The Easybeats

In a way, the incredibly popular rock band The Easybeats was Australia’s response to the British Invasion during the mid-60s. Consisting of singer Stevie Wright, guitarists George Young and Harry Vanda, bassist Dick Diamonde, and drummer Gordon “Snowy” Fleet, the group was formed in Sydney in 1964. After making a name for themselves in the city’s burgeoning rock scene, they signed to Albert Productions and made their debut with the blues-tinged single “For My Woman.” However, it would be their next single, 1965’s “She’s So Fine,” that catapulted the band to stardom, reaching Number 3 in Australia and sparking a nationwide craze dubbed by the press as “Easyfever.” The track was also included in their studio debut Easy, which peaked at Number 4 in Australia. Preceded by the Top 10 singles “Wedding Ring” and “Women (Make You Feel Alright),” their second album It’s 2 Easy arrived in 1966 and placed at Number 3 on the ARIA charts, followed by Volume 3 later that year. After securing a deal with American label United Artists Records and relocating to London, The Easybeats teamed up with producer Shel Talmy, who had previously worked with The Who and The Kinks, and scored their first international hit with “Friday on My Mind.” The single cracked the Top 10 in the UK and hit Number 1 on the Australian Singles Chart, achieving gold status shortly after. In the subsequent years, the band tried to replicate the success of “Friday on My Mind,” but to no avail; substance abuse issues and a series of albums that failed to chart in the United Kingdom led to the band’s demise in 1969. The Easybeats would reform once again in 1986 for an Australian tour.

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