Formed in 1973 in Newcastle (NSW, Australia), Rabbit were originally a three-piece band playing covers of songs by artists such as Alice Cooper, The Who and The Move
Greg Douglas joined as lead vocalist in 1974 but was replaced by Dave Evans in October. Evans had just been ousted from AC/DC and had a reputation as an outrageous and theatrical frontman, renowned for his “rampant heterosexuality”.
The band now adopted a thundering brand of commercial glam/boogie (similar to KISS), adorning themselves in silk shirts, spandex leggings and platform-heeled boots.
Their shows now climaxed with drummer Phil Screen’s spectacular demonstrations of fire-breathing.
Rabbit moved to Sydney and soon rivalled Hush in the Glam Rock stakes.
Signing to CBS, the group released a self-titled album which produced two singles – Lady La Di Da (October 1975) and Running Bear (December 1975). At the same time, the line-up extended with the addition of Dave Hinds on lead guitar.
The second Rabbit LP, Too Much Rock ‘n’ Roll, provided arguably the pinnacle of Australian Glam Rock and produced the singles Too Much Rock ‘n’ Roll (February 1976) and Wildfire (July 1976). The band promoted the songs on Countdown (the Aussie equivalent of Top Of The Pops) and embarked on an Australia-wide tour with the Ted Mulry Gang.
Founder members Mark Tinson and Phil Screen left the band early in 1977, with only Screen being replaced (by Barry Litten) and the group continuing as a four-piece. They issued a further single (a cover of Paul Revere & The Raiders‘ Let Me), but by the end of 1977, they were on shaky ground.
Evans left in October and Jim Porteus rejoined Tinson and Screen, recruited guitarist Peter De Jong, dispensed with the glam clothing and re-named the group Heroes.
Heroes returned to Newcastle and became the city’s top rock attraction, also having the honour of being the last band to ever play at the town’s Star Hotel – the controversial closure of which sparked off the rioting immortalised in the Cold Chisel single, Star Hotel. Tinson and Screen went on to join Swanee in the 80s. Dave Hinds joined Sydney band Finch.
Dave Evans
Vocals Mark Tinson
Guitar, vocals Jim Porteus
Bass, vocals Phil Screen
Drums Dave Hinds Guitar Barry Litten
Drums Greg Douglas Vocals
Video
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Their shows now climaxed with drummer Phil Screen’s spectacular demonstrations of fire-breathing.
