Ep 2, Part 1: The Ginchiest

Australia may have “turned to America” during WWII, but culturally, it was still doggedly British. This changed in the 1950s. We look at one arbiter of the change –  Lee Gordon –  an American with a shady backstory who arrived in Sydney in 1953 and within a year had created the Australian concert circuit! And how! But it’s a very strange story too, and poses a lot of questions….  

Hear choice samples from some of the acts Gordon brought to Australia; Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, LaVern Baker and more.

Playlist

Lee Gordon: Get The Message


Elmer Bernstein: The Street


Eddie Cochran: Scratchin’


Gene Vincent: Catman


Frank Sinatra: I Got The World On A String


Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Hums The Blues


Johnnie Ray: Lotus Blossom


LaVern Baker: Tiny Tim


Elvis Presley: Reconsider Baby


Alis Lesley: Handsome Man


Johnny O’Keefe: Don’t You Know


Chuck Berry: Downbound Train


Little Richard: Directly From My Heart


The Leemen: Make Love To Me


Lee Gordon: She’s The Ginchiest