Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs
Australian rock band with two distinct incarnations.
Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs started out in Sydney in 1963. Their 1964 cover of "Poison Ivy" famously knocked the Beatles off the top of the Sydney charts during the band's Australian tour. The original members quit in 1965 after a financial dispute. Thorpe revived the name in 1968 with a heavier sound, and by the early 1970s the new lineup was a top hard rock act, playing the Sunbury Pop Festival and scoring hits like "Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy)" before splitting in 1973.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Sydney, Australia
- Genre
- Hard rock
- beat
- blues rock
- pop rock
- Years active
- 1963–1973; 2002
- Label
- Albert
Facts from the source article.
History
Before Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs existed, there was a four-piece instrumental group from Sydney called the Vibratones, formed in 1963. They put out a surf instrumental single, "Expressway" backed with "Man of Mystery." When the Merseybeat sound took off, they brought in a lead singer named Billy Thorpe. His strong voice and stage presence, which would later make him a major figure in Australian rock, completed the first lineup.
That lineup included drummer Col Baigent, bassist John "Bluey" Watson, and guitarists Brian Bakewell and Vince Maloney (who later became Vince Melouney of the Bee Gees). Not long after Thorpe joined, Bakewell left and Tony Barber took his place. The band had its big break in mid-1964 with a cover of "Poison Ivy." That song famously kept the Beatles from the number one spot on the Sydney charts during the Fab Four's only Australian tour, and Thorpe got to meet them at their hotel.
For the next year, the group was Australia's top beat act, with hits like "Mashed Potato," "Sick and Tired," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," until the Easybeats took over in 1965. The band's success also made Albert Productions a key player in Australia's early pop scene. In 1965, the original Aztecs left over money problems. Thorpe then put together a new five-member version with drummer Johnny Dick, pianist Jimmy Taylor, guitarists Colin Risbey and Mike Downes, and New Zealand-born bassist Teddy Toi.
This lineup lasted until 1966, scoring hits such as "Twilight Time," "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "Baby, Hold Me Close," "Love Letters," and "Word For Today." Thorpe went solo in 1967 and briefly hosted the TV show It's All Happening, but personal troubles and a well-known bankruptcy ended that chapter in 1968.
Awards and nominations
In the Go-Set Pop Poll, the band's album "The Hoax Is Over" placed 4th for Best Album in 1971. In 1972, "Aztecs Live at Sunbury" won 1st for Best Album, "Most People I Know" placed 3rd for Best Single, and Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs placed 2nd for Best Group. In the 1972 King of Pop Awards, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs were listed for Best Group.
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