Introducing Gary Burrows
Born and raised in Adelaide, Gary first began to play drums in the early 60s with a number of start-up bands. However, his first working band ‘The Evergreens’ released a single that he wrote called “Country Lane”. There is more information about the Evergreens under the title at the top of the pages. Gary has written over 260 songs which are registered with The Australasian Performing Right Association. He had a 2 year absence from bands when he was 20 due to the then mandatory requirements for Australian men to serve in the Army. Being a drummer meant that instead of marching every day, he got to play the snare drum that all of the soldiers marched along to.
When he returned to Adelaide he joined ‘Brass Carnival’, a band that regularly supported visiting national and international artists during the 70s including; John Farnham, Robin Jolly, Pussyfoot, Cleo Laine, Bev Harrell, Jeff Saint John and many more. The band moved to Sydney (minus the brass section), and began touring up and down the East Coast. It was during this time that Gary got to see a lot of bands perform. He really enjoyed the different music he experienced, especially a popular guitar band called “The Radiators”.
When Brass carnival disbanded Gary came back to Adelaide and joined a band soon to be known as “THE BOYS”. The Boys became very popular, and it wasn’t long before Gary was back on tour. This time the tours were Australia wide and they travelled in the bands own tour bus for 5 or 6 years, along with their entourage which included their roadcrew, mixing engineer, stage engineer, lighting expert, driver and their manager.
Music has been Gary’s life – he toured Australia as a drummer/singer/songwriter with “Brass Carnival” and later on “The Boys”. Songs that he wrote during that period “One Little Kiss” and “Who Was That?” made the local top ten charts here in Adelaide whilst his “Peter Motley” tribute song, aimed at raising money to help with Peter’s rehabilitation after a serious car accident in Melbourne, reached number 3 and stayed in the national charts for a number of weeks. Prior to these bands Gary, at the age of 13/14 played in a small three piece, piano, guitar and drums band formed with friends from Campbelltown High School. They were still learning their instruments but were hired by local church groups to play 60/40 music at community dances. They were so raw they had to ask the organisers, “What songs suit a barndance, quickstep etc.” before launching into the nearest song they could imagine suited – often it didn’t, but the church group was so sympathetic and supportive of these young lads trying to find their way that they excused their incompetence and dealt with the irregular dance steps and timing to still enjoy a night out. Their Mums and Dads would arrive after the shows to drive them home with their equipment.
Next came a band called The Toltecs, a guitar-based rock band. Gary had to be driven to practice at one of the guitarists’ homes in Glenelg by his father who had to either put up with the loud rehearsal or wait in his car for the practice to finish. It resulted in one gig at the Magill Institute. Entry was sixpence; his Mum and Dad sold the tickets at the door and made cups of tea for the small number of patrons. But hey, he was slowly moving up. Following came a band called “Confusion” where he, for the first time, played guitar and sang. Bob Bobridge, a friend from work, took over the drums, and this group secured a number of gigs playing 60’s material – one exclusive booking being the basement of Witchery’s Rundle Street store every Saturday morning, organised by the manager at the time, Ron Magain.
The start of more commercial, working bands featured The Evergreens, three brothers, Arthur, Trevor and Rex Moulds. Their father Rex had played drums until recently deciding to retire. Gary took that spot and once again was driven to practice most Friday nights. The families became close friends and spent many social hours together whilst the experience and proficiency of the musicians made for regular paid gigs. Gary wrote one of his first songs to be recorded with THE EVERGREENS. A song called “Country Lane” at Sate recordings on a crisp acetate which still exists today, although digital copies have been enhanced and mastered for historical reasons. Later when Rex (guitar) decided to travel a very competent guy, Bob Emery, took over.
Brass Carnival was the next major band that Gary joined
Gary’s next band “The Rustlers” were sought after throughout South Australia. His drums had been replaced by his trusty Rickenbacker guitar and four albums of original music along with the bands’ choice of appropriate 60’s songs provide pulsating sets of their own style of “beat” music. These four Rustlers albums can be heard on Spotify. Gary has been inducted into the South Australian Country Music “Hands/Hall of Fame” and recently into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame for his work with APRA over 30 years and his dedication to the music industry as a songwriter/performer and supporter of original music over those years. He was also awarded THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY MUSIC SA.
Music has been Gary’s life – he toured Australia as a drummer/singer/songwriter with “Brass Carnival” and later on “The Boys”. Songs that he wrote during that period “One Little Kiss” and “Who Was That?” made the local top ten charts here in Adelaide whilst his “Peter Motley” tribute song, aimed at raising money to help with Peter’s rehabilitation after a serious car accident in Melbourne, reached number 3 and stayed in the national charts for a number of weeks. Prior to these bands Gary, at the age of 13/14 played in a small three piece, piano, guitar and drums band formed with friends from Campbelltown High School. They were still learning their instruments but were hired by local church groups to play 60/40 music at community dances. They were so raw they had to ask the organisers, “What songs suit a barndance, quickstep etc.” before launching into the nearest song they could imagine suited – often it didn’t, but the church group was so sympathetic and supportive of these young lads trying to find their way that they excused their incompetence and dealt with the irregular dance steps and timing to still enjoy a night out. Their Mums and Dads would arrive after the shows to drive them home with their equipment.
Next came a band called The Toltecs, a guitar-based rock band. Gary had to be driven to practice at one of the guitarists’ homes in Glenelg by his father who had to either put up with the loud rehearsal or wait in his car for the practice to finish. It resulted in one gig at the Magill Institute. Entry was sixpence; his Mum and Dad sold the tickets at the door and made cups of tea for the small number of patrons. But hey, he was slowly moving up. Following came a band called “Confusion” where he, for the first time, played guitar and sang. Bob Bobridge, a friend from work, took over the drums, and this group secured a number of gigs playing 60’s material – one exclusive booking being the basement of Witchery’s Rundle Street store every Saturday morning, organised by the manager at the time, Ron Magain.
The start of more commercial, working bands featured The Evergreens, three brothers, Arthur, Trevor and Rex Moulds. Their father Rex had played drums until recently deciding to retire. Gary took that spot and once again was driven to practice most Friday nights. The families became close friends and spent many social hours together whilst the experience and proficiency of the musicians made for regular paid gigs. Gary wrote one of his first songs to be recorded with THE EVERGREENS. A song called “Country Lane” at Sate recordings on a crisp acetate which still exists today, although digital copies have been enhanced and mastered for historical reasons. Later when Rex (guitar) decided to travel a very competent guy, Bob Emery, took over.
Brass Carnival was the next major band that Gary joined – more can be read under the title in the pages above.
