Big Red (6)

BIG RED was the brainchild of studio owner and songwriter, Peter Blyton and filmmaker, George Muskens. This jazz/rock/reggae/pop band formed with Queensland's finest session musicians, went on to become one of the states most successful bands. In 1982 after signing with Polygram Records, BIG RED released their first single, The Traveller. The single, which was accompanied by a film clip shot by George Muskens on Queenland's Gold Coast, received glowing reviews and with the band appearances on Australian TV shows including Countdown, Sounds and Simon Townsend's Wonder World, The Traveller went Top Ten in Queensland. It was recorded at the Music Farm with Ian Mason and Don Rummery. Prior to this, ten songs written by Peter Blyton, Tim Gaze and Chris Lloyds were recorded at Suite 16 Studios in Brisbane, however none of these songs were ever released. In 1983 BIG RED recorded five songs at Billy Fields' Paradise Studios in Sydney with Bill McDonough (brother of Guy and ex drummer of Australian Crawl) producing. Unfortunately these too were never released and the band played its last gig on the 30th June, 1983. BIG RED were Chris Lloyds vocals, Peter Blyton bass, Peter Willersdorf taking his place when Blyton's studio commitments took priority, Bruce Coleman keys, Brett Williams guitar, Scott Williams, (Brett's brother), took Willersdorf's spot when he left. Tim Gaze, Robbie France-Shaw and Annette Henry also departed and were replaced by Daryll Mitchell ex SKINTITE on guitar and Jon Carson on drums. The Traveller was re-released in 2014 on The Australian Pop of the '80's CD "Like, Wow - WIPEOUT!" Volume 5.