"I reached for my ukulele, but the stranger was too quick"
Johnny Rebb and his band, the Rebels, are in many ways the lost tribe of the 1950's. His name rarely comes up on the oldies playlists, yet his career was as vital as anyone's. They kicked off with "Rebel Rock/Johnny B Goode" with HMV, before finding a home at Leedon and making the classic "Hey Sheriff/Noline" His biggest hit followed, "Pathway To Paradise", advanced for it's time with some interesting tempo variations. I can recall some other classic sides, such as "Ring A Rockin'" and "Lone Ranger Gonna Get Married" from around that period.
When things turned quiet Johnny went solo and spent time in America. He released some brilliant sides at this time "Think Me A Kiss" "L-O-V-E-V-I-L-L-E" "How Will It End" and "There You Go"
Johnny never stopped rocking. In the 1960's he started working with the surf instrumental group, The Atlantics, and his younger brother, Russ Kruger (I think), as a hard rock outfit. My last memory of the boys is catching them in 1968 at the Astra Hotel, Bondi, belting out a killer version of "Jumping Jack Flash".
A real honest rocker.
"are we ready rebels?"
Back to Australian 50's Rock and Roll
I see that George Dubberyar Bush is starting to beat the drums of war. This might be a good time to save your game!
He is a ghost, and I don't stand a ghost of a chance.
Copyright © 2001 Brian Brett
