By coincidence, a number of members of the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza attended a concert on Thursday last week, 30 January, at the Frankston Arts Centre with the stars being Russell Morris & Brian Cadd. This was a truly memorable event and the whole auditorium was rocking by the end of the night. Now aged 71, Russell Morris music career started in 1966 when, as an 18 year old, he was a member of the group, Somebody's Image. Russell left the group in September 1968. The next year, 1969, he released an almost 7 minute long version of "The Real Thing" which was written by Johnny Young and produced by Ian "Molly" Meldrum. A classic psychedelic single of the late 1960s, "The Real Thing" hit number one on the Australian charts in June 1969 and it was the biggest selling Australian single that year. Russell's second single, "Part Three into Paper Walls"/ flip side "The girl that I love" also hit number one and Russell mania was up and away. In December 1969 Russell played at a concert in Brisbane with over 5000 people in attendance. More than 100 attendees at this concert were taken by ambulance to hospital "in a state of advanced hysteria". In 1970, Morris recorded the Raymond Froggatt song "Rachel" which the Editor regards as his greatest hit. While it reached number one in New Zealand it peaked at number 23 in Australia. Russell Morris 1971 hit "Mr America", which he wrote led him to be awarded Australian Music Composer of the Year. He followed up with a rang of other hits over the next couple of years including "Wings of an Eagle", "Bloodstone" and "Love Sweet Love". Understanding that there was a recording contract waiting for him in London, in 1973 Morris left Australia. When this didn't eventuate he moved to New York where he lived until 1978. While he had moderate success he didn't realise his full potential in America. In 1978 he returned to Australia and for the next almost 20 years he went on tour, played in concerts, musical productions and released musical albums. Between 1996 and 2006 Russell Morris performed in bands with contemporaries Ronnie Burns, Darryl Cotton and Jim Keays. Over the last 15 years he has continued to tour and release new albums from time to time with his latest album, "Black & Blue Heart", being released in 2019. As those of us in attendance last Thursday saw, Russell Morris still has it!
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