Hey this is great and about time!!!
I would love to perform with my old bands - SPICE and LFQ and any Jamm Sessions with old friends etc. Those old memories of Kanamaroo, Chris O’Sullivan Memorial Concerts, Wimmera Musicians Club and “Horsham Hanging Loose” (Wedderburn), start rockin’ me gently.
Thanks for the “Heads Up” – lock me in please.
Cheers…Jumpin’ Gypo is back!
Joe Serra
This idea sound like fun and I would certainly like to be a part of it.
Keep me posted on developments.
Regards,
Rick Stephens
Looks like the ball is rolling - BRING IT ON !!!
Yours Sincerely,
Malcom Schier
I used to be the lead singer of a Horsham band called The Sonamatics in the early to mid 1960s. We left Horsham at the height of our popularity towards the end of 1965 to try our luck in Melbourne. We achieved a modicum of success, playing at suburban and city venues as well as making television appearances on Kommotion and the GO Show. We also managed to get a record contract with Festival Records and a record into the charts. It only reached 32 in the Top 40 in early 1966, but still, that was no mean feat when you consider the number of bands that were around in Melbourne at the time. I think it would be great if we could also make a contribution to the reunion concert. The only problem is that it would not be possible to completely reconstitute the band. It would need fill-in players to complete the original line up. But, of course, that's not unusual when bands of our vintage get back together for an event such as this. I have been in touch with Bill Baxter, who was the lead guitarist in the band, and he sounds quite interested. He knows a couple of guys who would be able to fill in on drums and bass. However, I will try and contact some of the other members of the band.
The line up of the band was as follows:
Bill Baxter (Lead guitar)
Derek Hale (Bass)
Errol Holland (Organ, sax)
John McDonald (Rhythm guitar)
Barry McInnes (Drums)
Ferdy van der Riet (Vocals)
Colin Vincent (Rhythm guitar)
Colin joined the band in Melbourne as a replacement for John who could not go due to family commitments.
Ferdy van der Riet
I am excited about seeing some of the great bands from the past and the prospect of jamming with quality musos.
Could you tell Ferdy he is very modest. His band is still the most successful the region has ever produced and the only Wimmera band to ever make an Australian top 40 - WHOA
Let there be rock
Peter Miller (Ash) (Cutting Edge) (Two-Up) (The Leatherheads)
Rift is pumped, we're in, big time.
Wattsy
Thank you for your email regarding the major event you are planning "50
years of Wimmera Rock". Your initiative is to be commended and I am sure
this event will be a great success.
Such events in the Wimmera would be of huge benefit to the local economy as
visitors outside the region would require accommodation and food, this
would increase the patronage of our motels, caravan parks and hotels as
well as all eateries in Horsham.
As you would know, I am a great supporter of country Victoria and I will
support anything good for rural and regional Victoria and the Wimmera. I
have no hesitation in supporting your initiative and should I be able to be
of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
HUGH DELAHUNTY, MLA
MEMBER FOR LOWAN
Thank you for your generous offer to link Wimmera Health Care Group to the major event you have under way "50 years of Wimmera Rock". Your concept is to be congratulated and I am looking forward to the success that events in the Wimmera ultimately are.
Events of this calibre in the Wimmera are of great benefit to the local economy, all levels of business benefit and in this instance the entry by donation is assisting Wimmera Health Care Group.
I have no hesitation in supporting your initiative and should you require assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
Craig Wright
Community Liaison Officer
Wimmera Health Care Group
Horsham 3400
Congratulations on coming up with this fantastic idea to reunite former Wimmera musicians to bring the music ‘home’! Business Horsham is proud to be associated with this event and we will do our utmost to provide for the needs of the performers, visitors and locals who will be supporting the event. We look forward to the economic boost and the benefits this event will create within our business community. To give is to receive and we will be working with the organising team to provide assistance wherever possible. The door is open…..welcome home!
Allison Roberts
Chairperson,
Business Horsham
Many thanks for making contact with our organisation, and we fully support you with this project, we congratulate you on your initiative to not only give the citizens of the Wimmera the opportunity to express their thanks to these excellent local Wimmera musicians who entertained us over such a long period of time, this will also create a great weekend for the citizens of the Wimmera with excellent entertainment.
This will be also a wonderful opportunity for Horsham Rural City Council Promotions Department who are always looking for ways to promote our city, to fully support a great promotion to be held in Horsham, the Service Centre of the Wimmera.
Once again many thanks for inviting our organisation to assist, I can assure you that you have our full support.
Regards,
Dennis Witmitz JP
Executive Officer
Horsham & District Commerce Association Inc.
Congratulation on promoting 50 Years of Wimmera Rock in 2009 this will not only be of great benefit to the City of Horsham, but will also bring back some very fond memories to the citizens of the Wimmera.
We will be happy to make available our community notice board to advertise this promotion, you have our full support.
Yours faithfully,
Mario Plazzer
Chairperson
Committee of Management.
