Goin' Somewhere/Mon Ami/Celebration/I Just Wanna Love You/Rainbows/Goin' Down Town/Love My Love (Will Carry On)

After the La De Das split, Kevin had a small stint with John Paul Young and the All Stars.

Kevin attempted to form a new group and by mid 1976, the Express was formed with Harry and Barry. This line-up was very short lived and the only known recording by them was "The End Of Me". This song would eventually appear on the various artists compilation album "Australian Guitar Album". Reuben San Fiansco, on bass, and Gil Matthews, on drums, replaced Harry and Barry. Matthews only stayed for a handful of gigs before returning to his seat with Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. He was replaced by John Annas on drums in July 1976.

The band was signed by Image Records and in October 1976 the first single "I'm Going Somewhere"/"Scene From Star Crossed Lovers" was released. The song was introduced by a train whistle sound and it became the band's signature tune. Tim Partridge took over from San Fiansco and the new line-up completed the debut album "Celebration". Released in March 1977, a second single "Goin' Down Town" was issued.