Billy Thorpe is one of the enigmas of Australian music, a man of many careers. It began in Brisbane when the young Thorpe was overheard by a television producer playing his guitar and singing at the back of his parents' Brisbane store. At the age of ten he was appearing regularly on Queensland television and appearing on the same stage as many of the top artists of the day.
When he was 17 he moved to Sydney as a solo country/pop singer just as the Beatles were breaking. Always one to recognize opportunity knocking Thorpe teamed up with instrumental band The Aztecs and together they became one of the first Australian groups to contribute to the new sixties era of pop, in June 1964 scoring a huge national hit with their version of the Rolling Stones' version of "Poison Ivy." After a couple more era-influenced hits Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs gravitated towards releasing songs which showed off Thorpe's fine singing voice and scored another major hit with a straight ballad version of "Over the Rainbow" from the film The Wizard of Oz, and in July 1965 a version of the Platters' "Twilight Time." By now the original Aztecs had been replaced by other musicians. Thorpe also became the star of his own national TV show It's All Happening. In the space of two years he had scored nine major hits.
When the TV show was cancelled Thorpe slipped into a middle of the road cabaret circuit, all but forgotten by his pop fans. By December 1968 Thorpe had decided to try his luck in England, and accepted some gigs in Melbourne for extra cash before leaving. He never got to England. Billy Thorpe became so enamoured by the rock/blues scene flourishing in Melbourne at that time, he became an integral part of it. The new 'General Custer' lookalike Thorpe played long extended electric guitar solos and boasted the loudest band in the land. The 'boogie' rock style they evolved was a direct influence on the latterday AC/DC. With this version of the Aztecs Billy Thorpehit the big time again with the song "Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy), an Australian rock classic. In November 1973 the Aztecs also became the first rock band to play the Sydney Opera House.
After "Most People I Know" was unsuccessfully been released in England Thorpe set his sights on the US, disbanding the Aztecs and adopting more of an adult rock oriented style. In 1979 Thorpe signed a US deal with American producer Spencer Proffer and recorded the ambitious science fiction/rock opera concept album Children Of The Future, which achieved Top 20 status in America, selling 500,000 copies. The follow-up album 21st Century Man also gained a US gold record. The years that followed saw Thorpe concentrated on non-music business activities as diverse as electronics and toys, before forming Zoo with Mick Fleetwood in 1990. Anytime he visited Australia the "Most People I Know" Aztecs fans were ready to flock to any show Thorpe was prepared to mount. There's a readymade audience there anytime "Thorpie" wants it.
In July 1996 Billy Thorpe returned to Australia to live and authored two highly-entertaining best selling books which only scratch the surface of his life and career, Sex Thugs And Rock'n'Roll, and naturally, Most People I Know. ~ Ed. Nimmervoll, All Music Guide
Written by Ed. Nimmervoll
Just shy of his 61st birthday, Billy succumbed to a massive heart attack at 2.30am EST today in Sydney. Australia is mourning the loss of a revered musical hero.
Billy Thorpe (Tribute Site)'s Friend Space (Top 20)
We are strangers again When will that fight ever end Lost the sight of your face It Is no where near my place Can not see any image that once was It is lost to me once more We are now strangers again When will the fight ever end. Let the others have their fun They are the ones who will be undone I have lost the image of your face What a life that is now in disgrace. We are strangers to each other We are no longer each others lover. We now are strangers once again. Time does not matter what people say The heart of mine sees it all There is always time for a call. We wont be strangers anymore. Again there are lovers in my door. When I found myself I did not run away This is were I wanted you to stay Let others be strangers and not in our way This were we are really strong. We wont back away when things go wrong. Believing in each other wont make strangers. You image is now so clear In my heart you are so near. In my heart your image is always so clear.
From childhood we all have music within us. Dream of music to fill our lives’ Dream of music to fill our soul Dream of Music of all varieties.
When we grow we all feel they rhythms of music within our life Sadly most of forget how music filled our lives as we all tend to grow up and out of music. The Dreamers keep all aspects of the music. To others they follow the general flow and go to show the substance is a cash flow.
The Dream of music has been hidden. Because of our families, we are all driven to go with societies flow.
No matter how it goes. The dreams of music is never forgotten Put in a cupboard of mind And pressured to conform.
The Real dreamers are never forgotten. Their lives are filled with passion, Imagination and regeneration of music.
The note are formed The keys are heard The words are written and all is put together.
In heart this music flow. To reach your ears, your body, your soul. The music has vibrations that will always grow within you. It matches your vibrations and then it reaches deep within you, you become apart of music and music becomes a part of you.
Because The Music, just like you grows. Man knows that music comes from deep within. For Music dreamers have been passes on from the beginning of time, right up till this very day.
Music Of dreams will always become a part of everyone’s’ heart. This is where every woman, child and man knows’, that this is part of everyone’s dream. This is where Music and Dreams become one. Each person feels the music, their own way. Each person feels the belonging of music. Each being feels. This is where music really grows.
To Accept ones limits is to lose ones dreams To expand ones limits is to live ones dreams To shorten your own limits to please others is to cut ones life.
This is not to morn the passing of the man, This is to celebrate what the man achieved. The Music was his soul, The times were full of Rock and Roll. Giving his soul to the people He was the light in a shining steeple.
He lived the life He deferred all strife He cared for the land Of Australia He cared for life, love and music.
He lived and celebrated life Through hard times Good times The music never left his soul This man, of Australian Rock and Roll.
Billy Thorpe believed in music Billy Thorpe believed in Australia This man believed in its entire people. This is a man who is still a true legend.
From childhood we all have music within us. Dream of music to fill our lives’ Dream of music to fill our soul Dream of Music of all varieties.
When we grow we all feel they rhythms of music within our life Sadly most of forget how music filled our lives as we all tend to grow up and out of music. The Dreamers keep all aspects of the music. To others they follow the general flow and go to show the substance is a cash flow.
The Dream of music has been hidden. Because of our families, we are all driven to go with societies flow.
No matter how it goes. The dreams of music is never forgotten Put in a cupboard of mind And pressured to conform.
The Real dreamers are never forgotten. Their lives are filled with passion, Imagination and regeneration of music.
The note are formed The keys are heard The words are written and all is put together.
In heart, this music flows. To reach your ears, your body, your soul. The music has vibrations that will always grow within you. It matches your vibrations and then it reaches deep within you, you become apart of music and music becomes a part of you.
Because The Music, just like you, grows. Man knows that music comes from deep within. For Music dreamers have been around on from the beginning of time, right up till this very day.
Music Of dreams will always become a part of everyone’s heart. This is where every woman, child and man knows’, that this is part of everyone’s dream. This is where Music and Dreams become one. Each person feels the music, his or her own way. Each person feels the belonging of music. Each being feels. This is where music really grows.
From childhood we all have music within us. Dream of music to fill our lives’ Dream of music to fill our soul Dream of Music of all varieties.
When we grow we all feel they rhythms of music within our life Sadly most of forget how music filled our lives as we all tend to grow up and out of music. The Dreamers keep all aspects of the music. To others they follow the general flow and go to show the substance is a cash flow.
The Dream of music has been hidden. Because of our families, we are all driven to go with societies flow.
No matter how it goes. The dreams of music is never forgotten Put in a cupboard of mind And pressured to conform.
The Real dreamers are never forgotten. Their lives are filled with passion, Imagination and regeneration of music.
The note are formed The keys are heard The words are written and all is put together.
In heart, this music flows. To reach your ears, your body, your soul. The music has vibrations that will always grow within you. It matches your vibrations and then it reaches deep within you, you become apart of music and music becomes a part of you.
Because The Music, just like you, grows. Man knows that music comes from deep within. For Music dreamers have been around on from the beginning of time, right up till this very day.
Music Of dreams will always become a part of everyone’s heart. This is where every woman, child and man knows’, that this is part of everyone’s dream. This is where Music and Dreams become one. Each person feels the music, his or her own way. Each person feels the belonging of music. Each being feels. This is where music really grows.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Hey THORPiE FANS, I'm doin' a gig with the legendary 70's band SPECTRUM this Friday, so I'll sing my song and I'll Be Gone..
