Look up the word “entrepreneur” in the Oxford English Dictionary and you’ll probably find a photograph of Donald Hosie.
Don (pictured at right) had been the driving force behind the Sydney mod scene in the late 70s and early 80s (probably the furthest global spread of the mod revival) and with his brother, Gary (later of the Mustard Club), he had also been the force behind the first true Australian mod revival band, The Sets.
Donald was also a passionate evangelist for Rhythm & Blues. Following the demise of The Sets, Donald set about constructing his dream band – a brass-infused outfit playing real R&B, with the emphasis on dancing, sweating and having a great time.
Taking the name from a Dr Feelgood album title, Stupidity was born.
Don’s unlikely partner-in-groove was a psychedelic Hammond organ player who hailed from the working-class southern suburbs of Wollongong, NSW.
With a blonde Byrds-style hairdo and a penchant for paisley and tasselled suede jackets, Damon Giles III (pictured below left) seemed an unlikely ally, but the pair ostensibly became the engine room behind a mighty R& B combo, with a seemingly ever-changing lineup.
The band’s first single, Something’s Happening (1983), contained a version of the theme tune from legendary British cop show The Sweeney on the B side. For those who knew Stupidity, the inclusion of that track spoke volumes.
Further singles were released, notably, Stupid’s Party (1984) and Bend, Don’t Break (1985), and the band gigged sporadically, usually for special events or for grand occasions organised by the entrepreneurial Hosie or his close band of friends and followers.
Tragically, Donald (b. 1958) was killed in a motor vehicle accident at Easter 2000 while driving to Sydney from Mudgee (NSW). He was only 42. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by many.
Don Hosie
Vocals
Damon Giles III
Keyboard
Richard Rayment
Guitar
Michael Brown
Sax
Chris Burnham
Guitar
Lachlan Hawes
Trumpet
