Driving around Adelaide with some mates one day, Bobby James wondered why the car had suddenly pulled into the studios of a local television station. He was soon to find out, because without telling him, his mates had entered him into an audition for a TV talent show. It turned out to be a life changing experience for the 19-year–old and was the start of an outstanding career as a singer and entertainer, which has lasted over 60 years.
Bobby James was born in Fullarton, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, and was the youngest of two children. He was educated at Allenby Gardens Primary School and later at the Goodwood Technical School. Bobby was born into a musical family, his mother was a very good piano player and was his first musical influence. His great-great Uncle was the renowned organist Sir Thomas Elvey. Elvey was a prolific composer and was Queen Victoria’s personal organist.
Bobby’s mother could not care for him from the age of 2, so he grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Parkside, living with his grandmother to the age of 8 years. He then moved to a children’s home, The Church of England Boys' Home at Walkerville, for about a year, then to Flinders Park for around 4 years. Bobby started learning piano at 9 years of age, but when the family moved to Melbourne (Bobby was aged 13) his piano lessons ended. As a young boy, Bobby worked at a variety of jobs and then at the age of 17, moved back to Adelaide.
A few years later in 1960, Bobby was earning his living delivering bread. The guys he was boarding with, would often drive around Adelaide together and Bobby would sit in the back seat and annoy the hell out the front seat passengers singing all the latest hit parade songs. One day when they were driving around, they pulled into the studios of Channel 7 and Bobby was curious about what was going on and said, “What are we going in here for?” His mates replied, “You’ll find out.” Without telling him, his friends had entered Bobby into a TV talent show called “Stairway To The Stars”. When they went inside the TV studio, it was packed with people and the guy sitting at the piano called out Bobby’s name and said, “What do you want to sing?” Bobby sang a very nervous rendition of All For The Love Of A Girl and when he finished he stood there petrified, sweating profusely. He was then told, “OK you can go and sit down now.” He went back to his mates and he was not happy with them, “You buggers, you put me through this.”
One of the groups who auditioned that day were the Tempests. When they asked the show’s producer how they went, they were told, “I like your band but you need a different singer. Why don’t you have a word to Bobby James over there.” So Jim Probert the keyboard player from the Tempests, approached Bobby and told him they were looking for a new singer and that they were starting a new dance at Henley Beach, a coastal suburb about 9 km west of the city. They exchanged contact details and Jim said he’d be in touch.
Spurred on by the experience of singing in public, Bobby spent the next few months going around to some of the bigger dances in Adelaide, run by Mr Aubrey Hall, and asking the band could he get up and sing a song with them. The song he always sang was the Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry tune, But I Do and when he returned to the same dance, he would always sing the same song. It wasn’t long before he started to be introduced as the ‘But I Do boy’. Bobby sang regularly at Mr Hall's dances for about three years.
About six months after they had spoken at the audition, Bobby received a letter from Jim Probert inviting him to attend a rehearsal, to run through a few songs. Bobby sang the only 8 songs he knew all the way through and was asked to join the band. From 1960-62, the dance at the Henley Beach Surf Life Saving Club featuring Bobby James & the Tempests, built up a solid following with several hundred teenagers attending every Saturday night. Not long afterwards, Bobby was approached by dance promoter John Dungey, who was about to start a Rock’n’Roll dance called the Teensville Casual Club, and they wanted two bands. The promoter already had one group, Barry McAskill & the Drifters and he was looking for a band to fill the other spot. Dungey said, “I’ve heard you sing, do you want to audition to be the second band?”
When Bobby approached Jim Probert about playing at a big dance in the heart of Adelaide, he was not in favour of the idea. And as much as Bobby liked working with the Tempests he said, “I’m going to have to put a band together with or without you, because I can’t knock this offer back, it’s just too good an opportunity.” Jim eventually agreed and the new group was named Bobby James & the Esquires. The line-up included: Bobby James (vocals), Billy Orr (lead guitar), Brian Parker (bass), Gary Mordaurt (saxophone), Beven Sharpe (drums), Jim Probert (piano) and Les Tanner (guitar).
Bobby James & the Esquires got the gig as the second band at the Teensville dance and they were working Thursday and Saturday nights in rotation with Barry McAskill & the Drifters. The club opened in July 1962 and was so successful that they were soon playing to a packed hall of around 2,000 teenagers. Bobby established his own dance, the Bamboo Club, at the Mitcham Institute on Friday nights backed by another newly formed group, the Vibrants. Young Modern magazine reported, “The Vibrants, led by local celebrity Bobby James were playing the Warradale Institute and the BJ Club at the Mitcham Institute.” This early line-up of the Vibrants included a talented saxophone player named Tony Shipp. A few years later as Tony Shepp, he went on to a successful career as a solo singer and actor, releasing singles on the Sunshine and Kommotion labels and acting parts in ‘Division 4’ and ‘Homicide’.
During 1963 Bobby established himself as one of the most popular singers on Adelaide scene due to his performances at Teensville, as well as regular TV appearances on local music shows, ‘Seventeeners’ and ‘Woodies’. Bobby was offered a spot on the bill of a Johnny O’Keefe concert in July 1963, along with a selection of other talented local singers including April Byron, Pat Aulton and Barry McAskill. With his Roy Orbison-like voice, Bobby built up a big following in Adelaide, but all this changed following the Beatles tour of Australia in June 1964. Promoted as ‘The Southern Sound’, Bobby James & the Esquires changed their appearance and started playing music more in the style of the Mersey sound, which was all the rage at the time.
The change in style worked, because towards the end of 1964, the band secured a recording contract with EMI and released their first single, Don’t You Do That, a Bobby James original, with a cover of Bobby Lewis’ Tossin’ & Turnin’ on the B-side. Don’t You Do That captures all the elements of the songs coming out of Liverpool at the time from such groups as the Swinging Blue Jeans and the Searchers.
“A catchy number showcasing the range of James’ voice with some twangy guitar thrown in for good measure” (Millen).
Released in November 1964, the single sold well in Adelaide reaching No.11 on the 5KA charts and No.25 on another local radio station 5AD. As a result of the single’s success, Bobby was offered some local tours with Col Joye and Johnny O’Keefe and also made a few trips to Melbourne to sing at Ivan Dayman dances. Bobby knew Dayman from his days as a gravel quarry owner and occasionally drove one of his trucks to earn a bit of extra pocket money.
In May 1965 Bobby left the Esquires and in July he was approached by the Vibrants, who were looking for a new singer. The Vibrants had gone through a number of line-up changes and were a much-improved band. The line-up included Geoff Skewes (keyboards), Terry Osmond (guitar), Billy Pfieffer (guitar), John Hossen (saxophone) and Rick Kent (drums). When Bobby joined the Vibrants, keyboard player Geoff Skewes wanted to make it very clear about the band’s name. He said, “Now Bob, we’re just going to be the Vibrants. Bobby replied, “That’s fine, I’ve got no problem with that.”
After working with the Vibrants for a few months, Bobby approached Alan Munn, an executive at EMI, to secure a recording contract for the Vibrants. EMI were keen to record Bobby again following the success of his first single, but were not confident that the Vibrants were good enough as a backing band. Bobby said, “Well I am working with them and we’re rehearsing. I don’t know what you heard before, but they are a bloody good band now.”
Bobby and the Vibrants were asked to attend an audition at EMI and Munn was impressed with the group and said, “Yeah Bobby, you’re right, they’re a lot better than they used to be.” When Bobby told Munn the group wanted to be called the Vibrants he replied, “No way, it’ll be Bobby James & the Vibrants or not at all.” Bobby had already charted with his first record and this was really a follow-up and the record company wanted to take advantage of the name Bobby James. When Bobby told the rest of the group about this, they were not happy, but they had no choice because they wanted to get on record and they accepted it.
The group entered Visound Studios in Adelaide and recorded Jezebel, backed with another Bobby James original, Darling Look At Me. Jezebel, written by American songwriter Wayne Shanklin had been recorded several times including hit versions by Frankie Laine (1951), Marty Wilde (1962) and Australia’s Rob E.G. (1963). It was a song well-suited to Bobby’s vocal style and when released in November 1965, it sold reasonably well, reaching No.28 on the 5AD charts. Adelaide had a very competitive live music scene and the Vibrants played at some of the top venues in town alongside groups like the Twilights and the Master’s Apprentices. All of these groups shared the same ambition, to break out of the Adelaide scene and relocate to Melbourne and achieve national fame.
Early in 1966, Bobby appeared in a pantomime ‘The Ugly Duckling’ with Col Joye, Judy Stone and veteran comedian Buster Viddess. Pantomimes featuring celebrity guests were popular in the 60s and even the Beatles appeared in pantomimes in the UK in their early years. Mothers would take their children along to see their favourite pop stars as a school holiday treat. Bobby must have made a good impression, because Brian Henderson offered him a spot on ‘Bandstand’, if he came up to Sydney. Bobby regrets not taking up this offer to appear on this very popular national TV show.
The Vibrants returned to the studio to record their second single with Bobby early in the year. The songs recorded were a reworking of a Bobby & Laurie album track, I’ve Learned and an obscure Roy Orbison song Almost 18. On both of these tracks Bobby adopted a much grittier voice than his usual smooth vocal style. Then in March 1966, the band decided it was time to try their luck in Melbourne. The Vibrants made a good impression and won over many fans when they performed at Pinnocchios and Havana discos and appeared on TV on the popular teenage music program, ‘Kommotion’. But when the group returned to Adelaide, a meeting was called and Bobby was informed that his services were no longer required. He was replaced by another Adelaide singer John Perry. The Vibrants headed back to Melbourne and over the next two years achieved considerable success, scoring two national Top 10 hits.
Disappointed but undeterred by this set-back, Bobby wasted no time forming a new group he named the Bob James Movement and also headed back to Melbourne. Things did not work out as well as he expected with this group and he was back in Adelaide after about a month. Not long after his return home, Bobby was contacted by Channel 9 and asked to replace Ernie Sigley as special guest at the Broken Hill heat of Hoadley’s Battle Of The Sounds. Bobby’s appearance at this show caused quite a stir, because the local boys thought that their girlfriends gave Bobby way too much attention. To avoid any nasty incidents Bobby was snuck out the back entrance.
Always on the lookout for good musicians, Bobby was impressed with the winners of the contest, a group called We Don’t Know. The band were playing at a big dance that night and they asked Bobby if he would come along and sing a couple of songs, which he was more than happy to oblige. During the dance, Bobby explained to the band that he had contacts in Melbourne and would they like to come down to Adelaide to rehearse, then go across to Melbourne and work six nights a week. The group agreed and the new band was called Bobby James U.N.C.L.E. The line-up included Bobby James (vocals), Tony Frew (drums), Peter Giobbi (guitar), Don Niemann (bass) and Bob Warhurst (organ, guitar).
After working several months in Melbourne, things appeared to be going well but most of the band members were not happy. Despite working six nights a week, the band members said they could earn more money working in the mines at Broken Hill. All of the band except one, bass player Don ‘Little Sammy’ Niemann, decided to return to Broken Hill and once again Bobby had to start looking for musicians. He recruited left-handed guitarist Lindsay Shah, an outstanding guitarist with a unique style. Shah had been part of tough Melbourne group the Wild Colonials who recorded three singles for the HMV label, including the classic Pretty Things cover Get The Picture. The members included Bobby James (vocals), Lindsay Shah (lead guitar), Don Niemann (bass), Alan Stirling (keyboards) and Gary Dewar (drums). There were a lot of good bands playing in Melbourne at that time and the Bobby James Syndicate were right up there with the best of them.
Coca-Cola used to hold jingle competitions and the prize was the chance to record a Coca-Cola jingle. There was some stiff competition at the jingle competition BJS entered, including the Groop and the Groove, but Bobby James Syndicate managed to win. Bands were never paid when their jingle was played on the radio, but to win a Jingle Contest and record a jingle was considered highly prestigious and good publicity. Bobby recalls seeing an advertisement for Melbourne singer Carmel Chayne, who the BJS used to back quite often. The advert read, “Carmel Chayne supported by Bobby James Syndicate, winners of the Coca-Cola Jingle Contest.” Another band contest Bobby James Syndicate won, proving they were quite an outstanding live band, was the Tempest Dance Battle of the Bands held at Box Hill Town Hall. BJS romped it in. It is not surprising that shortly after this band contest, they secured a recording deal with Go!! Records.
Lindsay Shah was able to provide two original songs for them to record which was a big plus for the band. Hey Hey Hey/Short Sam, expertly produced by Roger Savage, was an outstanding single and attracted a lot of attention when it was released in September 1967.
“With its propulsive beat, ringing guitar riffs and belting ‘hey hey hey’ vocal refrain it stands alongside anything by the likes of the Cherokees, the Elois, the Sunsets, the Black Diamonds, Steve & the Board or the Purple Hearts from the same period. Check out the wild instrumental break/vocal chant mid-section, which is punctuated by a couple of ringing guitar chords, the whole thing over and done in a concise two and a half minutes.” (McFarlane)
The initial response to the single was so great that there was every indication that it was going to be a hit. But unfortunately, the bad luck that seemed to plague Bobby’s career stuck again, when the Go!! label folded. The single started to receive a lot of airplay and then disappeared. Bobby recalls,
“I remember the first day listening to the radio and they were flogging it on 3XY and then the second day I was listening and there was nothing. I made some enquiries and found out that the company that owned the label, DYT Productions went belly up. Anyway, because of them going broke ‘Hey Hey Hey’ was taken off the playlist all around Australia. It’s a tragedy, but that’s showbiz.”
The band never recovered from the huge disappointment they felt when their record had been wiped and this is part of the reason why they folded in early 1968.
But 1968 turned out to be a great year for Bobby as he married his Adelaide sweetheart, Chrissy.
Bobby recruited a new Bobby James Syndicate and in early 1969, he accepted an offer to tour Vietnam entertaining US troops. Female singers were in high demand to perform in Vietnam and popular Melbourne singer Carmel Chayne was recruited as the headline act, which was called ‘The Carmel Chayne Show’. The tour party also included another Melbourne act, the Bradley Sisters, Suzanne and Leonie. The band members on the tour were Kelvin Monaghan on guitar, Wayne Bonner on drums and Greg Cull on keyboards. They left Melbourne on Anzac Day 1969.
The troupe travelled all over South Vietnam performing two shows a day. The tour was initially for three months but ended up lasting eight months. Carmel made such a big impact that she formed a new band of her own and stayed in Vietnam for a further two years. The attractive blonde singer stayed in Asia and became the darling of Singapore, performing on the lucrative hotel and club circuit.
Shortly after arriving home, Bobby received a phone call from an agent asking if he would take over as singer/MC and road manager with the Chiffons Show in Vietnam. Returning to Vietnam was the last thing Bobby wanted to do, so he made an offer he thought would not be accepted. But to his surprise, the offer was accepted and once again he packed his bags and headed back to Vietnam.
The Chiffons were an Australian female vocal trio (not to be confused with the 60s American group of the same name), formed in the late 60s with Maureen Elkner, Pauline Murphy and Judy Condon. Any performers working in Vietnam at this time put their lives at risk and Bobby recalls at one show, some disgruntled soldiers, who were not allowed to attend an outdoor concert, stood outside the fence and threw hand grenades into the audience. One marine was killed and a few more were wounded. One grenade landed right in front of the stage but fortunately for the band, it did not go off.
Bobby was glad to be home safe on Australian soil in 1970 and shortly after he received a call from Federal Hotels asking if he would like to work at Wrest Point Hotel in Hobart for three months. This was a dream job for any entertainer. Bobby lived in the hotel with Chrissy and his daughter Tanya, working six nights a week. The three months turned into 18 months then wife Chrissy said, “Bobby, I’ve had enough, I’m going home.” So in 1972, Bobby returned to Melbourne with his family and with no band and no money coming in, he made the difficult decision to get a day job. He managed to find work at Dulux Paints. It was a move Bobby never regretted and he ended up working for Dulux for 20 years.
But Bobby could not stay away from entertaining too long and six months after starting to work for Dulux, he began singing in a duo. In 1973 he formed another version of the Bobby James Syndicate working four nights a week. This version of BJS released a single Living Life/Destiny. Living Life is a laid-back country-styled song written by guitarist Robert Murphy. The group signed to Mushroom Records and the record was released on the Festival label. Members included: Bobby James (vocals), Robert Murphy (guitar), Ron Sheedy (bass) and Daryl Fedden (drums).
Some personality clashes between members of the group caused this version of BJS to dissolve but undaunted Bobby assembled another group of musicians. For the next line-up of Bobby James Syndicate, Bobby decided to make a change in direction to a more cabaret style group and they became a showband. Decked out in white suits with wide burgundy stripes down the sides of their flared trousers, they performed cabaret shows and corporate functions. Their show was enhanced by the inclusion of up to 20 dancing girls. This version of BJS lasted for about six years and the members were: L-R in photo: Danny Drum (keyboards), Rohan Nanson (guitar), Bobby James (vocals), Ron Cork (bass) and Daryl Fedden (drums - seated).
The group of musicians he assembled in 1982, Bobby believes was the most versatile and experienced version of the Bobby James Syndicate in the history of the band. Drummer Rick Puchala had played with some of Australia’s best artists including Richard Clapton, Christie Allen and Russell Morris. Amongst the bands bass player Noel Beare had worked with included Wendy & the Rockets and guitarist Phil Bowen is well-known in the music industry and after many years of playing experience he developed a unique playing style. All good things come to an end, however and when Bobby bought a paint shop in 1992 he disbanded this group to concentrate on running his business. The Paint shop was sold in 2012.
In 1988, Bobby recorded a vinyl LP titled ‘You Had To Be There’. Bobby’s wife Chrissy and daughter Tanya are pictured on the cover, which explains why Bobby always tells people that “the best thing about the album is the cover.” Apart from the title track, the backing track was all sequenced music. The album contains a well-chosen selection of cover songs, some of which are rarely covered, including She’s So Fine (the Easybeats), The Cheater (Bob Kuban & the Inmen) and Black Is Black (Los Bravos). The album was released on the PG label owned by Melbourne country singer Peter Gibson and Bobby would sell the LP at his shows.
In 1999 Canetoad Records released a various artists CD ‘Going Going Gone’ which included Hey Hey Hey and Short Sam. Guitar player Phil Bowan contacted Bobby and said they should get back together and take advantage of the CD. Bass player Noel Beare was not available so they brought Bruce Baker in to replace him. This last version of the Bobby James Syndicate lasted for around a year before Bobby dissolved the group. Bobby estimates that a total of around 50 musicians passed through the ranks of the BJS in it’s 33 year history. When people ask Bobby when are you having a reunion of the Bobby James Syndicate he jokingly replies, “As soon as the MCG becomes available.”
Bobby is still performing to this day. He has recorded five CDs featuring the songs he performs at his shows (see track listings below). The CDs were produced by Stan Azzopardi at Sound & Vision Recording Studio. He was doing Morning Melody shows and Lifestyle Villages until the Covid-19 lockdown put a hold on his career. During the lockdown he made a series of videos, which he posted on Facebook and received a lot of positive feedback.
Everyone who knew Bobby were excited when they found out that Bobby James & the Esquires had been nominated to be inducted into the South Australian Music Hall Of Fame. When news that the nomination was accepted no-one was more thrilled than his daughter Tanya James, who wrote on facebook,
“So, so massively proud of my daddy Bobby James. He’s always been a rock star, but now …. He’s a ROCK GOD!!!”(October 23rd, 2021).
The nomination for Bobby James & the Esquires induction into the AMC South Australian Hall Of Fame read as follows:
“Formed in 1962, Bobby James & the Esquires were pioneers in the Adelaide music scene along with fellow inductees the Penny Rockets and the Four Tones who all laid the foundations for other famous SA bands to follow including the Twilights and the Masters Apprentices. Our music industry here in Adelaide was built on the valuable contribution bands like the Esquires made in the early days of live music venues. They worked as a backing band for many great artists like the Bee Gees and Johnny O’Keefe … to name just a few and not forgetting playing regularly to huge crowds at The Palais Royal on North Terrace. Congratulations to Bobby James and all the other musicians who were part of this iconic band in the 1960s and beyond.”
A record crowd attended the Induction Ceremony held at the Highway Inn at Plympton, a Adelaide suburb on March 17th, 2022. At the ceremony Bobby, backed by a reformed version of the Esquires sang Don’t You Do That, Tossin’ & Turnin’, Unchained Melody and Do You Wanna Dance. Bobby was overwhelmed by the outstanding response he received by the audience and was humbled by being honoured with the award. The band members who also received an award were Jim Probert, Les Tanner and Billy Orr. Another Adelaide singer/piano player Bobby Hunter was also inducted at the event.
In recent times, Bobby performs solo at Morning Melody shows, RSLs , retirement villages and in a duo with veteran bass player Ray Houston. He wins over audiences with his charm and friendly personality and is considered by many to be one of the nicest guys in Australian show business. He is still married to Chrissy whom he married in 1965 and is proud of his daughter Tanya who runs a successful Dance School in Melbourne. His career has contained many highs and some unfortunate lows, but he has always maintained a positive attitude and considers himself lucky to have worked with so many fine musicians. Reflecting on his career Bobby said,
“I don’t like to be negative all the time, I always try to take a positive out of a negative. Despite all the ups and downs with the line-ups, I’ve been so fortunate really, I’ve never stopped working”
Discography:
As Bobby James & the Esquires
Don’t You Do That/Tossing & Turning Parlophone A8135 11/64
As Bobby James & the Vibrants
Jezebel/Darling Look At Me Columbia DO 4624 11/65
I’ve Learned/Almost 18 Columbia DO 4676 03/66
As Bobby James Syndicate
Hey, Hey, Hey/Short Sam Go!! 5054 09/67
Living Life/Destiny Festival FX 5114 1973
As Bobby James
You Just Had To Be There LP PG PG1006 1988
You Just Had To Be There, She’s So Fine, Bend Me Shape Me, Dreamin’, The Cheater/ She’s My Baby, Tossin’ & Turnin’, Skye Boat Song, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Black Is Black.
Story Of My Life CD
Story Of My Life, Summer Holiday, I Love You More Every Day, Kiss Me Quick, Every Day, Ferry Across The Mersey, Sea Of Heartbreak, Born Free, What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?, How Do You Do It, The Wonder Of You, Garden Party, The Young Ones, Impossible Dream, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, Living Doll, Can't Help Falling In Love, Things, You Gave Me A Mountain, My Way.
Golden Memories CD
Write Myself A Letter, But I Do, Please Release Me, Save The Last Dance For Me, Me & Bobby McGee, Love Letters In The Sand, Yes Sir That's My Baby, Singing The Blues, I Want To Dance With You, Blue Berry Hill, I Meant Every Word He Said, Apple Blossom Time, Sweet Caroline, Green Green Grass Of Home, Oh Lonesome Me, Kiss Me Honey Kiss Me, My Boy, Bye Bye Blackbird, I Remember You, Rock & Roll Waltz, You'll Never Walk Alone, When You're Smiling.
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You CD
Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Love Really Hurts Without You, Love Hurts, Live It Up, All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down, Skye Boat Song, My Girl, Solitary Man, Dancing Shoes, Pretty Woman, Oh Carol, Boom Boom Baby, You Got It, Sway, Summertime Blues, Black Is Black, Dream Baby, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, The Mountain Of Love, Shake Rattle & Roll, Crying, The Twist.
Golden Memories – Great Ballads CD
I Who Have Nothing, Always On My Mind, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, What Now My Love, The Impossible Dream, You Gave Me A Mountain, My Boy, The Wonder Of You, Unchained Melody, Delilah, You'll Never Walk Alone, Surrender, Crying, My Way.
Young At Heart CD
It's Only Make Believe, walk Right Back, That'll Be The Day, Unchained Melody, Surrender, Lucky Lips, Pizzirico, Young At Heart, Picture Of You, Return To Sender, Delilah, Slipping' Away, Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon, Rock Around The Clock, The Wanderer, I Could Easily Fall In Love With You, Dream, Runaround Sue, Diana, Spanish Harlem.
Sources:
Bobby James – Interview: October 31st, 2021; November 21st, 2021; January 31st, 2022; March 2nd, 2022
Rick Kent – A Vibrant Life, Paradiam Print Media, 2021
Ian McFarlane – Liner notes: Go!! Records The Complete Collection, Aztec Records, 2018
Peter Millen – Rockin’ In The City of Churches, Brolga Publishing 2020
Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry - Who’s Who Of Australian Rock, 5th Edition, Five Mile Press, 20002
Commenti