Ol’ 55

Formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1975, Ol’ 55 were originally a four-piece band known as Fanis (after then-singer Rockpile’s girlfriend by the name of Janis, broke up with him and became known thereafter as “fucking Janis” which was then corrupted to form the band name). They enjoyed enormous popularity with a retro-1950s style that bordered on parody.

Under the direction of astute manager Glenn A Baker, ‘the Fives’ managed to combine novelty retro kitsch and clever theatrics with superb vocal harmonies (all of the band members sang) a keen sense of pop dynamics and an acute understanding of rock ‘n’ roll.

Former chartered accountant Peter Brian was added to the group and became larger-than-life motor mouth frontman Frankie J Holden (named in tribute to Australia’s founding automobile).

The band dressed in authentic 1950s rocker gear and mixed vintage material with excellent original compositions (mostly penned by bassist, Jimmy Manzie).

By September 1975, the band had released their first single (a version of Paul Anka‘s Diana) on the Mushroom label. The single was a minor hit in Sydney.

After being joined by sax player Nick Aitken (who chose the stage name Wilbur Wilde), the group hit the national Top 20 with their follow-up single, an original composition called On The Prowl.

At the same time, their debut album, Take It Greasy, peaked at #2 nationally, eventually attaining double-platinum status and staying in the charts for a massive 39 weeks.

With two more hit singles, Looking For An Echo (a cover of a gorgeous piece of doo-wop from a rare album by Jay and The Americans member Kenny Vance) and (I Want A) Rockin’ Christmas (the most ambitious Australian single since The Real Thing), OL’55 took their place alongside Sherbet, TMG, Skyhooks and John Paul Young as bonafide mid-1970s Australian pop superstars.

Drummer Geoff Plummer left OL’55 in January 1977 to be replaced by Geoff “Spud” Peterkin. One month later, the band’s fifth single, C’mon Let’s Do It, reached #18.

F.J. Holden also released his debut solo single, My Right Of Way b/w Chartered Accountant Blues in April. Written by Manzie, the A-side of the single was the theme to the Australian movie The FJ Holden (1977).

Frankie left the band in May 1977, figuring that the screen (movie and TV) offered the greater chance of a future to sustain him, followed one month later by sax-man Wilbur Wilde, who joined Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons.

OL’55 unveiled its revamped line-up in August with new singer Mickey Raphone (real name Paul Stevens, ex-Silver Studs).

The band’s second album Fiveslivejive (featuring the original line-up), failed to chart despite containing some interesting treatments of old and new favourites recorded pseudo-live. The album was recorded in a studio with loyal fans, invited friends and guests as the ‘audience’.

The new line-up released their ‘debut’ single Stay (While The Night Is Young), a stunning slice of pop perfection which made it to #11 in November 1977. Bruce ‘Tangle Legs’ Allen joined on sax at the end of 1977, but by the following February, Mickey Raphone had left again.

Continuing as a five-piece with Rockpile and Jimmy Manzie sharing lead vocals, the band released Feels Like A Summer’s Night which featured a more contemporary power-pop sound and charted at #23 in May 1978.

The next single, Time To Rock ‘N’ Roll, failed to chart, and the third album, Crusin’ For A Brusin’ (released on Junction Records), was not successful either, despite containing some quality original pop songs. Ruby returned OL’55 to the national Top 40 in February 1979, followed by Living For Your Smile. Unfortunately, a split in the band’s ranks was widening.

For some time, Jim Manzie had been steering the band in a more power pop-oriented direction which caused friction with Rockpile and Patrick Drummond, who wanted to continue in the retro Rock & Roll vein.

The two guitarists left the band in June 1979 amid much acrimony, taking with them the rights to the name OL’55. Drummond and Jones recruited original drummer Geoff Plummer, Rob Drummond (bass) and Bob Tawney (guitar) in a new line-up and started from scratch.

By the end of the year, they had signed a deal with RCA, and Terry Bellew had replaced Rob Drummond on bass.

The band released the unsuccessful Comic Book World followed by their eighth hit, a version of Lou Christie‘s Two Faces Have I, which reached #15 nationally. Another album (The Vault) was released but the band folded shortly thereafter.

Meanwhile, Manzie and Peterkin had formed a superb contemporary power pop band called The Breakers – described as “heavy metal pop that combined Beach Boys-style vocals with Ramones guitar riffs and Buggles synthesizers”.

This exceptional band broke up after a year, and Manzie concentrated on his production duties.

In 1982, Holden, Manzie, Wilde, Jones, Plummer and newcomer Gunther (Ian) Gorman reconvened as The Fives to appear at the Mushroom Evolution concert to celebrate the label’s 10th anniversary. Three tracks from the band appeared on the live triple album of the event.

Since then, there have been many reformations under the monikers of OL’55, F J Holden and the Fives, and in the 1990s, OL’ Skydaddys.

Holden has pursued an acting career and was the host of the Australian TV Tonight show IMT (In Melbourne Tonight). Wilbur was a regular part of the Hey Hey It’s Saturday band from the mid-80s until the show’s demise.

Geoff Plummer succumbed to cancer and passed away on 2 February 2006, aged just 51.

Frankie J Holden (Peter Brian)
Vocals
Rockpile (Richard) Jones
Guitar, vocals
Jimmy Manzie
Bass, vocals
Pat “Meatballs” Drummond
Guitar, vocals
Geoff Plummer
Drums, vocals
Wilbur Wilde (Nick Aitken)
Sax, vocals
Geoff “Spud” Peterkin
Drums, vocals
Mickey Raphone (Paul Stevens)
Vocals
Bruce “Tangle Legs” Allen
Sax
Rob Drummond
Bass
“Bad” Bob Tawney
Guitar
Terry “Washing Machine” Bellew
Bass
Gunther (Ian) Gorman 
Guitar

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