Rocking and rolling with Bandstand

You don’t need to have an X Factor or a panel of judges telling you that you “Got Talent” as we are going back to where it started… The original and the best: Bandstand.

This Australian variety show was on our screens from 1958 to 1972 and was a fun and entertaining program for the whole family. There was a revival in the mid-’70s with Daryl Somers as the host but tonight we look at the original program!

A regular group of performers appeared on the show on a regular basis and were affectionately known as ‘The Bandstand Family’. They included Col Joye, Little Pattie, Lucky Starr, Digby Richards, The Bee gees, and Olivia Newton-John among others.

Here are our favourite performances from Bandstand over the years:

Tom Bradley

Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs

The Easybeats

Johnny O’Keefe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDxXhtrtR8E

Yvonne Barrett

The Bee Gees

Olivia Newton-John

New release international artists also were also promoted through the show, which is how Australia was introduced to the Swedish quarter, ABBA.

ABBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNXqAcTwYzs

Is there a Bandstand performance that stands out in your mind? WhY? Did you tune into the show? Tell us about your enjoyment of the show.