I stumbled across this 1927 advertisement in an unrelated search, which piqued my interest and warranted further investigation. The Union Company of Elizabeth Street in the City of Melbourne were selling this vest pocket mouth organ for a shilling (post free). It had the added feature of a powerful magnifying glass to view an interesting … Continue reading Beware Choking Hazard!
As Neddy Seagoon would exclaim, "What! What! What!" In this 1937 advertisement the Glaz-o-phone can only be obtained from the The British Music Academy (King Street, Sydney), however in 1936 it was available from the Godfrey College, whose Director was a Mr. Godfrey F Clark. Perhaps Godfrey College which had been established for nearly forty … Continue reading What! What! What!
A few interesting finds added to the Aussie Models timeline. (Weston Langford Photograph) When I was a lad riding the rails the train of choice was the Red Rattler. If a Bluey pulled in I would sometimes wait for the next one in hope of riding the Red. The Tait class of train was far … Continue reading Riding The Red Rattler
A story of an old Roy Boy, William (Winger) Griffiths (April 5, 1879 - October 16, 1928). As the curtain closes on the Grade cricket season and rises for Australian rules football what better way than to honour the transition than to have a tale about a District (Premier Grade) cricketer and VFL (Victorian Football … Continue reading Winger Griffiths
Will the real Sydney Dickens please stand up? There has been some confusion on the identity of Sydney Dickens or should I say Professor Dickens. On Melbourne's Empire Records back in 1908, two wax cylinder recordings were pressed containing mouth organ medleys credited to 'Professor' Dickens (these are Australia's earliest known mouth organ recordings). For … Continue reading By Dickens
Pinch & punch Raffers. As promised a couple of advertisements from J Hess & Co. The Federal Harp was sold in Australia late in the 19th century from about 1898. It had been trademarked the previous year. The manufacturer Ernst Hess of Klingenthal Saxony had a display at the ‘World Fair’ held in Melbourne, Australia … Continue reading NAWFOS #2-Hess’ Harp
Hi Riffers, "The line of 'Make America great again,' the phrase, that was mine, I came up with it about a year ago, and I kept using it, and everybody's using it, they are all loving it. I don't know, I guess I should copyright it, maybe I have copyrighted it." "Sorry losers and haters, … Continue reading Trump the Mouth Organ
Gidday Riff Raffers, Ooh, my little pretty one, my pretty one. My my my aye-aye whoa! Quite awhile back I discovered advertising for this unusually named harmonica, the Harola. I endeavoured to locate its origins and to see if it was actually unique to the Australian market. My initial attempts failed dismally and it would … Continue reading M-M-M-My Harola
Caravan Music Club, East Bentleigh, Sunday 5th January, 2020 "Aaron was a friend of mine. He lived out in the country far away from the city lights. Out among the gentle pines." (Kerryn Tolhurst) The band opened in fine fashion with Kerryn's melodic Aaron from The Dingoes self titled debut album of 1973. Terry Dean … Continue reading DINGORADIO-Songs of Kerryn Tolhurst
Over a year ago I published an article about a young Australian lad (or American if you prefer), who was a big hit down under when he and his parents toured as part of the Tivoli circuit in 1953. Gene Jimae, although born in Detroit in 1943, was of Aussie heritage-his mother Joan was born … Continue reading Gene Genius Returns
Harmonica Riff Raff 