Introduction
This is an experiment. I hope more people who worked in radio will take the time to educate the rest of us on how it all worked. This article is going to be similar to a Blog. It will be in parts and is Allan's reminiscences of his working life which started in radio. You will see how his radio experience then led to other related work. You have the opportunity to send in questions to Allan via the contact page, about the people he worked with, the shows he worked on or the equipment he used. I will then post the questions and the replies. Occasionally, Allan will consult with colleagues or other experts, so please do not expect instant replies.
I have also added a Contact Form after the latest Chapter in Allan's Reminiscences.
I have also added a Contact Form after the latest Chapter in Allan's Reminiscences.
Allan Black
Sydney producer engineer author Allan Black, started recording radio programs as a trainee in 1956 and sold his company and semi-retired in 2001. Here's his fascinating story.
All or part of any written material, including graphics and photographs, submitted by Allan Black and contained in any of these ‘Parts’ is strictly copyright. © Allan Black 2016 - 2024.
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All or part of any written material, including graphics and photographs, submitted by Allan Black and contained in any of these ‘Parts’ is strictly copyright. © Allan Black 2016 - 2024.
All other material appearing in these 'Parts' (such as externally sourced photographs, artwork, advertisements, reprints etc.) are copyright their respective copyright owners, and are reproduced here on this website, under the "Fair dealing for purposes of criticism or review" provisions of the Copyright Act, 1968. (Australia)
All rights reserved. Nothing may be stored in a retrieval device for later use. Sight impaired visitors, please visit the home page first.
Allan Black Part 41 - Return to 2UE
I arrive home in late Jan. 1963 to tell my parents and sister Betty what happened at NBN, that the production dept. has closed and I’m back home. I didn’t want to tell them by phone from Newcastle, just that I was coming home to Bondi for a visit. So they’re as shocked as I am and ask the same questions I did at the Delany Hotel. Why? What happened? I answer them as best I can, and their dismay is apparent. But when I tell them I still have a job, my dad is quick to say, “Well you were doing something right, and now they’re looking after you.” Your parents you know, they always support you.
They both know my mate Reg. Davis who lives in Newcastle, he worked at sister station 2KO there, joined NBN in 1962 with me on audio, and has now been retained. In fact from 1963 he moved to successfully directing live programs and retired in 1990. Not bad for a local boy, 28 years is some sort of record in television land, and Reg. told me later, the mood at NBN was subdued and quiet after we all departed from the studios.
They both know my mate Reg. Davis who lives in Newcastle, he worked at sister station 2KO there, joined NBN in 1962 with me on audio, and has now been retained. In fact from 1963 he moved to successfully directing live programs and retired in 1990. Not bad for a local boy, 28 years is some sort of record in television land, and Reg. told me later, the mood at NBN was subdued and quiet after we all departed from the studios.
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So here I am back where I started, at 29 Bligh St. Sydney. 2UE must know what happened at NBN, well maybe not everybody, so I plan to take my reference just in case I’m interviewed by someone new in management who doesn’t know, and I have to kind of start all over again. The best thing to do is turn up to see what they have in store for me. I’m now 23yrs old and being a radio panel op. is a job for young guys as the first step to a career in radio, or maybe the newer medium, television. I certainly appreciate getting my job back, and the reference mentions, ‘wishing me well in my future career’ but I’m not thinking about a career when I plan to arrive back on the 4th floor. What sort of reception will I get from the other operators? Who is new there? Should I ring management first? I decide not to do this, surely they know the 2UE/NBN owner Stewart Lamb has closed NBN production dept. so ‘presumably’ some have been told I’ll be coming back, I hope so. |
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So the following day, Monday morning at 9am, with my NBN reference I turn up on the 4th floor at 29 Bligh St. in the city, and ask to see the manager of the panel operators, Jack Pettit. On the way to his office I meet a couple of the staff who I haven’t seen for 12 months and they ask, “What are you doing here?” So they don’t know what happened, but Mr. Pettit does, he listens to my story and commiserates with me. He says some of the UE staff got together at a suitable TV reception house for a party, to watch the NBN official opening program last March 4, and they all clapped when they saw my credit come on the screen. I’m feeling a bit better.
Here’s an early photo of Adyar House, 29 Bligh St. Sydney, taken before the Savoy picture theatre was established on the ground floor, but with the floors I worked on over the years. Floor 7 was Ron R. Beck Radio Productions early offices, 5: 2UE offices, 4: 2UE studios, 3: Australian Record Company studios, which later become the famous NATEC Sound Studios.
Adyar House now sometimes mistakenly called Savoy House after the picture theatre, was built by the Theosophical Society as a plain office building in 1925. However as we’re seeing here, it has a prominent place in Australian entertainment history.
But right now I get a sinking feeling, because after rising to the position of being the first permanent breakfast panel operator in 2UEs history, when Mr. Pettit updates and gives me this week’s panel operators schedule, I’m down at the bottom of the pack. Starting tomorrow, I’m listed to do 4 days studio productions 9-5pm., then the grave shift 2-10pm next Sunday night with announcer Doug Harris. Ah well, at least I have a job.
Adyar House now sometimes mistakenly called Savoy House after the picture theatre, was built by the Theosophical Society as a plain office building in 1925. However as we’re seeing here, it has a prominent place in Australian entertainment history.
But right now I get a sinking feeling, because after rising to the position of being the first permanent breakfast panel operator in 2UEs history, when Mr. Pettit updates and gives me this week’s panel operators schedule, I’m down at the bottom of the pack. Starting tomorrow, I’m listed to do 4 days studio productions 9-5pm., then the grave shift 2-10pm next Sunday night with announcer Doug Harris. Ah well, at least I have a job.
Allan Black Part 42
Even though I’ve only been in the city of Newcastle for a year, returning to busy Sydney in Jan. 1963 highlights the differences between the two cities, especially the traffic. To get to 2UE from Bondi, I take the tram instead of driving my Austin Healy in because the daily parking is costly. So my sports car sits outside with the hood up, 5 days a week.
Back at 2UE, I haven’t forgotten any of their operational routines, there’s a few new staff and technical upgrades which are easily coped with, and it broadcasts 24/7 so the studio lights are on constantly. Whereas at NBN with the transmission hours 2-10pm daily, 11pm on Saturday night, the station is then dark till the offices open next morning and the excitement starts all over again. I really notice the differences, it does make for a different lifestyle.
In Sydney Beatlemania has now taken over the airwaves, one columnist writes, ‘if you dial twist across all the commercial stations, chances are you’ll hear Beatles records playing on all of them.’ 2UE has an active social club, before I went to Newcastle I was a member and even though we were a close community at NBN, I missed it. At UE in 1961, DJ Bob Rogers had organised tickets for a Tom Jones concert at the Chevron Hotel, then later the modern jazz pianist Thelonious Monk and his quartet at the Trocadero in George St. We all went along, both were great events.
But in 1962 when his 2UE contract was up, Bob received an offer from Sydney’s 2SM which he accepted, taking up his DJ duties there within a week. His UE spot was taken over by Scott Newman aka Paul Ricketts, a DJ announcer originally from New Zealand. He has a different style from Bob, and works hard at retaining the UE drive time audience. A friend of Paul’s is Ron Purvis who comes in and visits with Paul. Mr. Purvis is a director of NATEC Sound Studios on the 3rd floor, one floor down from 2UE in Adyar House at 29 Bligh St. I didn’t realise then, how much he would influence my future career.
Back at 2UE, I haven’t forgotten any of their operational routines, there’s a few new staff and technical upgrades which are easily coped with, and it broadcasts 24/7 so the studio lights are on constantly. Whereas at NBN with the transmission hours 2-10pm daily, 11pm on Saturday night, the station is then dark till the offices open next morning and the excitement starts all over again. I really notice the differences, it does make for a different lifestyle.
In Sydney Beatlemania has now taken over the airwaves, one columnist writes, ‘if you dial twist across all the commercial stations, chances are you’ll hear Beatles records playing on all of them.’ 2UE has an active social club, before I went to Newcastle I was a member and even though we were a close community at NBN, I missed it. At UE in 1961, DJ Bob Rogers had organised tickets for a Tom Jones concert at the Chevron Hotel, then later the modern jazz pianist Thelonious Monk and his quartet at the Trocadero in George St. We all went along, both were great events.
But in 1962 when his 2UE contract was up, Bob received an offer from Sydney’s 2SM which he accepted, taking up his DJ duties there within a week. His UE spot was taken over by Scott Newman aka Paul Ricketts, a DJ announcer originally from New Zealand. He has a different style from Bob, and works hard at retaining the UE drive time audience. A friend of Paul’s is Ron Purvis who comes in and visits with Paul. Mr. Purvis is a director of NATEC Sound Studios on the 3rd floor, one floor down from 2UE in Adyar House at 29 Bligh St. I didn’t realise then, how much he would influence my future career.
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In May 1963, the 2UE social club manages to get tickets for the popular Louis Armstrong concert at the old Rushcutters Bay boxing stadium. As a paid up club member again I go along and the all star jazz concert is great. Afterwards, because someone has good contacts we’re invited back to the Kings Cross Chevron Hotel to meet Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong, where he’s booked into a suite. He arrives has a shower, gets cleaned up, and after he comes into the lounge room with his wife Lucille he passes out small packets of Swiss Kriss, a herbal laxative. We all look at our packets wondering what’s in them, but more to the point why is this world famous jazz musician giving each one of us a herbal laxative.
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Satchmo flashes his world famous smile as he says, “This is to keep your pipes clean.” We all laugh enjoying our hosts apparent humour, but I can see he’s serious as Lucille passes around drinks and eats. Then following his exhausting concert, Louis recounts some great stories entertaining everybody. He’s a wonderful story teller but I take my packet of Swiss Kriss home too scared to take it, and keep it for years. Much later when I tell my wife where I got it from, she just smiles at me.
However, years later on a TV show about Armstrong‘s life he says, “Then I bought into a new American herbal laxative company” ... Swiss Kriss!
I still haven’t taken mine, it’s past its use by date, thankfully I didn’t need it.
However, years later on a TV show about Armstrong‘s life he says, “Then I bought into a new American herbal laxative company” ... Swiss Kriss!
I still haven’t taken mine, it’s past its use by date, thankfully I didn’t need it.
Allan Black Part 43
Breakfast personality Garry O’Callahagn takes a serious interest in the Ansett Airlines flying boat service. It flies from the Rose Bay terminal on Sydney Harbour, 3 leisurely hours north east to Lord Howe Island. With up to 6 additional flights a week in the busy tourist season, the regular weekly service starts on Oct. 9, 1964. The flying boat takes off early each Thursday morning, timed to reach the island an hour before high tide, land unload, stay overnight or take off again with passengers back to Sydney.
Even though we can’t see it from our Bligh St. studios, Garry enjoys announcing the early morning Ansett departure from Rose Bay, it’s in their advertising contract. This service utilises 2 Short Brothers Sandringham flying boats named Beachcomber and Islander, converted from Short Sunderlands.
When I was a young kid I remember the RAAF Sunderland flying boats hauled up out of the water on their beaching legs and tail trolleys at Rose Bay, regularly doing full engine test runs for around 2hrs. on a Sunday afternoon. My grandparents lived about 3kms from the base and in their backyard, I could faintly hear the sounds of their 4 roaring engines drifting in and out, depending on the wind. The local residents around the base had to put up with the loud noise, try doing this today!
As Ansett is buying advertising time on 2UE, management tells us they’d like an idea to promote their Lord Howe service. A flight in a Sandringham sounds good to me, so I suggest recording the sound of one of their flying boats alighting on the water at Rose Bay. We’ll then run a ‘secret sound‘ competition in the breakfast session asking our listeners to guess what it is. My idea gets approved with the comment, “This will be a great promotion you organise it, good luck with the recording, we’ll work out what the winners prize will be.”
After arranging with Ansett and the 2UE social club, members are informed that a promotional flight in a flying boat is being arranged, and it will cost them 10 pounds a seat for an hours flight from Rose Bay and return. The flight date and time will be announced by Garry on air, and that it will fly north up the coastline low over the beaches so people who’ve never seen a big flying boat can come out and wave. In no time seats are booked by club members and I reserve 2 Nagra tape recorders and mics. from our news dept., to take on the flight.
When I was a young kid I remember the RAAF Sunderland flying boats hauled up out of the water on their beaching legs and tail trolleys at Rose Bay, regularly doing full engine test runs for around 2hrs. on a Sunday afternoon. My grandparents lived about 3kms from the base and in their backyard, I could faintly hear the sounds of their 4 roaring engines drifting in and out, depending on the wind. The local residents around the base had to put up with the loud noise, try doing this today!
As Ansett is buying advertising time on 2UE, management tells us they’d like an idea to promote their Lord Howe service. A flight in a Sandringham sounds good to me, so I suggest recording the sound of one of their flying boats alighting on the water at Rose Bay. We’ll then run a ‘secret sound‘ competition in the breakfast session asking our listeners to guess what it is. My idea gets approved with the comment, “This will be a great promotion you organise it, good luck with the recording, we’ll work out what the winners prize will be.”
After arranging with Ansett and the 2UE social club, members are informed that a promotional flight in a flying boat is being arranged, and it will cost them 10 pounds a seat for an hours flight from Rose Bay and return. The flight date and time will be announced by Garry on air, and that it will fly north up the coastline low over the beaches so people who’ve never seen a big flying boat can come out and wave. In no time seats are booked by club members and I reserve 2 Nagra tape recorders and mics. from our news dept., to take on the flight.
On the scheduled Saturday morning, the excited members and I arrive at the Ansett Rose Bay terminal. Here I find the Capt. of Islander hasn’t been told I’m planning to record the sound of the landing back at Rose Bay. “Mmmm okay” he says “Where do you want to put those recorders?” Instantly recognising the situation I ask his advice. “Well” he says “You could put one in the front and the other at the rear.” “Ok I‘ll put one on auto in the rear of the upstairs lounge and the other in the nose compartment, I think that’ll get the best recording so I’ll run it from there.” The Capt. studies this idea for a few seconds then smiles as he says, “Ok, but if we hit anything as we land you’ll be the first to know.” Gulp! you’re joking right, with a grim smile I prepare for the recording.
The weather is good so with flight clearance from Mascot we take off across the harbour, climb, turn north and the trip is great, Islander runs like a big ‘ole 1950 Cadillac lumbering along at about 150mph. There are people out on the beaches waving as we pass overhead, and each staff member gets the opportunity to visit the flight deck to watch the pilots at work. When it comes my turn I climb up the ladder near the galley and, it’s like entering a sunny glasshouse.
The weather is good so with flight clearance from Mascot we take off across the harbour, climb, turn north and the trip is great, Islander runs like a big ‘ole 1950 Cadillac lumbering along at about 150mph. There are people out on the beaches waving as we pass overhead, and each staff member gets the opportunity to visit the flight deck to watch the pilots at work. When it comes my turn I climb up the ladder near the galley and, it’s like entering a sunny glasshouse.
The 2 pilots sit at the controls and the Capt. turns and says, “Good luck in the front there.” Islander drones on with the steward serving us tea and coffee and cake from the galley. When we get to Lake Macquarie, the Capt. does a slow 180 degree turn west and we head back south to Sydney. Passing over Manly the steward gives me the thumbs up, and I start the rear Nagra, check the mic that it’s recording, then head downstairs up the front to the nose compartment. Once the plane has landed and taxied to its mooring, a crew member will enter this compartment to throw a mooring line out to tie up to a buoy, or the landing stage. I open the small nose door climb in with the Nagra and pull the door shut. It’s dark and noisy in here, there’s no windows or seats so I hold the Nagra, start it recording, brace myself against a staunchion to hold the mic. up. I hear the 4 engines slowly wind down as we skim low over the harbour.
The step of the hull alights on the smooth water and there’s thumps and bumps as we bounce over small waves. Unlike the cabin it’s not soundproof in here and it sounds like rocks being thrown against the nose. I monitor the recording level as a very loud swishing noise starts and we settle on Rose Bay. Our secret sound! gradually we come to rest. The Capt. then revs the outer 2 motors to guide Islander to the terminal. I pack my gear up and climb out of the nose compartment so a crew member can enter to tie up. With this completed we all prepare to depart Islander so we thank the crew with a hearty round of applause then make our way home. A great day all round. At 2UE on Monday morning I can’t wait to check my tapes and the thumps, bumps and loud swishing water sounds from the recording in the nose are exactly what we need. Our secret sound will do its job, management agrees so I prepare a 15 secs. broadcast tape of it.
We start our competition in the brekkie the following morning, playing our ‘secret sound‘ every 20 minutes from 6 to 8.30am. This is well before talkback radio, so listeners call the 2UE switchboard with their answers and Garry reads them out on air. There’s many guesses of all kinds, from a steam train engine, fireman’s hoses, industrial clothes washing machine, Warragamba dam spillways and auto car wash. But by 8.30 I’m starting to think maybe we’ve overdone it, no one has guessed it. What does Ansett think now, don’t answer the phone!
On day two we’re getting more wrong guesses then the calls tail right off, then this young chap calls in and correctly names our sound, “It’s the sound of a flying boat landing on the water.” Congratulations! thank goodness Ansett will be happy. To add icing on the cake, this fellow says his mother lives on Lord Howe Island and he flies there and back once a month, on the Ansett flying boat. Garry laughs when he reads this out on air adding entertaining commentary. Ansett are getting their money’s worth now.
I get a good natured ribbing from the folks in the social club but a few nice hugs from the ladies when they hear what his winning prize is, a first class seat on the Ansett flying boat there and back ... to see his mum.
We start our competition in the brekkie the following morning, playing our ‘secret sound‘ every 20 minutes from 6 to 8.30am. This is well before talkback radio, so listeners call the 2UE switchboard with their answers and Garry reads them out on air. There’s many guesses of all kinds, from a steam train engine, fireman’s hoses, industrial clothes washing machine, Warragamba dam spillways and auto car wash. But by 8.30 I’m starting to think maybe we’ve overdone it, no one has guessed it. What does Ansett think now, don’t answer the phone!
On day two we’re getting more wrong guesses then the calls tail right off, then this young chap calls in and correctly names our sound, “It’s the sound of a flying boat landing on the water.” Congratulations! thank goodness Ansett will be happy. To add icing on the cake, this fellow says his mother lives on Lord Howe Island and he flies there and back once a month, on the Ansett flying boat. Garry laughs when he reads this out on air adding entertaining commentary. Ansett are getting their money’s worth now.
I get a good natured ribbing from the folks in the social club but a few nice hugs from the ladies when they hear what his winning prize is, a first class seat on the Ansett flying boat there and back ... to see his mum.
Allan Black Part 44
In Jan. 1963 when I returned to 2UE from NBN Newcastle, except for the popular DJ Bob Rogers, who’d resigned to go to 2SM in 1962, the UE staff announcers roster was still the same. Apart from Andrea with her program My World, the roster was still all male.
Listeners talking back radio is still some years away, but all the announcers know about it from management, and news from the USA. So they know it’s coming to Australian radio and each announcer has his own thoughts about it. It’s going to change the way they conduct their programs.
On the technical side, we’re not yet digital with the 7 secs. on air delay, so our engineers are planning a 7 secs. tape loop delay. Why 7 seconds? Well retired 2UE chief engineer Athol Greenhalgh tells me, 7 seconds comes from the USA where they developed an analogue system which gives them 7 seconds, and we’ll soon follow them. So our announcers should get used to the 7 seconds timing asap.
But currently the announcers main concern is, how will they cope talking with the public, ‘the great unwashed.’ Their listeners are all types with their own opinions, and they’ll be talking back, arguing back, shouting back, and just maybe some will be smarter than they are, who can make them sound like they shouldn’t be doing the program, or even in the industry.
I talk with Soundabout anchor Geoff Marshall about this, he’s looking forward to talkback. He tells me it it’ll be a challenge, it’ll make a change to his daily routine, interesting, fun but exhausting at times. But there are some announcers who are wary of it, and this is the same situation all over the industry, some new names will relish talking and sparring with the public, to rise up in the radio ratings together with their salaries of course.
When any of the 2UE management comes down from the 5th. floor, word quickly goes around the 4th, to look busy. One morning as I’m working on production in Studio E, the studio double doors open and owner Stewart Lamb steps in. I’m surprised but manage to say, “Good morning Mr. Lamb.” He answers and asks me how I am. “I’m fine thank you.” I can’t recall the exact words he used next except, that Stewie goes on to basically apologise for closing the Channel 3 production dept. after all the hard work we put in starting his brand new television station, and getting it to air.
On the technical side, we’re not yet digital with the 7 secs. on air delay, so our engineers are planning a 7 secs. tape loop delay. Why 7 seconds? Well retired 2UE chief engineer Athol Greenhalgh tells me, 7 seconds comes from the USA where they developed an analogue system which gives them 7 seconds, and we’ll soon follow them. So our announcers should get used to the 7 seconds timing asap.
But currently the announcers main concern is, how will they cope talking with the public, ‘the great unwashed.’ Their listeners are all types with their own opinions, and they’ll be talking back, arguing back, shouting back, and just maybe some will be smarter than they are, who can make them sound like they shouldn’t be doing the program, or even in the industry.
I talk with Soundabout anchor Geoff Marshall about this, he’s looking forward to talkback. He tells me it it’ll be a challenge, it’ll make a change to his daily routine, interesting, fun but exhausting at times. But there are some announcers who are wary of it, and this is the same situation all over the industry, some new names will relish talking and sparring with the public, to rise up in the radio ratings together with their salaries of course.
When any of the 2UE management comes down from the 5th. floor, word quickly goes around the 4th, to look busy. One morning as I’m working on production in Studio E, the studio double doors open and owner Stewart Lamb steps in. I’m surprised but manage to say, “Good morning Mr. Lamb.” He answers and asks me how I am. “I’m fine thank you.” I can’t recall the exact words he used next except, that Stewie goes on to basically apologise for closing the Channel 3 production dept. after all the hard work we put in starting his brand new television station, and getting it to air.
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Stewart was visibly concerned, but was acknowledging the Lamb family’s appreciation of our efforts, his working family. All I can do is nod appreciatively, say thank you and he leaves the studio to go back up to the plush carpeted 5th. floor offices.
The funny part of this is, there are double glass studio windows between E and C right down to the recording room and a couple of the curious staff look up to see Mr. Lamb talking with me. Soon as he leaves the 4th. they come in to ask, what did he want what happened? I’m somewhat floored and can’t get all the right words to explain, but I manage. Stewart Lamb was continuing his concern for his staff, all of us. When he arranged for each of us to have a free annual medical check. When Stewart with 2UE manager Alan Faulkner, arranged the staff Christmas party at the exclusive Killara Golf Club in Sydney each year. When they set up the Staff Superannuation Scheme in 1962, 30 years before it becomes law. |
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When Stewart phoned newsreader Murray Finlay after his first live NBN Newcastle news program in 1962, and told him to go down to Elliot’s Menswear on Hunter St. get fitted, order 2 new suits and put the bill on his account. The late Murray Finlay once told me, all during his 28 year career reading the news on Channel 3, that’s one of his favourite memories.
The Lamb family consists of many appreciative staff members, some have passed on now, but memories live on.
The Lamb family consists of many appreciative staff members, some have passed on now, but memories live on.
Allan Black Part 45
In March 1964, legendary American comedian Jack Benny arrived in Sydney to star in a series of stage shows here and in Melbourne, and to be the special guest at the Sporting Globe radio 3DB-HSV Channel 7 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. He will also be starring in a TV special, ‘Jack Benny in Australia’ with rock star Johnny O’Keefe and other local identities.
Through his U.S. television show the Jack Benny Program, with guests like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope he’s well known in Australia, and his TV program sustains high ratings around the country. But by 1964 his U.S. ratings are waning and like many other famous artists at the closing of their career, he too is demonstrating his clever talent around the world and ‘seeing the sights.’ However this Australian tour is a tight schedule for someone at 69 years of age.
Through his U.S. television show the Jack Benny Program, with guests like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope he’s well known in Australia, and his TV program sustains high ratings around the country. But by 1964 his U.S. ratings are waning and like many other famous artists at the closing of their career, he too is demonstrating his clever talent around the world and ‘seeing the sights.’ However this Australian tour is a tight schedule for someone at 69 years of age.
Mr. Benny arrives in Sydney with his entourage direct from California, and registers at Sydney’s new Menzies Hotel at Wynyard which opened in 1963. His manager and radio 3DB in Melbourne have arranged with 2UE to do an interview for the upcoming telethon. Normally ‘the star’ would attend our studios to do the interview, but it’s an indication of Benny’s importance and his tight schedule, that we’d relay the interview to Melbourne from his Sydney hotel suite.
2UE announcer Geoff Marshall and I are tasked with this interesting project. Our engineer having previously arrived at the Menzies to set up and test the gear, an hour before the interview, Geoff with his list of prearranged questions and I arrive in the foyer of the Menzies in George St. The first thing we notice is the security, even though they know we’re coming, we both have to show our identification a number of times.
Finally we arrive past security in the foyer of the Menzies penthouse suite, to be greeted by one Benny’s writers and shown into the large lounge room. We’re surprised by the number of noisy people in here, there’s standing room only. However tables have been arranged with a mic. and headphones set up for Geoff and myself. I’m due to call in 3DB at 1115h. local, give them a sound level, a minutes notice to record, then Geoff and Jack Benny will proceed with the interview, while I run the stopwatch timing each question and answer to get them all in before our time runs out.
But at 1105h. we start to get concerned that the room is still full of people, and Benny is nowhere to be seen. I’m just about to announce to the throng to clear the room, when this guy sitting on a lounge, stands up and does it for me. It’s Jack Benny, large as life and ready to go. I’m particularly embarrassed that I haven’t recognised him, and he’s clearly amused by this as he comes over to the interview table and winks at us.
I call in 3DB and the interview goes off very well. Jack Benny is world famous for his comedic talent, wit and intellect and although Geoff Marshall is the consummate professional and hard to ‘break up,’ Benny senses this and works at getting Geoff to laugh. Not only Geoff but me and the few others in the room. Jack concludes with the hope that people in Melbourne will watch the Children’s telethon and contribute to the worthwhile cause. He does this without any notes at all, but I notice his manager following along checking his list of dates and times.
2UE announcer Geoff Marshall and I are tasked with this interesting project. Our engineer having previously arrived at the Menzies to set up and test the gear, an hour before the interview, Geoff with his list of prearranged questions and I arrive in the foyer of the Menzies in George St. The first thing we notice is the security, even though they know we’re coming, we both have to show our identification a number of times.
Finally we arrive past security in the foyer of the Menzies penthouse suite, to be greeted by one Benny’s writers and shown into the large lounge room. We’re surprised by the number of noisy people in here, there’s standing room only. However tables have been arranged with a mic. and headphones set up for Geoff and myself. I’m due to call in 3DB at 1115h. local, give them a sound level, a minutes notice to record, then Geoff and Jack Benny will proceed with the interview, while I run the stopwatch timing each question and answer to get them all in before our time runs out.
But at 1105h. we start to get concerned that the room is still full of people, and Benny is nowhere to be seen. I’m just about to announce to the throng to clear the room, when this guy sitting on a lounge, stands up and does it for me. It’s Jack Benny, large as life and ready to go. I’m particularly embarrassed that I haven’t recognised him, and he’s clearly amused by this as he comes over to the interview table and winks at us.
I call in 3DB and the interview goes off very well. Jack Benny is world famous for his comedic talent, wit and intellect and although Geoff Marshall is the consummate professional and hard to ‘break up,’ Benny senses this and works at getting Geoff to laugh. Not only Geoff but me and the few others in the room. Jack concludes with the hope that people in Melbourne will watch the Children’s telethon and contribute to the worthwhile cause. He does this without any notes at all, but I notice his manager following along checking his list of dates and times.
As we thank them all and prepare to depart, Jack signs autographs and just as he signs mine, he asks, “Oh sorry, how do you spell Allan?” When I tell him, he goes to the trouble of altering Allen to Allan. To this day I remember this, and believe that’s one of the reasons he became famous, always take care of the details. Now if I only I can get this across to my grandkids.
Allan Black Part 46
It’s Thursday June 11, 1964. At exactly 2.30am my alarm buzzes, I open one eye, roll over and hit the 10 minute snooze button.
Flying from Hong Kong and after an unscheduled stop in Darwin, high over the Northern Territory in the cockpit of the BOAC 707, the Captain says to the Aussie First Officer, “Have we had any change to the Sydney weather?” The F.O. answers “No, it’s still raining heavy, hope we don’t get diverted to Brisbane my teenage daughters will kill me”. In the first class cabin John Lennon quietly asks a hostess, “How long to Sydney now luv?” She blushes, leans over to answer him while Paul, George and substitute drummer Jimmie Nicol go back to sleep. Currently back in the U.K. Ringo Starr has tonsillitis and will join them later. Sydney DJ Bob Rogers also manages to get some rest, soon it’s going to become very busy and very noisy.
In Sydney my snooze button goes off, I get up take a shower put the coffee on, get dressed and while having a quick breakfast I think about what today will bring. This day the Beatles are coming ‘Down Under’ and we’re doing the breakfast session broadcast right around the country, from the Airport.
Yesterday at 2UE in Bligh St. I spent 4 hours dubbing all today’s breakfast session commercials alternately to 2 Rola tape recorders, to be broadcast from the terminal at Kingsford Smith Airport during the Beatles arrival. For any commercial that’s repeated during any program, I’d simply use the same track off the same disc, but for this program at the Airport there’ll be no time to spool a tape looking for it, so when any track re-appears in the schedule, it has to be re-recorded on tape. So I’ve done this with 3 secs. between each track and I’ve ended up with 2 full half hour rolls of taped commercials, and for safety’s sake I take both tapes and my breakfast schedule home with me.
At 3.30am, when I get into the booked taxi waiting out front I tell the driver, “Different drop today, we’re going to the Airport.” “Aha” he says, “So you’re going to see the Beatles arrive, will they land in this rain” “I hope so or we’re all in trouble.” So everybody knows and that’s right, for weeks now the Australian media has been heralding the arrival of the worldwide sensation subtitled ‘Beatlemania.’
In 1961, DJ Bob Rogers left 2UE to go to 2SM, part of the deal being a trip to the UK to meet and travel with the Fab. 4 back to Sydney. At each stop Bob sends a report to 2SM and his ratings reflect their popularity, so today some of his fans will also be here.
I’ve never been to this particular International Terminal and the taxi drops me out front. With my schedule and tapes, I go up to the deserted 2nd. floor to look for our guys. There’s turntable operator Colin B., and engineer Nelson S. who set the gear up and stayed overnight to protect it. Announcer Garry O’Callahagn will arrive later. The setup with 2 turntables and 2 Rola tape recorders, is in the Lounge Bar overlooking the ramp with a clear view where the 707 will deplane and even this early, there’s a hundred or so teenage fans who’ve slept in cars in the parking lot, together with a few sleepy eyed parents. I meet Col and we agree we should not go downstairs again, for anything.
In Sydney my snooze button goes off, I get up take a shower put the coffee on, get dressed and while having a quick breakfast I think about what today will bring. This day the Beatles are coming ‘Down Under’ and we’re doing the breakfast session broadcast right around the country, from the Airport.
Yesterday at 2UE in Bligh St. I spent 4 hours dubbing all today’s breakfast session commercials alternately to 2 Rola tape recorders, to be broadcast from the terminal at Kingsford Smith Airport during the Beatles arrival. For any commercial that’s repeated during any program, I’d simply use the same track off the same disc, but for this program at the Airport there’ll be no time to spool a tape looking for it, so when any track re-appears in the schedule, it has to be re-recorded on tape. So I’ve done this with 3 secs. between each track and I’ve ended up with 2 full half hour rolls of taped commercials, and for safety’s sake I take both tapes and my breakfast schedule home with me.
At 3.30am, when I get into the booked taxi waiting out front I tell the driver, “Different drop today, we’re going to the Airport.” “Aha” he says, “So you’re going to see the Beatles arrive, will they land in this rain” “I hope so or we’re all in trouble.” So everybody knows and that’s right, for weeks now the Australian media has been heralding the arrival of the worldwide sensation subtitled ‘Beatlemania.’
In 1961, DJ Bob Rogers left 2UE to go to 2SM, part of the deal being a trip to the UK to meet and travel with the Fab. 4 back to Sydney. At each stop Bob sends a report to 2SM and his ratings reflect their popularity, so today some of his fans will also be here.
I’ve never been to this particular International Terminal and the taxi drops me out front. With my schedule and tapes, I go up to the deserted 2nd. floor to look for our guys. There’s turntable operator Colin B., and engineer Nelson S. who set the gear up and stayed overnight to protect it. Announcer Garry O’Callahagn will arrive later. The setup with 2 turntables and 2 Rola tape recorders, is in the Lounge Bar overlooking the ramp with a clear view where the 707 will deplane and even this early, there’s a hundred or so teenage fans who’ve slept in cars in the parking lot, together with a few sleepy eyed parents. I meet Col and we agree we should not go downstairs again, for anything.
But where’s Nelson? After the setup yesterday Nelson stayed in the bar overnight for security. It was understood he could sleep here, but when we try to open the locked entrance doors, we can’t. Both of us try banging on the doors but nothing. So I tell Col. to keep trying, I’ll get help. I now have to go outside and cross the street to get to Airport Security but I manage this and armed with a bunch of keys, this cop and I arrive back outside the bar. The correct key is selected and we all go in.
There’s Nelson stretched out on the floor covered with a blanket and snoring away with a bottle of Scotch for company. We shake him awake, I get a wet cloth and good old Nels comes around. We turn our gear on and Col. starts checking his list of 45 rpm Beatles records as Garry O’Callahagn arrives to stare at Nelson. When he asks “What happened?” Col. and I answer in unison, “Don’t ask.” From behind the bar I start to lace up both my tapes on the 2 Rolas.
After the 2UE news at 5am and our introduction from the studio in Bligh St. we go on air around Australia. And this is where O’Callahagn earns his keep, he has to keep every listener entertained, so looking out over the rainy ramp he describes the wet scene and introduces Beatles songs. Between them, I play 4x30sec. commercials, alternately from my 2 Rolas. Gary’s Sydney time calls signal all the network stations to play their own 2 minutes of commercials and along with an ever growing number of teenage fans outside, we anticipate the arrival of the Beatles, their 707 and their entourage.
There’s Nelson stretched out on the floor covered with a blanket and snoring away with a bottle of Scotch for company. We shake him awake, I get a wet cloth and good old Nels comes around. We turn our gear on and Col. starts checking his list of 45 rpm Beatles records as Garry O’Callahagn arrives to stare at Nelson. When he asks “What happened?” Col. and I answer in unison, “Don’t ask.” From behind the bar I start to lace up both my tapes on the 2 Rolas.
After the 2UE news at 5am and our introduction from the studio in Bligh St. we go on air around Australia. And this is where O’Callahagn earns his keep, he has to keep every listener entertained, so looking out over the rainy ramp he describes the wet scene and introduces Beatles songs. Between them, I play 4x30sec. commercials, alternately from my 2 Rolas. Gary’s Sydney time calls signal all the network stations to play their own 2 minutes of commercials and along with an ever growing number of teenage fans outside, we anticipate the arrival of the Beatles, their 707 and their entourage.
To Be Continued........
Allan Black Part 47
The International Terminal Lounge Bar located on the second floor is positioned so guests can see out over the ramp and watch the airliners taxiing in and out. The glass windows are soundproofed but the new jet airliners, especially the noisy Boeing 707 are certainly testing that.
From where I’m standing behind the bar A, with my 2 Rola recorders B, loaded with all the commercials for today’s breakfast session, I can’t see down onto the ramp and not having done this before as you can imagine the concentration is intense. Each alternate 30sec. commercial has a scheduled broadcast time, and I have to tick off that time as we go. As the crowds of young fans grows C, the screams gets louder and although the double soundproof glass windows dull it D, it’s sounding like waves of hailstones crashing on the roof. Any movement triggers more wild screaming and Gary describes a tractor driver out on the wet ramp, who stops, climbs onto his machine and takes a bow. When we cross for the 7.30 news bulletin from Bligh St. we get notice that the Beatles have not been diverted to Brisbane, they are due to arrive here at 7.45.
The rain is now pelting down but it’s doing nothing to dampen the fans excitement. Following instructions from airport control, right on time the 707 arrives overhead and the teeny boppers most of whom wouldn’t know a Boeing from a hole in the head start really going hysterical. Garry keeps pace but a problem starts for me, because his exciting commentary is getting longer, I’m slowly getting behind the broadcast time with my schedule of commercials. This would be a real problem on our normal day, but today is not normal and because we’re now in peak advertising time, I decide not to drop any, just log their later broadcast times.
The rain is now pelting down but it’s doing nothing to dampen the fans excitement. Following instructions from airport control, right on time the 707 arrives overhead and the teeny boppers most of whom wouldn’t know a Boeing from a hole in the head start really going hysterical. Garry keeps pace but a problem starts for me, because his exciting commentary is getting longer, I’m slowly getting behind the broadcast time with my schedule of commercials. This would be a real problem on our normal day, but today is not normal and because we’re now in peak advertising time, I decide not to drop any, just log their later broadcast times.
Here’s the Beatles on the steps at Mascot.
About 15 minutes after having landed, the 707 taxies round the corner and in the rain, comes to a stop in front of our position in the lounge. The forward stairs are put in place and after security approves, one by one the Beatles appear to carefully come down the steps. At the front it looks like John carrying his Rickenbacker 325 guitar in its case under a coat, and each Beatle is carrying a big black umbrella so when I grab another look, I can’t tell who is who, they could be anyone. This doesn’t faze Garry, he carries on right around the country as though it’s a fine day.
And for the hundreds of fans looking on it is, it’s a magic day. A young female fan says ...
My whole life revolved around the Beatles, from my haircut down to my boots. My Beatle mug was the only thing I would ever drink my tea out of. I wore Beatle brooches and sweatshirts and kept big scrapbooks full of newspaper clippings.
The day they arrived in Australia I was glued to the TV screen hours before the plane landed. The moment the door opened and they walked out onto the steps, I burst into tears. I did a lot of screaming and crying that week, especially at the concerts.
Right now, there’s far more adoring fans here than can ever see the Beatles this morning, so a decision is made to drive the Fab 3 + one around the wet airport on the back of a truck with their umbrellas up, and this is a wild success. Then they are driven in a closed car to the Sheraton hotel in the city, where there’s more anxious fans waiting.
And for the hundreds of fans looking on it is, it’s a magic day. A young female fan says ...
My whole life revolved around the Beatles, from my haircut down to my boots. My Beatle mug was the only thing I would ever drink my tea out of. I wore Beatle brooches and sweatshirts and kept big scrapbooks full of newspaper clippings.
The day they arrived in Australia I was glued to the TV screen hours before the plane landed. The moment the door opened and they walked out onto the steps, I burst into tears. I did a lot of screaming and crying that week, especially at the concerts.
Right now, there’s far more adoring fans here than can ever see the Beatles this morning, so a decision is made to drive the Fab 3 + one around the wet airport on the back of a truck with their umbrellas up, and this is a wild success. Then they are driven in a closed car to the Sheraton hotel in the city, where there’s more anxious fans waiting.
Even here the screaming and yelling doesn’t stop, young fans cover their ears, but many have ringing in their ears for a couple of days with worried parents taking them to the doctor.
The first Beatles Australia concert is scheduled in Adelaide. Why is Adelaide first? Originally it wasn’t scheduled at all but a petition by 80,000 local fans convinces the promoters to include it first because the other venue dates are now locked in, and they land in Sydney because the Boeing 707 doesn’t have the range to fly direct to Sth. Australia. On the plus side the Moptops get to relax in Sydney after their long flight, but they still appear on the balcony to wave to their adoring fans below.
The next morning Friday June 12, they fly to Adelaide in a chartered Ansett-ANA Fokker Friendship, for their first 4 successful concerts over 2 nights at the Centennial Hall.
At midday on June 14 they fly to Melbourne where they’re reunited with Ringo for 2 sets a night, 3 nights straight at Festival Hall. The 12 song sets vary little and each lasts only about half an hour. Why? Well try singing at this level ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzkHXx7-ibQ
At 8am on Monday June 15, Brian Epstein accompanies Jimmie Nicol to Melbourne airport, gives him a cheque for 500 pounds, a gold commemorative watch and Nicol flies home.
On the morning of Thursday June 18, the 4 Beatles fly to Sydney for 2 concerts each on Friday and Saturday nights at the Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay ... and I have tickets for the first concert on Friday night.
To be continued.
The first Beatles Australia concert is scheduled in Adelaide. Why is Adelaide first? Originally it wasn’t scheduled at all but a petition by 80,000 local fans convinces the promoters to include it first because the other venue dates are now locked in, and they land in Sydney because the Boeing 707 doesn’t have the range to fly direct to Sth. Australia. On the plus side the Moptops get to relax in Sydney after their long flight, but they still appear on the balcony to wave to their adoring fans below.
The next morning Friday June 12, they fly to Adelaide in a chartered Ansett-ANA Fokker Friendship, for their first 4 successful concerts over 2 nights at the Centennial Hall.
At midday on June 14 they fly to Melbourne where they’re reunited with Ringo for 2 sets a night, 3 nights straight at Festival Hall. The 12 song sets vary little and each lasts only about half an hour. Why? Well try singing at this level ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzkHXx7-ibQ
At 8am on Monday June 15, Brian Epstein accompanies Jimmie Nicol to Melbourne airport, gives him a cheque for 500 pounds, a gold commemorative watch and Nicol flies home.
On the morning of Thursday June 18, the 4 Beatles fly to Sydney for 2 concerts each on Friday and Saturday nights at the Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay ... and I have tickets for the first concert on Friday night.
To be continued.
Allan Black Part 48
The Beatles concerts are in the Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay, which was originally built as a circular open air venue in 1908 by boxing promoter Hugh MacIntosh.
Right from the start the Stadium was designed to seat 12,000 people with a circular centre stage which could be pushed around 360 degrees by the stage hands. Basic uninsulated, unlined walls with a corrugated iron tin roof, were added in 1911. In the late fifties, the American promoter Lee Gordon made his name with his legendary series of ‘Big Show’ concerts, star studded events headlined by American names with local supporting acts. Through these shows Gordon almost single handedly launched the first wave of rock in Australia touring a host of groundbreaking rock’n’roll and R&B acts including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bill Haley and the Comets, The Everly Brothers, Duane Eddy and others. But once the audience starts screaming, the reverberation around the ‘Old Tin Shed’ makes it impossible to hear anything, even on stage. And now in 1964 it’s the biggest entertainment venue in Sydney.
Right from the start the Stadium was designed to seat 12,000 people with a circular centre stage which could be pushed around 360 degrees by the stage hands. Basic uninsulated, unlined walls with a corrugated iron tin roof, were added in 1911. In the late fifties, the American promoter Lee Gordon made his name with his legendary series of ‘Big Show’ concerts, star studded events headlined by American names with local supporting acts. Through these shows Gordon almost single handedly launched the first wave of rock in Australia touring a host of groundbreaking rock’n’roll and R&B acts including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bill Haley and the Comets, The Everly Brothers, Duane Eddy and others. But once the audience starts screaming, the reverberation around the ‘Old Tin Shed’ makes it impossible to hear anything, even on stage. And now in 1964 it’s the biggest entertainment venue in Sydney.
I have tickets for the Beatles first Friday night concert and having experienced their deafening arrival at Sydney airport, I take my expensive audio ear plugs for protection. But my girlfriend doesn’t let me forget they’re not much better than the cheapies she buys at her local chemist.
One piece of Beatles memorabilia is the result of 2SM DJs Mad Mel’s stunt. After it was announced the Beatles are coming to Australia, he asked his mainly female teenage listeners to send him knitted rectangles which would then be joined to form a communal scarf. But he underestimated the popularity of the Beatles, and the resultant tribute is an estimated 10 meters long. Mel. drags it in and presents it to the Beatles but because of its length they are unable to take it with them.
One piece of Beatles memorabilia is the result of 2SM DJs Mad Mel’s stunt. After it was announced the Beatles are coming to Australia, he asked his mainly female teenage listeners to send him knitted rectangles which would then be joined to form a communal scarf. But he underestimated the popularity of the Beatles, and the resultant tribute is an estimated 10 meters long. Mel. drags it in and presents it to the Beatles but because of its length they are unable to take it with them.
My girlfriend and I get to Rushcutters Bay early enough to take in the scene outside the Stadium. The rain has stopped and merchandise is all the rage, it’s where manager Brian Epstein and the band make a good proportion of their money. On sale here is their Souvenir Aust. Tour Book, plastic Beatles wigs, autograph books, powder puff compacts, school bags, scarves, dolls, posters, pencil cases, bracelets and ties. Eager fans line up Rushcutters Bay Road to spend their hard earned money.
The music store Nicholson’s is the Australian agent for the Beatles ‘Vox’ valve guitar amplifiers and they’re well aware they have to be in top shape for every performance. So they book prominent Sydney engineer Bruce Brown to come to the Stadium with complete sets of new valves and check out each amplifier before the first concert. He tells me if any of their amps. are not working, it’ll be difficult to tell with the unbelievable racket going on. He also checks out the revolving stage as it revolves around once, then back again otherwise all the wiring will get tangled up.
The Stadium is full the concert starts, the first half is popular local acts, all receiving a great response. After a short interval the Beatles make their entrance dressed in their custom signature suits and ties, running single file down the aisle carrying their guitars. The crowd goes totally wild. The opening F chord of ‘A Hard Days Night’ is a mix of guitar chords and although the Beatles recorded it only 2 months ago at EMI studios, DJ Bob Rogers has been playing a rushed 45rpm single for a week in his programs. And that’s enough for every fan tonight to instantly recognise it.
The music store Nicholson’s is the Australian agent for the Beatles ‘Vox’ valve guitar amplifiers and they’re well aware they have to be in top shape for every performance. So they book prominent Sydney engineer Bruce Brown to come to the Stadium with complete sets of new valves and check out each amplifier before the first concert. He tells me if any of their amps. are not working, it’ll be difficult to tell with the unbelievable racket going on. He also checks out the revolving stage as it revolves around once, then back again otherwise all the wiring will get tangled up.
The Stadium is full the concert starts, the first half is popular local acts, all receiving a great response. After a short interval the Beatles make their entrance dressed in their custom signature suits and ties, running single file down the aisle carrying their guitars. The crowd goes totally wild. The opening F chord of ‘A Hard Days Night’ is a mix of guitar chords and although the Beatles recorded it only 2 months ago at EMI studios, DJ Bob Rogers has been playing a rushed 45rpm single for a week in his programs. And that’s enough for every fan tonight to instantly recognise it.
So when John, Paul and George deliver this crashing F chord, 12,000 fans see stars and almost lift the roof off. And that’s all we hear of their new hit, and neither do the Beatles, they’ve experienced this before and glance at each other’s guitars and body language, to keep in time.
And that’s all we hear, the opening notes of each song. After each one the stage slowly revolves 90 degrees and as soon as the fans identify the next hit, a crescendo level of screaming starts. It doesn’t go up and down, it doesn’t come in waves, as each 3 minute song ends, it subsides until the next one starts. We clamp our ear plugs tighter with our hands over our ears as the temperature rises. Thousands of girls under sixteen occupy the most expensive seats in a state of delirium, many are hurried off to the first aid room too excited to stand anymore.
And that’s all we hear, the opening notes of each song. After each one the stage slowly revolves 90 degrees and as soon as the fans identify the next hit, a crescendo level of screaming starts. It doesn’t go up and down, it doesn’t come in waves, as each 3 minute song ends, it subsides until the next one starts. We clamp our ear plugs tighter with our hands over our ears as the temperature rises. Thousands of girls under sixteen occupy the most expensive seats in a state of delirium, many are hurried off to the first aid room too excited to stand anymore.
40 minutes later the Beatles amazing performance of their 12 original hits comes to a deafening close by the screaming fans, many shocked the concert is over and their idols are leaving. The stage lights go down and immediately lines of police move in to escort the 4 Moptops from the stage and we sit there totally exhausted from the 100+ Decibel sound levels and the oppressive humidity.
Then we manage to get to our feet watching our step as we slowly move out with the exhausted young fans, most too hoarse to speak shaking their heads suffering temporary deafness.
The giant stadium takes about 60 minutes to empty and clear all the exits. In the street outside we see people scatter as an ambulance leaves with its siren blaring. Then it’s all repeated again for the 2nd concert, with more of the same merchandise for another 12,000 excited fans. Then comes the same first half, followed by the same 12 Beatles songs with the same levels of fans hysteria, same 100db sound levels, same oppressive heat, same exhausted police and attendants, finishing the same with totally exhausted crowds. Attendants clean the Stadium some amazed the flimsy construction has withstood it all.
Then we manage to get to our feet watching our step as we slowly move out with the exhausted young fans, most too hoarse to speak shaking their heads suffering temporary deafness.
The giant stadium takes about 60 minutes to empty and clear all the exits. In the street outside we see people scatter as an ambulance leaves with its siren blaring. Then it’s all repeated again for the 2nd concert, with more of the same merchandise for another 12,000 excited fans. Then comes the same first half, followed by the same 12 Beatles songs with the same levels of fans hysteria, same 100db sound levels, same oppressive heat, same exhausted police and attendants, finishing the same with totally exhausted crowds. Attendants clean the Stadium some amazed the flimsy construction has withstood it all.
Then the Beatles return to their Kings Cross hotel with battalions of excited teenagers waiting the rest of the night in the street outside for their appearance on the balcony. And at times to wild cheering they do, till they retire exhausted about 2am. The next day, Saturday June 20 it all starts again with another 2 concerts complete with hordes of screaming teenyboppers, more police and busy St. John’s Ambulance attendants.
The following Monday the Sydney newspapers give glowing reports of the Beatles concerts. Parents are thankful their offspring returned home safely, but worried the ringing in their young ears is only temporary. DJ Bob Rogers enjoyed it all and years later told me he wished he’d kept all his original Beatles Parlophone 45 RPM records, they’ve only been played a few times and they’ll be worth a fortune as the years go on.
After more concerts, by July 1st. it’s all over. The Beatles fly out of Sydney destination London, after Beatlemania swamped us in Australia, changing our pop culture forever.
The following Monday the Sydney newspapers give glowing reports of the Beatles concerts. Parents are thankful their offspring returned home safely, but worried the ringing in their young ears is only temporary. DJ Bob Rogers enjoyed it all and years later told me he wished he’d kept all his original Beatles Parlophone 45 RPM records, they’ve only been played a few times and they’ll be worth a fortune as the years go on.
After more concerts, by July 1st. it’s all over. The Beatles fly out of Sydney destination London, after Beatlemania swamped us in Australia, changing our pop culture forever.
Allan Black Part 49
In every Australian picture theatre in the late 1950s and early 1960s before the first movie begins, we all stand up for ‘God Save the Queen,’ at the time Australia’s National Anthem. There’s a 2 bar drum roll to introduce it giving us time to get to our feet, and everyone in the theatre does this, we all stand reverently till it ends.
Australia was and at the time of writing still is, a member of the British Empire and any news about British Royalty is big news in all newspapers and leads most news bulletins.
Australia was and at the time of writing still is, a member of the British Empire and any news about British Royalty is big news in all newspapers and leads most news bulletins.
It’s Monday 25th January 1965. On the 4th floor at 2UE, I’m busy panelling the afternoon program in B booth when the news department teleprinter clatters away, printing an item from Reuters News Agency. After detailing his failing health, it announces that British icon Sir Winston Churchill has died. To quote, ‘He was not an institution but a man of wit, chuckling humour and penetrating understanding who spoke to us, not from mountain tops but one who expressed the simple and enduring feelings of ordinary men and women.’ His last words were “I’m bored with it all.” Maybe, but even though he lost public office after WW2, his world fame and sense of humour endured. Churchill was a fan of a drink, in particular Champagne. He once said, “I could not live without Champagne, in victory I deserve it, in defeat I need it.”
The 2UE news editor Don Angel is informed, a prewritten news bulletin is updated with the details, a copy is passed to Geoff Marshall on duty and sent off to the network. Geoff announces a news flash and we cross for the short bulletin.
The 2UE news editor Don Angel is informed, a prewritten news bulletin is updated with the details, a copy is passed to Geoff Marshall on duty and sent off to the network. Geoff announces a news flash and we cross for the short bulletin.
During the news and following protocol, a package of records is passed to me and I unwrap it. Inside is a collection of LP’s with a playlist of the music to be played in the event of Sir Winston’s passing. At this time this is standard procedure for each member of British royalty. After the news bulletin Geoff announces the time, and we suspend all current programming while I play Beethoven's 5th Symphony, the first classical music track from the extensive list.
And that’s all we do for the rest of the day, no regular programming, no Top 40, no advertising, no announcements from Geoff, only my list of sombre classical music, track after track, interspersed with hourly news bulletins. This goes on till the stroke of midnight, after which the midnight to dawn announcer resumes normal programming.
Every 2nd Thursday, each of the 8 panel operators is scheduled on duty, some on production while we all get paid. A girl from the 5th floor offices comes around with envelopes addressed to each of us, and it’s all in cash. By now I’m getting restless, not because I want more money although that would be good, I just know my time at 2UE is coming to an end, probably because a few of the other operators have moved on and I’m getting older. (sic) A friend of 2UE drive time announcer Scott Newman aka Paul Ricketts, is Ron Purvis a director of Natec Sound Studios one floor down on the 3rd floor at 29 Bligh St. I occasionally see Ron when he comes up to talk to Scott while he’s on air during a record. As he comes past B booth we get to nod to each other, so Mr. Purvis knows what I do.
And that’s all we do for the rest of the day, no regular programming, no Top 40, no advertising, no announcements from Geoff, only my list of sombre classical music, track after track, interspersed with hourly news bulletins. This goes on till the stroke of midnight, after which the midnight to dawn announcer resumes normal programming.
Every 2nd Thursday, each of the 8 panel operators is scheduled on duty, some on production while we all get paid. A girl from the 5th floor offices comes around with envelopes addressed to each of us, and it’s all in cash. By now I’m getting restless, not because I want more money although that would be good, I just know my time at 2UE is coming to an end, probably because a few of the other operators have moved on and I’m getting older. (sic) A friend of 2UE drive time announcer Scott Newman aka Paul Ricketts, is Ron Purvis a director of Natec Sound Studios one floor down on the 3rd floor at 29 Bligh St. I occasionally see Ron when he comes up to talk to Scott while he’s on air during a record. As he comes past B booth we get to nod to each other, so Mr. Purvis knows what I do.
After lunch one day in October, I’m on the ground floor waiting for the lift when Peter Fenton, a recording engineer arrives to take the lift up to Natec Sound Studios on the 3rd floor. We enter together and I ask, “How are you Peter” He answers with, “I’m good, I’m leaving Natec next week to go to Artransa” This is the largest busy Australian film studio. “Really! Who’s got your job?” “No one yet as far as I know.” So when the lift reaches the 3rd, on a whim I get out with Peter and go in and ask to see Ron Purvis. His secretary Mary Holmes answers, “He’s busy right now” She asks can I come back around 5pm, and I do this.
Ron has guessed I’m applying for Peter’s position and after a short interview, he asks “When can you start?” I answer, I’ll have to give notice but I’ll find out how much and call you, thanks very much. So 10 days later after bidding farewell to the folks on the 4th floor for a second time, early next morning I take the lift to the 3rd, to start work as a recording engineer at Natec Sound Studios.
Ron has guessed I’m applying for Peter’s position and after a short interview, he asks “When can you start?” I answer, I’ll have to give notice but I’ll find out how much and call you, thanks very much. So 10 days later after bidding farewell to the folks on the 4th floor for a second time, early next morning I take the lift to the 3rd, to start work as a recording engineer at Natec Sound Studios.