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The Radiators

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About

1978 - WHAT A YEAR IT WAS!


Elvis Presley released "Teddy Bear";
David Bowie embarked on his world tour;
Former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies died aged 84;
Artist Brett Whiteley was awarded the Archibald Prize;
A study of the ethnic origins of the Australian population found that 77% of
people had British origins, with 45% coming from England;
"Grease" was released and went on to become the most popular movie
musical of all time;
Tropical cyclone Alby passed close to the southwestern corner of WA killing 5
people and causing widespread damage;
Sir Zelman Cowen served as Governor-General until 29 July, 1982;
Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister;
Australia's first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Famous People born in 1978:
Ashton Kutcher;
Musician Ben Lee;
Actor Brandon Davis;
Musician Cisco Adler;
Damien Marley (son of Bob);
Dhani Harrison (son of George);
Jesse Metcalfe from Desperate Housewives;
Actor Josh Hartnett;
Justin Long (the Apple Computer guy);
Actress Katherine Heigl;
Actress Katie Holmes;
Kevin Federline;
Basketballer Kobe Bryant;
Singer Nelly Furtado;
Blogger Perez Hilton


AND

THE RADIATORS WERE BORN!!!!!


Prior to 1978 Brian Nichol was bass guitar/lead vocals and Fess Parker was lead guitar in "Big Swifty". At the same time Geoff Turner was bass guitarist with RCA signed "Twister". After the two bands performed together a couple of times "Twister" disbanded and "Big Swifty" decided on a change of musical direction.

Times were changing and major advances had been made in the music industry so the two bands and their music styles merged and drummer Chris Tagg was added to the mix . Brendan Callinan brought keyboards to The Radiators in 1979 and the individual members of the Band began their prolific song writing careers. By the time Chris Tagg left the Band in 1984 three albums had been released and The Radiators had been awarded Gold Records for "Scream of the Real" and "Up For Grabs". A little further down the track their Albums "Feel the Heat" and "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" scored double Platinum.


The Radiators was now an incorporated Company. When 1990 rolled around Mick Buckley moved on, had overseas success and keyboardist Brendan departed. Drummer extraordinaire Mark Lucas signed up and it was decided thereafter to forego keyboards. That was the lineup of the mighty Radiators in 1990 and so it remains to this day!


FAST FORWARD 30 YEARS TO 2008 -
Little did anyone realize back in 1978 that The Radiators would still be together, still hugely popular and still producing quality music with no signs of slowing down.

Travelling thousands upon thousands of kilometres up, down and across the length and breadth of this vast country, The Radiators have carved a niche in the annals of Aussie Rock history.


They have headlined and shared the stage with other great Aussie acts such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Dragon and INXS. 2004 saw the release of The Radiators' 25th Anniversary Album, a compilation of their most popular singles. While this Album sold well and had chart success, the boys were keen to try something new.

In 2008 their controversial single "Gimme Head" was re-recorded and remixed by The Cut in Sydney, and picked up by Melbourne Recording Company, Vicious. The single debuted at No. 25 on the ARIA Club Charts, quickly climbing to No. 9 in the first 5 days.


The new "Gimme Head" was snapped up by Australian Fashion Week and featured on their television advertisements shown on Channel 10.


Despite the rigors of touring and the passing of years the spark and energy of The Radiators has not diminished. They continue to do what they do best - tour extensively, play an average of 150 shows per year and delight the legions of fans both young and old who still flock to grab a slice of living Aussie Rock history, rocking the night away to the great catchy songs and classic hits that have made The Radiators a household name in Australia.

Not bad for four boys from humble beginnings with big dreams and one wonders what this powerhouse band is capable of producing next.

Reviews

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 39 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    The Rads will be missed!!! Hoping for a Reunion Tour in the future.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Just like old times!

    by epster on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    This brought me back to the good old days. Not like Tipitina's, but the music was great!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Radiators

    by NJJamBand1 on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    The Radiators really played well this past Friday at the Best Buy theater in NYC. Its something about NYC that the Radiators just love. You can feel the energy when they get into a jam! When they broke into a smooth melody singing "On Broadway" the crowd went nuts. They also stole the show at the Crawfish Fest in NJ on Saturday! They were jamming with Tad Benoute and three other Trombone players! Incredible!!! We will miss those guys!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great vibeS

    by WaBBaFoo on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    Great show, fantastic peaceful crowd. . . . . . . .

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    My last Radiators show

    by vogtct1 on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    First time at the best buy theatre. Loved the venue, will try to see another show there. The Radiators show was amazing and bittersweet at the same time. Wish they could have played all night.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by tutlax44 on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    Amazing gig--band was rolling--crowd on fire..goodbye RADS!!! it's been wonderful!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    The Last Getaway for The Rads

    by PartyMarty1005 on 6/6/11Best Buy Theater - New York

    It is sad to say but even more terrible to write that this will be the last review of a concert by The Radiators, a New Orleans based rock/funk/soul/blues band that has been doing this crazy thing for 30+ years. It has been an amazing ride for me as I am sure it was for them. Never cracked the arena rock plateau but all the better for its rabid fan base. Seeing them in venues such as Irving Plaza, The Bayou in Mt. Vernon and the various festivals they have played thru the years in the Northeast has made it ever sweeter yet now bittersweet. As always, I enjoyed the show at The Best Buy Theater with a smile on my face throughout the whole show. Highlights include "Suck The Head", "River Run", "If Your Heart Aint In It", and their most popular tune, "Like Dreamers Do". They even broke into a small portion of "On Broadway" which sent the crowd in a tizzy, being that they were on Broadway! The journey has ended, at least for this iteration, as I cannot believe that Ed Volker, Dave Malone, Camille Baudoin, Reggie Scanlan and Frank Bua will never return in one form or another. All I can say is Let The Red Wine Flow and thanks for the good times! Peace

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Old guys rock!

    by Sarasotoan on 4/12/11Jannus Live - St Petersburg

    The concert was great! I saw the Radiators in Connecticut about 23 years ago. I was amazed that they kept rocking for 2 hours straight! Hope you'll keep playing :)

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Radiators rocked, but No Money Down blew us away!

    by Lippie on 4/12/11Jannus Live - St Petersburg

    What an awesome surprise! The Jannus is a fantastic, New Orleans-y courtyard in the heart of downtown St. Pete. We arrived early and were absolutely blown away by the first band, No Money Down, who set our standards sky high for the rest of the night. It turns out that although The Radiators are a stellar, legendary group with lots of energy and great musicianship, the No Money Down Band was loaded with personality, charisma and talent. Loved the overall vibe, the friendly and funky atmosphere and the extraordinary music. The sound was clear and well mixed. We'll be back!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 4/12/11Jannus Live - St Petersburg

    This was the first time I had seen or heard the Radiators. Great show!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rads in St. Pete

    by BuryTheMeatStick on 4/12/11Jannus Live - St Petersburg

    Can't beat a free Rads show at one of the best venus in the area. Camile was on fire and tore it up. Too boot Trombone Shorty and Tab Benoit were playing just down the street in Vinoy Park for the Tampa Bay Blues Fest. It was a New Orleans music weekend in St. Pete. Thanks to whoever made the free show possible.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    They went out in style

    by FarkDan on 4/12/11Jannus Live - St Petersburg

    After 20 years of seeing the Rads they are embarking on their farewell tour. It was a great show with a sweet-sadness knowing that it was my last one.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Radiators at Revolution FLL

    by nouseforaname on 4/11/11Revolution Live - Ft Lauderdale

    The show rocked. 5 guys, 33 years, the final Watusi.... the show was outstanding in a great venue.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    radiators

    by chi2 on 4/11/11Revolution Live - Ft Lauderdale

    they rocked, and rocked and rocked, as if they knew it was last so fla show and they just kept on playing, they did a 2 set show w/ 4 song encore. it was bittersweet tho. i wanted to be there but i didn't want to be there. cause i knew if i was there it was indeed their last show. they really seemed to be having a great time on stage playing off the crowd of mostly younger folks, not the usual for this band. I was glad to see that tho, means more and more young folks getting into live music and jambands.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Do you yourself a favor and catch them before they

    by FANINDEED on 3/20/11Paradise Rock Club - Boston

    Wee great energy Friday night topping the Fall River shoe from last month. What more can you say. Another vintage performance byy the boys

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Radiators-old dudes can rock

    by eio8 on 3/20/11Paradise Rock Club - Boston

    Guitarist looks like a combination of Donald Rumsfeld and Terry Bradshaw, between him and the bassist looks like a Dockers commercial 25th anniversary reunion (and lets not even discuss the keyboardist who looks like he's ready to board the little yellow bus), which is what makes it so surprising when they rock the friggin' house with more testosterone than a grumpy silverback. I hope they rethink the farewell angle and I loved the "sympathy for the devil" encore, made the Stones version sound like it was done by a bunch of old men.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    New Orleans Radiators

    by Bicman on 2/15/11Bluebird Theater - Denver

    This was the best show I have seen in years. I have seen the Radiators at Tipitians, NO Jazz Fest and other venues but this was the best. Great viewing from the floor level of the Bluebird! Sweeeeet Show. Sorry to hear this is the last time I will get to see the Rads! Fish head music will live forever.........

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 2/14/11Bluebird Theater - Denver

    Radiators were great, esp when they played with a more southern rock feel!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Farewell Rads!!

    by Bogart126 on 2/14/11Bluebird Theater - Denver

    First off, there's nothing like seeing a show at the Bluebird. every spot on the floor is great. the Rads were fantastic. They played two full sets. interspersed some nice covers - stones, neil diamond, allmans along with their own steller material. we're going to miss ya boys!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Radiators

    by MileHiYat on 2/14/11Bluebird Theater - Denver

    Always a great show. No two showss are ever the same. Afetr following the Radcs for 28 years I am still amazed at the quality and diversity of the shows. They will be missed.