HISTORY

HISTORY

HISTORY

HARDING RICHARDS - ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY HISTORY - 1980-2018

HARDING RICHARDS
ENTERTAINMENT AGENT | CONSULTANT | MANAGER

1984 - Present
Harding Richards started his booking career by going around to the different entertainment agencies and venues looking for opportunities for the bands he was performing in to get gigs. It was during one of these outings that the agency he was visiting offered him a job working as an agent starting immediately. He took the job and has now been working as band manager, promoter, entertainment agent / consultant for over 34 years.
Some of the bands that Harding has represented over the years include:
Doc Neeson represented as agent until late 2012 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The Cockroaches represented as agent for 8 years up until they disbanded in the late 1990's.
Ted Mulray Gang
Vince Sorrenti & George Smilovici represented “The Way It IS” Tour in the early 1990’s.
The Bleach Boys Australia's best Beach Boys tribute show.
The above video is a performance at a Joint Agencies Christmas Party in December 2001 which saw a number of agencies enter bands comprised of staff members. This was during my time at Southbeat where i worked from 1995 until early 2003. Southbeat won and i believe this was the 1st & last joint agencies christmas party :) .

Musicians
Harding Richards (history below)
Scott Leighton (Trilobites)
Stephen Wade (Rock Lobsters, Greased Lightning & others)
Damien Cooper (Richard Clapton, 1927)
Chris Cooke (Retromania, Australian Trilogy)
Gary Morris (Le Club Nerd)
Dale Jenner, Blair Duarte

HARDING RICHARDS
MUSICIAN & DJ

Harding Richards began performing as a keyboard player whilst still in school. It was in 1981, just out of High School that he began performing professionally and continued to perform for 21 years until the last gig in December 2001. During this time he also performed as a DJ with residencies at The Manly Hotel, Manly (Sundays), Time & Tide Hotel, Dee Why (4 nights a week) and The Bexley North Hotel (3 nights a week). Every night at The Bexley North Hotel the closing songs had to be Evie 1, 2 & 3 as Stevie Wright lived there and would dance to them and the crowd loved it. Also ran a Mobile Disco Business for a number of years performing as Dr Pete & Count D’Beat (photo at end of page).
Over this 20 year span there were many bands and varying degrees of success.

FELIX - 1981-1983

from Local Band to Recording Studio & release of a Double B side single.
to a Sold Out Industry Launch to disbanding and a subsequent Legal Battle.

In the early 80’s Felix became very popular on the northern beach’s of Sydney through there strange brand of pop. They were kind of a cross between Madness & Spandau Ballet. The band wore everything from Straight Jackets to Bullet vests, Rubber Bathmats to Tails and there on stage performances included everything from Fire Breathing to complete songs using percussion and wine bottles (emptied first in the green room). Recorded a double B side single in ’83 which was released with a performance at the Tivoli on George Street in Sydney in June ’83 to a packed crowd of over 600 people. The band spilt up the following week, ended up in court in a legal battle against the singer and manager shortly after.

BACK TO FACE - 1983-1985

During the mid 80’s came Back To Face, the northern beach’s ROCK band. Playing everything from Def Leppard to Led Zeppelin and doing it big. Back To Face travelled with a double 3 way system and 40 can light show and never made any money but boy did they rock. Back To Face were regulars at venues like Dee Why Hotel, The Royal Antler – Narrabeen, Mona Vale Hotel and could be seen supporting many major rock acts at these venues as well. The band featured the drumming skills of Scott McRae who went on to star in many high profile TV programs such as E-Street, Sea Patrol, Water Rats, All Saints and the hit children’s programs, VIDIOT, Now You See It and Download. Scott now fronts the show – Stevie – the Life and music of Stevie Wright & the Easybeats, can be seen on "A Taste Of Travel on 10, and can be heard at Panthers Home games as their ground announcer.

CHINA DOLL - 1985-1987

This video is from China Doll and was the bands 1st single “Blue Atmosphere” and was released through RCA. It was followed up shortly afterwards by “Heartbreak to Freedom”. China Doll were extremely popular during the mid to late 80’s and performed an average of 6 shows a week, playing in most of Sydney’s major venues to packed crowds. The Lineup for China Doll included many well known Sydney musicians including Shaylee Wilde, Michael Smith (associate editor of Drum Media), Terry Murray (Doug Mulray / Fargone Beauties)

CRYSTAL CATS - late 1980's

Crystal Cats was a short lived experiment into the world of Progressive Rock and Hard Rock genres and saw the band performing everything from Yes, Asia, The Babys, Foreigner, Sweet and many many more. During its time it featured a number of well known musicians including Paul Mario Day (Iron maiden / Sweet / Wildfire & Crimson Lake).

THE PANELBEATERS - late 1980's

The Panelbeaters were an original project that were formed to record and perform in the European market. The band were runners up in the Freeport Band Competition in the late 80’s playing to a record crowd of over 1500 people at Bankstown Sports Club. The band secured a recording and touring contract with a European label which saw the band pack its bags for the big time. At the 11th hour the contracts fell through. The singer/guitarist Colin and bass player Gary decided to continue on there way to Europe on a whim and a prayer. Harding declined to take the gamble. The guys returned a number of years later to play covers again back in Sydney. 

GODS OF SURF - late 1980's early 1990's

During the late 80’s Gods Of Surf were the premier Surf Party Band touring the east coast of Australia. The band would regularly be seen travelling up & down the coast in towns like Forster, Crescent Head, Nambucca Heads, Sawtell, Surfers Paradise & Bribie Island. Highlights include many performances at the legendary Fishermans Wharf to record crowds. The band were also renowned for the Finch Bikini Go Go Dancers that would be seen on stage at all the bands performances.

GUITAR THUNDER / ROCK INCORPORTAED - early 1990's

Harding becomes endorsed by KORG AUSTRALIA

Guitar Thunder was put together by the guitarist and was an 8 piece guitar rock outfit playing everything from Bon Jovi to Extreme, Janet Jackson to Dyvinals and more. If I recall correctly this line up did 2 or 3 shows and then disbanded leaving the original guitarist and reforming as Rock Incorporated.

Rock Incorporated was formed from the above Guitar Thunder minus the original guitarist. The band did a number of showcase gigs at the Cobra Club in Parramatta.

THE 70'S EXPLOSION - early 1990's

They Rocked & Rolled. All of the hits from the greatest bands from the 70’s, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Sweet, Alice Cooper, Smokie and many many more.

GO CAT GO - 1994

This line up of Go Cat Go was only together for a couple of months and included Steve Abigail (Guitar Factory Hurstville) and Robert Smith (Endless Summer Beach Party). During this time the band performed a number of shows and functions but the highlight was the bands trip to Papua New Guinea. The band performed 2 Midori balls for the local liquor importer Fair Deal Liquor on the 2nd & 3rd September, 1994. We were there for 5 days which included a performance at Lai on the friday and back in Port Moresby on the Saturday. On the morning of the Saturday there was terrential rain and flooding and there was no access to the airstrip to fly back to Port Moresby. The band were taken to the old airfield, the PA, stage gear and band were then flown to the new airport via Helicopters (with nets carrying the equipment underneath). From there the band were flown by private Jet (Wild Thing) back to Port Moresby. 

SOUL GROOVE - 1994-2001

Soul Groove were an 8 piece Corporate Horn Party Band. Played with and managed this band for a total of 8 years. During this time the band played most major 5 star hotels in Sydney, played for too many Corporate clients to list, played at The Rocks for New Years eve 1999, performed on the Harbour Waterfront for International Trade Shows and even performed on the back of trucks at Holswarthy Army Barracks. Performed numerous New Years Eve partys for The Four Seasons Hotel and also performed on stage with the likes of Ignatius Jones, * Delilah, Barry Crocker, Little Patty & Ian Turpie. The band could also be seen most Sundays at Kitty OSheas in Paddington with Delilah performing to capacity crowds & regularly performed in the Marble Bar at The Sydney Hilton Hotel where even the bar staff would dance on the bars.

* the late Delilah (30th December 1941 - 12th March 2018)
photo below with my good school friend Craig Bennett - Studio 10

from My personal Facebook Page:
A very sad day to loose 1 of the greatest entertainers i have worked with. I performed dozens of times with Delilah back in the mid to late 90's. We played to full houses every Sunday night at Kitty O'Sheas in Paddington and she would drive the crowd wild with her Stage presence and absolutely amazing performance and vocals. Also performed at many Corporate events with her as well and she was a true Entertainer through and through. She will be sadly missed by all that truly knew her.

DJ - DR PETE & COUNT D'BEAT

HARDING RICHARDS
MANAGEMENT

BRAVE & CRAZY - STAR SEARCH FINALISTS - 1990

Over the years Harding has managed many successful bands. One of these bands was Brave & Crazy featuring Maryanne Rex who were Star Search Finalists in 1990 and finished runners up to Devils in Heaven.
Some of the other bands managed over the years include:

The RnB Band featuring Warren Ward (The Captain – Blackfeather), Ross Ward & Ken Killen.
Pelican Jed (originally Chilli Vandals) who were extremely successful in the inner city & southern suburbs of Sydney; released there debut CD Boof Eggs. Jarrod Murphy has a new project today known as SMLXL - check them out on Facebook SMLXLmusic
Soul Groove managed & played keyboards for 8 years as listed above (Harding Richards – Musician)
Pyjama Party ACE Award Nominee 2004 & 2008 “Best Commercial Covers / Dance Band” as listed below (Harding Richards – Bands Owned)
Bat Out Of Hell ACE Award Nominee 2006 “Best Tribute Show” as listed below (Harding Richards – Bands Owned)
Sister Act MO Award Nominee 2002 “Variety Production Show Of The Year” as listed below (Harding Richards – Bands Owned)
Montego Bay as listed below (Harding Richards – Bands Owned)
Endless Summer Beach Party as listed below (Harding Richards – Bands Owned)
Tequila Sunrise as listed below (Harding Richards – Bands Owned)

HARDING RICHARDS
BANDS OWNED & MANAGED

PYJAMA PARTY

“Best Commercial Covers / Dance Band”
7th Annual ACE Awards - 2004
Australian Club Entertainment Awards
“Best Commercial Covers / Dance Band”
11th Annual ACE Awards-2008
Australian Club Entertainment Awards
Pyjama Party was conceived when it was cool to play in a costumed party band and was intended to be one of the best party cover bands in Sydney. Pyjama Party achieved this and ran for almost 10 years and performed in excess of 1000 shows. During this time it attracted players from such bands as 1927 – Swoop – Australian Doors Show – Kids In The Kitchen – Geisha – Enormous Horns – Jenny Morris – Groove Terminator – Utopian Babies – One Hit Wonders
Highlights include:
2008 – “ACE Award” nominee Best commercial covers / dance band
2005 – “Club Med Lindeman Island”
2004 – “Star City Casino – Halloween”
2004 – “Club Med Bali”
2004 – “ACE Award” nominee Best commercial covers / dance band
2003 – “New Years Eve Concert” 20,000 People
2003 – “Club Med Bali”
2003-“NRL Preliminary Final”
2002 – “Club Med Malaysia”
2001 – New Years Eve Darling Harbour
2001 – “NRL Grand Final” Parramatta v Newcastle
2000 – New Years Eve Darling Harbour
2000 – “Sydney Olympic Team”
1999 – “Enmore Theatre” International support
1998 – “Debut”

BAT OUT OF HELL - the ultimate MEAT LOAF tribute

“Best Tribute Show”
9th Annual ACE Awards - 2006
Australian Club Entertainment Awards
more information coming soon!

SISTER ACT

“Best Tribute Show”
27th Annual Mo Awards - 2002
Mo Entertainment Awards
more information coming soon!

MONTEGO BAY

more information coming soon!

TEQUILA SUNRISE

more information coming soon!

ENDLESS SUMMER BEACH PARTY

more information coming soon!

BAND COMPETITIONS

ROCKIN' THE PENINSULA
ROCKIN' THE CITY
ROCKIN' THE WEST

The “Rockin’ The … ” series of events were run in the late 1980’s and were designed to help local original talent playing the Sydney scene at the time to promote themselves through a high profile band competition with a range of rewards & prizes that would enable them to move forward and hopefully gain a greater exposure and profile.

The venues for these events were Jensens @ Avalon in the northern beach’s of Sydney, The Tivoli on George Street in Sydney & Bankstown Sports Club.

These events attracted crowds of between 600-800 and were extremely successful. Prizes included everything from Studio Recording Time, pressing of vinyl singles, major artist supports through The Harbour Agency, Musical Equipment, printing, gigs and much much more.

The judging for these events included representatives from all facets of the industry including Radio Station 2SM, major agency bookers and included many musicians from some of Sydney’s biggest bands at the time including The Cockroaches & Icehouse.

These events were supported by the local music press at the time being On The Street & The Drum Media and were sponsored by many major companies including, Dorito’s, Venue Music & 2SM.

CD PRODUCTION & CONCERTS

STREETWISE - an urban culture compilation 1, 2 & 3

The Streetwise series of concerts & CD's was a concept designed to take the cream of local original talent playing the Sydney scene at the time and to promote these artists through a high profile event along with a limited edition CD. These events were all held at Selinas in the Coogee Bay Hotel and were extremely successful, attracting crowds of between 500-600 at each event. The CD’s were sold out.

The bands provided there own content which was then mastered at various Sydney Studios including Albert Studios. All tracks were mastered by Kathy Naunton & Robert Racic.

These events were supported by the local music press at the time being On The Street & The Drum Media. Streetwise 2 & 3 included amazing indoor fireworks displays provided by Pyromania – Lou Stefanel.

Streetwise 1 – 28th August 1992
Streetwise 2 – 16th October, 1992
Streetwise 3 – 27th November, 1992

STREETWISE I

STREETWISE II

STREETWISE III

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