The Strangers With John Farrar

[alewis41]

Who? Never heard of him.

[cockroach]

I can remember seeing the Strangers on TV here in Australia back in the '60's...a great band, and John was a terrific player and singer back then too!

There is a very good CD compilation of their excellent material available around...at least here in Oz.

[Tony]

I can also remember The Strangers being around in the very early sixties. I saw them in Melbourne, Shepparton & Echuca where they regularly appeared. Trying to remember there names and can only come up with John Farrer lead guitarist, and Peter Robinson who was the bass player.

Possible there recordings are available through Canetoad Records...

[cockroach]

Tony,

Wasn't Fred Weiland the other guitarist in the Strangers with JohnFarrar?

[Tony]

Went and googled it and here they are....

Original lineup, 1961-64:
Laurie Arthur (lead guitar, vocals)
Peter Robinson (bass, vocals)
Graeme (Garth) Thompson (drums)
Fred Weiland (rhythm guitar, vocals)

Second lineup, 1964-1970
John Farrar (guitar, vocals)
Terry Walker (lead vocals) 1967-70
Peter Robinson (bass, vocals)
Graeme (Garth) Thompson (drums)
Fred Weiland (guitar, vocals)


... and it goes on to say....

The Strangers were one of the best and most important Australian pop bands of the 1960s, and their contributions should be better recognised, because they played a vital role in shaping the sound of Australian Sixties pop. They enjoyed considerable success as a recording act, in their own right, gained national recognition through their many concert and TV appearances, and they were universally regarded one of the most versatile and musically accomplished bands in the country. However, because of their versatility and musical skill, they quickly became Australia's most in-demand backing group for recordings, the concert stage and TV. In fact, they backed so many well-known Australian artists during the 1960s that it's not unreasonable to describe them as Australia's version of L.A.'s famous "Wrecking Crew".

And this is the background to the very talented John Farrar who went on to become "A Shadow"

[AlanMcKillop]

I have the Best of The Strangers CD (on the Canetoad label) and it's very good. Excellent sleeve notes about the group evolution and members, well worth searching out.

I also agree that John was an integral part of The Shadows following his M, W & F stint which in total, amounted to some 6 years and was probably the longest serving member after Hank and Bruce.