Skyhooks

Skyhooks were an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in March 1973 by mainstays Greg Macainsh on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Imants "Freddie" Strauks on drums.[1] [2] [3]  They were soon joined by Bob "Bongo" Starkie on guitar and backing vocals, and Red Symons on guitar, vocals andkeyboards; Graeme "Shirley" Strachan became lead vocalist in March 1974.[1] [2] [3]  Described as a glam rock band, because of flamboyant costumes and make-up,[4]  Skyhooks addressed teenage issues including buying drugs ("Carlton (Lygon Street Limbo)"), suburban sex ("Balwyn Calling"), the gay scene ("Toorak Cowboy") and loss of girlfriends ("Somewhere in Sydney") by namechecking Australian locales.[1] [5]  According to music historian, Ian McFarlane "[Skyhooks] made an enormous impact on Australian social life".[1]

Skyhooks had #1 albums on the Australian Kent Music Report with their 1974 debut, Living in the 70's (for 16 weeks), and its 1975 follow-up, Ego Is Not a Dirty Word (11 weeks).[6]  Their #1 singles were "Horror Movie" (January 1975) and "Jukebox in Siberia" (November 1990).[6] [7]

Symons left Skyhooks in 1977 and became a radio and television personality. Strachan had solo releases since 1976 and finally left the band in 1978 and was also a radio and television presenter.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  With altered line-ups, Skyhooks continued until they disbanded on 8 June 1980; they briefly reformed in 1983, 1984, 1990 and 1994.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARIAList_8-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[8] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARIA1992_9-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[9]  Lead singer, Strachan died on 29 August 2001, aged 49, in a helicopter crash while solo piloting.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Their original lead singer, Steve Hill, died in October 2005, aged 52, of liver cancer.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2011, the Skyhooks album Living in the 70s was added to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia's Sounds of Australia registry.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[10]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">

Contents
[hide]  *1 History <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;"> ==History<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Early years<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Greg Macainsh and Imants "Freddie" Strauks both attended Norwood High School in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood and formed Spare Parts in 1966 with Macainsh on bass guitar and Strauks on lead vocals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSpare_11-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[11]  Spare Parts was followed by Sound Pump in 1968,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSound_12-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[12]  Macainsh formed Reuben Tice in Eltham, with Tony Williams on vocals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerReuben_13-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[13]  By 1970 Macainsh was back with Strauks, now ondrums, first in Claptrap<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerClaptrap_14-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14]  and by 1971 in Frame which had Graeme "Shirley" Strachan as lead vocalist.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerFrame_15-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]  Frame also included Pat O'Brien on guitar and Cynthio Ooms on guitar.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerFrame_15-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]  Strachan had befriended Strauks earlier—he sang with Strauks on the way to parties—and was asked to join Claptrap which was renamed as Frame.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-JenB_16-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16]  Strachan stayed in Frame for about 18 months but left for a career in carpentry and a hobby of surfing in Phillip Island.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-JenB_16-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16]
 * 1.1 Early years
 * 1.2 Living in the 70's
 * 1.3 Ego Is Not a Dirty Word
 * 1.4 Later years to break-up
 * 1.5 Reformations and later releases
 * 1.6 After Skyhooks
 * 2 Members
 * 3 Discography
 * 3.1 Studio albums
 * 3.2 Compilation albums
 * 3.3 Live albums
 * 3.4 Singles
 * 4 See also
 * 5 References
 * 6 External links

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Skyhooks formed in March 1973 in Melbourne with Steve Hill on vocals (ex-Lillee), Peter Ingliss on guitar (The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band), Macainsh on bass guitar and backing vocals, Peter Starkie on guitar and backing vocals (Lipp & the Double Dekker Brothers) and Strauks on drums and backing vocals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  The name, Skyhooks, came from a fictional organisation in the 1956 film Earth vs. the Flying Saucers. Their first gig was on 16 April 1973 at St Jude's Church hall in Carlton.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  At a later gig, former Daddy Cool frontman, Ross Wilson was playing in his group Mighty Kong with Skyhooks as a support act. Wilson was impressed with the fledgling band and signed Macainsh to a publishing deal.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  In August, Bob "Bongo" Starkie (Mary Jane Union) on guitar replaced his older brother Peter (later in Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons) and Ingliss was replaced by Red Symons (Scumbag) on guitar, vocals and keyboards.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  The two new members added a touch of theatre and humour to the band's visual presence.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  By late 1973, Wilson had convinced Michael Gudinski to sign the band to his booking agency, Australian Entertainment Exchange, and eventually to Gudinski's label, Mushroom Records.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Skyhooks gained a cult following around Melbourne including university intelligentsia and pub rockers,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  but a poorly received show at the January 1974 Sunbury Pop Festival saw the group booed off stage.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Two tracks from their live set, "Hey What's the Matter?" and "Love on the Radio" appeared on Mushroom's Highlights of Sunbury '74.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  After seeing his performance on TV, Hill phoned Macainsh and resigned.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  To replace Hill, in March, Macainsh recruited occasional singer, surfer and carpenter Strachan from his Frame era.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-JenB_16-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16]  Strachan had been dubbed "Shirley" by fellow surfers due to his curly blond hair a la Shirley Temple.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-JenB_16-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16] ===Living in the 70's<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Main article: Living in the 70'sSkyhooks' debut album Living in the 70's<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">For Skyhooks, the replacement of Hill by Strachan was a pivotal moment, as Strachan had remarkable vocal skills, and a magnetic stage and screen presence.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] Alongside Macainsh's lyrics, another facet of the group was the twin-guitar sound of Starkie and Symons.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Adopting elements of glam rock in their presentation, and lyrics that presented frank depictions of the social life of young Australia in the 1970s, the band shocked conservative middle Australia with their outrageous (for the time) costumes, make-up, lyrics, and on-stage activities.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  A 1.2 metre (4 ft) high mushroom-shaped phallus was confiscated by Adelaide police after a performance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jenkins_17-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17]  Six of the ten tracks on their debut album, Living in the 70's, were banned by the Federation of Australian Commercial Broadcasters for their sex and drug references,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  "Toorak Cowboy", "Whatever Happened to the Revolution?", "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed", "Hey What's the Matter", "Motorcycle Bitch" and "Smut".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Much of the group's success derived from its distinctive repertoire, mostly penned by bass guitarist Macainsh,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  with an occasional additional song from Symons—who wrote "Smut" and performed its lead vocals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-APRA_Smut_18-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[18]  Although Skyhooks were not the first Australian rock band to write songs in a local setting—rather than ditties about love or songs about New York or other foreign lands—they were the first to become commercially successful doing so.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Skyhooks songs addressed teenage issues including buying drugs ("Carlton (Lygon Street Limbo)"), suburban sex ("Balwyn Calling"), the gay scene ("Toorak Cowboy") and loss of girlfriends ("Somewhere in Sydney") by namechecking Australian locales.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-21" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Radio personality, Billy Pinnell described the importance of their lyrics in tackling Australia's cultural cringe: <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:inherit;">[Macainsh] broke down all the barriers [...] opening the door for Australian rock 'n' roll songwriters to write about local places and events. He legitimised Australian songwriting and it meant that Australians became themselves.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-21" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]

—Billy Pinnell, quoted in Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia p. 104<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The first Skyhooks single, "Living in the 70's", was released in August,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  ahead of the album, and peaked at #7 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Charts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Living in the 70's initially charted only in Melbourne upon its release on 28 October 1974. It went on to spend 16 weeks at the top of the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Charts from February to June 1975.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  The album was produced by Wilson,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  and became the best selling Australian album, to that time,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  with 226,000 copies sold in Australia.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Eliezer_20-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Skyhooks returned to the Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1975. They were declared the best performers by Rolling Stone Australia and The Age reviewers, and Gudinski now took over their management.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sunbury75_21-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[21] The second single, "Horror Movie", reached #1 for two weeks in March.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  The band's success was credited by Gudinski with saving his struggling Mushroom Records and enabled it to develop into the most successful Australian label of its time.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-JenB_16-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Eliezer_20-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The success of the album was also due to support by a new pop music television show Countdown on national public broadcaster ABC Television, rather than promotion by commercial radio.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  "Horror Movie" was the first song played on the first colour transmission of Countdown in early 1975.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-24" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Despite the radio ban, the ABC's newly established 24-hour rock music station Double Jay chose the album's fifth track, the provocatively titled "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed", as its first ever broadcast on 19 January. ===Ego Is Not a Dirty Word<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Main article: Ego Is Not a Dirty Word<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Skyhooks' 1975 national tour promoting Living in the 70's finished at Melbourne's Festival Hall with their ANZAC Day (25 April) performance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-25" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  They were supported by comedy singer Bob Hudson, heavy rockers AC/DC and New Zealand band Split Enz.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jenkins_17-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17]  Strachan then took two weeks off and considered leaving the band, however he returned—newly married—and they continued recording the follow-up album, Ego Is Not a Dirty Word.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-26" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-JenB_16-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16]  Initially, they were locked out of the recording studio until their manager, Gudinski, sent down the money still owed for recording the first album.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Eliezer_20-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]  Ego Is Not a Dirty Word spent 11 weeks at the top of the Australian album chart from 21 July 1975,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  and sold 210,000 copies.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Eliezer_20-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]  It was produced by Wilson again,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  with the single, "Ego is Not a Dirty Word" issued in March ahead of the album,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  peaking at #1.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Next single, "All My Friends Are Getting Married" reached #5 in July,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  and was followed by "Million Dollar Riff" at #2 in October.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  Macainsh's then girlfriend, Jenny Brown,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  described the band in her 1975 book, Skyhooks : Million Dollar Riff.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Brown_22-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[22]  A live version of Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock" from a December performance was released as a single in March 1976 and reached #13.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">With Australian commercial success achieved, Skyhooks turned to the US market. Gudinski announced a $1.5 million deal with Mercury Records/Phonogram Records,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-24" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  which released a modified international version of Ego Is Not a Dirty Word with "Horror Movie" and "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed" from their first Australian album replacing two tracks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-25" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  A US tour followed in March–April 1976, but critics described them as imitators of Kiss due to the similarity of Symons' make-up & stage act to that of Gene Simmons,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]  and despite limited success in Boston, Massachusetts andJacksonville, Florida they failed to make in-roads into the general US market.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-26" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] ===Later years to break-up<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Main articles: Red Symons, Graeme Strachan and Bob Spencer<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">After completing their 1976 US tour, the band remained in San Francisco and recorded their third album with Wilson producing, Straight in a Gay Gay World—called Living in the 70's for US release with "Living in the 70's" replacing "The Girl Says She's Bored"—which appeared in August and peaked at #3 on the Australian album charts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  In July, upon return to Australia they launched The Brats Are Back Tour with a single, "This is My City",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  which reached the Top 20.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  "Blue Jeans" followed in August and peaked at #13 on the singles chart.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  By October, Strachan provided his debut solo single, "Every Little Bit Hurts" (a cover of Brenda Holloway's 1964 hit), which reached #3.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  In February 1977, Symons left the band and was replaced on guitar by Bob Spencer (Finch later called Contraband).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-29" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  With Symons' departure the band dropped the glam rock look and used a more straight forward hard rock approach.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-30" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">During 1977 Skyhooks toured nationally three times, while their first single with Spencer, "Party to End All Parties", peaked into the top 30 in May.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-31" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  Strachan released his second solo single, a cover ofSmokey Robinson's "Tracks of My Tears", which reached the top 20 in July.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-32" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Meanwhile, Mushroom released a singles anthology, The Skyhooks Tapes, which entered the top 50 in September.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-33" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19] The band's mass popularity had declined although they still kept their live performances exciting and irreverent.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-34" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In January 1978 they toured New Zealand and performed at the Nambassa festival. In February their next single, "Women in Uniform",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  was issued and peaked at #8, while its album Guilty Until Proven Insane followed in March and reached #6.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-35" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  The album was produced by Americans Eddie Leonetti and Jack Douglas.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  The second single from the album, "Megalomania" issued in May,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  did not peak into the top 40.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Strachan told band members he intended to leave—but it was not officially announced for six months—he continued regular shows until his final gig with Skyhooks on 29 July.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3] Strachan released further solo singles, "Mr Summer" in October and "Nothing but the Best" in January 1979,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-36" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1]  but neither charted in the top 50.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Strachan's replacement in Skyhooks, on lead vocals, was Tony Williams (ex-Reuben Tice with Macainsh).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-37" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-29" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Williams first single for Skyhooks, "Over the Border", reached the top 40 in April,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  and their fifth studio album, Hot for the Orient, appeared in May 1980,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  but failed to peak into the top 50.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-21" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  From 1975 to 1977, Skyhooks were—alongside Sherbet—the most commercially successful group in Australia, but over the next few years, Skyhooks rapidly faded from the public eye with the departure of key members, and in 1980 the band announced its break-up in controversial circumstances. Ian "Molly" Meldrum, usually a supporter of Skyhooks, savaged Hot for the Orient on his "Humdrum" segment ofCountdown—viewers demanded that the band appear on a following show to defend it.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jeff_5-30" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5]  Poor reception of the album both by the public and reviewers led the band to take out a page-sized ad in the local music press declaring "Why Don't You All Get Fu**ed" (title of one of their songs) and they played their last performance on 8 June in Kalgoorlie.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-38" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3] ===Reformations and later releases<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In December 1982, Mushroom released a medley of Skyhooks songs as "Hooked on Hooks" which peaked at #21.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kent_6-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Demands for the "classic" line-up of the band—Macainsh, Bob Starkie, Strachan, Strauks and Symons—to reform were successful and on 23 April 1983, they started the Living in the 80's Tour.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-39" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]  Support acts for the first concert included The Church, Mental as Anything, The Party Boys, The Sunnyboys, and Midnight Oil—who acknowledged, "Hooks were the only Australian band they would let top the bill above them".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-40" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RageBio_23-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[23]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">A one-off reunion concert took place in October 1984, and in 1990 the band finally recorded new material, including "Jukebox in Siberia", released in September,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  which peaked at the top of the ARIA Singles Charts for two weeks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-AusCharts_7-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[7]  In November, The Latest and Greatest: 16 Greatest Hits, a compilation album, was released, which peaked at #4 on the ARIA Albums Charts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-AusCharts_7-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[7]  The tracks were taken from Skyhooks' first four studio albums along with two recent singles, "Jukebox In Siberia" and the uncharted "Tall Timber".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-AusCharts_7-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[7] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARIAList_8-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[8]  while their manager, Gudunski, and record label, Mushroom Records, received a 'Special Achievement Award'.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARIA1992_9-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[9]  Producer of their first three albums, Wilson, had been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989 as an individual and again as a member of Daddy Cool in 2006.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARIAHoF_24-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The final release of new Skyhooks material came in June 1999 when a twin-CD, Skyhooks: The Collection, was issued.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-McF_1-41" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Howl_3-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]  Disc one contained a greatest hits package, very similar to "The Latest and Greatest", with additional tracks. Disc two is referred to by fans as "The Lost Album", with previously unreleased songs from their 1990 and 1994 recording sessions. ===After Skyhooks<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Strachan and Symons each went on to successful careers in Australian media including radio and television. Symons works on ABC radio and writes humorous newspaper columns. Starkie played locally with different bands including Ol' Skydaddys,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  and Ram Band Strauks was drummer for Melbourne rock band The Sports, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, folk band The Bushwackers and the Ol' Skydaddys.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] Macainsh played with John Farnham on his Whispering Jack Tour and with Dave Warner's from the Suburbs,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  in 1988 he put together and managed a very successful AC/DC tribute band called Back in Black who went on to support Skyhooks on their comeback tour. He was a board member of Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) (1997–2000) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) (2001–2006),<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]  and is an intellectual property lawyer.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[26] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[27]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Strachan was killed in an air crash on 29 August 2001, when the helicopter he was learning to fly solo crashed into Mount Archer near Kilcoy, northwest of Brisbane. A memorial concert was held on 11 September 2001 at the Palais Theatre, tributes were paid and some remaining members—Strauks, Macainsh, Starkie, Symons and Spencer—performed with guest vocalists Daryl Braithwaite and Wilson. It is the only time Symons and his replacement, Spencer performed together on stage. Braithwaite performed "All My Friends Are Getting Married" with the band whilst Wilson sang the rare Skyhooks track "Warm Wind in the City".

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The 30th anniversary of the release of the Living In The 70's album was commemorated in 2004, with different incarnations of the band performing. Absent were Strachan, Hill and Ingliss. Vocals were by Wilson, Williams and Bob Starkie. The original line up of Skyhooks including Hill reformed in 2005 at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney for a one-off gig, a benefit for Hill, who had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The line-up of Ingliss, Peter Starkie, Strauks and Macainsh joined him onstage—Hill died six weeks later. In November 2009, the "Skyhooks Tour Archive", displayed on the band's website, listed 925 live shows.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Macainsh, Starkie and Strauks appeared as Skyhooks at the 2009 Helpmann Awards in Sydney. They performed "Women in Uniform" with Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes providing vocals. Red Symons was also slated to perform with the band, but was replaced by Diesel after withdrawing a few days before the show.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:20.363636016845703px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On 7 April 2010, 3AW reported that Skyhooks were to appear on the first episode of the new series of Hey Hey It's Saturday with Leo Sayer on vocals. Sayer later appeared on air and denied the claims.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="line-height:1;white-space:nowrap;">[citation needed] ==Members<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Discography<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Studio albums<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Compilation albums<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Live albums<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Singles<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ===
 * Classic lineup<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[28]
 * Greg Macainsh – bass guitar, backing vocals (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
 * Imants "Freddie" Strauks (aka "Freddie Kaboodleschnitzer") – drums, backing vocals, (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
 * Bob Starkie (aka "Bongo Starr") – guitar, backing vocals (1973–1980, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
 * Red Symons – lead guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards (1973–1977, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994)
 * Graeme "Shirley" Strachan – lead vocals (1974–1978, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1994; died 2001)
 * Other members<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ARDb_2-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SpencerSkyhooks_19-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]
 * Steve Hill – lead vocals (1973–1974; died 2005)
 * Peter Ingliss – guitar (1973)
 * Peter Starkie – guitar (1973)
 * Bob Spencer – guitar (1977–1980)
 * Tony Williams – lead vocals (1978–1980)
 * Living in the 70's (1974)
 * Ego Is Not a Dirty Word (1975)
 * Straight in a Gay Gay World (1976)
 * Guilty Until Proven Insane (1978)
 * Hot for the Orient (1980)
 * The Skyhooks Tapes (1977)
 * The Best of Skyhooks (1979)
 * The Skyhooks Box (1982)
 * The Latest and Greatest (1990)
 * The Skyhooks Roadcase (1996)
 * The Collection (1998)
 * The Lost Album (1999)
 * Live! Be in It (1978)
 * Live in the 80's (1983)