The Delltones
Encyclopedia
The Delltones, a popular Australian rock 'n roll band, originally formed in 1958. They started out as a vocal harmony group with the lineup consisting of Brian Perkins, Noel Widerberg, Ian 'Peewee' Wilson and Warren Lucas. In 1962, with the single "Get a Little Dirt on Your Hands" in the top five on the Australian charts, the lead vocalist Noel Weiderberg died in a motor vehicle accident. His position was later filled by Col Loughnan.
The Delltones have been entertaining Australian audiences for over five decades, with their most successful recording years in the 1960s. Ian 'Peewee' Wilson is the only current member from the original lineup. In the mid 1980’s he transformed the group from a vocal quartet to a five piece vocal band. This along with other stylistic changes, led to the band's resurgence and the chart topping, rock ‘n roll revival album, Bop Til Ya Drop. The band remains as one of the most consistent live entertainers in Australia, with arguably the longest performing and recording history, for a vocal harmony band with an original member.
In 1958 Ian “Peewee” Wilson and Noel Widerberg, both lifesavers at the Bronte Surf Club, began singing together at the club socials. Widerberg and Wilson were also both interested in four-part Doo Wop harmony music. In the latter part of 1958 they met with Warren Lucas, a member of a vocal group The Sapphires, and the three experimented with harmony. Later that year Warren Lucas recruited Brian Perkins and the four, met up at a Bronte Club social and went looking for an echo in the shower room – The Delltones were formed. They began harmonizing at talent quests and on street corners. Their first “engagement” was at a Kings Cross nightclub. The manager heard the boys singing outside and invited them in to perform an impromptu show consisting of four songs – their total repertoire. They were paid with spaghetti bolognese and beer.
Studios of Bob Rogers
, who was a top radio DJ at the time. They auditioned for him, during a commercial break, with the Noel Widerberg composition "Why". Bob Rogers telephoned Lee Gordon
, the American promoter, to announce that he had found the vocal backing group, needed for his upcoming show – headed by Tab Hunter
. The Delltones went on to perform on many of Lee Gordon’s Big Shows with their own spot, as well as harmony back up vocals for some of the American stars such as: The Everly Brothers
, Fabian
, Crash Craddock, Conway Twitty
, Jimmie Rodgers
, Tommy Sands
and Lloyd Price
as well as the Australian Rock ‘n Roll pioneers such as Johnny Rebb, Johnny Devlin
and soon to be mentor Johnny O'Keefe
.
It is worth noting that in the long running iconic ABC Television music show Rage
, the opening segment was taken from one of the concerts, featuring Johnny O'Keefe and his band The Dee Jays, along with The Delltones. The Delltones also sang backing vocals on the next recording session for Johnny O'Keefe. The booming bass vocals of Peewee Wilson provided the opening bars of O'Keefe’s self composed "Why do they doubt our love", which became a hit when it was released in June 1959.
’s Bandstand
. This cross generational, television show helped to make them a household name.
Lee Gordon also signed them to his Leedon Records
recording label and within a week the group had cut their first single – a remake of The Crows
"Gee" and the Widerberg composition "Why". "Gee" was an immediate success, eventually peaking at number 15, with eight-week duration in the local charts. Though the release failed to make headway in the nationally Australian charts.
Their second single released in October 1959 was the Noel Widerberg composition "Tonight", plus a b-side cover of Dion and The Belmonts
' "Every Little Thing I Do". The latter track became a minor hit, but was unable to generate sales on a national basis.
At this stage the group's popularity for live performance began to increase rapidly. They were also in heavy demand for recording sessions and participated in Johnny O'Keefe’s iconic Shout, plus Johnny Rebb’s Highway of Love. They also recorded harmony back-ups for country stars like, Slim Dusty
, Reg Lindsay
and Lionel Long
.
Their next single "Yes Indeed" peaked at number 30 in the local charts. But the follow-up release with Ian "Peewee" Wilson singing a bass vocal lead, DooWop version, of Vera Lynne’s classic "White Cliffs of Dover", failed to make an impression. Disenchanted by Leedon’s failure to promote theses singles to a larger national audience, the Group accepted an offer to switch to the CBS
(Coronet) label in June 1960.
Following a performance on The Tommy Sands Show
, in mid 1960, the group befriended the Sands guitarist Scotty Turnbull who offered to write two songs for The Delltones – "Little Miss Heartbreak" and "Take This Heart". Turnbull also produced and played with the legendary Hal Blaine
on drums for both singles, but unfortunately they were not a commercial success.
However the next Coronet release proved to be the breakthrough that the group had been seeking for the past eighteen months. The single "You’re The Limit", provided them with their first national hit when it reached the top ten across Australia. This release was even more successful in Sydney, reaching number 4 on the local charts, in January 1961.
After a better financial offer from EMI Records
the group changed labels again and their next release "Wonder", was moderately successful at number 30 nationally. But the follow-up single String a Long, released in July, was a dismal failure.
An anecdote of The Delltones auditioning for Denis Wong, the colourful owner of the famous Sydney nightclub Chequers, has now entered into folklore. After their audition, Wong expressed his approval and asked "how much for you boys”? A fee was given and the ever frugal Wong replied “I’ll take two”.
After the expiry of the EMI deal, they resigned to the Leedon label, now owned by Festival Records, and immediately recorded "Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands" written by Bill Anderson. The record quickly picked up generous airplay right across Australia.
. The remaining group members were understandably devastated and all engagements were cancelled. After a period of two months of inactivity, friends and business associates of the group persuaded the band to seek out a replacement and continue with their careers. The current single "Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands" proved to be the most successful to date, reaching #3 on the national charts. The song was also used on the sound track of the multi-award winning movie The Year My Voice Broke
.
Auditions were held and Col Loughnan, formally of The Crescents, was named as the replacement for Weiderberg. His style was distinctively different to Widerberg’s.
The follow-up single "Sitting in the Moonlight", was arranged in a similar style as its predecessor, with harmonica intro. It became the groups’ eighth Sydney chart entry.
At this time The Delltones participated in a modern pantomime for children, titled Mother Goose and The Three Stooges, which opened at the Palais Theatre in Sydney. The production also featured other pop stars and celebrities of the time including: Robbie Porter aka "Rob.E.G", Brian Davies, Lucky Starr
, Dig Richards, Jay Justin and actor Jackie Weaver. Peewee played Mother Goose, with the other band members as the Stooges. The matinee show had a six week run playing to full houses. They also performed an evening show, Once Upon A Surfie - a musical farce, which showcased the musical hits of the cast members.
By the latter part of 1963 surf music dominated the Australian Charts, particularly in Sydney and Brisbane. The Delltones were quick to release the tongue in cheek composition, “Hangin’ Five”, written by Ben Acton. This release was almost as successful as “Come A Little Bit Closer” – reaching number 3. “Hangin’ Five” became a cult classic in California along with The Atlantics
instrumental “Bombora”. “Hangin’ Five” also featured in Mel Gibson
’s first movie, Summer City, released in 1977. That year The Delltones picked up four radio awards including “Gold and Silver Baton Awards,” “Golden Microphone Award” and “The Best Australian Record Award”.
Once again an album was quickly issued and consisted mainly of current surf hit covers. Since the surf craze showed little signs of waning the next single “Out the Back” was also written by Ben Acton, but it failed to capture the light hearted spirit of “Hangin’ Five”.
In 1964 they released a reworking of The Tams
“Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me”, which became a top 30 hit in most Australian states. Though unfortunately their next three singles failed to chart.
The first of the final two Leedon singles was a version of Paul Anka
’s “Lonely Boy.” The final release on Leedon “Tonight We Love”, was heavily produced in the style of Phil Spector
and was adapted from Tchaikovsky’s Concerto in B-Flat Minor. A period of recording inactivity followed. At this point the group concentrated on their live performance, including shows for the troops in Vietnam and later received “The Vietnam Logistic & Support Medal”.
and went on to become one of Australia’s most experienced Reed
players, arranger and teacher.
Ray Burton and Wayne Cornel filled the vacancies, however, Burton left after only a year, then later went on to write the Helen Reddy
hit song “I am Woman”. He was subsequently replaced by Bill Kerwyn. Both Cornell and Kerwyn continued with the band until 1968.
, in an attempt to crack the overseas market.
After a showcase performance at the London Playboy Club
, The Delltones were offered a seven-week residency. This is where Peewee met his soon-to-be wife, Carla Prowse, an actress, who went on to manage the group from 1981. During their stay in London The Delltones were signed to EMI records and recorded ten tracks for their later to be released album “London Session” produced by ex-patriot David McKay from Eaton Music.
Bob Pierse and the late Dig Richards wrote most of the songs. The album was arranged and conducted by Bill Shepherd of The Bee Gees fame, and backed by Australia’s own Twilights, musically led by guitarist Terry Britton, who would later write global hits for Cliff Richard
, Tina Turner
and Michael Jackson
. One outstanding track was a reworking of Stevie Winward's “Gimme Some Lovin’“ which became Radio Luxembourg's hit pick of the week and top DJ Tony Blackburn
’s’ opening signature tune.
They were also invited to perform “Gimme Some Lovin’“ on Top of the Pops
, hosted by Jimmy Savile
. The single was released in America and Europe. The band also toured throughout Europe, though after tensions between the group and their manager Bill Watson, over financial problems, they decided to return to Australia.
’s “Tears Begin To Fall”. But both releases failed to register on the charts. For the next three years the band toured nationally. The tour culminated with their near-demise, in the infamous fire at Brisbane’s Whisky a Go Go
nightclub.
By the end of 1981 Ian 'Peewee' Wilson, the only surviving member, realised the limits of a harmony ensemble in a live environment dominated by tensile Oz Rock bands. So he set about reinventing the venerable entity, changing it from vocal group to vocal band. The line up changed but the essence continued on. Contributors to these changes included: musician and vocalists, Johnny Charters who played with Johnny Rebb’s Rebels in the sixties, Alex Plavsic an ex-member of the Progressive Rock group Sebastian Hardie
, Vic Schrier, Ralph Wilcock, Bob Cook, Robert Kitney, and Alan Freeman who previously played bass with the jazz singer Kerry Bidell.
Danny Mayers joined The Delltones after Wilson saw him perform at the Palais Royale in Newcastle. The Delltones went on to play a record sixteen-week run at Kinselas in Sydney’s Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. Included was a memorable guest performance by Tiny Tim
. They performed at the Anti Nuclear Rally alongside Aboriginal band No Fixed Address
and then at the Tivoli with Mondo Rock
. By the end of 1981 they had played 171 gigs. At this stage the Band was being managed by Carla Wilson, who threw in her lot with Peewee all those years ago, and they touched a wider range of Australians than almost any other rock group.
, who had also designed album covers for Cream
. It went gold almost immediately, and was number 2 on the Kent Music Report Album Chart in Sydney. It also entered the Aria Charts
at number 20.
This coincided with a film clip for the single “Get A Job”, directed by Yahoo Serious
, who then cast Peewee for the role as his Dad in the film Young Einstein
. The Delltones then played at Moomba
, the Adelaide Festival of Arts
and the AFI Awards
, plus appeared in the Australian television soap opera A Country Practice
.
The release of the “Tickled Pink” album followed. It was recorded and mixed at Alberts Studio, produced by Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop, the co-writers and producers of the number 1 hit “Space Invaders”.
With their single “Papa Oom Mow Mow” at number 1 and “Tickled Pink” high on the charts, in the Darling Downs, they went on to record the live album “Out In The Open”, in front of a record 28,000 people at the Toowoomba Show grounds. Both albums failed to register on the national charts.
“All These Things And More” a Christmas EP was the last recording with Danny Mayers before he left to pursue his own career and was later replaced by Nevin McLean in 1985. The group now consisted of five members including, Nevin McLean(vocals), Allan Freeman (tenor vocals/bass), Merv Dick (alto vocals/drums), Woody Finlayson, (baritone vocals/guitar), Peewee Wilson (bass vocals).
By this time The Delltones were in a full-blown revival, with regular appearances on television shows such as Hey Hey It's Saturday
, Mike Walsh
, Donnie Sutherland
’s Sounds
. The Midday Show and many more. The notable exception was Countdown. This along with press exposure opened the doors to a national touring circuit, of clubs, pubs, theatres, and concert halls with sellout shows. A whole new generation of fans established their reputation as one of the great performing bands in Australia and this has continued to sustain them to this day.
Also during 1988 we observed the start of the digital music revolution, Peewee and Alan Freeman along with Russell Dunlop, experimented with traditional DooWop harmony and digital generated music, using a Fairlight synthesiser, to develop the album “Oasis”. Both Freeman and Wilson wrote several of the tracks – “One Man Woman”, “Touch and Go” and “You Changed My Life”. These featured along with revised versions of Aussie classics such as: Cold Chisel
's “Forever Now” and The Reels
' “Love will find a Way". The album failed to impress radio or their fans at live performances.
, and Adam Harvey
. They also had Allan Caswell as a special guest on their live show towards the end of this period. In 1993 they teamed up with Caswell on the single “Stole My Heart Away" which was also written by Caswell. The song featured on many Country Charts.
In 1995, weary from constant touring, Nevin McLean and Alan Freeman left The Delltones. Later the same year, Nevin and Alan would team up with former Delltones drummer and musical director Leon Isackson and Idris Jones from the "Mixtures" to form another vocal band called "Phoenix".
The band won critical acclaim for their harmonies and stage show winning several music awards including an ACE and Mo Award for excellence.
and Chuck Berry
. In 1995 they returned to their surf culture
roots with the album “The Sunshine Club”. The title track was written by Wilson and Freeman. The pair also teamed up with Mayers to write “Gimme Love”, while Woody Finlayson wrote “Slow Down”.
At the same time they recorded the single “Breaking Waves”, written by Allan Caswell and dedicated to the Surf Life Saving Club's of Australia. Then in 1998 they started a national tour, with the release of the compilation album “The Big Four O”, to celebrate the bands 40th anniversary.
which included The Delltones DooWop version of the Sex Pistols
' punk classic “Pretty Vacant”. For the first time in almost 30 years The Delltones were being featured on independent radio stations throughout Europe and the United States.
In 2005, forty six years after backing Johnny O’Keefe, The Delltones were invited by Jimmy Barnes
to sing back-up vocal for his version of Shout”. It was a duet with the late Billy Thorpe
on Barnes’s “Double Happiness” album.
In 2008 The Delltones embarked on a national tour to celebrate "Fifty Years” of performing in theatres, clubs, town halls, civic centres and outdoor concerts. They released a double album CD and DVD entitled, "BopaDooWop A-Live in Concert". The first CD "Unplugged" featured mainly Doowop songs from the band's early repertoire. The second CD "Electrified" contained songs with elements of pop, rock and soul, from different periods throughout their career, including their own hits from the sixties.
The release coincided with the Warner Music’s Deluxe Collectors Limited Edition Release of “Fifty Years of Australian Rock ‘n Roll”. The Delltones featured on disc one with their first ever recording of "Gee".
In mid 2011 Danny Mayers left the group. Founding member Ian 'Peewee' Wilson in concert with the other Delltones continue to tour with a four-part harmony ensemble. The will embark on a national tour in 2012.
The phrase “Keep on raging – to stop the ageing” was adopted by Peewee in the 80s. True to the spirit of that slogan The Delltones continue to record and perform.
The Delltones have been entertaining Australian audiences for over five decades, with their most successful recording years in the 1960s. Ian 'Peewee' Wilson is the only current member from the original lineup. In the mid 1980’s he transformed the group from a vocal quartet to a five piece vocal band. This along with other stylistic changes, led to the band's resurgence and the chart topping, rock ‘n roll revival album, Bop Til Ya Drop. The band remains as one of the most consistent live entertainers in Australia, with arguably the longest performing and recording history, for a vocal harmony band with an original member.
Origins
The Early Years
In early 1959 The Delltones found their way into the 2GB2GB
2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926...
Studios of Bob Rogers
Bob Rogers (disc jockey)
Bob Rogers OAM is an Australian disc jockey and radio broadcaster. He currently presents the Bob Rogers Show, Monday to Friday between 9am-12 noon and the 6-hour Saturday evening Reminiscing program on Sydney radio station 2CH....
, who was a top radio DJ at the time. They auditioned for him, during a commercial break, with the Noel Widerberg composition "Why". Bob Rogers telephoned Lee Gordon
Lee Gordon
For the rock and roll promoter see Lee Gordon Lee "Stubby" Gordon was a jazz musician and the Cleveland bandsman who conducted the Rhythm Masters orchestra and wrote the music for songs such as "Tell Me Dreamy Eyes" , "Worryin' Blues" , and "Rippin' It Off." He was the first to broadcast...
, the American promoter, to announce that he had found the vocal backing group, needed for his upcoming show – headed by Tab Hunter
Tab Hunter
Tab Hunter is an American actor, singer, former teen idol and author who has starred in over forty major films.-Background:...
. The Delltones went on to perform on many of Lee Gordon’s Big Shows with their own spot, as well as harmony back up vocals for some of the American stars such as: The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
, Fabian
Fabian (entertainer)
Fabiano Anthony Forte , known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Eleven of his songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 listing.-Early life:Fabian was the son of Josephine and Domenic...
, Crash Craddock, Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
, Jimmie Rodgers
Jimmie Rodgers (pop singer)
James Frederick "Jimmie" Rodgers is an American singer. He is not related to the country singer of the same name.-Career:...
, Tommy Sands
Tommy Sands
Tommy Adrian Sands is an American pop music singer and actor.-Early life:Born into a musical family in Chicago, Illinois, Sands' father was a pianist and his mother a big-band singer. While still young, he moved with his family to Shreveport, Louisiana...
and Lloyd Price
Lloyd Price
Lloyd Price is an American R&B vocalist. Known as "Mr. Personality", after the name of one of his biggest million-selling hits...
as well as the Australian Rock ‘n Roll pioneers such as Johnny Rebb, Johnny Devlin
Johnny Devlin
Johnny Devlin, born John Lockett Devlin , was an influential early New Zealand rock musician, sometimes called "New Zealand's answer to Elvis Presley"....
and soon to be mentor Johnny O'Keefe
Johnny O'Keefe
John Michael O'Keefe, known as Johnny O'Keefe was an Australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the 1950s. Some of his hits include "Wild One" , "Shout!" and "She's My Baby"...
.
It is worth noting that in the long running iconic ABC Television music show Rage
Rage (TV program)
Rage is a popular all-night Australian music video program broadcast on ABC1 on Friday nights, Saturday mornings and Saturday nights. It was first screened on the weekend of Friday, 17 April 1987. With Soul Train no longer being produced, it is the oldest music television program currently still...
, the opening segment was taken from one of the concerts, featuring Johnny O'Keefe and his band The Dee Jays, along with The Delltones. The Delltones also sang backing vocals on the next recording session for Johnny O'Keefe. The booming bass vocals of Peewee Wilson provided the opening bars of O'Keefe’s self composed "Why do they doubt our love", which became a hit when it was released in June 1959.
Early Recordings and Television
Johnny O'Keefe invited The Delltones to appear as regulars on his pioneering ABC Television show Six O’Clock Rock, and the radio show Rockville Junction. The band was also signed to appear on Brian HendersonBrian Henderson
Brian Weir Henderson AM is a New Zealand-born Australian television personality and news-reader.-Career:Henderson hosted the Australian version of Bandstand from 1958 until 1972...
’s Bandstand
Bandstand (Australia)
Bandstand was an Australian musical/variety television show which screened from November 1958 to 1972. It was produced at the studios of TCN-9 in Sydney and eventually became a national program as Nine Network expanded into other Australian cities in the early 1960s.Bandstand was created by Nine...
. This cross generational, television show helped to make them a household name.
Lee Gordon also signed them to his Leedon Records
Leedon Records
Leedon Records was an Australian record label active from 1958 to 1969. It was founded by American entrepreneur Lee Gordon in early 1958.-Establishment and early releases:...
recording label and within a week the group had cut their first single – a remake of The Crows
The Crows
The Crows were an American R & B singing group who achieved commercial success in the 1950s. The group's first single and only major hit, "Gee", released in June 1953, has been credited with being the first Rock n’ Roll hit by a rock and roll group...
"Gee" and the Widerberg composition "Why". "Gee" was an immediate success, eventually peaking at number 15, with eight-week duration in the local charts. Though the release failed to make headway in the nationally Australian charts.
Their second single released in October 1959 was the Noel Widerberg composition "Tonight", plus a b-side cover of Dion and The Belmonts
Dion and the Belmonts
Dion and the Belmonts was a leading American vocal group of the late 1950s. The group formed when Dion DiMucci, lead singer , joined The Belmonts - Carlo Mastrangelo, baritone , Freddie Milano, second tenor , and Angelo D'Aleo, first tenor , in late 1957.-History:After an unsuccessful first single,...
' "Every Little Thing I Do". The latter track became a minor hit, but was unable to generate sales on a national basis.
At this stage the group's popularity for live performance began to increase rapidly. They were also in heavy demand for recording sessions and participated in Johnny O'Keefe’s iconic Shout, plus Johnny Rebb’s Highway of Love. They also recorded harmony back-ups for country stars like, Slim Dusty
Slim Dusty
David Gordon "Slim Dusty " Kirkpatrick AO, MBE was an Australian country music singer-songwriter and producer, with a career spanning nearly eight decades. He was known to record songs in the legacy of Australian poets Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson that represented the Australian Bush...
, Reg Lindsay
Reg Lindsay
Reginald John Lindsay OAM was an Australian country music singer who won three Golden Guitar Awards and wrote more than five hundred songs in his fifty-year music career....
and Lionel Long
Lionel Long
Lionel Joaquin Paul Long, OAM was an Australian country, Western, folk singer and a television actor.Long became one of Australia's most successful and talented country/western/folk artists in the 1960s, recognised as one of EMI's most popular and successful artists releasing over a dozen LPs...
.
Their next single "Yes Indeed" peaked at number 30 in the local charts. But the follow-up release with Ian "Peewee" Wilson singing a bass vocal lead, DooWop version, of Vera Lynne’s classic "White Cliffs of Dover", failed to make an impression. Disenchanted by Leedon’s failure to promote theses singles to a larger national audience, the Group accepted an offer to switch to the CBS
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
(Coronet) label in June 1960.
Following a performance on The Tommy Sands Show
Tommy Sands
Tommy Adrian Sands is an American pop music singer and actor.-Early life:Born into a musical family in Chicago, Illinois, Sands' father was a pianist and his mother a big-band singer. While still young, he moved with his family to Shreveport, Louisiana...
, in mid 1960, the group befriended the Sands guitarist Scotty Turnbull who offered to write two songs for The Delltones – "Little Miss Heartbreak" and "Take This Heart". Turnbull also produced and played with the legendary Hal Blaine
Hal Blaine
Hal Blaine is an American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with the Wrecking Crew in California. Blaine played on numerous hits by popular groups, including Elvis Presley, John Denver, the Ronettes, Simon & Garfunkel, the Carpenters, the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, and...
on drums for both singles, but unfortunately they were not a commercial success.
However the next Coronet release proved to be the breakthrough that the group had been seeking for the past eighteen months. The single "You’re The Limit", provided them with their first national hit when it reached the top ten across Australia. This release was even more successful in Sydney, reaching number 4 on the local charts, in January 1961.
After a better financial offer from EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
the group changed labels again and their next release "Wonder", was moderately successful at number 30 nationally. But the follow-up single String a Long, released in July, was a dismal failure.
An anecdote of The Delltones auditioning for Denis Wong, the colourful owner of the famous Sydney nightclub Chequers, has now entered into folklore. After their audition, Wong expressed his approval and asked "how much for you boys”? A fee was given and the ever frugal Wong replied “I’ll take two”.
After the expiry of the EMI deal, they resigned to the Leedon label, now owned by Festival Records, and immediately recorded "Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands" written by Bill Anderson. The record quickly picked up generous airplay right across Australia.
Tragedy
In early July 1962, two weeks after "Get a Little Dirt on Your Hands" entered the charts, Noel Widerberg was fatally injured in a car accident, in the Sydney beachside suburb of Brighton-Le-SandsBrighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales
Brighton-Le-Sands , is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Brighton-Le-Sands is located 13 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, on the western shore of Botany Bay...
. The remaining group members were understandably devastated and all engagements were cancelled. After a period of two months of inactivity, friends and business associates of the group persuaded the band to seek out a replacement and continue with their careers. The current single "Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands" proved to be the most successful to date, reaching #3 on the national charts. The song was also used on the sound track of the multi-award winning movie The Year My Voice Broke
The Year My Voice Broke
The Year My Voice Broke is a 1987 coming of age story by director John Duigan, starring Noah Taylor, Loene Carmen, and Ben Mendelsohn. Set in 1962 in the rural Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, it was the first in a projected trilogy of films centred around the experiences of an awkward...
.
Auditions were held and Col Loughnan, formally of The Crescents, was named as the replacement for Weiderberg. His style was distinctively different to Widerberg’s.
Back In Harmony
After several weeks of rehearsal The Delltones entered the recording studio in November 1962 to record "Come A Little Bit Closer", written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Around this time, Leedon released the band's first self-titled album which included all previously released material with Noel Weiderberg. Weiderberg had been the guiding musical force and leader for the group, so after his untimely death Wilson became the groups, spokesperson. When "Come A Little Bit Closer" was released in 1963, it was an immediate hit and eventually became their all time best seller. The single reached number 3 in Sydney’s 2UE top 40, number 1 on 2GB top 30 and number 2 on 3UZ top 40. An album was also released to capitalise on the hit single.The follow-up single "Sitting in the Moonlight", was arranged in a similar style as its predecessor, with harmonica intro. It became the groups’ eighth Sydney chart entry.
At this time The Delltones participated in a modern pantomime for children, titled Mother Goose and The Three Stooges, which opened at the Palais Theatre in Sydney. The production also featured other pop stars and celebrities of the time including: Robbie Porter aka "Rob.E.G", Brian Davies, Lucky Starr
Leslie Morrison
Leslie Morrison , better known by his stage name Lucky Starr, is an Australian singer. He released the tongue-twisting, "I've Been Everywhere" as a single in 1962, written by the singer-songwriter Geoff Mack, which name-drops numerous Australian towns...
, Dig Richards, Jay Justin and actor Jackie Weaver. Peewee played Mother Goose, with the other band members as the Stooges. The matinee show had a six week run playing to full houses. They also performed an evening show, Once Upon A Surfie - a musical farce, which showcased the musical hits of the cast members.
Gone Surfing
The Atlantics
This article refers to the Australian Surf rock band. See paragraph at the end of this page for information on other bands called The Atlantics....
instrumental “Bombora”. “Hangin’ Five” also featured in Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
’s first movie, Summer City, released in 1977. That year The Delltones picked up four radio awards including “Gold and Silver Baton Awards,” “Golden Microphone Award” and “The Best Australian Record Award”.
Once again an album was quickly issued and consisted mainly of current surf hit covers. Since the surf craze showed little signs of waning the next single “Out the Back” was also written by Ben Acton, but it failed to capture the light hearted spirit of “Hangin’ Five”.
In 1964 they released a reworking of The Tams
The Tams
The Tams, sometimes later billed as 'The Joe Pope Tams' are an American vocal group from Atlanta, Georgia, who enjoyed their greatest chart success in the 1960s, and the 1970s, and most improbably in the 1980s. Two separate versions of the group continue to perform and record. One version features...
“Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me”, which became a top 30 hit in most Australian states. Though unfortunately their next three singles failed to chart.
The first of the final two Leedon singles was a version of Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Paul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
’s “Lonely Boy.” The final release on Leedon “Tonight We Love”, was heavily produced in the style of Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
and was adapted from Tchaikovsky’s Concerto in B-Flat Minor. A period of recording inactivity followed. At this point the group concentrated on their live performance, including shows for the troops in Vietnam and later received “The Vietnam Logistic & Support Medal”.
Changes
After their return from Vietnam, Warren Lucas left the group, followed shortly by Col Loughnan. Col joined the band Ayers RockAyers Rock (band)
Ayers Rock was a jazz fusion/progressive rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group formed in 1973, and included many well-travelled rock performers; drummer Mark Kennedy had previously played in Spectrum, and played on sessions for King Harvest and Friends...
and went on to become one of Australia’s most experienced Reed
Reed (instrument)
A reed is a thin strip of material which vibrates to produce a sound on a musical instrument. The reeds of most Woodwind instruments are made from Arundo donax or synthetic material; tuned reeds are made of metal or synthetics.-Single reeds:Single reeds are used on the mouthpieces of clarinets...
players, arranger and teacher.
Ray Burton and Wayne Cornel filled the vacancies, however, Burton left after only a year, then later went on to write the Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy , often referred to as "The Queen of 70s Pop", is an Australian-American singer and actress. In the 1970s, she enjoyed international success, especially in the United States, where she placed fifteen singles in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Six of those 15 songs made the Top 10...
hit song “I am Woman”. He was subsequently replaced by Bill Kerwyn. Both Cornell and Kerwyn continued with the band until 1968.
London and Europe
In that same year, Sep Martin and Bob Pierse, formally of The Ambassadors joined the group. Both were lead vocalists with experience in harmony. In 1969 The Delltones went back to Vietnam and toured the Far East. They also went on to London, like many other Australian artists such as The Bee Gees and The SeekersThe Seekers
The Seekers are an Australian folk-influenced pop music group which were originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian popular music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States...
, in an attempt to crack the overseas market.
After a showcase performance at the London Playboy Club
Playboy Club
The Playboy Club initially was a chain of nightclubs and resorts owned and operated by Playboy Enterprises. The first club opened at 116 E. Walton Street in downtown Chicago, Illinois, United States, on February 29, 1960. Each club generally featured a Living Room, a Playmate Bar, a Dining Room...
, The Delltones were offered a seven-week residency. This is where Peewee met his soon-to-be wife, Carla Prowse, an actress, who went on to manage the group from 1981. During their stay in London The Delltones were signed to EMI records and recorded ten tracks for their later to be released album “London Session” produced by ex-patriot David McKay from Eaton Music.
Bob Pierse and the late Dig Richards wrote most of the songs. The album was arranged and conducted by Bill Shepherd of The Bee Gees fame, and backed by Australia’s own Twilights, musically led by guitarist Terry Britton, who would later write global hits for Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
, Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. One outstanding track was a reworking of Stevie Winward's “Gimme Some Lovin’“ which became Radio Luxembourg's hit pick of the week and top DJ Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn is an English disc jockey, who broadcast on the "pirate" stations Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s and was the first disc jockey to broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in 1967. In 2002 he was the winner of the ITV reality TV programme I'm a Celebrity.....
’s’ opening signature tune.
They were also invited to perform “Gimme Some Lovin’“ on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, hosted by Jimmy Savile
Jimmy Savile
Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG was an English disc jockey, television presenter and media personality, best known for his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It, and for being the first and last presenter of the long-running BBC music chart show Top of the Pops...
. The single was released in America and Europe. The band also toured throughout Europe, though after tensions between the group and their manager Bill Watson, over financial problems, they decided to return to Australia.
Home
The Delltones returned to Australia at the end of 1970. The following year they recorded the classic single “Rock ‘n Roll Will Stand”, which was backed with a Bob Pierse composition “Billy’s Rock ‘n Roll” for Festival Records. Following this they released the album “London Session”, in Australia. The single release from this album “Birmingham” was also written by Bob Pierse and backed with a cover of Frank ZappaFrank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
’s “Tears Begin To Fall”. But both releases failed to register on the charts. For the next three years the band toured nationally. The tour culminated with their near-demise, in the infamous fire at Brisbane’s Whisky a Go Go
Whiskey Au Go Go fire
The Whiskey Au Go Go fire was a fire that occurred at 2.10 a.m. on Thursday 8 March 1973, in the Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia that killed 15 people...
nightclub.
Dropping Out
In 1973, following disenchantment with city life, the show business industry and tensions within the group, The Delltones split up. Martin and Pierse continued performing as a duet, while Wilson and Perkins turned hippy and settled with their families on a farm in the Mid North Coast of NSW.The Reformation
In 1978 after pressure from various sources, including Johnny O’Keefe, The Delltones reformed. They went on to tour for the next two years, sharing the bill with Digger Revell. The Delltones backing band at the time was Jon Hayton aka Farmer Jon, Michael Lawler and Leon Isackson. Former tensions and contentions arose in The Delltones, with Sep Martin leaving in 1981 followed by Bob Pierse and finally Brian Perkins.Morphing
Sebastian Hardie
Sebastian Hardie were Australia's first symphonic rock band. They formed in Sydney in 1967 as Sebastian Hardie Blues Band but dropped the 'Blues Band' reference when they became pop-oriented. By 1973 they developed a more progressive rock style, and later performed as Windchase, but disbanded in 1977...
, Vic Schrier, Ralph Wilcock, Bob Cook, Robert Kitney, and Alan Freeman who previously played bass with the jazz singer Kerry Bidell.
Danny Mayers joined The Delltones after Wilson saw him perform at the Palais Royale in Newcastle. The Delltones went on to play a record sixteen-week run at Kinselas in Sydney’s Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. Included was a memorable guest performance by Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
. They performed at the Anti Nuclear Rally alongside Aboriginal band No Fixed Address
No Fixed Address
No Fixed Address is an Australian Aboriginal reggae group formed in 1978. Led by Bart Willoughby, the band supported Peter Tosh on his 1982 Australian tour...
and then at the Tivoli with Mondo Rock
Mondo Rock
Mondo Rock is a rock band from Melbourne, Australia, most prominent in the early 1980s. The band was formed in late 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Ross Wilson.-Early years: 1976–1979:...
. By the end of 1981 they had played 171 gigs. At this stage the Band was being managed by Carla Wilson, who threw in her lot with Peewee all those years ago, and they touched a wider range of Australians than almost any other rock group.
The Revival
1984 kicked off with the rock ‘n roll revival album “Bop Til Ya Drop”. It featured a garish pink and green jacket, designed by renowned artist Martin SharpMartin Sharp
Martin Sharp is an Australian artist, underground cartoonist, songwriter and film-maker. Sharp has made contributions to Australian and international culture since the early 60s, and is hailed as Australia's foremost pop artist...
, who had also designed album covers for Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. It went gold almost immediately, and was number 2 on the Kent Music Report Album Chart in Sydney. It also entered the Aria Charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
at number 20.
This coincided with a film clip for the single “Get A Job”, directed by Yahoo Serious
Yahoo Serious
Yahoo Serious , born Greg Pead , is an Australian film actor, director and score composer. He is best known for his 1988 comedy Young Einstein. He also created Reckless Kelly in 1993 and Mr. Accident in 2000...
, who then cast Peewee for the role as his Dad in the film Young Einstein
Young Einstein
Young Einstein is an Australian comedy film directed by and starring Yahoo Serious, released in 1988.-Plot:Albert Einstein, the son of an apple farmer in Tasmania in the early 1900s, splits a beer atom with a chisel in order to add bubbles to beer, discovers the theory of relativity and travels to...
. The Delltones then played at Moomba
Moomba
Moomba is Australia's largest free community festival and one of the longest running festivals in Australia. Held annually in the city of Melbourne, Australia, Moomba is celebrated during the Labour Day long weekend , and has been celebrated since 1955...
, the Adelaide Festival of Arts
Adelaide Festival of Arts
The Adelaide Festival of Arts is an arts festival held biennially in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Although locally considered to be one of the world's greatest celebrations of the arts, that is internationally renowned and the pre-eminent cultural event in Australia, it is actually...
and the AFI Awards
Australian Film Institute Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
, plus appeared in the Australian television soap opera A Country Practice
A Country Practice
A Country Practice is an Australian television drama series. One of the longest-running of its kind, produced by James Davern of JNP Productions, it ran on the Seven Network for 1,058 episodes from 18 November 1981 to 22 November 1993. It was produced in ATN-7's production facility at Epping,...
.
The release of the “Tickled Pink” album followed. It was recorded and mixed at Alberts Studio, produced by Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop, the co-writers and producers of the number 1 hit “Space Invaders”.
With their single “Papa Oom Mow Mow” at number 1 and “Tickled Pink” high on the charts, in the Darling Downs, they went on to record the live album “Out In The Open”, in front of a record 28,000 people at the Toowoomba Show grounds. Both albums failed to register on the national charts.
“All These Things And More” a Christmas EP was the last recording with Danny Mayers before he left to pursue his own career and was later replaced by Nevin McLean in 1985. The group now consisted of five members including, Nevin McLean(vocals), Allan Freeman (tenor vocals/bass), Merv Dick (alto vocals/drums), Woody Finlayson, (baritone vocals/guitar), Peewee Wilson (bass vocals).
By this time The Delltones were in a full-blown revival, with regular appearances on television shows such as Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday
Hey Hey It's Saturday was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 27 years , debuting on the Nine Network on 9 October 1971 and broadcasting its last episode on 20 November 1999. Its host throughout its entire run was Daryl Somers, who would later...
, Mike Walsh
Mike Walsh (TV host)
Mike Walsh OBE was host of The Mike Walsh Show from 1973 until 1985. Walsh is the only entertainer to be awarded the Sammy Award and Gold Logie award in the same year....
, Donnie Sutherland
Donnie Sutherland
Donald "Donnie" Sutherland OAM is an Australian radio and television presenter, best known for being the host of Sounds on Australian television between 1975 and 1987...
’s Sounds
Sounds (TV show)
Sounds was a popular Australian television series featuring pop and rock music. It was broadcast on Saturday mornings on the Seven Network from the late 1970s to the late 1980s....
. The Midday Show and many more. The notable exception was Countdown. This along with press exposure opened the doors to a national touring circuit, of clubs, pubs, theatres, and concert halls with sellout shows. A whole new generation of fans established their reputation as one of the great performing bands in Australia and this has continued to sustain them to this day.
Futile Experiment
In January 1988 the group performed as part of Australia's Bicenntennial celebrations in front of Princess Diana and Charles.Also during 1988 we observed the start of the digital music revolution, Peewee and Alan Freeman along with Russell Dunlop, experimented with traditional DooWop harmony and digital generated music, using a Fairlight synthesiser, to develop the album “Oasis”. Both Freeman and Wilson wrote several of the tracks – “One Man Woman”, “Touch and Go” and “You Changed My Life”. These featured along with revised versions of Aussie classics such as: Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel is a rock band that originated in Adelaide, Australia. It is one of the most acclaimed Australian rock bands of all time, with a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s and huge sales that continue to this day, although its success and acclaim was almost completely restricted to...
's “Forever Now” and The Reels
The Reels
The Reels is an Australian rock/indie pop group which formed in Dubbo, New South Wales in 1976 and initially disbanded in 1991, they eventually reformed in 2007. Their 1981 song, "Quasimodo's Dream", was voted one of the Top 10 Australian songs of all time by a 100-member panel from Australasian...
' “Love will find a Way". The album failed to impress radio or their fans at live performances.
The Court Case
November 1988 saw Peewee Wilson and, one of the original members of The Delltones, Brian Perkins clash in court. Perkins, after seven years of absence from performing, formed a band called “The Dellies”, a well-known Australian colloquialism for The Delltones, with ex-Delltones vocalist Danny Mayers, Sydney bass singer Max Wright and Ricky Organ. Wilson claimed that Perkins was cashing in on The Delltones name, which Perkins didn’t own, and that the similarity in names would cause confusion with agents and fans alike. Perkins issued a counter claim for a share of The Delltones profits to date, claiming that the partnership he shared with Wilson had never been properly finalised. Wilson won the court case and prevented Perkins from using the name. It was a bitter, sweet victory.On The Road Again
During the eighties and into the nineties The Delltones had as their support acts, some of the top, up-and-coming-stars of the country music industry, such as: Brett Parlane, James BlundellJames Blundell (singer)
-Music:He won a Golden Guitar Award for best new talent of 1987.Blundell's eponymous first album, in 1989, followed up by "Hand It Down", which was released in the United States in 1990 following its success in Australia. Successive albums were This Road and Touch of Water. This Road included the...
, and Adam Harvey
Adam Harvey
Adam Harvey is an Australian country music singer. Harvey has been nominated three times for an ARIA Music Award and is a multiple CMAA Award winner.-Biography:Adam Harvey got his start musically learning country classics on the guitar as a small boy...
. They also had Allan Caswell as a special guest on their live show towards the end of this period. In 1993 they teamed up with Caswell on the single “Stole My Heart Away" which was also written by Caswell. The song featured on many Country Charts.
In 1995, weary from constant touring, Nevin McLean and Alan Freeman left The Delltones. Later the same year, Nevin and Alan would team up with former Delltones drummer and musical director Leon Isackson and Idris Jones from the "Mixtures" to form another vocal band called "Phoenix".
The band won critical acclaim for their harmonies and stage show winning several music awards including an ACE and Mo Award for excellence.
More Changes
Later in 1995 saw the return of Danny Mayers and a new member Owen Booth. Owen was a former member of Aesop’s Fables and bass player for many international touring artists, including Bo DiddleyBo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
and Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
. In 1995 they returned to their surf culture
Surf culture
Surf culture includes the people, language, fashion and life surrounding the art of surfing.The culture began early in the 20th century, spread quickly during the 1950s and 1960s, and continues to evolve. It affected fashion, music, literature, films, jargon, and more...
roots with the album “The Sunshine Club”. The title track was written by Wilson and Freeman. The pair also teamed up with Mayers to write “Gimme Love”, while Woody Finlayson wrote “Slow Down”.
At the same time they recorded the single “Breaking Waves”, written by Allan Caswell and dedicated to the Surf Life Saving Club's of Australia. Then in 1998 they started a national tour, with the release of the compilation album “The Big Four O”, to celebrate the bands 40th anniversary.
The New Millennium
In 2000 Sony Music released a charity compilation album Andrew Denton's Musical ChallengeAndrew Denton's Musical Challenge
Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge is an album released by Austereo in 2001 featuring musical challenges posed by radio comedian Andrew Denton to musicians, generally selecting a song in a style in contrast to their own...
which included The Delltones DooWop version of the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
' punk classic “Pretty Vacant”. For the first time in almost 30 years The Delltones were being featured on independent radio stations throughout Europe and the United States.
In 2005, forty six years after backing Johnny O’Keefe, The Delltones were invited by Jimmy Barnes
Jimmy Barnes
James Dixon Swan , better known as Jimmy Barnes, is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer-songwriter. His father Jim Swan was a prizefighter and his older brother John Swan is also a rock singer. It was actually John who had encouraged and taught Jim how to sing as he wasn't really interested at...
to sing back-up vocal for his version of Shout”. It was a duet with the late Billy Thorpe
Billy Thorpe
William Richard "Billy" Thorpe, AM was a renowned English-born Australian pop / rock singer-songwriter and musician...
on Barnes’s “Double Happiness” album.
In 2008 The Delltones embarked on a national tour to celebrate "Fifty Years” of performing in theatres, clubs, town halls, civic centres and outdoor concerts. They released a double album CD and DVD entitled, "BopaDooWop A-Live in Concert". The first CD "Unplugged" featured mainly Doowop songs from the band's early repertoire. The second CD "Electrified" contained songs with elements of pop, rock and soul, from different periods throughout their career, including their own hits from the sixties.
The release coincided with the Warner Music’s Deluxe Collectors Limited Edition Release of “Fifty Years of Australian Rock ‘n Roll”. The Delltones featured on disc one with their first ever recording of "Gee".
In mid 2011 Danny Mayers left the group. Founding member Ian 'Peewee' Wilson in concert with the other Delltones continue to tour with a four-part harmony ensemble. The will embark on a national tour in 2012.
The phrase “Keep on raging – to stop the ageing” was adopted by Peewee in the 80s. True to the spirit of that slogan The Delltones continue to record and perform.
Current members
- Woody Finlayson - guitar, vocals
- Merv Dick - drums, vocals
- Ian 'Peewee' Wilson - vocals
- Owen Booth - bass guitar, vocals
Recording Awards
- 1963: Golden Baton, Hang'in Five Best Australian Composition, Macquarie Radio
- 1963: Silver Batton, Best Vocal Group, Macquarie Radio
- 1963: Golden Microphone Award, Best Vocal Group, 6ix Perth
- 1963: Best Australian Record, Come a Little Bit Closer 3Uz
Performance Awards
- 1982: Mo Award
- 1983: Mo Award
- 1985: Mo Award
- 2002: Mo Award
- 2006: Ace Award
- 2007: Ace Award
- 2008: Ace Award
Albums
- 1962: The Delltones [Leedon]
- 1963: Come a Little Bit Closer [Leedon]
- 1964: Surf n Stomp [Leedon]
- 1964: The Best Of The Delltones [Leedon]
- 1964: Golden Hits of the Golden Groups [Leedon]
- 1965: Dellies Burst Out [Leedon]
- 1971: London Sessions [Parlophone]
- 1973: Do You Wanna Dance [Horizon - Festival SH66-94072]
- 1978: 20 Golden Greats [Festival]
- 1979: Over the Years [Seven Records]
- 1983: Bop Till you Drop [K-Tel]
- 1984: Tickled Pink [Chase]
- 1985: Out in the Open [Chase]
- 1985: All these Things and More [Chase]
- 1988: Oasis [Chase]
- 1993: The Ultimate Recollection [Starseed]
- 1995: The Sunshine Club [Starseed]
- 1997: The Big Fouro [Starseed]
- 2008: The Delltones BopaDooWop A-Live In Concert [Starseed]
Singles
- 1959: Gee/Why [Leedon]
- 1959: Every Little Thing I do /Tonight [Leedon]
- 1960: Yes Indeed / Tell Me That You Care [Leedon]
- 1960: White Cliffs Of Dover / Land of Beauty [Leedon]
- 1960: Little Miss Heartbreak / Take This Heart [CBS/Coronet]
- 1960: You're The Limit / Girls Were Made For Boys [CBS/Coronet]
- 1961: Wonder / Teenager In Love [HMV]
- 1961: String A Long / Even Tho [HMV]
- 1962: Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands / A Happy Pair [Leedon]
- 1963: Come A Little Bit Closer / Joanie [Leedon]
- 1963: Sitting In The Moonlight / Mary Anne [Leedon]
- 1963: Hang'in Five / Surf City [Leedon]
- 1964: Out the Back / That's How Many Tears [Leedon]
- 1964: Walkin' Along / Paper Doll [Leedon]
- 1964: Hey Girl Don't Bother Me / The Wonder of You [Leedon]
- 1965: Loney Boy / Walk [Leedon]
- 1965: Tonight We Love / Don't You Dare [Leedon]
- 1967: I'm A Boomerang Bender / Is It Any Wonder [CBS]
- 1970: Gimme Some Lovin' / Have A Little Talk With Myself [Columbia UK / Capitol US]
- 1971: The Way I Feel / Carry Me Back To OldGeorgia [Parlophone]
- 1971: Rock 'n Roll Will Stand / Billy's Rock 'n Roll [Festival]
- 1971: Tears Begin to Fall / Birmingham [HMV]
- 1983: Get A Job / Hucklebuck [RCA]
- 1984: Papa Oom Mow Mow / Papa Oom Mow Mow (Dance Mix) [Chase]
- 1984: I Wonder Why / Hit And Run Love [Chase]
- 1985: There's No Snow Here / Baby Come Home' [Chase]
- 1986: Standing In Line / Angela [Chase]
- 1988: Love Will Find A Way / So In Love [Chase]
- 1988: Forever Now / Touch And Go [Chase]
- 1988: Burn Like A Rocket / One Man Woman [Starseed]
- 1993: Stole My Heart Away /With Allan Caswell [Starseed]