"Happy Without You" - The Strangers (1968)

[cruisin1susan]

How could you not feel happy when you listen to their music. One of my favourite Aussie bands ever. I love Terry's voice.

[kerryjoyball]

I knew these guys when l was a teenager, l even still have my photos with John Peter Terry and Garth they were my idols and loved their music. Still have my signed albums,and even went to John and Pat's wedding. Love playing the songs brings back so many memories.

[lgendarychickenfairy]

Thanks for posting this one Glen, The Strangers had quality studio production on their music, although your take seems to change tempo here somehow. What gives?

[glenlyons98]

@lgendarychickenfairy - well detected. The original audio was taken from a mono videotape copy of the TV broadcast and hence of very poor quality. I have tried to synch the CD version to do justice to the song.

[critichas]

@murfxyz I've been trying to put my finger on it for months. You nailed it. This guy sounds hilarious.

[AusBeatle]

Where in hell could one get a copy of this gem anywhere? I bet I could turn the world upside down and still couldn't get a copy of it. What a Great song from true Aussie Pioneers. Blows me away." Baby I'm happy without ya". Can't get it out of my head.

[mezzagod]

@AusBeatle There is a CD around best of the Stangers, try canetoad records, have to purchase on line, maybe you could pick up a copy at JB check on line there to,

[XJackaroo]

Good ol australiana gold at its best. Didn't get any better than this

[133JD]

Thanks for putting this up, glenlyons98. Do you know where the song was recorded? My dad, David Fraser was a recording engineer at BEA and did a bit of work with The Strangers. I have a fabulous photo of him with John Farrer, Peter Robinson, Garth Thompson and members of The Graduate, Mixtures, and The Iguana. He would be thrilled to know this sort of stuff was available and that people were still interested.

[Homeo67]

Molly Meldrum at 1.43 ??

[lgendarychickenfairy]

@Homeo67 - Yes I think so too. He dancing with the girl in a light dress far right foreground. Guess even then he wanted to get his face on TV.

Steve

[jemset1234]

I remember seeing them on 'uptight' and 'happening 70's. They also had another hit "Melanie"?

[murfxyz]

Rocky Balboa on lead vocals!

[lrnewto]

Best Melbourne pub band of all time

[martindemo]

That would be a Maton "El Toro" , I think

[doctortabby]

My goodness, never heard of this band or this song! Very cool nonetheless. Thanks for sharing.

[rickym49]

I'm pretty sure the lead singer was Terry Walker from Perth. If i'm correct he had a group called The Times. Great

[haipe0]

@rickym49

Does anyone have any idea what happened to Terry Walker? I have been googling until my googie withers and can't turn him up. Is he still with us? Stll singing? I believe he is a very good guitarist? Amyone got any ideas?

[machiavelli99]

@haipe0 He is living in NSW. Lost two fingers in a chain saw accident. Peter Robinson told me this.

[secondchancehelen]

@haipe0

The first part of your comment made me laugh...that was real funny....but seriously, I too would like to know as well. I had often wondered in the past about this dude. I remember having a huge crush on him at the time.

I will certainly let you know if I find anything on him.....

[duncankimball]

Knockout! Note matching Maton "El Toro" axes -- provided as part of endorsement deal. They were the engine-room of Melbourne pop in the late '60s and provided backing for heaps of artists as well as their own stuff. Guitarist-vocalist John Farrar went on to form trio with Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch of The Shadows; subsequently wrote for and produced Olivia Newton-John, incl. "You're The One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted To You", for "Grease" the movie.

[BocaJoe]

wow!

Never heard of or seen this group- what a knockout number. The lead singer sounds like Burton Cummings of the Guess Who, the bassline and melody definitely Motown-ish, with a hint of ELO and Beach Boys in the vocals...and you can dance to it- LOL!

The epitome of 60's goodtimes, fun and dancing.

Thanks!

[coochiebluz]

great band, I remember them playing this on uptight. john farrar was/is huge talent. I lived in brisbane so I never saw them play live.

[Badark56]

One of Australia's greatest pop groups!

[Toner12]

Saw these guys many times at St. Kilda Town Hall (Opus?). They were so professional and their covers were incredible. Great Melbourne band from a great era.

[crankie72]

Still the greatest Melbourne band ever!

[mpwb]

Got a glimpse of Molly Meldrum dancing away in the foreground!! I loved this band and the show they appeared on, Uptight.

It was the best four hours of the week for me. Many thanks for this.

[beefcakeyamato]

i love the guitar and keys in this.those manton el toros are interesting too

[glennmagor]

OMG! Ive never seen this clip. Thats my Uncle Terry. Thankyou sooooo much for posting it.

[Stratau]

wow i remember this although im only 44

thanks for posting glenlyons98...many thanks

[austbakes]

The Strangers - what a great band - memories of a great youth. Any old Lakeside High Reservoir alumni remember the day we had Pat Carroll, The Strangers and Merv Benton come to school for the lunch time concert in the quadrangle. Wow - arent memories great

[machiavelli99]

You can get all the hits of The Strangers on a compilation CD including those songs mentioned.

[themixtures]

Hi Can you give us the details of the compilation cd, I am sure Pete Robinson would like to know about this - so that we can get in touch with him about it - Many thanks - Karen Wieland - Frederick Wieland's wife !!!!

[kevinherbert]

These guys were Oz's first international standard pop act..along with the Easybeats...

[glenlyons98]

Pete Robinson is the bass player in this clip. I'll ask him what happened to this guitar...

[hymie8]

this is a great 60s Australian classic

has anyone got other Strangers hits eg Lady Scorpio and Melanie Makes Me Smile?

cheers

[fjbutch]

I'm having a great night finding all these beauties from my youth

[mpwb]

I thought Terry Walker was soooo good looking. He sounded really macho and looked it. Thanks for this great clip.

[Scott4Jesus]

I never seen so many Danelectro Long Horns. Do you think they had a contract with them:)

[isthatmusicicanhear2]

★★★★★ AWESOME '' ISSY ..

[ozzieoioi]

did anyone spot ian meldrum?

[nickthesoulboy]

I play this song at a club called Gimme Shelter in Melbourne it kicks. Looking for a copy of Put Yourself my place though.

[kevinherbert]

I idolised you guys when I was 14 years old..it's still great 44 years later..thanx guys!!!

[subsea1234]

good to see a band with good guitar sense. Go the mighty Maton el toros

[hymie8]

great song - what a voice

has anyone got Melanie Makes Me Smile and Lady Scorpio? - other magical songs they did

[webaroos]

Great song, like yesterday.