Aussie Folk Burger
That’s wot’s in the box. An old 1934 Crackajack counter top display. Courtesy of the Lumsden family whose Great Uncle exhibited in his Newsagency. David Lumsden kindly provided extra detail to HRR. “My great uncle's name was Cliff Cairns and his newsagents was at 524 Toorak Rd, Burwood, at the then tram terminus. He ran … Continue reading Honeycomb Home
1946 The Smilers Club 2BH began broadcasting in July of 1934. In 1936 The Barrier Miner newspaper acquired the proprietorship of the radio station and announced that, “they are now in the position to give the people of Broken Hill the most up-to-date and complete service in the form of news and entertainment.” (The Barrier … Continue reading Bluey Watkins & the Harmonica Humbugs
Victor de Lano. Left: Larry Adler with daughter Kate Lynn (2) in Oz. Right: Larry with two lads from the Melbourne Children’s Hospital. Guess who? Left: Don Chromatic Duo with John Don and 11 year old daughter Elaine (1949). Right: Master Walter (2years and 3 months) from Auburn, NSW. Brisbane unemployed (1938) Just three old … Continue reading Bibs & Bobs
Cuckoo Accordion Antiques give history context and history gives antiques context. Left: My first (& I’ll say last) accordion. Right: Sawtell & Consoli were advertising the Cuckoo Accordions in 1926 Look what I stumbled on in Wonny. A cousin of my Cuckoo mouth organ, a diatonic button accordion where bellows blow the air over the … Continue reading Cuckoo Again!
Who made who, who made you?Who made who, ain't nobody told you?Who made who, who made you? If you made them and they made you Who picked up the bill, and who made who? Yeah who made whoWho turned the screw? AC/DC This article is a combination of quite a few drafts for separate articles … Continue reading Who Made Who?
Everyones. Vo.5 No.347 (20 October 1926) Nasjah (The Owl), the ten year old Navajo boy selected by the producer became a popular star of the movie ‘The Vanishing Race’. He spoke no English except for a bit of strine, “fair dinkum”. You also knew when Nasjah was peckish. When Nasjah rubbed his stomach hotel staff … Continue reading Navajo Hero – Short Snort (Organ) #12
Rhythm and Blues - Hohner My R&B with 1963 Patent (part & slightly doctored) Tommy Reilly co - creator Although not strictly in my collection parameters, I’ve been keen for sometime to source a Hohner Rhythm & Blues Chord harmonica. Not quite sure why, but I reckon it’s cool! The time had arrived. I sought … Continue reading Train Rhythm Blues
Steve Williams (John Farnham Band) was a regular guest on Harmonica Riff Raff, the 3MDR radio show, helping listeners find their way around the instrument with lessons and helpful hints. It was mostly elementary, but at times we headed into territory that was quite sophisticated. One such occasion was introducing the bends on holes three … Continue reading Diving Into The Bends
Save The Boys He accosted a lad in the street, and asked where he worked. The boy replied, "Shut up, and mind your own business," and he did so, for he felt it his business to find out something more about the lad. He therefore asked the boy if he would like to come to … Continue reading Trying Boys – Short Snort (Organ) #11
A late flying Boomerang from my collection Recently, while unpacking my collection for display at our new location, I had a closer gander at the Boomerang harmonica with a plastic comb (pictured above), masquerading as a Hohner Special 20. The price would suggest, perhaps nineties. Then, blow me down with a harmonica, I discovered it … Continue reading Boomerang Boogaloo
Harmonica Riff Raff 