TONY WORSLEY AND THE BLUE JAYS

Australia / Most prominent in the 1960's

A British-born artist who made his name in Australia. Tough cookie Worsley was the first beat era artist in Australia to sport outrageously long hair. In 1964, he joined forces with a backing band called The Blue Jays who had various members during their two year existence Worsley's gruff and surly demeanour ensured that many of their live appearances ended in riots. He toured rural Australia extensively with The Easybeats.

In 1969, he was a member of Hands Down, a Brisbane band who were much in The Small Faces mould. Later that year they became Burke and Wills, but Worsley had departed by then.

Five of his songs; Get Back, Just A Little Bit, Ready Steady Let's Go, Something's Got A Hold On Me and Talkin' Bout You (also on Bowl Show) can also be heard on 5 x 4 (Vol. 1). In addition, you can also check out Velvet Waters on 20 Golden Greats Of The 50s And 60s, The Big Parade and Festival's 10 Years Of Hits. I'll Be There has resurfaced on Devil's Children, Tell Me Why on Pretty Ugly (CD) and finally, Dream Of You got more exposure on Bowl Show and Talk Love resurfaced on Ugly Things, Vol. 2.

In addition, some of his recordings with The Blue Jays have too been compiled too: All Over You, Missing You, Rock-A-Billy and Velvet Waters on Big Four; I Sure Know A Lot About Love, If I, Me You Gotta Teach and Just A Little Bit on Hit Groups - Aussie Style; Just A Little Bit on Sixties Down Under (also on CD), So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star, Vol. 1 and So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star (3-CD); All Over You on Big Four and Sunshine All Star Spectacular; and finally, Diggin' For Gold, Vol. 5 gave a further airing to How Can It Be, a slice of guitar-driven mayhem, which is certainly worth seeking out.


KEY ALBUMS
TONY WORSLEY AND THE BLUEJAYS (Sunshine QL 31636 / 1965)
VELVET WATERS AND OTHER GREAT SONGS (Sunshine QL 31803 / 1965)
MY TIME OF DAY (Sunshine QL 32046)