Outside a strong cult following, Sydney band Avion’s brand of melodic, American-influenced AOR met with virtual indifference at home. RCA even issued the band’s eponymous debut album in the USA and Canada before it came out in Australia in September 1983.
Singer/guitarist Randall Waller had issued two solo albums – Oasis (1978) and Midnight Fire (1980) – before forming Lionheart in 1982, which eventually became Avion.
The three singles lifted from their debut LP, I Need You (March 1983), Diamond Eyes (September) and Never Let Me Go (October), were not successful. Still The Night was released as a single in August 1984.
For the 1987 album, White Noise, Paul Gannell replaced Martin Toole on guitar. The album spawned three singles, We’ve Got Secrets (September 1985), Celebration (September 1986) and Berlin Wall (April 1987).
In late 1987, keyboard player Evan Murray died in a car accident while the band was on tour. His death and a lack of airplay for the band’s singles precipitated Avion’s break-up at the end of the year.
Following the break-up, Randall Waller was a member of the Sharon O’Neill Band for a year. He also worked as a producer and engineer in the UK between 1988 and 1993, and was a member of the Bonnie Tyler Band in 1989.
Back in Australia, Randall joined Billy Thorpe‘s new band in 1996. Randall then wrote and recorded Side by Side which was a dedication to the victims of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Randall Waller
Vocals, guitar
Martin Toole
Guitar
Evan Murray
Keyboards
Kendall Waller
Bass
John Waller
Drums
Paul Gannell
Guitar
