Blackfeather
Blackfeather was a band that went through a number of distinct phases, starting out as a progressive/heavy rock band and ending up as more of a boogie/rock band. As you can see by the list of musicians below, they also went through a very large amount of lineup changes which probably prevented them from having the success they really deserved. As you can also see by the calibre of that member’s list that they were a band that attracted serious musicians.
Originally formed in 1970, the band contained three members of the very successful Dave Miller Set. Miller had decided to go solo so John Robinson, Leith Corbett and Mike McCormack teamed up with Neale Johns on vocals to form Blackfeather. Within their first year they had the first of many lineup changes when Al Kash joined on drums, and Bob Fortesque on bass. It was this lineup that was soon signed to Infinity Records and before 1970 had ended they were in the studio recording their first album, “At The Mountains Of Madness”.
On this album was a song that was to become not only a hit for two different bands, but also proved to be the catalyst for another major problem within the band. The song “Seasons of Change” was recorded using a couple of musicians from the band Fraternity, Bon Scott and keyboardist John Bissett. Bon had sung some backing vocals and had played recorder on the track. He loved the song and asked could he record it with Fraternity. A deal was eventually struck that allowed Fraternity to record it and release it as a single on the understanding that Blackfeather would not release their version in competition. Unfortunately, against the bands wishes, the record company reneged on the deal as soon as they saw how popular the song was. This caused a major rift between the band and the record company which eventually led to more lineup changes.
The band split at this point but it was soon discovered that Neale Johns had exclusive rights to the name Blackfeather. He formed what was known as the MKII version with Warren Ward on bass, Jim Penson on drums, Zac Zytnick on guitar and Paul Wylde on piano. After yet another lineup change they recorded the song “Boppin’ The Blues” which featured a much more boogie influenced sound. The song went to number one in October 1972 and was their biggest hit.
The band continued to change lineups but never really found the success that they had deserved. Eventually they disbanded in 1983 but apparently still perform an occasional show.
Members
- Neale Johns – Vocals
- Lindsay Wells – Guitar
- John Lee – Drums
- Bob Fortesque – Bass
- Alexander Kash – Drums
- Steve Murphy – Guitar
- John Robinson – Guitar
- Steve Webb – Drums
- Leith Corbet – bass
- Mike McCormeck – Drums
- Paul Wyld – Keyboards
- Warren Ward – Bass
- Terry Gascoigne – Drums
- Jim Penson – Drums
- Greg Sheehan – Drums
- Harry Brus – Bass
- Zack Zytnik – Guitar
- Trevor Young – Drums
- Bill Taylor – Guitar
- Tim Piper – Guitar
- Ian “Willy” Winter – Guitar
- Doug McDonald – Drums
- Ray Vandeby – Keyboards
- Ian Rilen – Bass
- Bill Ryland – Bass
- Wayne Smith – Guitar
- Stuart Fraser – Guitar
- Warwick Fraser – Drums
- Lee Brossman – Bass
- Ray Oliver – Guitar
- John Strangio – Bass
- Huk Treloar – Drums
- Rick Rankin – Guitar
- Jeff Rosenberg – Bass
- Phil Gordon – Drums
- Cleve Judge – Bass
- Andy Cowell – Keyboards
- John Tucak – Bass
- Derek Pellici – Drums
- Rex Bullen – Keyboards
- Phil Smith – Drums
More details on Blackfeather members at the Australian Music Database
Notable Recordings
- The Single Boppin’ The Blues B/W Find Somebody To Love was released in 1972 and got to number 1
- The Single Seasons Of Change B/W On The Day That I Die was released in 1971 and got to number 11
- The Album At The Mountains Of Madness was released in 1971 and got to number 14
- The Album Boppin’ The Blues was released in 1972 and got to number 39
- The Single Slippin’ And Slidin’ B/W Fly On My Nose was released in 1973 and got to number 85
More Blackfeather recordings here
Video’s
Gigs
- 29/01/72 – Sunbury Pop Festival Sunbury, VIC
- 24/12/73 – Teazer Melbourne, VIC
[…] Blackfeather was a band that had many, many changes in lineup and in 1970 it recorded their album ‘At the Mountains of Madness’ with Infinity Records. According to the Australian Music History website […]
Black Feather was a fantastic band, I saw them on many occasions and am a very proud owner of their rare vinyl L.P. Mountains Of Madness. First time I saw them was at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne where they supported The Aztecs in the summer of 1970. It was in the time you simply stripped off to cool down in the water ponds at “the bowl” when it was hot. Everyone seemed to get along back then, sharing drinks and themselves, I loved this time in my life. Also saw Black feather at Latrobe Uni., they were fabulous musicians and Neale Johns vocals were superb as always. He had fabulous long hair that “floated” with the music as they performed. Even though they had many members come and go for various reasons, they always presented as a very tight unit. Great memories for me (and many others).
What a top voice Neale had, one of the best in the country, I’st a shame he never went on to bigger things Loved him Iconic!!!
Can anyone tell me if Blackfeather performed at an outdoor concert at Lone Pine Brisbane in the early to mid 70’s? I went to the concert and I can’t remember the line up – I was only 13 or something. I had a feeling Chain were there too.
Black Feather played at my school disco in 1978. I also had the memory of seeing Dragon in 79 for 1 hour at lunchtime for $1…..lol
Always remember Blackfeather playing at Sydney Showgrounds but can’t find any reference.
Australian Music Database lists Blackfeather as the first band for just departed Stuart Fraser. However, before Blackfeather in 1974 / 75 while still attending school, he was lead guitarist of a Central Coast band called Illusion, along with Gary Gibbons (base guitar), Wayne Petersen (drums) and Colin Plowright (not sure of spelling) (vocals). At the time my older sister was going out with Wayne and Stuart was the same age as me and only around 13 or 14 years old. They used to play at the Woy Woy Masonic Hall. I once also saw them play at Point Claire Public School assembly hall. They performed covers of everything popular at the time from Black Sabbath, The Stones, Free etc.
they were great times
Corrections. Sorry, my memory is not as good as my sister’s. Garry Gibbons (with 2 r’s in Garry), Wayne Stephenson (not Peterson) and 5th member was Bruce Allen (also on Guitar). My sister has photos from 1974 of Stuart on stage playing as a 13 / 14 year old. The other guys were older men, although I think Garry wasn’t much older than him.
Illusion 1974
Vocals – Colin Plowright, aged 21
Lead guitar – Stuart Fraser, aged 13
Drums – Wayne Stephenson, aged 17
Rhythm guitar- Bruce Allen aged 15/16
Bass guitar – Garry Gibbons aged 15
still kickin
hi Lin how is every thing we still live near mudgee i have just got internet. i havent rushed into it hope you are well
only just
I used to watch them play in Woolongong and they used to play Led Zepplin stuff and oh so perfecto
I loved them playing Zepplin. then never followed again till now some 50 years later.
I wondered what happened to them , the lead guitarist was magic.
A few of us Monash Uni boys went to Perth for a couple of months over the 1972-3 Christmas/ New Year holidays. One night we turned up at the Old Melbourne Hotel, in Hay St, and to our delight Balckfeather was on! Man, they rocked that joint…
still kickin
With so many line up changes who was the actual piano player on the record, on Boppin’ the Blues ?
[…] Blackfeather is a Sydney rock band which originally formed in April 1970 and, despite a mind-boggling number of personnel changes over the years, continues to perform today. The band’s original lineup comprised founder John Robinson on guitar, Neale Johns on lead vocals, Leith Corbett on bass and Mike McCormack on drums. […]