During the 50s, I spent most afternoon playing my grandmother pianolo. On occassions as I was able to play her 78s, Eartha Kitt, Sophie Tucker come to mind.
My parents had a huge range of 78s and when I have time, I will list the titles of songs I recall, shedding a little teat to "Don't Make me go to Bed and I'll be Good" and dancing in my head to Tzena Tzena". My very first LPs were Col Joye and the Joy Boys and Buddy Holly .. However, I was thrilled as I was taken to the Stadium SHows at the coernewr of Neild Aven Rush (this is badly written and I will come back to it later. Lynne Komidar The majorities of the shows I attribute to the dynamo that was Lee Gordon, a well know identity around the Cross. He opened the Sound Lounge in WIlliam Street (later Whisky A Fo Go) |
All were backed by local big band led by Dennis Collinson. He remained Gordon’s musical director until his death in 1959. T
1959 Lee Gordon presents The Battle of the Big Beat'
Lloyd Price, Conway Twitty, Kalin Twins. Linda (Ambrose) Laurie, Col Joye & the Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & the Rebels, Johnny Devlin, Dig Richards, Johnny O'Keefe & the D.J's Interesting story
1959 Lee Gordon presents The Battle of the Big Beat'
Lloyd Price, Conway Twitty, Kalin Twins. Linda (Ambrose) Laurie, Col Joye & the Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & the Rebels, Johnny Devlin, Dig Richards, Johnny O'Keefe & the D.J's Interesting story
Programs printed by
Concert program printed by Publicity Press Pty Ltd, 71-75 Regent Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in 1957.
Concert program printed by Publicity Press Pty Ltd, 71-75 Regent Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in 1957.
1954
1954 Jul SYDNEY STADIUM
Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Artie Shaw and Jerry Colonna
Ella Fitzgerald missed the 23 & 24 July Sydney shows. The 31 July shows were organised to compensate The venture resulted in a small loss
Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Artie Shaw and Jerry Colonna
Ella Fitzgerald missed the 23 & 24 July Sydney shows. The 31 July shows were organised to compensate The venture resulted in a small loss
1954 Aug SYDNEY STADIUM
Kenn Brodziak Aztec Services
Gene Krupa & his Trio, Eddie Shu. Teddy Napoleon, and Edwin Duff, Nicki Martino, Bonnee Montgomery, Jack Allen & his Katzenjammers,
Wally Norman's Swing Band
Kenn Brodziak Aztec Services
Gene Krupa & his Trio, Eddie Shu. Teddy Napoleon, and Edwin Duff, Nicki Martino, Bonnee Montgomery, Jack Allen & his Katzenjammers,
Wally Norman's Swing Band
1954 Sept SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Johnnie Ray
with Peggy Ryan, Ray McDonald, Dave Barry
and Wally Norman's Swing Band
Lee Gordon presents Johnnie Ray
with Peggy Ryan, Ray McDonald, Dave Barry
and Wally Norman's Swing Band
1954 SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Frank Sinatra
with Stan Freberg, Red Norvo & his American Orchestra.
Lee Gordon presents Frank Sinatra
with Stan Freberg, Red Norvo & his American Orchestra.
1954 Oct./Nov SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Louis Armstrong & his Concert Group All-Stars
with Velma Middleton with Wally Norman's Swing Band
Lee Gordon presents Louis Armstrong & his Concert Group All-Stars
with Velma Middleton with Wally Norman's Swing Band
1954-12 SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Billy Daniels
with Andrew Sisters, Dave Barry, The Spence Twins, with Wally Norman's Orchestra
Lee Gordon presents Billy Daniels
with Andrew Sisters, Dave Barry, The Spence Twins, with Wally Norman's Orchestra
1955 Jan SYDNEY TOWN HALL
Bill McColl presents
The Inkspots with Buddy De Franco, Rose Murphy, Champ Butler and Norman Erskine, Edwin Duff, Wally Norman's Band
Bill McColl presents
The Inkspots with Buddy De Franco, Rose Murphy, Champ Butler and Norman Erskine, Edwin Duff, Wally Norman's Band
1955 Jan SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Nat King Cole & the Nat King Cole Trio
with June Christy, Rowan & Martin, Judy Kelly and Denis Collinson's Orchestra
Lee Gordon presents Nat King Cole & the Nat King Cole Trio
with June Christy, Rowan & Martin, Judy Kelly and Denis Collinson's Orchestra
1955 Jan SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon Frank Sinatra Australian Tour
with Frank D'Amore, Lois Ray, Ann MacCormack, Denis Collinson's Orchestra
Lee Gordon Frank Sinatra Australian Tour
with Frank D'Amore, Lois Ray, Ann MacCormack, Denis Collinson's Orchestra
1955 Feb, May TIVOLI THEATRE, Sydney
Winifred Atwell
Winifred Atwell
1955 Feb SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Frankie Laine
Leo de Lyon, The Clark Bros, Jerri Adams, with Denis Collinson's Orchestra
Lee Gordon presents Frankie Laine
Leo de Lyon, The Clark Bros, Jerri Adams, with Denis Collinson's Orchestra
1955 Mar SYDNEY STADIUM
Wilf Carter
with Reg Lindsay, Heather McKean, Dick Carr, Herbie Marks & Don Richards
26 Mar Trocadero Ballroom
Wilf Carter
with Reg Lindsay, Heather McKean, Dick Carr, Herbie Marks & Don Richards
26 Mar Trocadero Ballroom
1956 Mar-Apr SYDNEY STADIUM Pacific Stars Presentation
Spike Jones with the City Slickers
Helen Grayco, George Rock, Dolores Gray, Billy Barty, Laverne Pearson,
Freddy Morgan, Maxine Faye, Mousie Garner, Bernie Jones, Bill King, The Wayne Martin Trio.
Spike Jones with the City Slickers
Helen Grayco, George Rock, Dolores Gray, Billy Barty, Laverne Pearson,
Freddy Morgan, Maxine Faye, Mousie Garner, Bernie Jones, Bill King, The Wayne Martin Trio.
1955 Mar SYDNEY TOWN HALL
Aztec Services & Entertainment Enterprises presents
Ted Heath & his music, Kathy Lloyd, Dennis Lotus, Bobbie Britton, Duncan Campbell
Ronnie Verrell, John Hawksworth & Henry Mackenzie
Aztec Services & Entertainment Enterprises presents
Ted Heath & his music, Kathy Lloyd, Dennis Lotus, Bobbie Britton, Duncan Campbell
Ronnie Verrell, John Hawksworth & Henry Mackenzie
1955 Mar SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon Johnnie Ray (2nd Australian Tour)
with Danny Crystal, The Clark Brothers, Helen O'Connell
Denis Collinson's Orchestra
Lee Gordon Johnnie Ray (2nd Australian Tour)
with Danny Crystal, The Clark Brothers, Helen O'Connell
Denis Collinson's Orchestra
1955 May SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Betty Hutton
with Morey Amsterdam, Bobby Brandt, Clark Dennis, Jack Regas, Herb Lurie & Revue
Denis Collinson’s Orchestra
Lee Gordon presents Betty Hutton
with Morey Amsterdam, Bobby Brandt, Clark Dennis, Jack Regas, Herb Lurie & Revue
Denis Collinson’s Orchestra
1955 May, June SYDNEY STADIUM
Lee Gordon presents Bob Hope
with Clark Dennis, Roberta Linn, The Marenos and Australian Mannequin Parade
Lee Gordon presents Bob Hope
with Clark Dennis, Roberta Linn, The Marenos and Australian Mannequin Parade
1955 June SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Abbott & Costello
Anne McCormack, Bobby Barber, Eileen O’Dare, Tommy Turner, Norman Erskine, the Bridge Sisters, Fred James
Lee Gordon presents Abbott & Costello
Anne McCormack, Bobby Barber, Eileen O’Dare, Tommy Turner, Norman Erskine, the Bridge Sisters, Fred James
1955 Oct-Nov TIVOLI THEATRE, Sydney
Mel Torme & Irene Ryan
Mel Torme & Irene Ryan
1956 Feb SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Nat 'King' Cole
with Lillian Briggs, Marty Allen and Mitch DeWood, George Kirby
Lee Gordon presents Nat 'King' Cole
with Lillian Briggs, Marty Allen and Mitch DeWood, George Kirby
Mar 1956 SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon Johnny Ray (3rd Australian Tour)
Leo De Lyon, The Holly Sisters, Peg Leg Bates, Lola Dee
Lee Gordon Johnny Ray (3rd Australian Tour)
Leo De Lyon, The Holly Sisters, Peg Leg Bates, Lola Dee
1956 Apr SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Louis Armstrong
with Velma Middleton, Peg Leg Bates, Gary Crosby, Rose Hardaway & Joe Martin
Denis Collinson's Orchestra
Lee Gordon presents Louis Armstrong
with Velma Middleton, Peg Leg Bates, Gary Crosby, Rose Hardaway & Joe Martin
Denis Collinson's Orchestra
1956 Oct SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Record Star Parade
Don Cornell, Stan Freberg, Joe "Fingers" Carr, Buddy Rich, The Nilsson Twins, Joe Martin and the Tune Twisters - program courtesy Vince Spiteri
Lee Gordon presents Record Star Parade
Don Cornell, Stan Freberg, Joe "Fingers" Carr, Buddy Rich, The Nilsson Twins, Joe Martin and the Tune Twisters - program courtesy Vince Spiteri
1956 SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Frank Sinatra
Stan Freberg, Dave Agius
Lee Gordon presents Frank Sinatra
Stan Freberg, Dave Agius
1956 Nov-Dec SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon Frankie Laine 2nd Australian Tour
with Eileen Barton, Buddy Rich, Joe "Fingers" Carr, Stan Freberg, Joe Martin and the Tune Twisters, Don Cornell, The Nilsson Twins
Denis Collinson's Orchestra
Lee Gordon Frankie Laine 2nd Australian Tour
with Eileen Barton, Buddy Rich, Joe "Fingers" Carr, Stan Freberg, Joe Martin and the Tune Twisters, Don Cornell, The Nilsson Twins
Denis Collinson's Orchestra
1957 Jan SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon in association with Benn F Reyes and Arthur Schurgin presents Bill Haley & Comets
Freddie Bell & the Bellboys, LaVern Baker, Joe Turner
for an interesting account
Lee Gordon in association with Benn F Reyes and Arthur Schurgin presents Bill Haley & Comets
Freddie Bell & the Bellboys, LaVern Baker, Joe Turner
for an interesting account
1957 Apr SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
2nd Record Star Parade
Lee Gordon presents Guy Mitchell
with Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Stan Kenton & his Orchestra, Cathy Carr
2nd Record Star Parade
Lee Gordon presents Guy Mitchell
with Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Stan Kenton & his Orchestra, Cathy Carr
1957 Sep SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon Johnny Ray 4th Australian Tour
with Graeme Bell's Skiffle Gang, Vic Sabrino, Joe Martin, Patricia Smith
Lee Gordon Johnny Ray 4th Australian Tour
with Graeme Bell's Skiffle Gang, Vic Sabrino, Joe Martin, Patricia Smith
1957 Oct SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Big Show'
Lee Gordon Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, Alis Lesley
Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays
Lee Gordon Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, Alis Lesley
Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays
1957 Nov SYDNEY STADIUM The 'Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Nat King Cole
with Georgia Lee, Yolanda & Antonio Rodrigues, Joe Martin, The Gill Bros. & Joe Jenkins.
Lee Gordon presents Nat King Cole
with Georgia Lee, Yolanda & Antonio Rodrigues, Joe Martin, The Gill Bros. & Joe Jenkins.
1958
1958 Jan SYDNEY STADIUM the 'Big Show'
Lee Gordon presents Paul Anka , Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Jodie Sands
Johnny O'Keefe & Dee Jays
Lee Gordon presents Paul Anka , Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Jodie Sands
Johnny O'Keefe & Dee Jays
Aug 1958 or 59 SYDNEY STADIUM 'tonight with'
Lee Gordon presents Harry Belafonte
The Vocal Three, Bruce Baggett, Sherman Sneed & Billy Stewart.
Lee Gordon presents Harry Belafonte
The Vocal Three, Bruce Baggett, Sherman Sneed & Billy Stewart.
1958 SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Most Show'
Headliners present Johnny Mathis
with The Frank Owens Quartet, The Diamonds, Miss Terri King, Arthur Duncan, Ray McGeary, Milton Mitchell and Lee Neilsen
Headliners present Johnny Mathis
with The Frank Owens Quartet, The Diamonds, Miss Terri King, Arthur Duncan, Ray McGeary, Milton Mitchell and Lee Neilsen
1959 Jan SYDNEY STADIUM
Duane Eddy, Crash Craddock Santo and Johnny, Johnny Restivo, Eddie Cochran, Diamonds
Duane Eddy, Crash Craddock Santo and Johnny, Johnny Restivo, Eddie Cochran, Diamonds
1959 Mar SYDNEY STADIUM 'Parade of Stars'
Lee Gordon presents Tommy Sands
with Rod Lauren, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Jimmy Clanton, Dick Caruso, Freddy Cannon, Marv Johnson, Mark Dinning, Jack Scott, Chan Romero, Johnny Preston
and Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays, The Delltones, Lonnie Lee
Lee Gordon presents Tommy Sands
with Rod Lauren, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Jimmy Clanton, Dick Caruso, Freddy Cannon, Marv Johnson, Mark Dinning, Jack Scott, Chan Romero, Johnny Preston
and Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays, The Delltones, Lonnie Lee
1959 Apr SYDNEY STADIUM
Lee Gordon presents Sammy Davis Jnr.,
The Australian Jazz Quintet, Diana Trask
Lee Gordon presents Sammy Davis Jnr.,
The Australian Jazz Quintet, Diana Trask
1959 SYDNEY STADIUM
Headliners present Chuck Berry
with George Hamilton IV, Bobby Darin, Jo-Ann Campbell,
and Johnny O'Keefe & the Dee-Jays, Ray McGeary, Flying Warrens
Headliners present Chuck Berry
with George Hamilton IV, Bobby Darin, Jo-Ann Campbell,
and Johnny O'Keefe & the Dee-Jays, Ray McGeary, Flying Warrens
1959 SYDNEY STADIUM 'The Battle of the Big Beat'
Lee Gordon Conway Twitty, Lloyd Price, Kalin Twins. Linda (Ambrose) Laurie,
Col Joye & the Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & the Rebels, Johnny O'Keefe & the Dee Jays
Note: American singer, Lloyd Price collapsed on stage. His Top 40 number one song 'Personality' unsung, show was saved by Johnny O'Keefe quickly jumping on stage to finished the performance for Price. Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph carried picture next day of Lloyd Price's gratitude to JOK - a diamond studded bow tie.
Lee Gordon Conway Twitty, Lloyd Price, Kalin Twins. Linda (Ambrose) Laurie,
Col Joye & the Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & the Rebels, Johnny O'Keefe & the Dee Jays
Note: American singer, Lloyd Price collapsed on stage. His Top 40 number one song 'Personality' unsung, show was saved by Johnny O'Keefe quickly jumping on stage to finished the performance for Price. Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph carried picture next day of Lloyd Price's gratitude to JOK - a diamond studded bow tie.
1959 SYDNEY STADIUM
Lee Gordon presents Sal Mineo, Everly Brothers, Tab Hunter
Col Joye & the Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & the Rebels, The Delltones, Johnny Devlin
Johnny O'Keefe & the D.J's, Princess Rora
Lee Gordon presents Sal Mineo, Everly Brothers, Tab Hunter
Col Joye & the Joy Boys, Johnny Rebb & the Rebels, The Delltones, Johnny Devlin
Johnny O'Keefe & the D.J's, Princess Rora
1959 Apr SYDNEY STADIUM
Lee Gordon presents The Johnny Cash Show
with Gene Vincent, The Playmates, The Tennessee Two, Robin Luke, Frankie Sardo Bobby Day
Col Joye & the Joy Boys
Lee Gordon presents The Johnny Cash Show
with Gene Vincent, The Playmates, The Tennessee Two, Robin Luke, Frankie Sardo Bobby Day
Col Joye & the Joy Boys
1959 SYDNEY STADIUM
Headliners Jimmie Rogers Australian Tour
with Dodie Stevens, The Champs, Tommy Cole, Art Duncan, Ray McGeary, Margie Mill
Frank Ifield
Headliners Jimmie Rogers Australian Tour
with Dodie Stevens, The Champs, Tommy Cole, Art Duncan, Ray McGeary, Margie Mill
Frank Ifield
1959 Oct SYDNEY STADIUM
Lee Gordon presents Fabian
Col Joye and the Joy Boys, The Delltones, Johnny Rebb and the Rebels
Johnny Devlin and the Devils, Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays.
The Crescents(Sydney) The Graduates(Sydney) Warren Williams(Sydney) Lonnie Lee(Sydney)
Lee Gordon presents Fabian
Col Joye and the Joy Boys, The Delltones, Johnny Rebb and the Rebels
Johnny Devlin and the Devils, Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays.
The Crescents(Sydney) The Graduates(Sydney) Warren Williams(Sydney) Lonnie Lee(Sydney)
1959 SYDNEY STADIUM 'Meet the Stars'
Headliners present Mouseketeers
Headliners present Mouseketeers