Musical Mr. Subbubs News (Adelaide) Fri 13 Mar 1925 When I first observed this 100 year old cartoon I thought it was an early version of Homer Simpson. A man of the burbs (of course) was Mr. Subbubs, who loved his music and sports. I do see some of myself in him - even his … Continue reading Mr. Subbubs off to South Street.
Edward Harold Collier (22 January 1905 - 8 April 1966) A young Harold Collier resplendent in creams. Harold Collier’s son Geoff posted a comment on Collingwood’s Crackajack Collier way back in 2023. We’ve kept in touch and he recently sent a few photocopies of his Dad which are pictured here. Geoff also provided a wee … Continue reading Collier Wood (Did)
Before you begin this latest episode you may want to read (revisit) the earlier posts on Gene, The Gene Genius and Gene Genius Returns. Recently I stumbled across another newspaper article on the kid, which also led to further discoveries and thus this hotchpotch of a post. The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic) Wed 2 Dec … Continue reading Gene Genius Rides Again (Big Time)
My latest acquisition. The one after the 266 (I said move over once - and a half). However more likely after the 265 as the 266 was originally the 264 1/2. Confused welcome to the world of harmonica identification. The 48 Chord Harmonica (also known as the Akkorda) was manufactured nearly ten years later than … Continue reading No. 267
Cruisin’ in third lookin for birdCruisin’ in third lookin for birdHe’ll drive you up the wall or any oher place. Greedy’s Looking For Bird riffs. I heard it on the car radio while returning from our regular Monday morning jaunt to ‘Invy’ (Inverloch) when my harmonica antenna received strong vibrations. The announcer had an avian … Continue reading Bird Watching or Speedy Greedy
Maxwell Renown Braybrook (22 June 1920 - 12 November 2004) We first come across Maxwell as a thirteen year old lad from Newcastle with his regular contributions to the local paper’s Smile Exchange. Japanese Submarine shelled Newcastle around 2:30 am Tuesday 9 June 1942. (No casualties) He makes a return to the paper not long … Continue reading Ballad of Braybrook
Waldo Burgoyne (December 18, 1891 - June 5, 1960) photo courtesy of Ray Grieve. Waldo was indeed a magnificent mouth organ exponent racking up a life time of trophies and achievements. He was runner up to the legendary P C Spouse in the Australian Championships at South Street Ballarat in 1927. Later he would go … Continue reading Waldo the Magnificent
This certainly is Ollie! The lot of the session musician - as told to Harmonica Riff Raff by Steve Williams……. In 1993 I got a call from Doug at Toybox, a little studio in Northcote, for a harmonica session. He said it was a weird one. The artist, a Dutch chimney sweep called Bill Cook … Continue reading Harley & Harp
Ruffled Feathers - Ol’ Shep (with special guests Zach Grace & Lachlan - Young’un Shep) Stream/Buy here Ruffled Feathers How to follow up my first hit (well huge in Biddleonia) Locomotive Weave, which uses a train rhythm as its basis? Well why not another ol’ timey harmonica piece - a fox chase. Although only loosely … Continue reading Home To Roost
Two floors above the butcher, first door on the right Life filled to the brim as I stood by my window And looked out on those, Brooklyn Roads Thought of going back. Neil did! Neil at his childhood abode’s entrance. Then looking out on Brooklyn Roads many years later. I can still recall the smells … Continue reading Church Avenue
Harmonica Riff Raff 