Ronnie Burns
Ronnie Burns' initial claim to fame was as a member of Melbourne
band The Flies (usually billed as
'Victoria's top Beatles group'). They were
Australia's longest-haired band and supported
many major overseas acts, including The Rolling
Stones.
Melbourne born and bred, Ronnie Burns bought his first guitar
aged eight, and by the time he was 14 he had formed a rock &
roll band with his brother Frank. From there he entered the world
of coffee houses and folk music until in 1964 the arrival of The
Beatles changed everything. Burns grew his hair and formed The
Flies.
In August 1965, Burns left the band to go solo. Over the next
five years he had nine hit singles in Melbourne, starting with The
Very Last Day and True, True Lovin'. His profile
was high enough to make him runner-up to Normie Rowe in Go-Set's
prestigious pop poll of 1966.
The following year was the big one
for Ronnie Burns, culminating in being named Australia's most
popular male singer in the Go-Set poll. He was a genuine
pop star, pursued wherever he appeared.
Ten days at Sydney's Royal Easter Show saw daily riots, with
audience hysteria a regular sight at his live shows. His
popularity was acknowledged by the ABC who filmed a special
documentary, The Life Of Ronnie Burns.
On vinyl, Burns linked up with The Bee Gees for two stunning
singles - Coalman still sounds as fresh today as it did
then, with its jangling guitars and tight backing vocals from the
Brothers Gibb. It was a deserved national hit, and was followed up
with a Bee Gees double, In The Morning b/w Exit
Stage Right.
Burns maintained his chart blitz in 1968 with When I Was
Six Years Old, written by Max Ross and Brian Cadd of
Australian band, The Groop. He showed no signs of flagging in 1969
either, when he produced his biggest hit ever, Smiley -
one of the few Australian anti-Vietnam War songs (penned by Johnny
Young who would go on to fame with the national kids TV talent
show, Young Talent Time).
Ronnie married dancer Maggie Stewart in 1970. Maggie went on to
become choreographer on Young Talent Team and Ronnie
became a regular judge on the show.
In 1971, Ronnie was banned from
performing the track Virgin from his Virgo album on the
television show Happening '71. His November 1972 album
(We've
Only Just Begun) featured a cover photo of Ronnie naked except for
a fur draped over him.
By the mid 70s, Burns had ditched the pop trappings for a more
middle-of-the-road sound and a new nightclub image. He became a
regular on the Australian Leagues Club circuit, and on television
variety shows, and appeared in the 90s on the rock & roll
revival circuit.
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