Gavin Wood's Podcast

Grace Ethel Knight is an English-born Australian vocalist, saxophone player and songwriter. During the 1980s she was a mainstay of Indie pop group Eurogliders. Knight later became a solo jazz singer and musician based in Sydney. Since Eurogliders disbanded in 1989, Knight has had a successful career as a jazz singer. Knight made a cameo appearance in the 1990 TV series Come In Spinner and sang on...

Joe Camilleri is a Maltese Australian singer-songwriter and musician. Joe has recorded as a solo artist and as a member of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons and The Black Sorrows. The biggest hit for Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons was 'Hit and Run' and the biggest hit for The Black sorrows was 'Chained to the Wheel'. Listen how Joe describes the journey from Malta to the top of the charts. The many different b...

Sharon O'Neill is a self-taught guitarist who started putting chords to her poetry whilst in her teens in her native New Zealand. Sharon crossed the pond with her music in Australia, securing herself in the industry where she won the APRA Top Female Vocalist Award in 1978, 1979 and 1980. She also won the Countdown Rock Awards three times between 1980 and 1985 and the Sounds Pop Poll in 1983 and 19...

We bring Doug Parkinson in Focus. Doug Parkinson conveyed considerable charisma with his imposing presence; his voice was sweet and soulful resonating in a way that few of his contemporaries could match. Doug Parkinson is a friend, this is an insight into his beginnings into Australian Music Industry. His career began is the 60' when he had a massive hit with a cover of The Beatles 'Dear Prudence'...

"These Here Are Crazy Times" sings Dale Ryder of Boom Crash Opera. In this Countdown Podcast, Dale talks about his early childhood in India and living the simple life. He then had to adjust moving countries to Melbourne Australia. The struggle of fitting into a new society and how to overcome bullying at an early age and his deep shyness. This is a fascinating chat with one of the most charismatic...

Marcia Hines AM Australian/American soul singer, actress and TV personality Marcia Hines arrived in Australia at the age of 16 and the rest is music history. Marcia rose to the top of the charts with14 studio albums,1 live album and 9 compilation albums to her credit. From the early stage production of Hair at 16 and to go on to play Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Marcia's career was as...

Martha Davis - The Motels American rock and new wave singer, songwriter Martha Davis got her start on Countdown. Her song Total Control from the Motels became a hit after Countdown started playing it. Australia fell in love with Martha Davis. Molly fell in love with her too. Remember on Countdown when Martha threw her legs over Molly's legs on camera. It was a memorable moment on Australian televi...

Ross Wilson Singer, songwriter, musician and producer Ross Wilson has achieved everything but the good news is, there is still more to come. After 55 years in the music business starting with the schoolboy band The Pink Finks then Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock and many different formations of bands throughout his career, Ross also does solo performances as well. With his big hit song from the 60's Eagle...

John Paul Young. John Paul Young OAM, is a Scottish-born Australian pop singer who had his 1978 worldwide hit with "Love Is in the Air". His career was boosted by regular appearances as a performer and guest host on national broadcaster, ABC's 1974-1987 TV series, Countdown. Besides "Love Is in the Air", Young had top ten chart success in Germany and the Netherlands with "Standing in the Rain" and...

Glenn Barrie Shorrock AM is an English-born Australian singer-songwriter. He was a founding member of rock bands the Twilights, Axiom, Little River Band and post LRB spin-off trio Birtles Shorrock Goble, 'Blazing Salads' a duo with his mate Brian Cadd as well as being a solo performer. Having been front man in those iconic Australian bands Glenn has many stories to tell. Glenn and his band Little...

LEO SAYER. Leo Sayer launched his career in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, and became a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s. His first seven hit singles in the United Kingdom all reached the Top 10 His songs have been sung by other notable artists, including Cliff Richard, Roger Daltrey and Three Dog Night. We are very lucky that Leo wanted to live in Austr...

COUNTDOWN the Australian music television show broadcast by the ABC from 1974 until 1987. Countdown was the most popular music program in Australian TV history which exerted a strong sway on radio programmers. Countdown attracted local and International acts and reflected the musical cultural influences of the day. Gavin Wood was the shows voice over announcer and offers an insight to the artists...

BRIAN MANNIX. Australian rock music singer and actor. Brian was the lead singer of 1980s band Uncanny X-Men, and in 2006 performed in the Countdown Spectacular and also at the 2006 AFL Grand Final. Uncanny X-Men are known for their hits such as "The Party", "How Do You Get Your Kicks?", "50 Years" and "Everybody Wants to Work". Brian also wrote the 'Countdown Musical' and was involved writing the...

In this Episode Gavin chats with Russell Morris AM. Russell is a singer songwriter and guitarist, with a staggering 50 year career & counting. Russell had 5 Australian Top 10 singles during the late 1960's and early 70's. The Real Thing was added to the National Film and Sound Archives - Sounds of Australia registry in 2013. His most current album Black and Blue Heart. Let's chat to the Real Thing...

In this Episode Gavin chats with Brian Cadd AM. In 2007 Brian Cadd was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his 50 years of service to the music industry as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, mentor and producer. Brian is one of the greatest singer songwriters Australia has produced with a successful career in the USA and Europe. Brian speaks to us from New York about his 50 years in the bu...

GAVIN WOOD'S Countdown Podcast - Chatting with DARYL BRAITHWAITE Daryl was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2017. He has a career spanning 50 years. Daryl was the lead vocalist of Sherbet 1970-1984, and then went on to a solo career placing 15 singles in the Australian top 40 including two number one hits You're My World and The Horses. He is now riding high on the charts with his new hit Lo...