John “Swanee” Swan
MembersJohn Swan, vocals (1978–1990)
Peter McFarlane, drums (1979)
Greg Plimmer, drums (1980)
Peter Kekel, keyboards (1980)
Mark Evans, bass (1982)
Stuart Fraser, guitar (1982)
Mark Tinson, guitar (from 1983)
Bruno Renzella, guitar (1987)
Peter Heckenberg, drums (1987)
Vic Young, bass (1991)
Paul DeMarco, drums (1991)
Mick Cocks, guitar (1991)
Andy Cichon, bass
John Lalor, drums
Peter Northcott, keyboards and sax
Harvey James, guitar
Taya Verkuil, bass
Ben Little, vocals and guitar
RecordingsCrazy Dreams, Single, 1979
Into The Night, Album, 1980
If I Were A Carpenter, Single, 1981
Lady What's Your Name, Single, 1982
Samantha, Single, 1982
Temporary Heartache, Single, 1982
This Time It's Different, Album, 1982
Ready For Action, Album, 1983
Sail Away, Single, 1983
Days Gone By, Album, 1984
I'm Ready, Single, 1984
Bushido, Album, 1985
LabelWEA, RCA, Starcall / Victor
ChartedCrazy Dreams, No. 68 (1979)
Into The Night, No. 66 (1980)
If I Were A Carpenter, No. 5 (1981)
Lady What's Your Name, No. 13 (1982)
Samantha, No. 90 (1982)
Temporary Heartache, No. 18 (1982)
This Time It's Different, No. 22 (1982)
Ready For Action, No. 31 (1983)
Sail Away, No. 52 (1983)
Days Gone By, No. 52 (1984)
I'm Ready, No. 72 (1984)
Bushido, No. 73 (1985)
Gigs in the Database79 (1979 to 2013)
About John Swan
John Swan, more commonly known as Swanee, was born John Archibold Dixon Swan in 1952 in Glasgow, Scotland. He came to Australia with his family in 1961 and is the only one of his siblings to keep his natural fathers surname. He is the older brother of Jimmy Barnes and the uncle of David Campbell.
Brief History
Swanee started his musical career as a drummer in the band Happiness before moving on to other bands such as Fraternity, Feather and Cold Chisel. He branched out on his own, under the name Swanee, in 1979, releasing the album “Into The Night”. His first commercial hit was in 1981 with his version of “If I Were A Carpenter” off the album “This Time Is Different” which featured two other hits, “Temporary Heartache” and “Lady What’s Your Name”
In 1987 he replaced angry Anderson as lead singer in Paul Christie’s “Party Boys” where he had another hit with “He’s Gonna Step on You Again” and then “Hold Your Head Up”. He left the band around 1989 to again pursue a solo career that still persists today.
Videos
Recordings
as Swanee (albums):
- Into the Night – 1980
- This Time is Different – 1982
- Ready for Action – 1983
- Days Gone By – 1984
- Bushido – 1985
- Heart and Soul – 1997
as John Swan
- It Could Have Been You (single) – 1985
- You’ll Do Something (single) – 1985
- Angel (single) – 1986
- Have a Little Faith – 2007
with The Party Boys
- He’s Gonna Step On You Again (single) – 1987
- The Party Boys – 1987
- Hold Your Head Up (single) – 1987
- Gloria (single) – 1988)
Other Resources
Known Gigs
1979
February 1979
- Riverwood Hotel, Riverwood, NSW
March 1979
- with Supernaut, Midnight OilComb and Cutter Hotel, Blacktown, NSW
- Civic Hotel, Sydney, NSW
May 1979
- with Cheetah, Norman Gunston, G-ForceBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction, NSW
- with Midnight Oil, Gillian Eastoe & King Dog, Rose Tattoo, Ward 13, The Radiators, Supernaut, Mental As AnythingBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction, NSW
September 1979
- with Stockade, Matt FinishSylvania Hotel, Sylvania, NSW
- with Split Enz, Midnight Oil, Mi-Sex, Jimmy And The Boys, Loaded DiceCastle Hill Showground, Castle Hill, NSW
November 1979
- Railway Hotel, Liverpool, NSW
- Family Inn, Rydalmere, NSW
- War and Peace, Parramatta, NSW
- Padstow Park Hotel, Padstow, NSW
- Sturt CAE, Adelaide, SA
- with Loaded DiceRaffles Hotel, Applecross, WA
- with Loaded DiceDianella Hotel, Dianella, WA
- City Hotel, Perth, WA
December 1979
- Sylvania Hotel, Sylvania, NSW
1980
January 1980
- with The Lonely HeartsFamily Inn, Rydalmere, NSW
+ Bon Scott & Jimmy Barneswith Bon Scott, Jimmy Barnes and The Lonely Hearts
- with The ClonesJolly Frog Hotel, Windsor, NSW
February 1980
- Civic Hotel, Sydney, NSW
- Selina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee, NSW
March 1980
- with Matt Finish, Radioactive, RadioactiveFamily Inn, Rydalmere, NSW
- Highway Hotel, Wentworthville, NSW
- Sylvania Hotel, Sylvania, NSW
April 1980
- with Icehouse (formerly Flowers), INXS, Icehouse (formerly Flowers)Stagedoor Tavern, Sydney, NSW
+ Flowers & INXS
October 1980
- with BoysComb and Cutter Hotel, Blacktown, NSW
November 1980
- with Handsoff, BoysSylvania Hotel, Sylvania, NSW
- Bexley North Hotel, Bexley North, NSW
+ The Boys
1981
January 1981
- with Damaged GoodsComb and Cutter Hotel, Blacktown, NSW
- with Street LevelRoyal Antler Hotel, Narrabeen, NSW
February 1981
October 1981
- with Total Fire Band, The BushwackersTanelorn Music Festival, Stroud, NSW
November 1981
1982
March 1982
- Florida Hotel, Terrigal, NSW
- Astrodome, Traralgon, VIC
- Chasers Nightclub, South Yarra , VIC
April 1982
- Waltzing Matilda Hotel, Springvale, VIC
- with Kevin Borich ExpressChevron Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
- Croxton Park Hotel, Thornbury, VIC
July 1982
- Ocean Grove Hotel, Ocean Grove, VIC
- Sandown Park Hotel, Noble Park, VIC
- Pier Hotel, Frankston, VIC
- Commodore Hotel, Sandringham, VIC
- Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully, VIC
- with HeavenBombay Rock, Brunswick, VIC
October 1982
- with The Runners, The Little Heroes, The AngelsSidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, VIC
December 1982
- with Wendy and The Rocketts, Matt Taylor BandHells Angels Club, Broadford, VIC
- with Bel AiresBayview Tavern, Gladesville, NSW
1983
January 1983
- with Cocky LauraCaringbah Inn, Caringbah, NSW
- with Cocky Laura, Diamond CutterSydney Cove Tavern, Circular Quay, NSW
May 1983
- Bankstown Sports Club, Bankstown, NSW
- with Deckchairs Overboard, Matt Finish, Midnight OilPenrith Park, Penrith, NSW
July 1983
- with Kevin Borich ExpressGreenfield Tavern, Greenfield Park, NSW
- with Broderick Smith BandCaringbah Inn, Caringbah, NSW
- with Kevin Borich ExpressBluegum Hotel, Waitara, NSW
- Penrith Leagues Club, Penrith, NSW
- with Cold Chisel, Tailor MadeBombay Rock, Brunswick, VIC
August 1983
- Club Chevron, Melbourne, VIC
- with Cold ChiselTarmac Hotel, Laverton, VIC
September 1983
- with Full MarksBankstown Sports Club, Bankstown, NSW
- Blacktown RSL, Blacktown, NSW
November 1983
- Blacktown RSL, Blacktown, NSW
1984
January 1984
- with Mad GorillaSt James Tavern, Sydney, NSW
June 1984
- with Vicky O'Keefe BandDavistown RSL Club, Davistown, NSW
- Balmain Leagues Club, Balmain, NSW
October 1984
- Balmain Leagues Club, Balmain, NSW
1985
August 1985
December 1985
- with The GameShellharbour Workers Club, Shellharbour, NSW
1986
March 1986
- with Shy BoysStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta, NSW
May 1986
- Fairfield RSL, Fairfield, NSW
June 1986
- with Woodstock, Moving PicturesStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta, NSW
September 1986
- with The Radiators, The Party Boys, Der StrazaStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta, NSW
October 1986
- The Venue, St Kilda, VIC
- with BandannaHells Angels Concert , Ponde, SA
1987
February 1987
- Sydney Cove Tavern, Circular Quay, NSW
1999
June 1999
- with Lie Detectors, Mandrake, The Zarsoff Brothers, The Radiators, Outline, Dee Minor and The Dischords, Spy Vs Spy, Matt Finish, ChoirboysBlacktown RSL, Blacktown, NSW
The Boys Are Back In Town show.Choirboys + Matt Finish + Spy Vs Spy + Dee Minor & The Dischords + Outline + The Radiators + Swanee + Zarsoff Bros + Mandrake + Lie Detectors
2013
January 2013
- Smithfield RSL Club, Smithfield, NSW
Added 15 December 2008 Spotted something wrong? Tell me
[…] sick that day and his place was taken by ex Daddy Cool drummer, Gary Young. You will also find John Swan standing side stage. At the end of the show I managed to talk my way backstage […]
[…] Swanee […]
hello john trying to contact you through your e.mail please e.mail me as I need to
speak to you.The band I played was Tailor Made please contact me thx. regards
matey JC
Hi John and Virginia, hope all is good with you both. Think of you often and hope
to see you again one day as you were the best neighbours.
Love Jenny, Ross,Matt,Beau and Nick (Tamborine Mt.)
[…] Swanee […]
Hi
I am one of your Auntie Gretta daughter in laws, she just turned 80 we had a celebration in a restuarant in Princes square Glasgow and she looked so regal . Auntie Pat sent a card. I know she misses all her brothers and sisiters we all know your Dad as Uncle Jim or Gentleman Jim the boxer it would be lovely to get in touch.
April ( Graemes wife)
Love to get to kno w you guys
Loved my dad More than life itself
Hi April,
You don’t know me but I’m searching my family history and I’m curious to know if Uncle Jim or Gentleman Jim as you called James, had a sister by the name of Lily Swan?
I look forward to hearing from you. My email address is: amandasan@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Amanda
[…] to go and film/photograph there and also to film all the musicians I grew up seeing, including John Swan. I sent a friends request to John on face book and then asked could I film, telling him I […]
[…] sick that day and his place was taken by ex Daddy Cool drummer, Gary Young. You will also find John Swan standing side stage. At the end of the show I managed to talk my way backstage […]
23\7\16 Seen you play at Barooga sporties what night to bring back memories loved it loved it loved it hanks for the night
Hi John, enjoyed working with you, hope you are in good health and enjoying life!
[…] Swanee […]
[…] of note e.g. “Lady What’s Your Name” & “Temporary Heartache” for Swanee). Although Alan Mansfield was the obvious choice, he had taken up an offer to join Dragon as a […]
[…] The Reels, Laughing Clowns, The Elks, Lime Spiders, The Riptides, D-Minor and the Dischords, Swanee, Moving Pictures, Richard Clapton, Dynamic Hepnotics, Russell Morris, Lonely Hearts, Old 55, boy […]
Saw John twice in concert. My own opinion is that he was a cut above Jimmy. Jimmy could sing but John had a voice. To this day I can still see him pumping out ‘River Deep Mountain High’. I thought he was going to blow the roof off.