Australia may have “turned to America” during WWII, but culturally, it was still doggedly British. This changed in the 1950s. We look at one arbiter of the change –  Lee Gordon –  an American with a shady backstory who arrived in Sydney in 1953 and within a year had created the Australian concert circuit! And how! But it’s a very strange story too, and poses a lot of questions….  

Hear choice samples from some of the acts Gordon brought to Australia; Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, LaVern Baker and more.

Playlist

Lee Gordon: Get The Message

Elmer Bernstein: The Street

Eddie Cochran: Scratchin’

Gene Vincent: Catman

Frank Sinatra: I Got The World On A String

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Hums The Blues

Johnnie Ray: Lotus Blossom

LaVern Baker: Tiny Tim

Elvis Presley: Reconsider Baby

Alis Lesley: Handsome Man

Johnny O’Keefe: Don’t You Know

Chuck Berry: Downbound Train

Little Richard: Directly From My Heart

The Leemen: Make Love To Me

Lee Gordon: She’s The Ginchiest