The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.  In Part 5 you'll hear Ross Wilson, who saw the band in the very early days, signed Greg to a music publishing deal and then became the producer of the first three Skyhooks albums. Ross' memories take you inside the studio, on the road in the USA and more.   3XY disc jockey Mark Irvine got teamed with Shirl in 1984 for a short term Rocktober on-air promotion that became a permanent pairing. They became a very successful radio team and a professional and personal partnership was formed. Peter Green was a 70s Wollongong teenager who loved the music and that passion led him to Melbourne, where he is now official historian and the man behind the Official Skyhooks Facebook page and YouTube channel, plus curator of Skyhooks memorabilia.      Musical excerpts in this episode  Hey What's the Matter   featuring Steve Hill  live Benefit Concert  Living in the 70's     Shirl solo Live soundcheck Melbourne Music Festival 1988 Love's Not Good Enough    From Ego is Not a Dirty Word  Blue Jeans   from Straight in a Gay Gay World  Women in Uniform  from Guilty Until Proven Insane Jukebox in Siberia     The Latest and Greatest       Ego is Not a Dirty Word    Ross Wilson featuring Bongo Starkie  Five Decades of Cool Palais Theatre 2009 Every Litte Bit Hurts    Shirley Strachan solo single  Crazy Heart    from Straight in a Gay Gay World 3XY Shirl & Irvine Show    1988  courtesy of Ken Francis  Love on the Radio    live from the In the Heat of the Night concert Myer Music Bowl Melbourne 1975 Let it Rock       Hits and Riffs  Meglomania, Life in ther Modern World and Don't Take Your Lurex to the Laundromat    from ABC TV Special  Guilty Until Proven Insane  The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.  In Part 4, the men chosen to replace two of the country's biggest pop stars in one of the country's most popular bands. Bob Spencer - a cocky guitar slinger from the pop group Finch - was enlisted to fill Red Symons' role and singer Tony Williams - an alumni of most of the group - was selected to front the band after Shirley Strachan departed for a media career.  Bob and Tony take us through the early days fitting into the band and finding their place, plus the highs and lows of being a Skyhook.   Musical excerpts in this episode  Meglomania from Guilty Until Proven Insane    BBB Boogie from Guilty Until Proven Insane    Women in Uniform recorded live at Festival Hall Melbourne 1983 ’    Point in the Distance from Guilty Until Proven Insane  Why Don’t You All Get F....D live Sydney Opera House 1978  Carlton Lygon Street Limbo  from the Pint on Pub live show  Over the Border recorded live at Bombay Rock  February 1980    The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.  In Part Three, guitarist Bob Starkie - universally known and loved as 'Bongo' - shares his memories in one of his final interviews before his passing in November 2025. We retrace the early days, pre replacing his brother Peter in Skyhooks, meeting Greg for the first time, being in studio with Ross Wilson, the American tour and life after Skyhooks, including his Rio adventure with Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.  Recorded only weeks before his death, Bob also talks about his health battle and his positivity is testament to the man. Ross Wilson also pays tribute to Bob in a small excerpt from his full Skyhooks chat, which will be in Part 4.    Music in this episode  ‘Hey What’s the Matter’    Sydney Opera House 15th of September 1974. ‘Ego is not a Dirty Word’  Bridgeway Hotel, Pooraka South Australia Sunday 24th September 2023     Vocals Laura Davidson ‘Mercedes Ladies’    from  Ego is not a Dirty Word ‘Every Chase a Steeple’   from Ego is Not a Dirty Word ‘Is this America’   from Straight in a Gay Gay World ‘Carlton Lygon Street Limbo’   'Bongo' Starkie performing with fellow Skyhooks members Greg Macainsh and Bob Spencer 'Rockin' for the legendary Doc Neeson - The Voice of The Angels' in 2013 at Cherry Bar. ‘Horror Movie’      Bongo Starkie's Skyhooks Show performing 'Horror Movie' at the Harley Davidson National Hog Rally Saturday - 23rd September 2023 ‘Party to end all Parties’        from The Skyhooks Tapes ‘Balwyn Calling’      Skyhooks featuring Ross Wilson Rockwiz October 2015 ‘All My Friends are getting Married’     Bongo Starlie’s Skyhooks Show  Adelaide  October 2024  featuring  Sasha Theunissen  on vocals      The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.  In Part Two, guitarist Red Symons shares his recollections of joining the band, recording those groundbreaking first albums, his stage look, leaving the band and his life after Skyhooks, including his very successful media career. Find out which one of the Hooks' biggest hits Red refers to as 'a prick of a song to play' and his memories of Shirl, including visiting the site of his death.  Song excerpts included in this episode in order: Whatever Happened to the Revolution Smut Million Dollar Riff You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed Balwyn Calling  Somewhere in Sydney I'm Normal  Ego Is Not a Dirty Word   The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were. In the first of a four-part series, The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.  Part One features Greg Macainsh, the man who wote the songs, and what game changing songs they were - Living in the Seventies, Balwyn Calling, You Just Like Me Coz I'm Good in Bed, Toorak Cowboy, Women in Uniform and Ego is Not a Dirty Word. Greg created the sound of Skyhooks and lyrically shattered the stereotypical rock song.  Greg shares some of his thoughts on the band, the music, fame and much more.  You will also hear from David Briggs, the former Little River Band guitarist and songwriter given the task of remastering some Skyhooks material over the years.          Songs excerpts included in this episode in order Toorak Cowboy  (demo with Steve Hill on lead vocals) Living in the Seventies Horror Movie  All My Friends are getting Married  Women in Uniform Balwyn Calling Love's not Good Enough    (3XY Rocktober Concert 1984 Hey hey It's Saturday)  Powdertown Carlton ( Lygon Street Limbo)      The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Asher has had a career like a Russian doll. It started as an 8 year old actor working with the likes of Boris Karloff. While Peter's sister Jane became a leading actress, Peter was drawn to music and with Gordon Waller became the worldwide hit making duo Peter & Gordon. They did get some help from Peter's sister's boyfriend and Asher house lodger Paul McCartney, who wrote a few songs the duo recorded. As Peter tells Kevin, being in a recording studio for the first time with Peter & Gordon was where he discovered his next calling - record producer. This led to running Apple Records' A&R Department for The Beatles, discovering James Taylor and relocating to America for the next phase of his incredible career. Peter brilliantly combined being an artist manager and record producer, working with Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Robin Williams, Steve Martin and Diana Ross to name but a few.  It is an incredible career that is still going, both on and off stage, and it is a great privilege to have Peter Asher CBE on The H Files.      The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Kim has been a star for a very long time and his musical footprint started in the legendary Brill Building in New York, the mecca for budding songwriters from all over the world. When a young, wide-eyed Canadian walked in for a meeting with Jeff Barry, it was a life changing experience, and the start of a Hall of Fame musical career. Andy talks about writing Sugar Sugar, a worldwide number one song for The Archies, and his solo hits like the classic Rock Me Gently. Success opened many doors, including backstage with Elvis and having a Beatle present him with his Gold Album.  Andy Kim has enjoyed a long and colourful musical journey and he shares much of it here.            The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike McClellan has carved a very successful career across many decades because he is a craftsman, a showman, a man with a curious mind and a passion for singing and songwriting that he still works at today at the ripe old age of 80. As he prepares for his latest tour, Mike reflects on what drives him, what makes him happy, what has influenced him and what has touched him over the year.  As you will discover in this chat, Mike is a master storyteller, whether he is singing those words or recounting stories of his life and times.  The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buzz Bidstrup is a jack of all trades and master of plenty - including storytelling - and does he have a story or two to tell. The man behind the drum kit for The Angels is also a founding member of Gangajang, record producer and sound engineer for many of this country's best artists, manager, promoter, songwriter (No Secrets - no less) and now author of the book No Secrets (Harper Collins) that tells the behind-the-scenes story of all those shenanigans and more.  From being booted off the Kinks tour of the USA and booting himself out of The Angels to  forming Gangajang and meeting and working with Jimmy Little, Buzz has great stories and tells them beautifully in both print and voice.     The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been 50 years since we first heard David Surkamp's unique voice as frontman of Pavlov's Dog and on the eve of the band's first Australian tour, David shares his thoughts on his amazing musical career. From writing the iconic Julia to meeting Vanda and Young on his only visit to Australia, David tells a great story.  Cowboy Junkies are also on their way to Australia for their 40th anniversary tour and founding member Michael Timmins talks about their longevity, their musical path and what Aussie audiences can expect in November.  Finishing this episode, a sneak preview of the next H Files with Buzz Bidstrup, a man of many and varied talents including being the drummer with the Angels. Buzz has written a brilliant memoir 'No Secrets' and in this snippet Buzz tells the story of that Angels crowd classic 'Am I ever gonna see your face again'  and sharing a stage with I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden.    The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Carrack is a great singer. That is a fact, not an opinion, and he is a genuinely nice bloke to chat to, as I found out when we caught up to discuss his latest musical offering “The Country Side of Paul Carrack”. Paul's voice lends itself to any style of music as he has shown across his career from the early days with Ace (How Long), UK Squeeze (Tempted) and Mike & the Mechanics (Silent Running) to his many successful solo projects, the man can sing anything brilliantly, even a telephone directory as Phil Collins once jokingly suggested. Paul chats about all his work as a singer and as a much sought after songwriter. On the eve of his Australian tour, former Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell pops in to tell fans what they can expect when Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons land in a few days' time. Suffice to say they won't be disappointed with what Phil has to say.          The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two stunning guests on this episode and some cracking music unveiled. John Swan aka Swanee is back with a great new album 'Believe,' featuring his friends and family who just happen to be the cream of Australia's music talent. John talks about putting this 16 track gem together with help from his mate Brian 'Frog' Harris of Songland Records. The guest list includes his brothers Jimmy and Alan Barnes, his brother-in-law Diesel, plus stars like Ian Moss, Jack Jones, Colin Hay, Wendy Matthews and Melinda Schneider.  Cherie Currie is my other guest on the eve of her Australian farewell tour in September. Best remembered as the lead singer of The Runaways, the trailblazing all-girl rock band of the late seventies, Cherie shares some stories of those days and more.     Swanee's album is available from www.johnswan.net.au  Cherie Currie's tour kicks off in Perth September 5th and hits Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Tickets via www.silverbacktouring.com     The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the old 'Let's get the band back together' and after a 51 year hiatus, the original Alice Cooper Group returns with Alice and a new album - The Revenge of Alice Cooper.  Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith and Michael Bruce talk about what happened, what's happening and how this new album came together, including an appearance from ther late Glen Buxton. As you will hear, they have lost nothing in the half a century between albums.  To finish this episode, a timely dive into the H Files Vault and out pops Alice as guest on the national radio show Rocksat in 1989. It's classic Alice, talking to fans across Australia, teasing Kevin and showing why he is a timeless star for any generation.         The H Files with Kevin Hillier  Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Two Ronnies used to say, "In a packed program tonight" we have three very fine guests for episode 18. First up Angus Burchall, long time drummer in the John Farnham Band, chats about how his adventures with John started and his latest recorded work as part of Horizon. Horizon features Angus, Brett Garsed (Episode 14), the late Stuart Fraser and Lee Bradshaw. Check out the album  horizonmusic.com.au  My second guest is Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA) co-founder, Ian 'Piggy' Peel, a man with a thousand stories and a mission to see that everyone involved in the music industry - front and back of stage - is looked after. Piggy talks about how and why the Desk Tape albums came to be as the 50th album is released, starring The Kevin Borich Express https://australianroadcrew.com.au/ And before it's goodnight from me and goodnight from him, Candice Night talks about her new solo CD Sea Glass. The talented singer, songwriter and instrumentalist is best known as part of Blackmore's Night with her husband Ritchie (yes THAT Ritchie Blackmore) and as backing vocalist for Rainbow. Sea Glass is Candice's third solo release. www.candicenight.com     The H Files with Kevin Hillier    Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British musical invasion of the sixties might have been led by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones but Manfred Mann were in the front row of that first fleet of artists that dominated the charts and became the soundtrack of a generation. Who can forget songs like Pretty Flamingo, Mighty Quinn, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Just Like a Woman, Come Tomorrow, Fox on the Run and at least a dozen more? Tom McGuinness was a member of Manfred Mann through those halcyon days and shares his memories of those days as the band produced hit after hit. After Manfred Mann, he enjoyed more success with McGuinness Flint and then toured and recorded extensively with The Blues Band.            Even today, Tom is performing with The Manfreds across Britain. It is a musical life chock full of great stories punctuated by the biggest hits of the day and it's all here.       The H Files with Kevin Hillier   Post-production by Chris GatesFor Howdy Partners Mediawww.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts© 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is another very entertaining episode of The H Files with guests Steve Kilbey and Gary Sandy. Kilbey is one of the most original, outspoken and refreshing performers in Australian music and is not shy with his views on the business. As he prepares for a career retrospective tour of the country, he is in good form about the past, present and future.  American actor Gary Sandy was the star of WKRP in Cincinnati, a hugely successful seventies sitcom set in a radio station. Gary has carved out a successful acting career, mostly in theatre, since the heady days of playing Andy Travis, the program director of the fictitious radio station. He recalls many great stories from a very talented ensemble cast including Howard Hesseman, Loni Anderson and Gordon Jump.  The H Files with Kevin Hillier    Post-production by Steve Visscher | Southern Skies Media For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gilbert O'Sullivan and Dion Pride join Kevin for a chat as they prepare for their tours of Australia. Gilbert's songs have been part of our lives since he debuted back in the early seventies with unforgettable and timeless songs like Clair, Get Down and Alone Again Naturally. He talks about those songs, his songwriting, the early days and much more.   Dion, a very talented musician in his own right, is the son of the legendary Charley Pride. He is touring the country, proudly presenting the songs that made his father famous in a faithful tribute to one of country music's biggest stars, who happens to be his Dad.     The H Files with Kevin Hillier    Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brett Garsed is a hell of a guitar player and brilliant musician who came to prominence in the Whispering Jack days with John Farnham. Brett travelled the world with his guitar but has settled back in regional Victoria and chats about his latest work on the Horizon project, his solo material and the Farnham days.  For the first time we also open the H Files Vault and find an episode of Kev's old national radio show Rocksat, which features John Farnham launching the Chain Reaction album in September 1990. The premise of Rocksat was to give radio listeners across Australia access to one of the big stars of the day at 9pm on a Wednesday night. This episode was recorded at AAV Metropolis studios in South Melbourne and had a live studio audience as well as listeners on nearly 30 stations across the country. Amazing what we did before the internet!  Check out the Horizon project www.horizonmusic.com.au and the Guitars for Vets program at www.G4VA.org.au     The H Files with Kevin Hillier    Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An undisputed musical legend, Dion might be 85 but he is ageless and still rocks with the best of them. Dion and his friend Adam Jablin have collaborated to produce a new book full of Dion's great stories, life experiences and sage advice. The pair join Kevin for a fascinating chat about life and those classic Dion musical memories - The Wanderer, Ruby Baby, touring with Buddy Holly and his Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction by Lou Reed.     Pseudo Echo has topped the charts all over the world and the band's main man Brian Canham is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Love an Adventure album by touring Australia. All those 80s memories come flooding back as Brian again takes you to Funky Town.  Dion's book The Rock 'n' Roll Philosopher available via  https://diondimucci.com/ Get all the dates  and news for Brian   https://www.pseudoecho.net/ The H Files with Kevin Hillier    Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concert goers have lots to choose from in the coming months and two of the most anticipated tours are my guests in this episode. JJ Burnel, an original member of The Stranglers, shares stories from the punk days of pub gigs and punch ups through to the success of Golden Brown and Skin Deep and now as older statesmen of the UK bands from that era. Their 50th anniversary tour is about to hit Australia.  Roachford's journey is very different from The Stranglers but on the eve of his first  Aussie tour in decades, Andrew Roachford talks about the success of Lay your Love on Me, Only to be with You, his work with Mike Rutherford in Mike and The Mechanics and meeting his musical idol Stevie Wonder.    The Stranglers' 2025 Australian tour dates are:  Wednesday, March 19: Enmore Theatre, Sydney Thursday, March 20: The Tivoli, Brisbane Saturday, March 22: Forum Theatre, Melbourne Sunday, March 23: The Gov, Adelaide Tuesday, March 25: Astor Theatre, Perth  Roachford Greatest Hits Tour May16. Fremantle. Freo.Social (U18's with Adult) Tickets. May17. Adelaide. The Gov. Tickets. May23. Melbourne  170 Russell. Sold Out. May24. Sydney. Manning Bar. Tickets. May25. Brisbane  The Triffid. Sold Out.   The H Files with Kevin Hillier    Post-production by Chris Gates For Howdy Partners Media www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts © 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.