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)

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Post-production by Chris Gates

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Post-production by Chris Gates

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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.

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Post-production by Chris Gates

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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.

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Post-production by Chris Gates

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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.

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Post-production by Chris Gates

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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

© 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.