Skyhooks Band Member Profiles
Gregory John Macainsh (Songwriter)
Born: Melbourne Australia 30/12/50
Previous Bands: Spare Parts,Sound Pump,Reuben Tice,Clap Trap,Frame
Instrument: Bass
First album ever bought: Rolling Stones "Out of our heads".
Fave band from the seventies: Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Favourite Skyhook memory: Playing with Brownsville Station in Flint Michigan'76
Current: mountainbiking,co-writing & production,perfecting a kosher chicken
stock. Special guest at recent Dave Warner Gig-Melbourne 2/6/97.
Favourite Websites:
Red Symons |
Redmond Symons (Songwriter,TV villain)
Born: Brighton-UK.13th June 1949. Migrated to Australia age ten.
Previous Bands: Moloch & the Molecules,Scumbag
Instrument: Guitar,keyboards
First album ever bought: Dr.Johns Gumbo
Current: Hey Hey It's Saturday (TV), Guest Appearance "Good Guys,Bad Guys"(TV)
Solo singles: "Its only a flipside" (EMI'76),
"The Big Time" (Mushroom'87),
"Sex Appeal" (Mushroom'88)
Favourite Websites:
Bongo |
Bob "Bongo" Starkie (Guitarist)
Born: Woomera Rocket Range Australia 26/7/52
Previous Bands: Sound Barria, Elevator,Mary Jane Union
Instrument: Guitar
First album ever bought: Otis Reading Live in Europe
Fave band from the seventies: The Rolling Stones
Favourite Skyhook memory; Sunbury 1975 (Melbourne)
Current: Guitarist for Ol'Skydaddies.
Shirl and Fred |
Imants Alfred Strauks ("Freddy Kaboodleschnitzer") (Drums)
Born: Melbourne Australia 25/12/50
Previous Bands: Spare Parts, Sound Pump, Clap Trap, Frame
Instrument: Drums
First album ever bought: Elvis Presley-Roustabout
Fave band from the seventies: Steely Dan
Favourite Skyhook memory : Landing in America
Current: Drummer for Ol'Skydaddies
Graeme "Shirley" Strachan (vocals)
Born:Malvern Australia 2/1/52
Previous Bands:Frame
Instrument: Vocals
First album ever bought: Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced"
Fave band from the seventies: Pink Floyd
Favourite Skyhook Memory: Sunbury '75
Current: Our House (TV), planning to sail his yacht around the world.
Solo Singles: "Every little bit hurts" (Mushroom'76),
"Tracks of my tears" (Mushroom'77),
"Mr Summer" (Mushroom'78),
"Nothing but the Best" (Mushroom'79),
"Christmas in the Neighbourhood" (Mushroom'79)
Solo Album: "It's all Rock & Roll to me" (Hammard'80)
Sadly on August 29th 2001 Shirl died in a helicopter accident near Kilcoy
north-west of Brisbane Qld. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Graeme 'Shirley' Strachan 1952-2001
The Other 'Hooks
Steve Hill
Joined Skyhooks as Lead Singer in 1973. Departed Feb 1974.
Previous bands: Lillie
Recordings: "Heys whats the matter" & "Love on the radio" on the "Highlights of
Sunbury 1974". Vinyl & cassette. (now deleted).(Mush.L25122)
"All my friends are getting Married" (demo version) from the
Demos & Dialogue Rarities Box Set. (Roadcase.Mush.D80985)available.
Peter Ingliss
Joined Skyhooks on guitar March 1973. Departed July 1973.
Previous band: Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band,Spanner.
Recordings:-Ron Rude LP (1981)
Peter Starkie
Bongo's older brother joined Skyhooks before him, March 1973. Departed July '73.
Previous band: King Bees,Lipp & the Doubledecker Brothers.
Recordings-Poss.Live JoJoZep track.
Bob Spencer
Joined Skyhooks after the departure of Red Symons. Feb'77. Part of the lineup till it's demise in June 1980.
Previous bands: Finch. (Went on to join The Angels/Angel City after Skyhooks).
Recordings- "Beyond Salvation" (The Angels'1990)
Singles: "Party to end all Parties" (Mush'77),
"Women in Uniform" (Mush'78),
"Meglomania" (Mush'78),
"Over the Border" (Mush'79),
"This Town is Boring" (Mush '80),
"Keep the Junk in America" (Mush'80),
"Hooked on Hooks" (Mush'82)
Albums: "Guilty Until proven Insane" (Mush.'78),
"Live! Be in it" (Double-Mush'78),
"Best of Skyhooks" (Mush.'79),
"Hot for the Orient" (Mush.'80),
"Skyhooks Box Set" (Vinyl/cass) (Mush 83),
"Skyhooks Roadcase" (CD) (Mush'96)
Tony Williams
Joined Skyhooks after Shirley's departure. Jan'79 and stayed with the band till their demise in June 1980.
Previous bands: Stunned Mullets,Reuben Tice.
Singles: "Over the Border" (Mush.79),
"This Town is Boring" (Mush'80),
"Keep the Junk in America" (Mush'80),
"Guitar Thunders in my hand" (From the vault'88) Free flexi disc single with magazine.
Albums: "Best of Skyhooks" (Mush'79),
"Hot for the Orient" (Mush.'80),
"Skyhooks Box Set" (Vinyl/Cass) (Mush.'83),
"Skyhooks Roadcase"(CD) (Mush.'96)
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