About this user
CRISTON BARKER is a thirty five year veteran of the Australian and International music scene. His first band TRAIN was formed in Melbourne toward the end of 1968. His 2nd band ASH was formed in 1969. Ash's second incarnation included LITTLE RIVER BAND drummer and founding member Derek Pellicci. ASH recorded two singles, Avignon a top 10 Hit penned by Criston and Midnight Witch, composed by Doug Ford, guitarist with Australian Rock Hall of famers, the MASTERS APPRENTICES. During the early 70's Criston toured with members from LOTUS, Warick Wilks (organ) and Kim Dawson (Guitar). Criston Derek and Tim Partridge were headhunted by Ray Arnold and asked to attend a two day beer and marijuana fuelled jam session at a house somewhere in Turrumurra where they were introduced to Leith Corbett, ex bass player with HEART & SOUL and DAVE MILLER SET. Leith had mastered the guitar style of their then hero Jimi Hendrix. After 3 days of non stop jamming they were entered in a battle of the bands competition at Whisky A Go Go which they won. An excited Sydney Morning Herald journalist present at the performance insisted on writing a piece and asked what the band was called and the the boys hadn't yet thought about a name so Leith came up with ARTHUR & THE ARGONAUTS, not long after they changed their name to ISLAND and moved to Melbourne in 1972. Here the bands popularity grew quickly, the highlight being a performance at the legendary Sunbury music festival. ISLAND, although extremely popular was short lived. Leith left for London and Derek joined the Melbourne based Mississippi which later morphed into the LITTLE RIVER BAND. In 1975 Criston formed FREEWAY, resulting in the Riding High album, co-writing all ten tracks with guitarist Steve Welch. He then joined alternative cult band SIDEWINDER and later toured with the new HUSH. In 1979 Criston joined Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell in AIR SUPPLY touring extensively for twelve months prior to recording the multi-platinum internationally acclaimed Grammy nominated album, LOST IN LOVE. That album realised 5 top ten singles in the American charts in the first twelve months of release. During this time Criston was approached by the comedic team from "DR POO" featuring the genius of Lance Curtis and Geoff Kelso, stars of a popular radio show which parodied the legendary DR WHO TV series. The show aired regularly on the then newly created alternative ABC Triple J radio, to compose and produce a mini album to be titled, "DR POO and the Psychic Koalas, The Universe Is Big" the album contained five songs which have since gained cult status. The album featured guitar legend Dennis Wilson ex KHAVAS JUTE. http://www.drpoo.co.uk/records2.php After leaving AIR SUPPLY Criston formed APOLLO BAY, the Bay recorded four unreleased tracks, but did successfully tour with international acts like Elton John and Joan Armatrading. Moving back to Melbourne he then recorded his own self titled album, SIDE BY SIDE, securing the talents of numerous top musicians including, David Herschfelder, on keyboards, (two-time, Acadamy Award Nominee) and Steve Housden, (Ex Guitarist) LITTLE RIVER BAND. Wanting to spend more time recording he set about designing a purpose built state of the art recording studio in Melbourne with his brother Adrian which they called POWERPLANT. Artist that recorded there included THE HUXTON CREEPERS, JOE CAMILLERI, DIVINYLS, WA WA NEE, BIG PIG, JOHN SWAN (Swanny) DRAGON and Michael Hutchence, to name just a few. The original version of Pat Benetar's massive hit, All Fired Up, penned by Keryn Tolhurst of ex DINGOES fame was also recorded at this time by Criston at Powerplant. Criston has composed, performed and produced video clips, written entertainment editorial, produced & engineered several albums and documentaries and in 1995 produced and directed a music entertainment television program, Entertainment weekly for the Prime 7 Network in Queensland. More recently he has composed and released a CD for organ donor awareness titled, When Angels Call including a song for hepatitis awareness titled Silent No More and continues to champion organ donor and hepatitis awareness as an ambassador for World Hepatitis Day. A new album of material featuring guitarist Leith Corbett is in progress and is due for release in 2010. For more info see www.myspace.com/cristonbarker
CrisBarker
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