The
Pink Finks
Melbourne
1964-66 |
Dave
Cameron [gtr]
Rick
Dalton [gtr/vcls]
Michael
Edwards [sax/tpt] 1966
Richard
Franklin [dr]
Ross
Hannaford [vcls/gtr]
Chris
Kinman [bs] 1966
Leigh
Landsdowne [dr] 1966
Niven,
Jimmy (kbds) 1966
Geoff
Ratz [bs]
Ross
Wilson [vcls/gtr]
Biography
The Pink Finks is an especially notable group, being
the first in the series of bands featuring Wilson and Hannaford, which
eventually culminated in the hugely successful Daddy
Cool. The Finks formed in early 1965 when 16 year-old R&B fanatic
Ross Wilson joined forces with Ross Hannaford's schoolboy outfit The
Fauves, which played Shadows Ventures covers. They were a part-time
band, since the members were all still at school at the time. Ross Hannaford,
who was only 14 when the band formed, was often driven to gigs by his mum,
and had to be sneaked in and out of the licensed venues they played at
because he was underage. Inspired by the onslaught of English groups like
The Stolling Stones, The Pretty Things and The Yardbirds, the young band's
repertoire was chiefly R&B and blues covers.
David Cameron replaced original rhythm guitarist
Rick Dalton in early 1965; Dalton later joined Running Jumping Standing
Still with ex-Missing Links
members Andy Anderson and Doug Ford. The Finks released four singles during
their brief career; their first single, released on their own label, Mojo,
was a version of Louie Louie and it gave them an early taste of
success when it was a local hit (#16) in Melbourne in June 1965.
Michael Edwards was added on trumpet and
sax in August '66, but the group folded at the end of the year when Franklin,
Cameron and Ratz left to go to university. It appears from the information
in Who's Who of Australian Rock &Roll that they were replaced,
at least temporarily, by Kinman, Landsdowne and Jimmy Niven, although in
what capacity they contributed is not known. (Jimmy Niven was later
a member of The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band (1973-76) and Sports (1976-80).
Richard Franklin became a successful feature film director; his
Australian credits include The True Story Of Eskimo Nell, Fantasm,
Roadgames and Patrick. In America he has directed Psycho
II, Cloak & Dagger, Link and FX2: The Deadly Art
Of Illusion. David Cameron graduated from NIDA and became an
actor, beginning with a role in the ABC's Bellbird, in 1969; since
then he has notched up an impressive string of series, mini-series and
feauture film appearances, inlcuding Against The Wind and
Dawn!.
Wilson and Hannaford moved on to Party
Machine, Sons Of The Vegetal Mother,
Daddy Cool, and Mighty
Kong
Singles
?/65 Untie Me/Nowhere To Run In INS2451
?/65 Back Door Man/Something Else In INS2505
?/65 Louie Louie/Got Love If You Want It Mojo 001
?/66 You're Good For Me/Comin' Home Baby W&G;
S2625
?/87 It Hurts Me So/Down Mama From The Vault FTV2 1987 |
EP
?/65 In Group In E2558
In Group, plus three other tracks
12/80 Louie Louie Raven RV06
Louie Louie, Back Door Man, Comin' Home/ You're Good,
Rub My Root, Something Else, Untie Me |
References