Person

HENDRIE, Bill

1937

Community Singing

An enjoyable evening was spent on last Thursday evening, when the community concerts again resumed after a month’s recess. Mr. Abel again wielded the baton and music was provided by Mrs. Manea, Mr. Allen and  Mr. Rasmussen. Items were rendered by Barbara Lee (song , and dance), Messrs. Jefferis (songs), Bill Hendrie (mouth organ and ukelele). Rasmussen (song and guitar) and a duet by Bill Hendrie and Vic Rasmussen.

Albany Advertiser (WA : 1897 – 1965), Thursday 23 December 1937, page 4

1942

COMMUNITY CONCERT AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS.

For the first time within our recollection, people were turned away from the Narrogin Town Hall last Tuesday, despite the fact that extra seats were packed to within a few feet of the stage. The occasion was the Community Concert presented by the men of the 109 Convalescent Camp. The Concert proved thoroughly enjoyable to the huge crowd from start to finish, and those present were no doubt surprised at the unexpected number of talented artists convalescing in our midst. d A seven-piece swing bend dispensed delightful music, and the various artists thoroughly deserved the prolonged applause which followed practically every item. The versatility of one artist in particular—Bill Hendrie—was the subject of quite a lot of comment. This young man accompanied practically every artist on his guitar throughout the night, was a member of the band, was encored three times in his imitation of George Formby, gave two difficult and delightful renderings on the mouth organ, and caused amusement in one of the final numbers by the band when he brought a cello on to the stage and plucked this to some purpose. It would take too much space to give full commendation to each individual artist. Suffice it to say that they all gave very creditable performances, and we hope to see more of them in the near future.

Narrogin Observer (WA : 1918 – 1955), Saturday 7 November 1942, page 1

1948

W.A. Pianist Impresses Sydney’s Rhythm Fans

Although only a few months have elapsed since youthful, unassuming WA pianist Ray Hartley left Perth to try his luck in Sydney musical circles, already he has rocketed towards success as an ivory-tickler and arranger.

Last Friday the ‘Ray Hartley Trio and Joanne,’ in association with famous orchestra leader Eric Tann, created a sensation in a concert at the Sydney Town Hall. Tann is so impressed with Hartley’s ability that he intends to take him to Eng-land when he returns next year. Ray Hartley hails from Kellerberrin, and the vocalist in his trio, Joan Robinson, is also a Perth girl, formerly Joan Hill. Other Hartley Trio members are Don Andrews (guitar), late of Fred Hartley’s Quintet, and Reg Robinson (bass), Reg uses a 5-string bass, which gives him an average of 16 notes above middle C. Trio has broadcasted over the ABC and station 2CH, and at present they are rehearsing for a recording session at Columbia studio at Homebush, Sydney. When Ray Hartley first went to the Eastern States,

he studied under Perth pianist Jim Riley, who is now at the Trocadero. He carried with him a let-ter of introduction from local band leader Sammy Sharpe to Eric Tann, and after an audition was taken into Tann’s band at Romano’s. Original Hartley trio will be remembered by Perth swing fans for their radio work and success at the last Jazz Jam-boree at the Capital Theatre. Other members of the old outfit are well-known Perth rhythm men Ralph Filmer and Bill Hendrie. In preparation for his forthcoming trip overseas, Ray Hartley is at the moment studying at the Sydney Conservatorium.

SYDNEY PICTURE of Perth pianist Ray Hartley and his band which is doing well in that city. From left: Ray, Don Andrews (guitarist), Joan Robinson (vocalist, formerly Joan Hill of Perth) and Reg Robinson (bass player).

Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 9 October 1948, page 15

Jack Harrison’s New Role  Jack Harrison, a mouth organist, has broadcast from every capital city in the Commonwealth and is well known to listeners in this State.  He will be shortly heard from the National stations in an entirely new role – as leader of his own swing quartette.  He will use mainly the alto sax and clarinet, but for variation will sometimes express himself with the tenor sax or the harmonica. At the age of 16, Jack is considered Australia’s youngest dance band leader.  Other members of the quartette are Bill Hendrie (guitar), Jack Harrison’s sister Jill (pianist with a modern trend) and brother Ray (drummer).  They are both well known to Perth dancers.  Bill Hendrie is a local boy who has spent some time in the Eastern states and has been associated musically with Jim Davidson, Reg Lewis and other well-known band leaders.  Bill is considered to be among Australia’s best guitarists and an expert on modern harmony. The quartette intends to present modern arrangements of old and new tunes in such a manner as to appeal both to teenagers and listeners of more mature years.  The Broadcaster Saturday March 20 1948 Vol 14, No 729

Big Jazz Jamboree Mystery

Perth’s hep-cats are properly mystified. No one will tell them the identity of a mystery band which will play at the big jazz jamboree at the Capitol on

Sunday night, Oct. 31.   Anyone who solves this Top Swing Secret gets a prize— 6 swing records, no less! Eight bands will play, led by Merv Rowston, Jackie Harrison, Chris Gosper, Ken Murdoch, Sammy Sharp, Ron Jenkins, Bill Kirkham and Harry Bluck. The Mirror Saturday 23 October 1948 page 4

According to The Broadcaster Saturday November 6 1948 Vol 15. No 762, “The mystery band of the evening, a two piece unit consisting of Bill Hendrie on the guitar and Ralph Filmer on the bass gave an unusual rendition of “Waltzing Matilda””.

Rhythmettes

Mirth and Music – ARTISTS

Members of Dave Howard’s Mirth and Music Show met last week and extended best wishes to Miss Betty Bahen, one of its members, prior to her marriage to Mr. Geoff Hammond.  On behalf of the troupe, Miss Nell Shortland-Jones presented Miss Bahen with a wedding gift.  Those present were Miss Betty Whittaker, Miss Olwyn Thomas, Miss Rhoda Allen, Miss Sylvia Caporn, Mr. Ernest Paulasto, Mr. Fred Paulasto, Mr. Albert Chappelle, Mr. Harry Bluck, Mr. Dave Howard, Mr. Geoff Wilbur, Mr. Ralph Filmer, Mr. Bill Hendrie, Mr. Harold Malcolm, Mr. James Congdon, Mr. Jack Harrison, Mr. Billy Edwards and Mr. Harry Graham.

Western Mail Thursday 9 December 1948 page 37

1949

Jack augmented his swing band according to the requirements of functions, sometimes up to ten players, such as the April 22nd 1949 University of Western Australia Graduation Ball at Winthrop Hall.   Players were issued with a cheque on 5th May 1949 and were paid 3 pound 2 and 6 for the gig.  Players paid were: Norm Wrightson (saxophone), G. Kirkby, Jack Pope (trumpet), George Franklin (trumpet), C. Thompson, Bill Hendrie (guitar), N. Coates, Ray Harrison (drums), Jill Harrison (piano) and Jack was the tenth band member.

 

GRADUATION BALL

8.30pm – 2am

April 22 1949 Winthrop Hall, University

In Aid of World Student relief

ADMISSION Double Ticket 24/7 (inc tax.)

Jack Harrison’s Ten Piece Orchestra – bookings at Nicholsons

 

AROUND PERTH – WITH HARRY BLUCK

Ball Season Starts Rolling in Perth

Heavy Bookings as Biz Booms

The annual outcrop of balls generally makes its presence felt about this time of the year and already some of the earliest have taken place.  This season promises to be a busier one than previously and some large-sized bands should be seen on the various stands. Already, youthful Jack Harrison has made a good start by fronting a 10 piece outfit at the University Graduation Ball, and from all accounts the ultimate sound of the band justified the Harrison judgement in selecting good players as his support.

Music Maker and Dance Band News May 1949

5 MAY 1949

JACK HARRISON Cheque to:

Norm Wrightson       Grad Ball       £3/2/6

  1. Kirkby Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  2. Pope Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  3. Franklin Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  4. Thompson Grad Ball £3/2/6
  5. Hendrie Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  6. Coates Grad Ball       £3/2/6

Ray Harrison             Grad Ball       £3/2/6

Jill Harrison               Grad Ball       £3/2/6

 

(photo) The Rhythmettes: A combination regularly featured in “Mirth and Music” from 6WF on Tuesday nights.  Left to right: Harry Bluck (leader, piano accordionist and arranger), Jack Harrison (clarinet), Sylvia Caporn (pianist), Ralph Filmer (bass), George Hay (guitar) and Bill Hendrie (guitar). 

The Broadcaster Saturday July 2 1949 Vol. 16. No. 796

 

6WF SWING SHOW

Revolutionising Radio History in this state, WF turned on a half hour session in which four local bands were featured.  They were as follows

The W.A. JAZZ GROUP

JACK HARRISON QUARTET

A.B.C. RHYTHMETTES.  

Tempo The Australian Musical News Magazine July 1949 Vol. 12 No. 10

 

4 JULY 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Jack Pope                 Womens College      £5/3

Colin Youlden           Womens College      £2/11/8

Bill Kirkham               Womens College      £2/11/8

Charlie Thompson   Womens College      £2/11/8

George Franklin       Womens College      £2/11/8

Bill Hendrie                Womens College      £2/11/8

Roy Coates               Womens College      £2/11/8

 

 

16 JULY 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Ray Harrison             Wages                        £5/14

Jill Harrison               Wages                        £5/14

Bill Hendrie                Comm. Bank             £1/14

 

29 JULY 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Ray Harrison             Wages                        £5/08

Jill Harrison               Wages                        £1/18/8

 

13 AUGUST 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Ray Harrison             Wages                        £7/2/3

 

21 AUGUST 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Bill Hendrie                University                  £3/1

 

1950

Molly’s People and Parties

SPOTTED attractive young men-about-town Bill Hendry and Laurie Malulich in deep discussion which looked like going on for hours. Laurie is an ardent collector of futuristic discs of the ‘Bop’ idiom. Bill is still leading his ”Day Dreamers’ ensemble on the National network. By the way, old pal Arthur Murray is still doing the vocals on Bill’s session — and singing better than ever.

Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 29 April 1950, page 12

 

 

Monday 7th August 1950

Jack: Cheque to:                 Bill Hendrie    C.G.C             £3/8/6

 

PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO

(photo) Admiring the engagement ring of Marcia Harrison (left) are fiancé Jack Harrison and twin sister Jill at a party held at the Nedlands Tennis Club to celebrate their coming of age.

Since he was five, Jack Harrison has been associated with the musical world together with his twin sister Jill.  Both recently celebrated their 21st birthday at a party which included many of the musicians.  Jack and Jill are now members of the W.A. Symphony Orchestra playing the clarinet and bassoon respectively.  He has won numerous prizes and at the age of eight won an Amateur Hour contest in Sydney.  He worked in his father’s band until he decided to form his own which consisted usually of himself, Jill, elder brother Ray and guitarist Bill Hendrie.

Jack has played in A.B.C. shows and at the present time has a session in which his quintet plays light classical music.  He was for a while in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and studied the clarinet under the late Percy Newton (brother of John Nugent Hayward), Alan rule and Clive Amadio.  At the party Jack’s engagement to A.B.C. typist Marcia Chayter was announced. 

The Broadcaster Saturday August 16 1952

 

 

Instruments

Years

Person

ADAM, Cliff

1932

BRIGHT AND CLEAN – Luxor Presents Snappy Show – (By “Grease Paint”)

This week’s show at the Luxor Theatre is bright, snappy and clean. The first half finale has an Hawaiian atmosphere in which Dixie and D’Raine and Cliff Adam contribute several melodious numbers on the ukulele and guitar, while Desiree Maurice, Nat Hanley and Joe ValJi supply the humor. Other bright and popular numbers in this half are songs by May Webster, Joe Valli (the Un-canny Scot), Fred Moore, Kath Esler and a male quartette, comprising Joe, Hughie, Cliff and Fred and Thelma Pittar. Cliff Adams and the ballet present “Ballet Artistique.”

The second half introduces some real clever work by popular Nat Hanley who showed his versatility on the piano (he had to give several encores), and some first class work is done by Desiree Maurice and Joe Valli in a sketch written by the latter entitled “Not a Word to the Wife.” A number that received long and sustained applause was that of the “Clifton Duo” (Bootsie Williams and Cliff Adams), step and tap dancers of outstanding ability. A clever kiddie in Thelma Barrey puts over a good contortionist act. The revue written by Nat Hanley and called “Cowboys and Clues” is built around the exploits of two comical cowboys (Nat Hanley and Joe Valli) who expose a supposedly-wealthy Mexican Don as a card-sharper and murderer. Some splendid acting is seen from Desiree Maurice, Dot D’Raine, and Charles Baker (Don Pedro Garcia); the latter’s fine voice was also heard to good effect in that one-time popular song “Marcheta.” A brightly-frocked and clever ballet, good support from the talented Luxor orchestra and colorful and artistic backgrounds (the work of Alf Maurice) help to make this week’s show one of the. best yet presented to Luxor fans.

New Call (Perth, WA : 1931 – 1934), Thursday 14 April 1932, page 17

“SHOW GAME PERSONALITIES – What They Do Outside The Theatres No. 7.— “The Versatile Duo.” (By D.M.S.).

AN act that has been receiving well-deserved applause at the Luxor Theatre is provided by that versatile couple, Bootsie Williams and Cliff Adams. Both are exceptionally fine and versatile exponents of the terpsichorean art and are comparative youngsters in both age and length of time spent in team work. But their work is well up to the standard of any yet seen in Perth. Both were born in the West and are also former pupils of Miss Emmie Gable.

“BOOTSIE” WILLIAMS had her first lesson at the age of thirteen, and besides being a classy stepper is also in a class of her own as an acrobat and wire-rope walker. V, hen fifteen she went on a two-years’ tour of the North West as a member of the Sylvester Co., and whilst on this tour, had with the other members of the company the unenviable experience of being lost for three days. Returning to Perth she and a partner appeared at Hoyts’ Regent Theatre in a dancing act which included exhibitions of the “Black Bottom,” and “Varsity Drag.”When When the Ambassadors opened she was a member of the ballet and remained with it for two and a half years. Th? last six months she has been a member of that sextette of bonny steppers around at the Luxor, and just recently teamed up with her partner.

KNOWS A LOT:  Cliff Adam like his partner is not confined to dancing alone. A clever musician he plays the ukelele, guitar and banjo, and has appeared in numbers with Dixie and D’Raine (well known and popular entertainers with Luxorites), he can sing a good song and is also a good acrobat. His first stage appearance was as a juvenile in the Nellie Brainley Co. some years ago. Three years ago he received his first dancing lessons, and has appeared at the Ambassadors, Regent, Capitol and suburban theatres. He was a member of the Prince of Wales male ballet and then after a season at the Capitol Theatre joined up with the Milton and Adams Co. at the Luxor. When Brock and Thompson (whose whirlwind dance was an outstanding number in the “Golddiggers of Broadway”) were in Perth, Cliff Adams’ ability as a tap dancer was favourably commented on and both predicted that in a few years he would be among the top-notchers. Both Cliff and his partner are quiet and unassuming types of young Australians and the sort who wherever they might be will always bring credit to themselves and Western Australia. and the wish of “The New Call” is good luck, good hunting and the greatest success in the near future.

New Call (Perth, WA : 1931 – 1934), Thursday 21 April 1932, page 6

1933

LOCAL BAND HONOURED. – Engagements in Eastern States.

For the first time in broadcasting history a West Australian band has been engaged through the Australian Broadcasting Commission to give performances over the air in the Eastern States. Ron Moyle and his ‘Westralians,’ a combination of local performers, will leave for Adelaide by the Great Western express on Saturday, night, and will be absent for about six weeks. The ‘Westralians’ will be heard over the air from 5CL, Adelaide, on December 21 and 22, and from South Australia they will go to Melbourne, where they will broadcast from 3LO- between January 6 and 27. It is possible that the band will also visit Sydney.

Ron Moyle himself is wellknown to listeners in Western Australia, having been connected with broadcasting in this State for many years. His band, which is composed of the following players, was heard from 6WF during last dancing season: — Ron Moyle, A.C.T.L. (pianist); Bob Gibson, L.A.B. (alto saxophone, clarinet and violin) ; George Caro, A.T.C.L. (tenor saxophone, clarinet and violin); Allan Gough, A.T.C.L. (alto saxophone, clarinet and violin); Viv. Nylander (trumpet and trombone); Kem Fimmel (trumpet); Charles Thompson (trombone and’ trumpet); Wally Hadley (banjo, flute and guitar); Cliff Adams (guitar, tap dancer and vocalist); Eddy Roberts (drums and vocalist); and Tom Bennett (bass). The band will give a final concert at the Ambassadors Theatre on Friday night.

West Australian (Perth, WA), Wednesday 13 December 1933, page 5

1934

CLIFF ADAM DOING WELL – Perth Boy’s Success

Cliff Adam, a Perth boy, is doing exceptionally well in Melbourne just now. Cliff will be remembered for his supers dancing turns at the Luxor and elsewhere. Some time ago he went East, but was compelled to break his engagement and return West owing to illness. He is now at his top again in Melbourne, and is one of the most popular performers at the New Embassy in that city, where his items on the guitar and his clever dance numbers ARE A FEATURE of the programme. Cliff, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Adam, of Beaufort street. Perth, is the cleverest stepper of his type that this State has yet produced, and ‘The Mirror’ predicts a big future for him. His many W.A. friends will be delighted to hear of this unassuming young Perth lad’s progress.

Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 14 April 1934, page 7

 

1951 ABC Studio 7 Cliff Adams, Bill Hendry, Muriel Costigan, Dave Howard, Sylvia Caporn, Harry Bluck, Ralph Filmer

1955

Cliff Adam Band one of best on WA radio

Heard and enjoyed often on local stations are popular members of the Cliff Adam Band (below from left to right) Jack Pope, Harry Wicks, Cliff Adam, and John McCaughan. Leader Cliff Adam -something special with a guitar, a song, and formerly a tap dance – is among the most experienced of WA musicians.

He left Perth to tour the Eastern States with. Ron Moyle’s “Westralian” in 1933 and, finding things over that way to his liking, stayed for several successful years.

He played in famous Melbourne cabarets and toured with the Bert Howell band, one of Australia’s best in Sydney. He played with the tuneful Jay Whidden unit and had success on the air with the Colgate – Palmolive, Fred Hartley and other well-known radio bands. Now he broadcasts with his Hawaiian ensemble,, the 55-60 Show with the ABC Variety Band and. of course, his own Cliff Adam show.

Drummer and vibraphone player Harry Wicks moved here from Sydney two years back with the smash-hit Moreton and Kaye show He liked the place, decided to stay, and is heard in many local commercial shows. Harry hails originally from New Zealand but he has the Australian “bounce” in abundance.

Trumpeter Jack Pope, a member of Harry Bluck’s ABC Melodians, is heard

also on commercial stations. So does tenor-sax maestro John McCaughan, a momentous Melodian with the ABC. The quartet play together several times weekly in Cliff’s dance band. Other members of the band, pictured, are Russ Shepgeard pianist, and Ralph Filmer, bass.

Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1955), Sunday 9 January 1955, page 20

Instruments

Years