Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Little River Band (LRB) is an Australian (now American) soft rock band from Melbourne, Victoria. For more, be sure to read Gary James' interviews with Australia pricked up its ears, but America was in shock, as this still-successful band moved toward replacing the singer of all its big hits with someone who to them was an unknown. Their debut album met with considerable acclaim in Australia, including an award as Album Of The Year, bestowed by the Australian Record Industry Association. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. As of 2017, none of the musicians performing as Little River Band were original members. The self-titled album was later released in the States, where the opening track, "It's A Long Way There", moved steadily up the charts to peak at #28. Two former members have died, Barry Sullivan in October 2003 (aged 57) and Steve Prestwich in January 2011 (aged 56). In September 2015, Little River Band were named as Casino Musical Entertainer of the year at the Annual G2E Awards ceremony, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. On the road they traveled separately. Guitarist Beeb Birtles had initially been the bass player for a group called Zoot (Rick Springfield was a later member) then later joined guitarist Graham Goble and drummer Derek Pellicci in the popular country-rock group and LRB precursor Mississippi. The record was the last to feature McArdale, who subsequently gave away all of his money to move to Australia's Blue Mountains and undertake a three-year Bible study retreat. More lineup changes followed, including the departure of Birtles. Glenn Shorrock The single "We Two" peaked at #22 and "You're Driving Me Out Of My Mind" reached #35 in 1983. Peter Beckett from Player joined them, touring the States several times. Guitarist Stephen Housden joined the band in 1981 replacing David Briggs. The founders were Glenn Shorrock (ex-The Twilights, ex-Axiom), Graham Goble (ex-Mississippi), Beeb Birtles (ex-Zoot, ex-Mississippi) and Derek Pellicci (ex-Mississippi). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. That line-up was made up of Wayne Nelson, Rich Herring, Greg Hind, Chris Marion and Ryan Ricks. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, My 200 Favorite Classic Rock Artists (in order). He was opening for LRB with Messinas band when the invitation came. Farnham left in 1986 to be replaced by the returning Shorrock. The band achieved commercial success in both Australia and the United States. Media Check out our 2023 shows! However, after that the group quickly began to fall apart. Discussion. Another version of Little River Band was still touring in 2012, with only Wayne Nelson left over from any hit making line-up. WebThe predominantly American band that tours posing as the Little River Band today has zero original members and none of the people who wrote their biggest hits. The regular changes in the backline -- especially on bass -- only contributed to tensions. Two more singles, "Man On Your Mind" (#14) and "The Other Guy" (#11) were also successful. Like many other Australasian groups of the period, both Axiom and Mississippi had tried to break into the UK record market without success. In the 1980s, members included John Farnham, David Hirschfelder, Stephen Housden, Wayne Nelson and Steve Prestwich. | He failed to make an impression in the U.S., but he had a substantial hit in Australia with a cover version of Bobby Darins Dream Lover. Just like Gong whom today consists nada of the original band yet continue to release dreck music under the bands name. Three founding members, Birtles, Shorrock and Goble, continue to perform reunion concerts but due to the fact they lost the rights to the name Little River Band, they appear under the name Birtles Shorrock Goble: The Original Voices of Little River Band. Their debut album met with considerable acclaim in Australia, including an award as Album Of The Year, bestowed by the Australian Record Industry Association. Through their career, the act has sold an estimated 30 million albums.BSGs Melbourne-based manager Paul Rodger says a new release date in North America for Full Circle is being scheduled, as is a VH-1 special on the band, which was originally set for screening on June 28.The legal problems also meant that BSG turned down an offer to tour the United States with Chicago, Rodger says. The band boasted years of experience and chose the U.S. west coast harmony and guitar sound as their major influence. Subsequent singles were only minor hits. With new vocalist Jon Farnham, Little River Band produced 1983's "The Net", but without Shorrock's familiar vocals, it failed to match the popularity of the albums which preceded it. Little River Band is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1975 and named after a road sign for the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong. Although the early lineup shuffled around a bit, by the time Little River Band released their self-titled debut in late 1975, the band consisted of mainstays Shorrock (vocals), Birtles (vocals, guitar), Goble (vocals, guitar), and Pellicci (drums), with lead guitarist Ric Formosa and bassist Roger McLachlan. Read more on Last.fm. As Nelson shepherded the group, they headed into another decade and continued to celebrate the breadth of their legacy. Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. The name and trademarks are controlled by Stephen Housden, who joined as guitarist in WebTrivia (5) Co-founded by Beeb Birtles. After a series of albums with singer John Farnham at the helm, Shorrock reentered the picture and Little River Band managed to retain their popularity in Australia through the end of the decade. Media. About. He was replaced by bassist Wayne Nelson in the wake of the release of 1980's live set called "Backstage Pass". The Vogue in Indianapolis is one the most popular and storied music venues in the Midwest. Unfortunately, guitarist Stephen Housden, who joined the band in August 1981 and left in 2006, ended up owning the rights to the name Little River Band, and has prevented Birtles, Shorrock and Goble from using any reference to their past musical history. Founder members Beeb Birtles and Graeham Goble had left the group. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Remembering the indifferent reaction they had received in the UK, they decided the new band would focus on establishing themselves in the United States. (21+ only). Find the latest tracks, albums, and images from Little River Band. Three original members of Australian act Little River Band have won the right to advertise themselves as the founders and songwriters of the 70s hitmakers. Beeb Birtles The group evolved from the harmony-rock group Mississippi in 1975. Join group. The band chose the name while driving along the Princes Freeway to Geelong, Victoria, Little River Band (LRB) are a rock band originally formed in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1975. Birtles left in 1983 because he did not like the direction the band was taking and he was not a fan of Farnhams onstage performance. Members of Little River Band performing live in 2004 (top) and 2006 (bottom). In May, 2001 the Australasian Performing Right Association, as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "Cool Change" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. Their last release of new music was Cuts Like a Diamond in 2014. 3 Why did Little River Band lose their name? As of 2017, none of the musicians performing as Little River Band were original members. Two former members have died, Barry Sullivan in October 2003 (aged 57) and Steve Prestwich in January 2011 (aged 56). 5.9K members. As anyone who really knows this band will tell you, any band that tours as "The Little River Band" and doesn't include Shorrock, Goble, and Birtles in particular is a criminal fraud. Preceded by late 1976 European tour dates with Queen and American dates supporting Average White Band, Diamantina Cocktail finally appeared in both countries in the front half of 1977 and proved to be the breakthrough Little River Band were hoping for. Join our mailing list for pre-sale announcements! This resulted in a hit single, Its A Long Way There, which broke into the Top 30 and galvanised the commitment of the band members. While fronted by singer John Farnham from 19821986, the band's original members were Glenn Shorrock (vocals), Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles Little River Band formed in March 1975 in Melbourne as a harmony rock group with Beeb Birtles on guitar and vocals, Graham Davidge on lead guitar, Graeham Goble on guitar and vocals, Dave Orams on bass guitar, Derek Pellicci on drums and Glenn Shorrock on lead vocals. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Singer, Radio personality, Songwriter, Presenter, Actor. Little River Band's first American tour, in support of the album and single, brought pleasantly surprised fans to their feet in packed halls throughout the country. WebLittle River Band is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1975 and named after a road sign for the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. Weve been asking at our shows since the pandemic, how many are seeing the band live for the first time. Little River Band is the pride of Melbourne, Australia. With new vocalist Jon Farnham, Little River Band produced 1983's "The Net", but without Shorrock's familiar vocals, it failed to match the popularity of the albums which preceded it. Little River Band is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1975 and named after a road sign for the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Why did Little River Band lose their name? 07/28/2005. BSG and Housdens company We Too settled the matter yesterday (July 27) before the case went to court in Florida. Peter Beckett from Player joined them, touring the States several times. Their next tour date is at Crystal Grand Music Theatre in Wisconsin Dells, after that theyll be at Golden Nugget Lake Charles in Lake Charles. Through their career, the act has sold an estimated 30 million albums.BSGs Melbourne-based manager Paul Rodger says a new release date in North America for Full Circle is being scheduled, as is a VH-1 special on the band, which was originally set for screening on June 28.The legal problems also meant that BSG turned down an offer to tour the United States with Chicago, Rodger says. To celebrate its opening, Graeham Goble released his solo catalogue and unheard demos from 1976 to 1987, all songs that he wrote while in Little River Band. 2020's live album Black Tie featured Little River Band accompanied on-stage by an orchestra, playing early hits as well as some of their contemporary offerings like the record's patriotic single "The Lost and the Lonely," which originally appeared on 2013's Cuts Like a Diamond. he said. WebLittle River Band is an Australian soft rock band from Melbourne, Victoria. Youll be able to say that if you take your sweetie to the bands show Friday in Greensburg. 2 Where did the Little River Band originate? Recent releases have included The Hits Revisited, Little River Band once again enjoyed a modest degree of success, with healthy record sales, sell-out live appearances, and considerable media attention. Be the first to know about our exclusive events! He took a hiatus for family reasons from 1996 to 2000 but is still by far the longest- For the new millennium, Little River Band, consisting of Stephen Housden: lead guitar, Wayne Nelson: bass and lead vocals, Greg Hind: guitar and vocals, Kevin Murphy: drums and vocals, Glenn Reither: keyboards and sax, released a new CD called "Where We Started From". In September 2015, Little River Band were named as Casino Musical Entertainer of the year at the Annual G2E Awards ceremony, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. By 1996, Shorrock was also gone, and with Pellicci's 1998 departure went the group's last original member as well as the Little River Band trademark rights, which fell to Housden. All Rights Reserved. How did Little River Band lose their name? Wheatleys first-hand experiences of the rip-offs in the 1960s music scene, combined with his subsequent experience working in music management in Britain and the United States in the early 1970s, enabled him to help LRB become the first Australian group to enjoy sustained commercial and chart success in the United States. Goble left the group in 1990. By this point, Little River Band were on a roll and 1979's First Under the Wire was no exception, launching another pair of hits with "Cool Change" and "Lonesome Loser.". WebLittle River Band (LRB) is an Australian (now American) soft rock band from Melbourne, Victoria.Formed in March 1975, the group originally featured lead vocalist Glenn These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The last original member left in 1977, and the last Australian retired from the road in 2006. Although the band as fans had known it called it day, Housden and Nelson picked up the torch and carried on as perennial touring act under the Little River Band name, coming under fire in 2002 from Birtles, Shorrock, and Goble, who were attempting a reunion tour playing the band's early hits and hoping to use some version of the group's name. Staffed by a crew of previously distinguished veterans of Melbourne's vibrant rock scene, the group's sights were already set on American shores by the time of their 1975 formation, and within two years, they had achieved their breakthrough with 1977's gold-selling Diamantina Cocktail, followed quickly by Sleeper Catcher and its Top Ten hits "Lady" and "Reminiscing." On June 25th, 2019 The New York Times Magazine listed Little River Band among hundreds of artists whose material was destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire. After 1986's "No Reins", Farnham left Little River Band and went solo again (recording Australia's best-selling single ever, "You're The Voice"). By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. On 1985's "Playing to Win", their roster fluctuated yet again, with drummer Steven Prestwich replacing Pellicci as well as keyboardist David Hirschfelder also signing on. Their acceptance in the U.S. was mirrored and subsequently exceeded by their prominence back home, and they headed confidently into the '80s with a string of hit albums and an international reputation. Little by little, the Aussies were replaced by Americans as all those years of making the trek back and forth became very difficult, Nelson said. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. The band boasted years of experience and chose the U.S. west coast harmony and guitar sound as their major influence. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Visit Billboard Pro for music business news. Featured. Housden, who bought the rights to the name after the original band members left in the 80s, claimed that Birtles, Shorrock and Goble had breached a 2002 deed of settlement on the use of the name. Three original members of Australian act Little River Band have won the right to advertise themselves as the founders and songwriters of the '70s hitmakers. As of 2017, none of the musicians performing as Little River Band were original members. Over the next few years, the group straddled the two continents, renowned for their impeccable live performances and polished presence. WebPublic group. 4 Did the Little River Band appear on the middle? Who was the original lead singer of the Little River Band? 6 How much is the Little River Band worth? WebLittle River Band have had over thirty official members since their inception. Until now, Birtles, Shorrock and Goble have performed as BSG. WebThe original Little River Band was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards of 2004. Their follow-up, After Hours, was released in Australia mere months later in April 1976, though the band's American record company considered it to too dark and sent them straight back into the studio to record the next album, resolving to use some of the After Hours tracks and the best of what was being recorded for the group's third Australian album. Glenn Shorrock and Derek Pellicci rejoined Goble, Nelson, and Housden to record the Monsoon album, which went some way in returning the group's luster. Request Little River Band Play at The Vogue. The pressures of success and constant touring gradually took their toll on LRB and members gradually left. Housden cited the cover of the trios new live CD Full Circle, which referred to the act as the original voices of Little River Band. Housden tours with a line-up of Little River Band that does not include any of its former members.Plans to release the CD in June were delayed after Housden initiated district court action in Orlando, Florida. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Topics. Little River Band once again enjoyed a modest degree of success, with healthy record sales, sell-out live appearances, and considerable media attention. Although the dramas and infighting of the group's latter years have taken their toll, the Little River Band legacy as a whole has fared well, and the group's induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the lasting power of now-classic hits like "Cool Change," "Reminiscing," and "Help Is on Its Way" continued to cement their reputation as one of Australia's most significant bands. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. However, the group continued to bleed personnel and by 1998, no original members remained involved in the band and the legal rights to the name were claimed by '80s members Stephen Housden and Wayne Nelson. 19701974: Pre Little River Band. Three original members of Australian act Little River Band have won the right to advertise themselves as the founders and songwriters of the '70s hitmakers. Were trying to be relevant and be creative, to complete the history of the band by playing the hits as necessary and the new songs to keep us fresh, he said. As of 2017, none of the musicians performing as Little River Band were original members. 7 Who are the members of Little River Band? Formed in March 1975, the group originally featured lead vocalist Glenn Shorrock, guitarists and The song that Frankie is singing along with in the car is Reminiscing by The Little River Band. A new lead singer, Steve Wade, signed on, but he dropped out in 1999. 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