Flying high with the Skyhooks

It’s hard to think of the iconic Australian band The Skyhooks without thinking about legendary lead singer Graeme “Shirley” Strachan, but it would be a year from when the band originally formed until the voice of the band joined.

The Skyhooks was started by Greg Macainsh and Imants “Freddie” Strauks. Greg was the bass player, and backing vocalist and Freddie played the drums.  They started the band in Melbourne in 1973 with Steve Hill on lead vocals. The band gained a cult following in Melbourne but blew their big chance when they appeared on a showcase during the 1974 Sunbury Pop Festival. The band was booed off stage, and after listening back to the recordings from that session, Steve quit.

Luckily the band new a surfer and carpenter that had gained a bit of success as the lead vocalist for the band Frame. Graeme Strachan, or Shirley as he was known to his surfer mates because his hair looked like Shirley Temple, joined the Skyhooks in 1974.  That wasn’t the only lineup change as Bob “Bongo” Starkie joined the band in late 1974 as a guitarist and Red Symons signed on as a guitarist and vocalist.

This was an important change for the band as they adopted the glam rock style of the 70s with big theatrics, flashy costumes, and makeup. The Skyhooks weren’t just a show but had robust lyrics, an amazing sound thanks to the twin guitars of Bongo and Red.  Six of the ten tracks from their album Livin’ In the 70s were banned from radio play because of their controversial nature.  The controversy only made The Skyhooks the must see band of the 70s youth.

The Skyhooks were one of the biggest bands in Australia which high energy shows and great hit songs like Horror Movie and All My Friends are Getting Married.  The band tried their luck in the US but failed to make a hit.  The failed US tour took its toll on the band with Red leaving the band when they returned to Australia.  Shirley had been releasing some solo tracks that were doing well and announced he was leaving the band in 1978.  

The band still performed with different lineups, but the magic of that initial run was never recaptured.  Everyone from the band went on to successful careers in other areas, but they were brought back together again when tradegy struck.  In 2001, Shirley was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into Mount Archer north-west of Brisbane.  The band held a tribute show to Shirley with old and new lineups coming together for their fallen comrade.

Did you ever have the chance to see The Skyhooks perform live?  What was your favourite Skyhooks song?