Avion (formerly Lionheart)

by Mark Gibson on August 28, 2008

in Bands, Bands - A, Most Popular

Post image for Avion (formerly Lionheart)

About Avion

** Updated **

Sydney band Avion (not to be confused with the L.A. act current in the 00’s or the ‘Par’ variety) came into being during 1981. Randall Waller (vocals/guitar) had already released two solo albums (‘Oasis’ in 1978 and ‘Midnight Fire’ in 1980) before forming the band Lionheart which soon evolved into Avion. Completing the original line-up were Martin Toole (guitar), Evan Murray (keyboards), along with Waller’s brothers Kendall (bass) and John (drums). Avion’s musical style was unabashedly influenced by American Adult Oriented Rock (think Journey/Boston/Night Ranger etc).

From Paul Gannell’s MySpace page

History

A recording contract with RCA led to the release of their eponymous debut album in 1983 (OZ48). RCA obviously thought the group’s sound better suited the North American market because the album was release there before it was at home in Australia. The album didn’t receive much promotion and though the first single from it ‘I Need You’ was a minor hit (OZ61 – reaching as high as 40 in NSW), Avion didn’t break through in a major way. Two more ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’ were lifted from the album but neither made the charts. A stand alone single ‘Still The Night’ was released in August 1984 but again didn’t sell well. Paul Gannell came in to replace Toole on guitar for the band’s second album, 1987’s ‘White Noise’. The album included the earlier single releases ‘We’ve Got Secrets’ and ‘Celebration’ but the celebrations were non existent as none made the charts. The band had remained a solid touring outfit throughout this period though, and it was on a late 1987 tour that keyboardist Evan Murray was killed in a car accident. The loss of Murray and the failure to break through commercially finally led Waller to call an end to Avion’s tenure.
From Paul Gannell’s MySpace page

Members

  • Randall Waller – Vocals & Guitar.
  • Martyn Toole – Guitar
  • Kendall Waller – Bass
  • Evan Murray – Keyboards
  • John Waller – Drums
  • Paul Gannell – Guitar

Video

Never Let Me Go

Recordings

  • Avion – 1983
  • White Noise – 1986
  • Live – 1987

Technical Crew

  • John McConnell – FOH Engineer

Other Resources

{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Johno February 22, 2007 at 8:37 pm

Since this is all likely to end up showing a big family tree, I probably should throw in here that Randall was my first guitar teacher back in ’75, and that I went to school with John and Kendall.

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2 Cory Orphan June 1, 2007 at 6:24 am

I’ve been trying to find Avion on CD for about 20 years. Anybody know if it’s available anywhere in the world, or if it might ever become available?

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3 neil kurian February 5, 2011 at 5:40 am

i have 3 albums of avion..

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4 Mick August 13, 2007 at 3:55 pm

Cory,
So have I! If you find it please post it here.

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5 Krozza May 20, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I owned AVION on CASSETTE back in 1983 when it was released. Stupidly sold it somewhere! I NEED IT TOO!!!

K.

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6 Grant July 8, 2008 at 12:29 pm

I used to go and watch these guys in the 80′s every chance i got. Unfortunately i have lost the old vinyls i had and was hoping they might be available on CD….If anyone knows where we can get hold of them please let me know.

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7 Ralph August 7, 2008 at 12:54 am

I played in a covers/original band that supported Avion at two gigs in 1983. One at the Jet Club, Gold Coast & then the next day in Hervey Bay (near Maryborough) Qld.
They were very decent fellows and Randall even showed us the chords to “I need you” which we subsequently added to our covers set.
My band did a lot of support spots for touring bands and these blokes were the most approachable of all of them.
They deserved a much better deal from the so-called radio airplay ‘gurus’.
Sad to read about Evan’s passing.

Follow this link to downloadable mp3s of their albums>>>

http://mp3.one-way.org/Avion%20-%20Randall%20Waller/

Enjoy it.

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8 David December 14, 2010 at 9:28 am

The link above requires a login. Is there a guest access or can you share the login?

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9 Steven Pickett October 10, 2011 at 12:02 pm

Hi,

I’d really like to get a copy of the Live album – I have tried this link but it requires login and password – vcan anyone assist?

many thanks.

Steven

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10 John Fowler October 10, 2011 at 8:06 pm

Steven,if you want to make contact I can arrange to get my tape transferred onto disc for you but the guy I use charges $35.00 so you may prefer a cheaper option.

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11 Paul Gannell August 22, 2008 at 11:22 am

Hi Paul Gannell here I just happen to come across this forum and it’s nice to see people do still remember us as for me I now live in NZ and after a 10 year total break from music have started to write again for those who might be interested heres my myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/blumaxnz
drop by….

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12 Paul Gannell August 23, 2008 at 6:24 am

Paul Here Again I’ve have just started an Avion myspace page I’m looking for live photos live recordings even anyone with any of the Avion video singles drop by leave a comment would love to hear for anyone cheers Paul Gannell….
http://www.myspace.com/avionau

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13 Bruce August 28, 2008 at 11:38 pm

Hi Paul

Is there any way to get an mp3/digital version of Southern Cross (single release) or the live album that is mentioned often????

Maybe get Randall to link on his page.

Guitarist question here . ..you guys recorded in a dropped e to e flat . .. 1. was that the ame way yu tuned live, 2. Why did you drop the tuning?? 3. Wish you hadn’t . . .have to retune everytime I play along hehehehehe

great to see you here and promoting a great Aussie band!

Saw you guys many many times in Sydney

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14 Paul Gannell August 30, 2008 at 6:41 am

Hi Bruce hey I don’t even have a copy of Southern Cross or the live album that John had made up so can’t help you there, as for the half step down tuning it was purely for Randall as some of those top notes he hit were up there, just made it a little easier for him.
So hopefully with this new Avion MySpace page I may get some long lost tunes and videos out there stay tuned like the live version of White Sister there was from a punter that managed to get a live desk tape recording of it …
cheers Paul

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15 Bruce September 2, 2008 at 11:35 pm

Hey paul

I’m sure I’ve got a copy of southern Cross on 7 in somewhere . . will have to dig it out and get it to you!

Cheers

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16 Will September 6, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Hi Guys

Read the thread, I have a copy of ‘Avion’ – Avion on Cd, I can burn and send if anyone wants a copy.

Will

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17 Grant August 17, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Hi, has your cd got a song called “i need u” on it? if so i’d love a copy of your cd if possible..Thanks Grant

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18 Mick October 2, 2010 at 8:47 am

Hey Will,
If ya still there I’d love a copy
Mick

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19 Nigel February 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm

hey, i would love to get a copy of Avion’s first album on CD if thats still possible. Cheers, Nigel

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20 Bruce April 15, 2011 at 1:22 am

Yup and another one here

Let me know
Cheers

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21 crazy wayne August 3, 2011 at 1:53 pm

im in need of one song of this album
it called
never let me go
last one needed to finish a compilation ive had but the tape broke in the middle of this song
any help would be great

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22 John Fowler August 3, 2011 at 7:58 pm

That song can be found on the Avion myspace page. I dunno what technology you’ll need to transfer it from there to you but the song is there.

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23 Paul Gannell September 8, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Hi guys thanks for the offers I’m after the more rare ones Spoke to Randall the other day he is going to beam over some of the b side singles like bigger you are etc and the Live album put together by John. Southern Cross would be a nice one as I don’t have a copy of that.
cheers Paul

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24 joe canni January 18, 2011 at 10:49 am

hi paul this is joe canni from tailor made been looking for you please contact
me love to talk to you. cheers jc

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25 Dale November 2, 2008 at 11:00 pm

Oh man, the only two recordings I have from Avion are a dodgy tape and a warped record! I’m working on flatenning the vinyl, and hopes are high!

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26 Paul Hayton December 21, 2008 at 5:00 pm

As a student in 1986 I discovered Avion while working as an announcer on Massey University student station Radio Massey 99.4 based in Palmerson North, New Zealand.

I simply love ‘Celebration’ as tune it’s so uplifting and I went out and bought the album straight away.

Paul, you guys were/still are the best at what you do – thanks for some fantastic tunes delivered in style.

I had a listen to the music selection on the MySpace page and all the memories come flooding back – brillant.

Regards,

Paul

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27 Scott January 29, 2009 at 11:52 am

Avion came along right about the time that I started learning to play guitar so I was very sensitive to anything featuring great licks. I still have excellent copies of “Avion” and “White Noise” on vinyl that I bought back in the day. I’d love to see them released on CD.
Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Avion play live, being stuck over here in Perth. These guys were right up there with the best Aussie bands and very underrated IMO.
Thanx for the tunes!

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28 David Seymour February 18, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Wow, this brings back memories.
I saw Avion at the Campbelltown Leagues Club in 1983 and they were brilliant !
I still have Avion, White Noise & Randall’s 1st album (Oasis) on LP and play them quite often.
Just a couple of days ago the windows in my loungeroom were vibrating to the sounds of I Need You.
Paul, you are so lucky to have been a part of one of the best Australian groups ever.

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29 Don February 26, 2009 at 9:46 pm

For those of you looking for Avion on CD, there is currently a copy available on eBay.
Known as ‘AVION 2 on 1′, it contains both AVION & WHITE NOISE albums.
Bidding starts at US$16.95 Ex-stock Spain.
http://cgi.ebay.com/AVION-*2-ON-1*-CD-Randall-Waller%2FLionheart%2FAussie-Rock_W0QQitemZ170305954901QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090225?IMSfp=TL090225122006r32611

Cheers, Don.

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30 Mark Hudson February 27, 2009 at 9:35 pm

From a former Sydney Drummer now living in Melbourne, who supported Avion at a few gigs in the early 80′s and a student who was forever influenced by John Waller. Thanks for the memories.

Mark Hudson
(hudo)

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31 Marion March 6, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Hmm..
Randall was actually best man, and sang at my wedding. I didnt know him, but my husband to be did. Have not heard what happened to Avion, have been divorced since….1990.
Great to hear these tunes again tho..

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32 Tony Newstead April 11, 2009 at 12:43 am

Like many saw Avion whenever they played in The Shire mainly at The Carringbah Inn. I moved to Perth and lost track of them then . I have the albums Midnight Fire. Avion and White Noise but would love th opportunity to get the Live album and Still the Night (on CD).

I still play Avion in the car when I’m alone in the car LOUD. Its the only way.

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33 Coin Ripper April 25, 2009 at 7:51 pm

Cannot believe that so many people remember this great band.I knew Evan through mutual friends and watched hundreds of people leave Camberwell Civic Centre Victoria 1981? who were blown away by how good they were and wondered where the group based themselves and where they had been hiding?
Have recordings of Self titled Album on tape and burned cd,Live album on tape and White noise on a burned cd.
Would be rapt to get a copy of Midnight Fire

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34 Paul Gannell April 27, 2009 at 3:10 pm

Hi all very cool that this is still getting updates from people who had seen us live,
and I must say the Carringbah Inn was one of my favorite gigs not that it was fancy or a big venue but it just oozed Rock and have fond memories of people lunging forward towards the stage as we were about to go on, it just insited the rock beast in me ha ha. Remember I have started a Avion myspace page http://www.myspace.com/avionau drop in I have added some live tunes as well as getting my hands on a copy of Southern Cross,
also my own myspace site with my latest demos I pump out in the comfort of my own very modest studio here at home: http://www.myspace.com/zeddastratoblaster
cheers Paul G.

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35 Jeff White July 6, 2009 at 10:37 am

I didn’t realise John McConnell was their FOH engineer. I worked with him recently as I supplied PA for Melinda Schneider and he was her FOH guy. He spoke about Paul Kelly a bit on the night but not Avion. I must ask him next time I see him and get some stories. I too have a cassette somehwere of the first album but would like a fresher copy if possible? I saw them at a concert in about 1885 (someone correct me if I am wrong) at Lidcombe Oval. It was a benefit for Western Suburbs footy team. I remember Avion, Rose Tattoo, Allniters and a few others playing. Anyone else there??

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36 Rick Scutts July 6, 2009 at 1:14 pm

1885?…jesus Jeff how old are you?

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37 Jeff White July 7, 2009 at 1:43 pm

I’m getting on I tell ya!! us crusty old sound guys eh?? hahahahaha

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38 Bruce July 12, 2009 at 10:40 pm

Hey Paul

Great to see you got a copy of Southern Cross. Mine is with a stack of records I left with a friend 8 years ago, and about 1500km from me now . . .

Great song

Any chance of you sharing the entire Avion Live CD? The tracks from myspace really capture the gigs imo.

Of course, I understand if it isn’t available to the general public.

While listening, I suddenly felt 25 years younger, wth pictures of Penrith Leagues (or RSL), Pennant Hills Inn, Seven Hills Inn, Capitol Theatre (the 1st album launch – they thanked the Comm bank for financing the triangular light rack???) as well as other venues. Quite a number of kms for someone living at Mt Druitt at the time lol!

Noticed on you myspace page that you still use a Boss ME-5. So do I!! Can’t beat a classic (plus the new ones are way too complicated!).

Keep up he good work!

Cheers
Bruce

PS time for an Avion reunion gig or 3 in Sydney???
I’ll be front and centre!

Cheers again!

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39 Bruce July 12, 2009 at 10:41 pm

Added to above – the bands you played with in the eighties (apart from Gary Glitter) make up lots of my playlists for the iPod.

Cheers

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40 Pete Whittred July 20, 2009 at 7:57 pm

Avion did actually chart in the UK at No 2 on the Heavy Metal charts for a couple weeks in 1982. I tried to talk them into going over, but they were managed by Dave Smallbone and management and the band could not afford to take the chance remaining in Oz and trying to make it here. After Evan’s death, John stopped drumming and went into the family business of floor coverings. Kendall played bass with an american gospel band for a while and Randall worked writing and recording jingles, touring with bands and producing other people’s albums before he eventually ended up as Shania Twain’s guitarist. He does have a hopelessly out of date website which details his own personal journey.

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41 john waller April 8, 2011 at 12:08 am

Have been playing ever since Pete….. don’t retire me prematurely! I play around sydney a couple of nights a week in the shy guys and other assorted acts. Randall is still playing and I do the odd gig with him. Kendall no longer plays. Regards.

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42 Michael Dunn April 20, 2011 at 9:35 pm

Hi John. Do you remember a gig in Newcastle in maybe, 1981, at the Art School? It was the Randall Waller Band. I played the support (solo acoustic gtr/vocal). You found a chicken suit backstage and wore it during the gig – classic! Michael

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43 Grant July 23, 2009 at 6:56 pm

Went to school with Kendall and remember seeing them when I was mixing for Mandrake,what is he doing now any one now?

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44 Paul Gannell July 26, 2009 at 11:28 am

Kenny is working with his old mans company importing and selling wooden floors which takes him overseas quite a bit Johnny seems to be giging a lot with a band whose name escapes me at the moment and as for me after a 10 year break from playing singing and recording have finally started to write again although a little rusty I can still belt out a tune or two as for a Avion reunion the thought kinda scares me now that I’m 47 the words Spinal Tap comes to mind anyway never say never I guess.
http://www.myspace.com/zeddastratoblaster

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45 Lesliegl July 29, 2009 at 9:34 pm

Hi Paul ..good to hear your still playing…i first came across Avion when they played Countdown in early 83 performing ”I need you” thought the band was great ..got the single…i lived in central NT at the time..so the only way i got to see aussie bands was Countdown
In 84 i travelled to NSW for the first time to visit family in the Campbelltown area…i looked in the paper and saw an ad for Avion supporting Kevin Borich Express at the Ingelburn RSL ..great i thought ill be able to go to see em’..looked at the bottom of the ad and saw the notice” for the information of members of ingleburn rsl and their guest” …bugger i thought ..i wont be able to see em’ ..im not a member ..being from the NT i didnt know anything about RSL clubs and membership ..i could have gone but signed in as out of the area ..so that was that
i got the first lp ..waited for seemed ages for the White Noise lp to come out …then read in in Juke mag that Evan Murray had been killed in a car accident on the freeway to Wollongong after a gig and the band had disbanded in 87…very sad
then in 97 i moved to sydney and in 99 saw that Avion was going to do the ”Boys are back in town” and got to see the band play on the final gig of the tour at the Bondi pavillion..only got to do five songs but it was a great set …kicking off with ”I need you” it was all there ..classic hard rock…big drums …chorused guitars …pity there wasnt many ppl there …

one thing i admired bout the band was Kendalls bass playing ..deep with a clear top ..i bought my first bass in 79 and the Avion albums were yardstick for me what i regard as a great bass sound..i couldnt believe him playing harmonics in the break on Ransom..it was a case of ”what the’?? ” lol

my question is ..what bass did Kendall paly on the Avion lps? ive got a pic of the band rehearsing i think ..hes playing an Ibanez Musician bass…i used to have one too during the 80,s ..when they played on countdwon i think hes playing a Maton MB4 bass….when he played at the bondi pavillion he was palying a Music man bass…and what amps and cabs he used ..

all the best ..

Leslie

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46 john waller April 8, 2011 at 12:10 am

kendall played the maton on all recordings Leslie, J

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47 Leslie May 14, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Hi John..thanks for the reply..i found that you were playing with the Shy Guys a while ago so went along and saw the band play at South Juniors..had a great night

all the best

Leslie

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48 john waller August 3, 2011 at 8:00 pm

yes, interesting crowd there Leslie…

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49 Aussie Web Radio September 8, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Avion rocks. That single performance on Countdown (in the clip provided) made me a fan. Bot the studio albums get plenty of airplay on my all-Aussie web radio station.

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50 Paul Gannell September 10, 2009 at 12:32 pm

I have a new Self produced and recorded album out under my alter ego name of Phoenix Ash get it while it’s still free.
cheers Paul.

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51 Paul Gannell September 10, 2009 at 12:36 pm
52 Mark September 24, 2009 at 2:33 pm

I was lucky enough to know the Waller brothers and sister through a youth group in Killarney Heights NSW called Young Life. Also had Evan as a music Teacher in ’86 whilst in Year 12 at The Forest High School. Even got taken to the studio’s whilst they were recording their LP!

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53 Ralph October 14, 2009 at 11:37 pm

I’ve just started working in a guitar shop in Brisbane.
On my first day i heard the opening chords of “I need you” roaring out of the amp room. I ran in and had a chat with the player about Avion.
He didn’t know much about them but remembered the riff from long ago.
I told him my Avion story (see post way above).
He then broke into “Never let me go”.
Cool!

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54 mal November 22, 2009 at 8:36 pm

Avion played at my 21st in feb 1982 in a hall in adamstown (newcastle) they had just changed their name from lionheart. It was a great night the police came and stopped the noise “great memories”.if I remember rightly it cost me about $300 for the night bargain!!!! It was great to hear “I need you ” and my favourite “southern cross”

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55 Geoff C December 19, 2009 at 1:57 pm

oh man! what a thread! I’ve never ever ben on myspace before and dont even know if I’m leaving the comment in the right edit box! (blind guy you see, page lay-outs not always intuitive to us guys with text-to-speech screenReaders.) I stumbled across this whilst writing a text to randall, having missed his gig at the Palm Beach Golf club last night, and wanting to tell him incredibly coincidentally looking for something else, that I’d located a live avion album cassette! I didn’t even remember they’d released a live album, that’s how long ago, – and wanted to check the names of a couple of the songs, (not being able to read the liner notes obviously.) and … found all this stuff here on Paul’s page! Wow! great to see I’m not the only old Avion Fan around! Man if ai started on my great memories of this band I’d write a novellette! and probly bore you all to death. I saw them (metaphorically speaking of course,) just … o I dunno, – stacks and stacks of time in the 80′s. who needs sight when john’s mixing and Randall’s onstage anyway! man the arrangements of their tunes!!! the just great guitar and drum sounds John McConnell used to pull, (and that of course the Waller’s used to produce,) and the range!!…and incredible perseverance of ran’s up there vox! incredible band! what can I say. I loved them. The energy was all there for me in the sound, and let me tell you, the guitar sounds on the studio release of I Need You, are… just like toy stuff compared to what they pulled live. maybe my most favest memory was at an Australian Christian Music festival called Black Stump one year, where somehow, no idea why or how, I got to get up on stage and play a tune with Avion, outdoors! man! I’d always played 10-46′s tuned up, (i.e. normal tuning,) and wore my guitar reeeeally high. to then be given a guitar to play thatfelt to me like it was round my knees, with 9-42′s Tuned down, …man! felt sooooo floppy to me and crazy! But I’ll never forget the extasy of that moment. how loud the guitar amps were behind me, and just how amazing it felt! but, here’s the best bit. After whatever traversty I rendered to the audience (I can’t even remember, thankfully,) took off the guitar, handed it back to Randall, and… forget being blind, I was just soooo high on addrenolin I just plum walked off the front of the stage!!! anyone there see that in 1986 or so? thankfully people caught me coming down and I was fine! man avion! you guys toootally rocked! Thanks for all the great stuff! again, far far far better live somehow than in studio. They even let me once come into the studio whilst mixing down a single which I think was celebration. … Thank you soooo much for that experience as well, even though I was such a painful little so-called insecure wanna-be trumped up “know-it-all”, that I’m sure they wished they had never allowed me to be there! I’m sooo sorry for that! thanks for all the musical opportunities and guitar sound education I got from you guys. May God bless and keep all of you safe. G.

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56 David December 14, 2010 at 9:42 am

Hey Geoff,

You were (are) a great guy to have around the Sydney music scene too. Loved your memories of Avion, and also loved hearing you play recently at Linda’s party. I wish I’d seen that classic moment at Black Stump! We must talk more next time we run into each other.

Dave Dennis

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57 john waller April 8, 2011 at 12:15 am

blessings to you Geoff from Johnnie W.

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58 Trevor C August 13, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Hey Geoff mate,
I remember that night at Black Stump. They had Chris Churchward play just before you he was absolutely killing it awesome stuff and then you get up and cut him to shreds you were on fire. (sorry Chris budy)
It was a great night of music and AVION R O C K E D.
I remember you at a later blackstump festival with chubs and the weight watchers doing all 3 parts of Stevie Wright’s EVIE you rocked that night as well.

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59 Kevin F August 15, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Saw these guys perform at Kempsey RSL one night in ’83. I remember they opened the show with ‘Never Let Me Go’ and I was an instant fan. Could never understand why their first album never got much airplay.

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60 Mick October 2, 2010 at 8:33 am

Hi Paul,
My brother-in-law introduced me to you guys and I think we saw you at Moomba in Melb one year, would this be right? memory’s not so good these days. His name is Peter Moores and was on lead guitar for a band called Off The Cuff around 1984. His old bass player was Bruce Johnson, who went on to mix for Bryan Adams I believe. Any of these names ring a bell?
Mick

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61 julius December 8, 2010 at 7:17 am

This is a great website, and a great thread! I was only thinking of Aviom the other day – worked with them in the ’80′s. Remember how awesome they were.

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62 Mark Gibson December 8, 2010 at 11:13 am

Thanks Julius for your kind words. Nice to see long-time industry folk such as yourself lurking about here.

I too remember how good an Avion show was. Saw them many times & was always blown away.

Cheers, Mark

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63 Ian Withrington December 12, 2010 at 2:16 pm

I actually went and saw Randall Waller at Normanhurst Boys High in 79 or 80 and my mate Steven Coote and I missed the last train to central station for our train home at Mt Druitt. Randall’s Dad picked us up and gave us a lift to one of the stations on the city circle, we chatted about the gig and how awesome it was. I remember it well as it was my first time in a BMW. Had the vinyl Midnight fire album but lost it somewhere when moving house. Would love to get it on CD or mp3

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64 Bruce April 15, 2011 at 1:19 am

Ian

I am Steve’s older brother.

I’ll have to catch him up on this hahaha/ First I;v heard of it and I went/drove to a few Normanhurst gigs

Cheers

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65 Ian Withrington December 12, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Must admit my fav was Midnight Fire, I need you, Mum and the kids….top songs from a top band. Wish I had their music now…..

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66 Paul Gannell December 22, 2010 at 5:09 am

Hey nice to see people are still leaving comments and memories here yes I did enjoy playing live shows which IMO was never really caught on the recordings. If you have not done so already head over to the myspace page I have created: http://www.myspace.com/avionau
I’m always on the look out for videos and old photos so if anyone has any drop me a line on the myspace page
cheers Paul

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67 Pete Watson March 5, 2011 at 10:45 pm

Had the good fortune to get to know the band just a little while working community radio in Ryde back in ’83, ’84. Went to a number of their gigs at the Local Inn West Ryde as well as the North Ryde RSL.
Somewhere in a rather large box of cassettes I reckon I could still have a copy of an interview I did with the band in the car park of the RSL, and a very very remote chance I might even have a cassette of one of those live gigs…possibly.
In another old box of music I’ve got an autographed copy of the Avion album still in pristine condition as well as an autographed copy of the “I Need You” 7 inch single.

Like many others, I have their music on record but would love to get either a cd copy or at least some mp3′s of their stuff.

Great band, great memories:- thanks guys……

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68 Bruce April 15, 2011 at 1:17 am

For those still with us . . . ..

here is a hotfile link to the live album.

http://www.hotfilesearch.com/download/58300654-Avion-Live.part1.rar.html

Only get part 1. I is all you need.

Paul, feel free t delete this post if it violates in any way. Just trying to share the band

Cheers
Bruce

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69 Leslie June 21, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Thanks for the Live cassette upload Bruce..what a great song ”Money or love” is..why on earth didnt this get included with ”White noise” ?? i think its one of the best songs Randall wrote for the band..great lyrics..”ive seen the souls that have been sold..for a piece of the so called action” etc

Maybe if this song could have been released as a single at the time this live version was recorded ..1986…maybe things would have been different for the band

Leslie

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70 Leslie June 25, 2011 at 7:55 pm

Bit of breaking news..lo..l theres a new clip just posted on youtube in the last month or so of the band performing on Countdown performing “Still the night”..Randall gets to introduce the next video clip
any idea who the other guitarist is?? Wayne Gardiner maybe?? from what i can gather there was some line up changes in guitarists round bout that time..84-85

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfOJyfq8lv4&feature=related

Leslie

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71 Paul Gannell June 25, 2011 at 8:24 pm

Cool Leslie so glad you posted this and the gat player was me.
I remember this very well Thanks for finding it…

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72 john waller June 26, 2011 at 11:54 am

Nice lions mane there mate! Respect buddy!

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73 John Fowler June 28, 2011 at 9:12 am

Thanks for all the Avion info,I’d luv it if someone could post ‘I Need You’ on youtube,one of the great riffs of all time. I had the ‘live’ cassette & played it heaps,it became a victim of the Charlton flood in January so thanks for the link. I’ve also heard Randall sing his cotton socks off to some gospel songs which we’ve used in our church.

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74 Leslie June 28, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Thats good to hear Paul..hopefully the promo clips for ”Celebration” and ”Berlin Wall” will turn up on Youtube in time

Leslie

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75 styx August 18, 2011 at 5:20 am

avion! realy lovely rock band!i love the song never to late

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76 Melissa August 23, 2011 at 10:55 pm

HI! WHAT A FANTASTIC SITE TO FIND!!! I am (trying to) write a book and have started teeing up some details. Evan was both my music teacher at Forest High School and a good confidante. It is so odd I remember clearly mum and dad coming into the youth hall at St David’s Church in Forestville the night he died to take me home and tell me, yet I can’t remember what night it was (as in Fri/Sat)!!! I also remember thinking “what on earth are they doing here? I’m a big girl now (think I was about 15). I don’t need to be walked the whole 350m home”.
Ironically I met the most wonderful man when I was 27 at the State of Origin and our first “date” (romantic! long story) was at The Antler (which replaced the Pizza Hut, I think now The Parkway), and lost him soon after too. Maybe Billy Joel really was right “only the good die young”. Evan was truly a kindred spirit in the world and I feel blessed that even though I was just a kid and probably didn’t apprecitate his friendship to the full extent, at least he came into my life.
I had been begging for a piano since I was about 5. I got a guitar when I was 6 and had been playing that happily, but never gave up hope (or pestering). When we moved back to Australia, dad came home with a large “thing” covered and on a trailer and I thought all my dreams had come true. And then the cover came off and this hideous two-board organ was produced. I was sent to lessons and I hated it just as much as I had set my mind up to. Until I met Evan and he introduced me to the wonderful world of keyboards, and made me see I really had two instead of one.
5 months after he passed away I turned 16 and got my dream piano (a VERY old one, but it is STILL a very much loved – yet now a VERY, VERY much older one).
Again, it is so wonderful to find this site, and I’m off to visit Paul’s MySpace page. Never been to one of those yet – swore of never would, but this is a very special reason.
Thanks for this site. You really can’t know what this has meant to me right now.

Take care all.
Melissa

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77 Leslie September 10, 2011 at 9:56 pm

Hi everyone..i remember reading somewhere in the late 80s that a Perth band called ”Ice Tiger” had done version of ”Never let me go” i was thinking bout it the other day and thought id do a bit research on the net on it …i found they released the song on a cd they had done in the early 90s called ”Love n crime”..i found a free downlaod of the album which is long out of print on this site http://thehousethathardrockbuilt.blogspot.com/2011/02/ice-tiger-love-n-crime-1992.html

Their cover isnt too bad at all..although they play it pretty much the same as the original even down to the big sustained chord bit at the end..worth a listen i reckon..the rest is pretty much late 80s hair metal/Aor ..better than most tho’

Leslie

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78 Leslie September 26, 2011 at 1:44 pm

I was doing some youtubing the other day and up came this title..”Tailor Made at the bombay rock 1983” so i thought id give it a look..thers wasnt any personnel info on the band..but i thought gee that guitarist looks familiar so did a bit of research and its Paul Gannel in his pre Aavion days..so heres the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di9ARY1gDz8&feature=related

Leslie

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79 John Fowler September 26, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Further to my earlier comments about the ‘live’ cassette,my copy wasn’t lost in flood after all. I had sent a box of cassettes to my brother last year & the Avion tape was amongst them so he returned it to me last week & I’ve had it transferred on to disc. I’ve played it in the car & it sounds awesome. The tape I have is a ‘re-mastered’ one as the guy I bought it from had edited out some of the stage patter,which I thought was good fun,and replaced it with some applause from one of their stadium shows. So there is an ‘original’ edition out there

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