PRESS RELEASE: Bongo Starkie brings SKYHOOKS back to SA!
Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie, guitarist with one of Australia’s most loved bands – Skyhooks. They lit up the 1970s with their catchy tunes and outrageous costumes. Bongo is keeping the Skyhooks’ music alive when he embarks on an extensive live tour of South Australia in January with his Skyhooks Show.
The Skyhooks were incredibly influential on Australian music, their album ‘Living in the 70’s’ released in 1974 is rightly regarded as an Australian classic, being added to the National Film and Sound archive to showcase the very best in Australian culture. Bob was inducted alongside his band mates into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 1992, cementing Skyhooks’ legacy as one of Australia’s finest acts ever.
Skyhooks formed in Melbourne, March 1973, acquiring their flamboyant lead singer Graeme “Shirley” Strachan a year later, the band would end up touring and recording for nearly 30 years. Racking up number 1 hits like: ‘Ego Is Not A Dirty Word,’ ‘Horror Movie,’ ‘Living In The 70s,’ ‘Women In Uniform,’ & ‘Jukebox In Siberia’. Skyhooks also dominated the radio waves with fan favourites: “You Just Like Me ‘Cos I’m Good in Bed”, “All My Friends Are Getting Married”, “Million Dollar Riff” & “Balwyn Calling”.
Now as a celebration of Skyhooks’ legacy, founding member & guitarist, Bob “Bongo” Starkie has put together a new band with the intention of keeping the group’s music alive. Bongo has hand-picked stellar Melbourne singer, Laura Davidson who pays tribute to our beloved Shirley Strachan and hits all of Shirl’s high notes to perfection!
After sold out shows across Australia, Bongo’s Skyhooks show hits Adelaide, Whyalla, Tumby Bay, Mannum, Victor Harbor & Mt Gambier in January delivering all of Skyhooks’ hits, plus some rarities. This South Australian tour will also mark the first time in almost 40 years, since Bongo last performed on the Eyre Peninsula and in Mt Gambier with Skyhooks.
Adelaide is set for a blast from the past on Australia Day Eve at the Bridgeway Hotel, Skyhooks last performed live at the Bridgeway in 1978!
Those in Victor Harbor are set for a real treat on Australia Day as Bongo Starkie’s Skyhooks are joined by Oz Rock legends, Masters Apprentices.
This is the only way you will see Skyhooks’ Aussie Rock anthems authentically played live.
Don’t miss the ‘Party to End All Parties’! in South Australia
Bongo Starkie’s Skyhooks January 2022 Tour:
Friday 21st January – Whyalla, Middleback Theatre
Tickets at Country Arts SA
https://middleback.countryarts.org.au/event/3191:17186/3191:48502/
Saturday 22nd January – Tumby Bay, Soldier’s Memorial Hall
Tickets at Trybooking:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/800594
Tuesday 25th January (Australia Day Eve) – Bridgeway Hotel
Tickets at Oztix:
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/93a9dc42-b514-4914-a955-01ee098c488c
Wednesday 26th January (Australia Day) – Victor Harbor McCracken Convention Centre
Tickets at Trybooking:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/808961
Friday 28th January – Pretoria Hotel Mannum, South Australia
Tickets at Sticky Tickets:
https://www.stickytickets.com.au/rr2js/bob_bongo_starkies_skyhooks_show.aspx
Saturday 29th January – Mt Gambier, Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Tickets at Country Arts SA
https://helpmann.countryarts.org.au/event/3191:17190/3191:48509/
Bridgeway Hotel Video Advert:
Established In 1969 by Hamish Henry, the Grape Organisation managed many of Australia's greatest bands and venues. Based in Le Fevre Terrace, Adelaide the offices of Grape were a hub for Adelaide's musos, writers and artists. Grape and Caine promotions were a thriving and dynamic group of talented people who went onto to become great contributors to the Australian music scene and help cement Adelaide as the centre of creative music in the late 60s and early 70s.
Amongst Grape's many artists, Headband, Lotus, Nostra Damus and Fraternity were the main attraction. Fraternity gained the title of Australia's greatest band in 1971 after winning the Hoadley's Battle Of The Sounds.
In 1971 Hamish Henry and his music companies including Music Power went on to organise and promote the Myponga Music Festival, which saw Black Sabbath headline and Daddy Cool steal the show. Grape also ran the popular 'Headquarters' in Adelaide plus a number other iconic musical venues along with organising and running multiple promotions and concerts featuring amongst others Deep Purple, Free and Manfred Mann at Apollo Stadium and nearly all of Australia's top acts of the time.
Today The Grape Organisation with its new General Manager Victor Marshall continues to promote the interests of Australian bands and its own label. Grape will continue with its tradition of releasing great Australian music and continuing to promote high quality concerts and special events.
