The Hepparays

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The Hepparays
Also known asLucky Starr and The Hepparays
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresRock n roll, country
Years active1957 (1957)–1963 (1963)
LabelsFestival
Past membersTony Caperero
Bruce Gurr
Lucky Starr
Dave Taylor
Owen Smith

The Hepparays was an Australian rock n roll music group which formed in 1957 with Tony Caperero on lead guitar, Bruce Gurr on piano, Lucky Starr (aka Les Morrison) on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Dave Taylor played bass and Owen Smith played drums and percussion.[1][2] Starr had met his band mates on the train on his way to work at a power station.[3] Their initial gigs were playing instrumentals in a gym while people exercised.[3]

In 1959 the group issued one of Australia's first rock n roll instrumental singles, "Xmas Rock Medley".[1] In March 1962 they released the novelty single, "I've Been Everywhere", which name drops 94 Australian locations.[1][2][4] It peaked at No. 1 on the Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide singles charts, No. 2 in Melbourne and No. 4 in Perth.[5] Starr and the song's writer, Geoff Mack, travelled to the United States where an Americanised version written by Mack became a hit for Hank Snow.[1][2][5] By early 1963 The Hepparays had disbanded and when Starr returned to Australia later that year he pursued a solo career.[1]

Discography[edit]

  • "Sentimental Journey" "When You Come Back To Me" "Baby Be Mine" "Baby Don't Lie" 1960

References[edit]

General
  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 24 December 2012. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e McFarlane 'Lucky Starr' entry. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "The Australian Country Music Hands of Fame: Lucky Starr 1980". Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. Country Music Association of Australia. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b Lorente, Jesus (13 May 2009). "Lucky Starr (Sidney, 1940)". Diccionario Rockabilly. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Song Takes Man Nearly Everywhere". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 31 August 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  5. ^ a b Nuttall, Lyn. ""I've Been Everywhere" – Lucky Starr (1962)". Where Did They Get That Song?. PopArchives.com.au. Retrieved 24 December 2012.