The Allstars can trace their pedigree back to the fifties when the Melbourne based Danny Sowden Allstars split and became the pioneering rock-n-roll group, the Henri Bource Allstars. This group performed and recorded for some years until Henri Bource joined the Thunderbirds. The Henri Bource Allstars went into recess until the early eighties when the group was reformed with Henri Bource on tenor sax and flute. Henri preferred the group not use his name so it became the Allstars.
Since then the Allstars have shared the stage with artists of considerable international acclaim including Tom Jones, Rick Nelson, Del Shannon, Gene Pitney, the Shadows, Chubby Checker, the Gerry Marsden, Bobby Rydell and Buddy Holly’s Crickets. With many of these artists multiple tours were involved. The Allstars have performed throughout Australia and at major events such as the Australian Bi-Centenary celebrations, Australia Day celebrations and the Melbourne Moomba festival.
Among the many Australian artists who have featured with the Allstars are Normie Rowe, Glenn Shorrock, Doug Parkinson, Ian Turpie, Johnny Chester, Alison Durbin, Jade Hurley, Judy Stone, Merv Benton, Little Pattie, Grantley Dee, Donna Fisk, Dinah Lee, Lucky Starr, Lonnie Lee, Bev Harrell, Bobby & Laurie, Ross D Wylie, Barry Stanton, Johnny Devlin, Marcie Jones and Warren Williams.
As Stan “the Man” Rofe, the legendary DJ who was the first to broadcast rock-n-roll on Melbourne radio and was inducted in to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, said “the Allstars are clearly the most authentic and professional rock-n-roll group in Australia”.
Normie Rowe was Australia’s biggest pop star of the sixties.
Sunshine Records released his first single “It Ain’t Necessarily So”. His second single was the Leiber and Stoller composition “I Who Have Nothing”. The third single took the nation by storm. On one side Normie revived and energised Doris Day’s “Que Sera Sera“ and Shakin All Over”, which he had heard Johnny Chester perform at the dances. Both sides received massive airplay and were national number one hits.
In England in 1966 Normie recorded “Ooh La la” and he promoted his second English single “It’s Not Easy” touring with Gene Pitney and the Troggs, and in America with Roy Orbison.
The biggest challenge to his career came with the Australian Government’s involvement in Vietnam. All 20-yearolds were liable for conscription into the military. Most conscripts were selected by a ballot of birthday dates but as Normie would find out much later, his birthday was not one of those that was selected, yet he was conscripted.
He served in Vietnam, and in his absence from his homeland, Australia had a new King Of Pop in Johnny Farnham. On his return Normie still endeavoured to release his recordings, but found rejection from the most important exposure outlet for Pop music on Australian TV, Countdown. No matter what Normie released, the Countdown producers chose to ignore his efforts.
In 1975, Normie entered the Yamaha World Song Contest receiving the prize for the Most Popular Performance of his yet to be recorded "Elizabeth”. Released mid 1975 this song went to number one.
As an actor Normie’s first play was “Some Night In Julia Creek”, and he featured in the popular television series “Sons and Daughters”. In 1987, Normie landed the lead role of Jean Valjean in the musical “Les Miserables”, which he played to great acclaim in over 600 performances. He then appeared in leading roles in “Annie”, “Chess”, “Evita”, “Cyrano”, “Get Happy” and “Oklahoma”. In 2002 he stole the show with his performances of “Que Sera Sera” and “Shakin’ All Over” on the hugely successful Long Way To The Top concert series tour.
Normie Rowe became a leading advocate and spokesman for the Vietnam Veterans and he was a key member of the National Committees for the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Parade and the Vietnam National Memorial Dedication. He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994.
In 2005 Normie was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame and was also recognised by the Australian War Memorial as a National Hero. More recently Normie has become the Ambassador for Soldier On, a support organisation focusing on younger ex-service people dealing with physical and psychological effects of their war service deployments.
In November 2016, Normie saw the release of his Biography, “Normie, the Normie Rowe Story”, which traces his life from his early days to today.
Normie Rowe is one of Australia’s favourite sons.
Donna Fisk is an award-winning singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer with several number one and chart-topping hit recordings. Donna is Royal Command performer, who has her hands immortalized in the Australian Country Music Hands of Fame.
Touring with her own show and headlining many festivals Donna featured in Andrea Lemon’s book “Rodeo Girls go Round the Outside”, exploring modern day female trailblazers for Australian Country Music. The voice on many national advertising campaigns including, “The Australian Centenary Of Federation”, and the face of Australian Football League/ Channel 7 Anthem’ Rock N’ Footy,‘ that ultimately led to performing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the prestigious Grand Final to an audience of millions.
During her career Donna has shared the stage with the acclaimed artists such as Muhammad Ali, John Denver, Donny Osmond, Dame Edna Everage, Tom .T. Hall, Canned Heat, Susan Raye, James Morrison, Tommy Emmanuel, Dave Dudley, Blood Sweat and Tears, Frank Ifield and The Seekers to mention just a few.
Donna has had many accolades bestowed upon her during her career, Including:
- Winning five consecutive Southern Hemisphere Country Music Awards
- Best Female Entertainer at Australian Country Music Awards
- National & Victorian Female Vocalist of the year
- Australian Performing Rights Association Song of The Year
- Best Independent Release, Single of The Year, Album Of The Year
- Entertainer of The Year, TSA National Songwriting Award,
- Gospel Song of The Year, EARTHSONG - Most Original Song
- IMA America - Finalist / Best Album.
- Inducted Into the South Australian Country Music Hall Of Fame
- “International Spur“ award for excellence as a Performer, Entertainer, Female vocalist and music achievement.
Mark Andrew appeared on the nine networks talent show “New Faces” which opened a lot of doors.
“Elvis Leaves His Mark” was launched in 1998 and is now one of the best Tribute shows worldwide with Mark finishing in the top 5 in the world in Memphis in 2002. In Recent times Mark was invited to perform his Elvis Tribute for Joe Esposito, Elvis’ own Road manager and best Man at his wedding, Joe’s comments were “Mark You did an absolute fantastic tribute to Elvis and it brought back so many memories, You sang from the heart just like Elvis did”.
In recent years, Mark has been invited four years in a row to headline “The Parkes Elvis Festival” performing various versions of his “Elvis Leaves His Mark” show, with this year having sold out four consecutive shows with standing ovations.
Mark is currently continuing with his ongoing demand with corporate entertainment.
Rick first achieved significant public recognition when, as the lead vocalist with the Henchmen, the group won the Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds competition in 1965. By winning the competition the Henchmen were awarded a recording contract with Go! Records.
With the vibrant character of Rick’s voice out front the Henchmen released the Bobby Day classic ‘Rockin’ Robin”. It was an outstanding chart success throughout Australia. Rick Diamond has toured with many leading artists including the Dave Clark Five and the Seekers.
Over the last couple of decades Rick Diamond has focused his dramatic vocal talents towards the music of the legendary Roy Orbison. Those people who have experienced Rick’s recent performances quickly realize that there is an amazing similarity between the voice of Roy Orbison and the soaring vocals of Rick Diamond. Performances by Rick Diamond and the Allstars receive excellent reviews.
Billy O' Rourke was a pioneer of rock-n-roll in Melbourne. In the late fifties Billy was performing at venues across Melbourne - from the Mornington Peninsula to St Kilda's renowned Earl's Court and at the legendary Preston Town Hall. Billy's wild on-stage movements attracted a lot of attention from the audience and his popularity zoomed. He was quickly recognised as Melbourne's wild man of rock-n-roll. Performances at radio station rock concerts were frequent and Billy also appeared on the national television rock show "Six O' Clock Rock" with Johnny O'Keefe. The Sydney based recording company, Rex, invited Billy and his then backing group - the Thunderbirds - to record some material, including the Stan Rofe suggestion "Running Bear". These recordings are now strongly sought after by collectors of Australian rock-n-roll throughout the world.
Billy then joined the Australian Army, which included two stints of active service in Vietnam. It was in the service that Billy met Normie Rowe. They shared accommodation and fought side by side in Vietnam. Billy and Normie have remained close friends often performing together at Viet Vet reunions and at shows with the Allstars.
With rock entrepreneur, Ian B. Allen, Billy developed a Johnny O'Keefe tribute show, which features all of O'Keefe's many hit records and, with the Allstars, performs to sell out audiences.
David Man is best known as Mann About Town – when he plays the part of a roving on-air reporter for 3AW 693.
David commenced his working career at 3AW as an office boy in 1973, before being promoted to panel operator and given a cadetship in journalism, quickly moving to an on-air role as a radio personality for some twenty years. For over four decades David has held various positions including Production Manager, Creative Director, and Promotions and Marketing Manager, a position he held for twenty-three years.
David does considerable work with the Victoria Police, Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Ambulance Victoria. Over the past twenty years David has travelled extensively working with and lecturing on the role of media to emergency services across the United States. He also has many Government and private sector appointments. In addition to this mammoth workload David Mann still manages to make time to host events and deliver his corporate motivator presentation – Personalities/Places/Performers.
David Mann has been awarded the Centenary medal and is a Member of the Order of Australia.
When only eight Gil was playing drums in Downbeat concerts in Melbourne with the internationally acclaimed Buddy Rich. Two years later Gil was touring the USA with Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, including a performance with Cubby O’Brien on the Mickey Mouse Club television show.
Gil studied piano theory and orchestration. He soon came across Billy Thorpe which led to the production of “Most people I Know Think I’m Crazy” and performances at four Sunbury music festivals. He has also performed with Mondo Rock, Blackfeather and Richard Clapton.
- Normie Rowe AM Very Special Guest
- Donna Fisk Very Special Guest
- Mark Andrews Very Special Guest
- Rick Diamond Very Special Guest
- Billy O'Rourke Very Special Guest
- David Mann AM 3AW's Mann About Town
- Barry Roy Guitar
- Graeme Trottman Drums
- Graham Broomfield Saxes
- Stephen Kelson Keys
- Ian B Allen AM Bass
"It's been a blast, thank's for everything"
Bobby Rydell
"It's nice to see a band having a good time and enjoying what they are doing"
Bruce Welch (The Shadows)
"Great support and wonderful backing"
The Diamonds
"Thanks. It was a real pleasure working with you"
Rick Nelson
"The Allstars are really a great rock-n-roll band. They really rock!"
Johnny Preston
"Thanks for a great tour. Excellent musicians"
Gerry Marsden
"It was great working with you. Rock on forever"
Del Shannon
"Very nice to be working with the Allstars again"
The Coasters
"All the shows were great...a beautiful job"
Johnny Tillotson"
"The Allstars were super. I would be glad to walk on any stage anywhere in the world with them. Purely a super band"
Buddy Knox"
"I want to record with the Allstars"
Chan Romero
"This is our second tour with the wonderful Allstars, we consider them our family"
The Crystals
"They are all Allstars"
Chris Montez
"Best band I have ever worked with"
Barry Stanton
"What a hot band!"
Lucky Starr
"The Allstars are clearly the most authentic and professional rock n roll group in Australia"
DJ Stan “the Man” Rofe