Melbourne A.B.C. Dance Band

Formed in 1936 when howard jacobs (3) was contracted by the australian broadcasting corporation to lead the newly formed band on a tour of Australia. In 1969 the name was changed to The ABC Showband, a reflection of the fact that they were playing less dance music and more light styles of music. Brian May (2) became the band leader when the name changed. It was disbanded in 1981 when the ABC sacked the remaining members due to reallocation of funds. Band leaders: howard jacobs (3) 1936 to ? Denis Collinson 1940 to ? MacDuff Williams 1945 to 1954 frank thorne (2) ? to 1969 Al Hammett ?