The Moir Sisters: Difference between revisions
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'''The Moir Sisters''' were a Scotish-Australian pop and folk vocal trio which formed in 1970 by the [[eponym]]ous sisters, Jean, Margot and Lesley. Their debut single, "Good Morning (How Are You?)" (1974), which featured their distinctive high-pitched harmonies, peaked at No. 8 on the [[Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart |
'''The Moir Sisters''' were a Scotish-Australian pop and folk vocal trio which formed in 1970 by the [[eponym]]ous sisters, Jean, Margot and Lesley. Their debut single, "Good Morning (How Are You?)" (1974), which featured their distinctive high-pitched harmonies, peaked at No. 8 on the [[Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart. The group released two albums, ''Lost: Somewhere Beyond Harmony'' (1974) and ''State of Shock'' (as '''The Moirs''', 1978), In 1989 Margot Moir (married name: Margot Cesario) released a solo single, "Scarlet Skies" and followed with her album, ''Strong and Mighty'', in 1996. Margot died in 2015 from complications of her [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The Moir Sisters were formed in 1970 as a folk, pop trio in Melbourne by Jean (born 1956) on co-lead vocals, Margot Rae (born 1959) on co-lead vocals and guitar, and Lesley Moir (born 1961) on co-lead vocals.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | authorlink1 = Ian McFarlane | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Broderick Smith' | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20040712155134/www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=377 | chapterurl = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=377 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | archivedate = 12 July 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 }}</ref><ref name="Item A1877">{{cite web | url = https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=8050178&isAv=N | title = Item Details for: A1877, Moir E H | publisher = [[National Archives of Australia]] | date = 15 July 2004 | accessdate = 9 August 2018 }}</ref> They were born in [[Scotland]], to Edward Hoy Moir and June Moir (nee Stirling), and emigrated to Melbourne in 1962.<ref name="Item A1877"/> They returned to Scotland, where their youngest daughter, Leanne, was born in 1968.<ref name="Item A2280">{{cite web | url = https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=7136196&isAv=N | title = Item Details for: A2280, Moir E H | publisher = National Archives of Australia | date = 19 November 2002 | accessdate = 9 August 2018 }}</ref> Margot was given a guitar as a gift; she took to it immediately, and was soon writing her own songs.<ref name="McGrath">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Australian Rock & Pop|last=McGrath |first= Noel|publisher=Outback Press|page=205|year= 1978}}</ref> |
The Moir Sisters were formed in 1970 as a folk, pop trio in Melbourne by Jean (born 1956) on co-lead vocals, Margot Rae (born 1959) on co-lead vocals and guitar, and Lesley Moir (born 1961) on co-lead vocals.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | authorlink1 = Ian McFarlane | title = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'Broderick Smith' | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20040712155134/www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=377 | chapterurl = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=377 | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | archivedate = 12 July 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 }}</ref><ref name="Item A1877">{{cite web | url = https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=8050178&isAv=N | title = Item Details for: A1877, Moir E H | publisher = [[National Archives of Australia]] | date = 15 July 2004 | accessdate = 9 August 2018 }}</ref> They were born in [[Scotland]], to Edward Hoy Moir and June Moir (nee Stirling), and emigrated to Melbourne in 1962.<ref name="Item A1877"/> They returned to Scotland, where their youngest daughter, Leanne, was born in 1968.<ref name="Item A2280">{{cite web | url = https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=7136196&isAv=N | title = Item Details for: A2280, Moir E H | publisher = National Archives of Australia | date = 19 November 2002 | accessdate = 9 August 2018 }}</ref> Margot was given a guitar as a gift; she took to it immediately, and was soon writing her own songs.<ref name="McGrath">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Australian Rock & Pop|last=McGrath |first= Noel|publisher=Outback Press|page=205|year= 1978}}</ref> |
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The sisters launched their musical trio upon return to Australia late in 1970.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Item A2280"/> In 1974 they won a heat of the TV talent quest, ''[[New Faces (Australian talent show)|New Faces]]'', on Melbourne's [[GTV (Australia)|GTV-9]], and then they competed in the national final.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name=dumbrell>{{cite web|title=The Moir Sisters|url=http://moirsistersinfo.150m.com|publisher=Greg Dumbrell|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> To capitalise on the national exposure of their ''New Faces'' appearances, the trio were signed |
The sisters launched their musical trio upon return to Australia late in 1970.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Item A2280"/> In 1974 they won a heat of the TV talent quest, ''[[New Faces (Australian talent show)|New Faces]]'', on Melbourne's [[GTV (Australia)|GTV-9]], and then they competed in the national final.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name=dumbrell>{{cite web|title=The Moir Sisters|url=http://moirsistersinfo.150m.com|publisher=Greg Dumbrell|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> To capitalise on the national exposure of their ''New Faces'' appearances, the trio were signed [[EMI Music Australia]].<ref name="McFarlane"/> Their self-penned debut single, "Good Morning (How Are You?)", was released in May 1974.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> It was produced by Ian Miller, arranged by film critic and musician [[Ivan Hutchinson]], and engineered by [[Roger Savage]]. It peaked at No. 8 on the [[Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart and remained in the top 50 for 19 weeks.<ref name="Kent">{{cite book | title = [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] | last1 = Kent | first1 = David | authorlink1 = David Kent (historian) | publisher = Australian Chart Book Ltd | location = [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] | year = 1993 | isbn = 0-646-11917-6 }} Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) created their own [[ARIA Charts|charts]] in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.</ref> |
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As "The Moir Sisters", they released an album in 1975, ''Lost Somewhere Beyond Harmony'', which consisted entirely of original songs by the Moirs. The album was produced by Ian Miller, arranged by [[Geoff Hales]] (who also played synthesisers and keyboards), engineered by [[Ross Cockle]], and featured backing from an all-star cast of Australian session musicians including guitarists [[Phil Manning (musician)|Phil Manning]] and [[Billy Green (musician)|Billy Green]] (now known as Will Greenstreet), bassists [[Barry Sullivan (musician)|Barry Sullivan]] and [[Duncan McGuire]], drummers [[Graham Morgan (musician)|Graham Morgan]], [[Mark Kennedy (musician)|Mark Kennedy]] and [[Gary Hyde (musician)|Gary Hyde]], keyboard player [[Mal Logan (musician)|Mal Logan]], renowned jazz saxophonist [[Brian Brown (musician)|Brian Brown]] and backing vocalist [[Dan Robinson (singer)|Dan Robinson]] (ex [[Wild Cherries]]). The Moir Sisters undertook a national tour supporting [[The Osmonds]], but their career was somewhat limited by the fact that Lesley was only 13 at the time, which meant that all the sisters' live performances had to be approved by the Child Welfare Department of the [[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian Government]].<ref name=dumbrell/> |
As "The Moir Sisters", they released an album in 1975, ''Lost Somewhere Beyond Harmony'', which consisted entirely of original songs by the Moirs. The album was produced by Ian Miller, arranged by [[Geoff Hales]] (who also played synthesisers and keyboards), engineered by [[Ross Cockle]], and featured backing from an all-star cast of Australian session musicians including guitarists [[Phil Manning (musician)|Phil Manning]] and [[Billy Green (musician)|Billy Green]] (now known as Will Greenstreet), bassists [[Barry Sullivan (musician)|Barry Sullivan]] and [[Duncan McGuire]], drummers [[Graham Morgan (musician)|Graham Morgan]], [[Mark Kennedy (musician)|Mark Kennedy]] and [[Gary Hyde (musician)|Gary Hyde]], keyboard player [[Mal Logan (musician)|Mal Logan]], renowned jazz saxophonist [[Brian Brown (musician)|Brian Brown]] and backing vocalist [[Dan Robinson (singer)|Dan Robinson]] (ex [[Wild Cherries]]). The Moir Sisters undertook a national tour supporting [[The Osmonds]], but their career was somewhat limited by the fact that Lesley was only 13 at the time, which meant that all the sisters' live performances had to be approved by the Child Welfare Department of the [[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian Government]].<ref name=dumbrell/> |
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Revision as of 10:23, 9 August 2018
 | This article possibly contains original research. (August 2014) |
The Moir Sisters | |
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| Also known as | The Moirs |
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 1970–1990 |
| Labels |
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| Past members |
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The Moir Sisters were a Scotish-Australian pop and folk vocal trio which formed in 1970 by the eponymous sisters, Jean, Margot and Lesley. Their debut single, "Good Morning (How Are You?)" (1974), which featured their distinctive high-pitched harmonies, peaked at No. 8 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. The group released two albums, Lost: Somewhere Beyond Harmony (1974) and State of Shock (as The Moirs, 1978), In 1989 Margot Moir (married name: Margot Cesario) released a solo single, "Scarlet Skies" and followed with her album, Strong and Mighty, in 1996. Margot died in 2015 from complications of her diabetes.
History
The Moir Sisters were formed in 1970 as a folk, pop trio in Melbourne by Jean (born 1956) on co-lead vocals, Margot Rae (born 1959) on co-lead vocals and guitar, and Lesley Moir (born 1961) on co-lead vocals.[1][2] They were born in Scotland, to Edward Hoy Moir and June Moir (nee Stirling), and emigrated to Melbourne in 1962.[2] They returned to Scotland, where their youngest daughter, Leanne, was born in 1968.[3] Margot was given a guitar as a gift; she took to it immediately, and was soon writing her own songs.[4]
The sisters launched their musical trio upon return to Australia late in 1970.[1][3] In 1974 they won a heat of the TV talent quest, New Faces, on Melbourne's GTV-9, and then they competed in the national final.[1][5] To capitalise on the national exposure of their New Faces appearances, the trio were signed EMI Music Australia.[1] Their self-penned debut single, "Good Morning (How Are You?)", was released in May 1974.[1][6] It was produced by Ian Miller, arranged by film critic and musician Ivan Hutchinson, and engineered by Roger Savage. It peaked at No. 8 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart and remained in the top 50 for 19 weeks.[6]
As "The Moir Sisters", they released an album in 1975, Lost Somewhere Beyond Harmony, which consisted entirely of original songs by the Moirs. The album was produced by Ian Miller, arranged by Geoff Hales (who also played synthesisers and keyboards), engineered by Ross Cockle, and featured backing from an all-star cast of Australian session musicians including guitarists Phil Manning and Billy Green (now known as Will Greenstreet), bassists Barry Sullivan and Duncan McGuire, drummers Graham Morgan, Mark Kennedy and Gary Hyde, keyboard player Mal Logan, renowned jazz saxophonist Brian Brown and backing vocalist Dan Robinson (ex Wild Cherries). The Moir Sisters undertook a national tour supporting The Osmonds, but their career was somewhat limited by the fact that Lesley was only 13 at the time, which meant that all the sisters' live performances had to be approved by the Child Welfare Department of the Victorian Government.[5]
By the late 1970s they were managed by former musician Glenn Wheatley (who was also managing Little River Band at the time) and after leaving EMI, they signed to the independent Oz Records label in Australia, and to Elton John's record label The Rocket Record Company internationally. With their name changed to "The Moirs", they went to Los Angeles to record their second album, State of Shock, which was produced by expatriate Australian musician, songwriter and producer John Farrar, and released in 1978.[5]
In the early 1980s, The Moir Sisters signed to WEA in Australia and issued two singles, "So Excited" backed with "You Won't Get Me" (1982) and "Running Scared" (1983), but neither song charted.
In 1989, Margot Moir also released a solo single, "Scarlet Skies" and the album, Strong And Mighty in 1996. In 2001 the sisters were interviewed for ABC-TV's popular music documentary series Long Way to the Top. [citation needed]
Margot died on 26 January 2015, aged 56, from complications due to long term diabetes.[7]
Discography
Albums
- Lost-Somewhere Beyond Harmony (1975) #69 (AUS)
- State of Shock (1978)
Singles
- "Good Morning (How Are You?)/We Will Never Change" (1974) #8 (AUS)
- "Harmony Blues/Stop the Music" (1975) #68 (AUS)
- "Don't Tell Your Mama/Wandering Home" (1975)
- "So Excited/You Won't Get Me" (1982)
- "Running Scared" (1983)
References
- ^ a b c d e McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Broderick Smith'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1.
{{cite book}}:|archive-url=requires|url=(help); External link in|chapterurl=|chapterurl=ignored (|chapter-url=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Item Details for: A1877, Moir E H". National Archives of Australia. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Item Details for: A2280, Moir E H". National Archives of Australia. 19 November 2002. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
- ^ McGrath, Noel (1978). Encyclopaedia of Australian Rock & Pop. Outback Press. p. 205.
- ^ a b c "The Moir Sisters". Greg Dumbrell. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book Ltd. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.
- ^ "Family Confirms Death Of Margot Moir Due To Diabetes". Australia's Music News Authority. Retrieved 30 January 2015.