Skyhooks -

Skyhooks were an Australian rock band from Melbourne that scored national hits with “Horror Movie,” “Ego Is Not a Dirty Word,” “All My Friends Are Getting Married,” and “Women in Uniform.” Skyhooks released five studio albums through 1980 and reunited periodically in subsequent decades.

Members: Steve Hill (vocals, 1973-74), Shirley Strachan [aka Graeme Strachan] (vocals, 1974-78, 1983-94), Greg Macainsh (bass), Bob Starkie (guitar), Freddie Strauks (drums, percussion , backing vocals), Red Symons (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Peter Ingliss (guitar, 1973), Peter Starkie (guitar, 1973), Bob Spencer (guitar, 1977-80), Tony Williams (vocals, 1979-80)

Background

Skyhooks formed in March 1973 in Melbourne when bassist-songwriter Greg Macainsh and drummer Freddie Strauks teamed with singer Steve Hill and guitarists Peter Inglis and Peter Starkie.

Macainsh and Strauks met at Norwood High School in Ringwood, where they formed Spare Parts in 1966 as a school band. Macainsh next formed Reuben Tice in Eltham. By 1970, Strauks rejoined Macainsh on drums in Clap Trap. The pair carried that partnership into Frame in 1971 with singer Graeme Strachan and guitarists Pat O’Brien and Sintjio Oohms. Strachan left Frame in November 1972 for carpentry and surfing on Phillip Island.

Hill came from Lillie. Inglis previously played with Spanner and the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, while Peter Starkie came from the King Bees and Lipp & the Doubledecker Brothers.

Skyhooks played their first show in April 1973 at St Jude’s Hall in Carlton with Scumbag and Reuben Tice. The group followed with dates at the Arlberg Hotel at Mount Buller and Research Hall in Eltham. A July show at Melbourne University placed Skyhooks beneath Mighty Kong on the bill. Mighty Kong singer Ross Wilson heard the set and offered Macainsh a publishing agreement through Doo Dah Music. Peter Starkie made the Melbourne University date his final Skyhooks appearance. Guitarist Bob Starkie, his younger brother from Mary Jane Union, took the open position. Inglis soon departed, and guitarist-keyboardist Red Symons joined from Scumbag.

Skyhooks carried the revised lineup through late 1973 dates at La Mama Theatre, the Station Hotel, Teazer and Ormond Hall. The group also played the Gay Lib Dance at Melbourne University in December. Macainsh supplied an original repertoire from the outset, with songs that continued into the first two Skyhooks albums. Wilson maintained contact with the group and introduced Skyhooks to Michael Gudinski.

Skyhooks appeared at the Sunbury Festival in January 1974 and met a hostile audience. The group recorded live versions of “Hey What’s the Matter?” and “Love on the Radio” at Sunbury for the Highlights of Sunbury ’74 albums. Hill left Skyhooks in March, with a St Albans High School date as his final show. Macainsh recruited former Frame singer Graeme “Shirley” Strachan from Phillip Island. Strachan made his Skyhooks debut at the Frankston Police Boys Club with Macainsh, Strauks, Bob Starkie and Symons.

Wilson recommended the revised group to Gudinski and pressed for a Mushroom recording contract. Gudinski signed Skyhooks to Mushroom and approved Wilson as producer for the debut album. Skyhooks entered TCS Studios in Melbourne in June 1974 with Wilson to begin Living in the 70’s.

Discography: