The Strangers (Australian band)
The Strangers were an Australian music band, based in Melbourne which performed from 1961 to 1975. The band started out playing instrumental songs in a style similar to The Shadows with the influnce from Cliff Richards easy to see. The original lineup included Peter Robinson (Bass), Graeme (Garth) Thompson (Drums), Laurie Arthur (Lead Guitar) and Fred Weiland (Rhythm Guitar). In 1966 they became the resident backing band on the teenage television pop show The Go!! Show in which they appeared at least once a week for nine years straight. They underwent several membership changes, providing backing for many local and Australian artists.
At the end of 1962 they signed with Ron Tudor's W&G Records after working as studio band for artists including The Seekers, Frankie Davidson, and Johnny Chester.
In 1964, the band supported Colin Cook and released an LP called Colin Cook and the Strangers. Charting songs in the Strangers own name included their first single Cry Of The Wild Goose (an instrumental by Terry Gilkyson) / Leavin' Town which was released in January 1963 and reached number 12 on the Melbourne charts. This was followed by three original instrumentals in Torlido / The Outcast and Undertow, which were released in 1963, and two of which reached the Top 40. Other singles included Happy Without You (Kenny Laguna, Shelley Pinz. 1968), Melanie Makes Me Smile (Tony Macaulay, Barry Mason. 1970), Looking Through The Eyes Of A Beautiful Girl (1970), If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody (Rudy Clark, 1965) and Western Union (Mike Rabon, Norman Ezell, John Durrill. 1967).
Later songs included Mr President (Trevor 'Dozy' Davies, John 'Beaky' Dymond, Ian 'Tich' Amey. 1970).
Laurie left the band in early 1964, and was replaced on lead guitar by John Farrar, who later married, Pat Carroll. Carroll and Olivia Newton-John appeared on The Go!! Show as singers. Farrar later joined British post-Shadows group Marvin, Welch & Farrar and then the re-formed Shadows.
Also in 1964, the band supported Roy Orbison and Paul and Paula on an Australian tour which featured The Surfaris and The Beach Boys.
A founding member of the band was Peter Robinson, who had previously played with The Thunderbirds, and went on to replace Athol Guy in The Seekers from the late 70s.