21 June 2014
The VAMP – Chronology 1965 - 1971
{This chronology has been developed primarily from information provided by Margaret Britt, including interviews and Vamps
scrapbooks. Dates are approximate only and subject to refinement. Michael Organ}
1965
April
The Vamps are formed by Margaret Britt. Original line-up comprises:
Kaye Gazzard – Drums, Vocals
Judy Owen – Rhythm guitar
Wendy Walton – Bass guitar
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar
The band practice for about 6 weeks prior to their first gig. Kaye Gazzard had been vocalist with Margaret’s
previous band for a period, including a tour of New Zealand in 1964. She was the first one to join then new band.
Margaret later said in an interview that she formed an all-girl group because “I wanted girls to be accepted as
musicians and not be barred from the music scene merely on account of their sex.”
June
The Vamps. Stomp City, AMOCO Centre, Orange. This Saturday. June 1965. Poster (copy) in black and pale orange,
featuring the original four members. Left to right: Kaye, Margaret, Wendy and Judy. This was the band’s first major
gig. According to Kaye Gazzard (2014) : “What is memorable of that night was the stunned reaction of the audience
as it was inconceivable that women were capable of playing Rock and Roll.” The band played instrumentals on the
night.
b
Look out for the Vamps! Newspaper clipping, Orange, June 1965 (copy). Photograph of original four members. Left
to right: Wendy, Margaret, Kaye and Judy (these portraits were also used in poster). Plus text: Previous “Stomp
City” attendance records are expected to be shattered on Saturday night when Australia’s leading all-girl band, The
Vamps (pictured) from Sydney, make their first appearance in Orange…..
1
Record 2,030 attend Stomp City. Newspaper clipping, Orange, June 1965. Text: … Biggest drawcard at Saturday’s
dance was leading Australian all-girl band, “The Vamps” from Sydney. The four girls, dressing in purple and black,
appeared from a makeshift cave on the stage about 8.30pm, and their half-hour performance “stopped the show.”
They made three similar appearances during the night, each with equal effect…
August
August – September: Vocalist Janice Glading (stage name Babs King) is added and Vamps made a five piece band.
They play a permanent gig at the Millers hotels in Blacktown and various other venues until Babs is forced to leave
as she is underage.
Kaye Gazzard – Drums
Judy Owen – Rhythm guitar
Wendy Walton – Bass guitar
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar
Babs King – Vocals
Vamps. 1965. Photograph (copy). 5 piece band with instruments in studio, pretending to play. Reproduced in
Mondo Weirdo, 1992, 120. Left to right: Babs on knees with maracas, Judy with rhythm guitar, Kaye with drum,
Wendy with bass and Margaret with lead guitar.
Vamps. 1965. Band with instruments and in uniform by a white stairwell. Photograph (copy). Left to right: Janice
(Babs), Judy, Kaye, Margaret and Wendy. The original drum kit with logo is included.
2
The Vamps perform on the Channel 9 TV Don Lane Show, Sydney, late 1965. They perform Twist and Shout – a
song made famous by the Beatles - and Lane refers to them as a “female Beatles”.
Vamps Maroubra 1965. Photograph (copy). Picture of the five girls in dark velvet jackets and hot pants outside the
steps of a building at Maroubra.
Vamps live on stage Maroubra 1965. Photograph (copy). Left to right: Kaye drums, Wendy bass, Margaret lead
guitar, Judy rhythm guitar, Jan (Babs) behind the speaker on vocals.
December
Wild Girls for Hire – The Vamps. Advertisement, OZ magazine Sydney, December 1965.
3
Richard Neville sees the band at a pub in Sydney and contemplates managing them. A contract is drawn up but is
never followed through with. He and Martin Sharp leave Australia for England the following February and the
Vamps go their own way. Neville organised a gig for them at one stage.
1966
January
The Vamps continue to work over the Christmas – New Year as some members depart and are replaced. Margaret
Britt, the founder and leader, auditions new members.
February
Approximately February 1966 Vamps go on a tour in Queensland, playing the Showground circuit. The new line-up
includes:
Jan Little – Drums
Merlene Ryder – Rhythm guitar and saxophone (cousin of Margaret Britt)
Lisa-Kay James – Bass guitar and organ (cousin of Margaret Britt)
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, bass guitar, organ, harmonica
Elaine Nielson – Organ, Vocals
The Vamps. Studio photograph. New line-up, 1966. Left to right: Margaret, Lisa Kay, Merlene, Jan and Elaine.
The Vamps and banners, Brisbane Exhibition Show. 1966. Photograph. Babs returned for this gig, and Elaine Nielson
and Margaret Britt are featured on the banner advertisements. Six members of the band are seen on a stage in
front of five large banners promoting the group.
4
June
June – July – August – September 1966. New line-up works in Brisbane and Ipswich areas, also appearing on a few
TV shows in Brisbane.
“The Vamps” at the Show. The Daily Mercury, Mackay, 21 June 1966. Newspaper advertisement. Photograph +
information.
Vamps at Cabaret. Bowen Independent, Friday 24 June 1966. Newspaper cutting. Notice of gig at the Go Go
Cabaret, Queen’s Beach Motel.
Go Go to the Go Go. Promotional leaflet re gig at Go Go Cabaret, Queen’s Beach Motel, Saturday 26 June 1966.
Vamps are not just long-haired musicians. In Orbit – for Teens and Twenties. Newspaper clipping. Brisbane, np, nd.
Photograph + article by Kathy Stuart. Left to right: Margaret, Merlene, Jan, Lisa and Elaine + dog. Text: Their hair is
about the same length as that of most popsters – except for the lead guitarist who has SHOULDER length locks. But
not even the squarest of Grannies could criticise because – the Vamps are an all-girl band. They’re from Sydney and
they’re currently working their way around Brisbane’s teenage circuit. The Vamps are Margaret Britt and her
cousins Marlene Ryder, and Lisa Kay James, Jan Little and Elaine Nielsen. The girls have been thumping out their
brand of rhythm for two years, and for the last 12 months it has been a full-time job. Versatility is one of their
virtues. Each Vamp is proficient in at least two parts in the group. Here’s a sample of their talents. Margaret plays
lead, harmonica, and organ; Marlene is rhythm guitar and saxophonist; Elaine sings and plays the organ; Jan sings
and drums; and Kay plays bass and guitar.
July
The Vamps at the Show. Queensland tour poster.
The Vamps at the Show. The Townsville Daily Bulletin, Tuesday 5 July 1966. Newspaper clipping. Photograph +
information.
At the Show - The Vamps. The Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 6 July 1966. Newspaper clipping. Photograph +
information. Photograph of Margaret and Farfisa organ.
The Vamps at the Show. The Cairns Post, Tuesday 19 July 1966 and Wednesday 20 July 1966. Newspaper clipping.
Photograph + text.
September
The third line-up change occurs. Following the Queensland show tour the band returned to Brisbane where they
played for about 3 months. Elaine Nielsen left the band in Brisbane and was replaced by Denise Cooper on vocals
approximately September 1966. The band perform at Cloudland (Brisbane), The Cave, Story Bridge Hotel, Lands
Office Hotel and quite a few more venues around Brisbane. “We had two agents at the time – Bill South Agency
and Ivan Dayman, both from Brisbane.” Line-up included:
Jan Little – Drums
Merlene Ryder – Rhythm guitar
Lisa-Kay James – Bass guitar
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar
Denise Cooper – Vocals
The Vamps on IN, 20 September 1966. Running sheet for TV show. Notes that the Vamps performed House of the
Rising Sun and Hanky Panky.
The Vamps on IN. TV Times, 28 September 1966. Advertisement for the band’s appearance on the BTQ7 TV show
IN. Mondays at 6.30pm. Also includes letters to the editor praising their appearance.
The Vamps on IN. TV Week, 15 October 1966. Brief report on the appearance of the band on the BTQ7 TV show IN.
The Vamps on IN. Letter to the editor complimenting their performance.
5
All Girl Band. Newspaper clipping. Report on the Vamp’s appearance on IN.
Enter the Girls. Letter to the editor by Alice Watson re Vamps performance on IN.
It’s the latest “IN” show. Advertisement for the Vamps Queensland tour. Photograph + text.
The Vamps. Gig at the Lionleigh Hotel. The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. Newspaper clipping.
The Vamps. Gig at the Lionleigh Hotel. The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. Newspaper clipping.
The Vamps. Gig at the YMCA Spectacular, Wintergarden Theatre. The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. Newspaper
clipping.
The Vamps. Gig poster. Photograph of Margaret Britt at Farfisa organ + text.
The Vamps at Bald Hills, Bonny View. Newspaper advertisement. “Modern musical misses.”
November
The Vamps at the Bowl. November 1966. Newspaper advertisement.
The Vamps. Photograph + text. PIX magazine, 26 November 1966, page 6. Text: All-girl group, The Vamps, from
Sydney, at a coffee-break rehearsal for another Terry Herbert show at The Bowl. Left to right: Margaret (lead
guitar), Elaine (vocalist, with Vamp the dog), Jan (drums), Lisa (bass guitar) and Merlene (rhythm guitar).
The Vamps at the Story Bridge Hotel. Telegraph News Pictorial, Brisbane, Saturday 24 December 1966. Newspaper
advertisement. * The Bee Gees * The Vamps.
The Vamps at the Story Bridge Hotel. Newspaper advertisement. * Richard Gray * The Vamps.
Complimentary / Admit One / The Vamps. Orange card.
December
From Brisbane the band came back to Sydney and worked once more on the Millers Circuit., Tiki Village (King’s
Cross) and also The Rex Hotel (Kings Cross) Sound Lounge. “Our Sydney agent manager was Les Masliah from
Showgroup Management.” The Vamps then went to Melbourne and played at The Sound Lounge in St. Kilda,
Sergio’s Rendezvous and the George Hotel.
The Vamps on stage. Sydney. Photograph. Left to right: Jan Little, Merlene Ryder, Lisa Kay and Margaret Britt
playing harmonica. At the Millers Hotel, Blacktown, 1966.
1967
January
The Vamps, All Girl Band. Tiki Village Nite Spot, 22 Macleay St., Potts Point, Sydney. Nightly Thursday to Saturday.
Newspaper advertisement, Daily Mirror, Sydney, Thursday 19 January 1967.
March
The Vamps at the Sound Lounge, St. Kilda. Melbourne, March 1967. Photograph and text on card. The Sound
Lounge, St Kilda, changed its name to Ringo Phones after May.
The Vamps – back to the 20s? Young Sun - The Scene with Ian Livingstone, The Sun – News and Pictorial,
Melbourne, Monday 6 March 1967. Newspaper article + photograph. Interview with Margaret Britt.
The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Lisa Kay, Denise Cooper, Jan Little, Merlene Ryder and Margaret Britt + dog
Mopsy. Studio photograph with instruments and jump suits – used for cover of Sound Lounge card.
The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Merlene Ryder, Jan Little, Denise Cooper, Lisa Kay and Margaret Britt + dog
Mopsy. Posed on a stage (?Sound Lounge) with instruments and jump suits.
The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Denise Cooper, Jan Little, Merlene Ryder, Lisa Kay and Margaret Britt + dog
Mopsy. Posed on a stage (?Sound Lounge) with instruments and jump suits.
6
The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Margaret Britt, Merlene Ryder, Jan Little, Lisa Kay and Denise Cooper + dog
Mopsy. Posed on a stage (?Sound Lounge) with instruments and uniforms.
April
The Vamps are approached to do a 12 month tour of US military bases in Vietnam. The old band is dispersed and
Margaret Britt gets a new band together in Melbourne.
May
May - July 1967. This line-up changed:
Linda Cable – Bass and lead guitar
Terri Scott –Rhythm guitar
Marilyn Ockwell – Drums
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar and bass.
“This line-up was very short lived, 3 months maybe. I replaced these girls before going to Noumea and Vietnam in
1967.”
The Vamps appeared on TV in Melbourne then returned to Sydney and the Millers Circuit (Parramatta).
Vamps. Melbourne, May 1967. Photograph. New line-up. Left to right: Margaret Britt, Linda Cable, Marilyn Ockwell
and Terri Scott. Studio photograph with mirror, in skirts and boots, with Margaret at the organ.
Vamps. Melbourne, May 1967. Photograph. Studio photograph with mirror, in jump suits and with instruments.
Marilyn Ockwell is cut out of the shot.
The Vamps live on stage. Millers Hotel, Sydney. Photograph. Left to right: Terri Scott, Linda Cable and Margaret
Britt.
7
July
Following the departure of Cable, Scott and Ockwell, a new line-up is formed by Margaret Britt and gigs at the
Millers Hotel, Parramatta:
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Carol Middlemiss – Drums, vocals
Val Falloon - Rhythm guitar, bass, vocals
Denise Cooper – Vocals, rejoined the Vamps
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
The Vamps. 1967. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Left to right:
Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt, Val Falloon and Julie Hibberd, plus instruments.
The Vamps. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Left to right: Carol
Middlemiss, Margaret Britt, Val Falloon and Julie Hibberd, plus instruments.
“Before going to Vietnam we played in Noumea (New Caledonia). After Vietnam we played in Singapore, Mount
Isa, Sydney, Melbourne, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Laos. We also did various TV shows in Sydney,
Noumea and the Philippines. The last stint before heading to the United States in May 1969 was in Melbourne at
the Whisky A Go Go (old Sound Lounge and Ringo Phones), Southern Aurora Hotel and George Hotel, St Kilda.
Denise Cooper, vocals, did not go to the USA with the Vamps and they went back to a four piece group. Val Falloon
on rhythm guitar and bass was also replaced by Joy Carroll.”
The Vamps. Sydney, July 1967. Promotional still. Photograph. Left to right: Val Falloon, Julie Hibberd, Carol
Middlemiss, Margaret Britt and Denise Cooper (blond wig), plus instruments, in white uniform. This is the band
that went to New Caledonia on the way to Vietnam.
August
Vietnam for pops. 1967. Newspaper clipping re application to go to Vietnam.
September
The Vamps depart Sydney for New Caledonia / Noumea en route to Vietnam.
Les Vamps: l’attraction a sensation du Biarritz. New Caledonia, September 1967. Newspaper clipping showing the
band in performance, with 3 photographs. Last performance before going to Vietnam.
Les Vamps a la plage. New Caledonia, September 1967. Newspaper clipping showing the band on a beach with
instruments.
Les Vamps, …et nous … et nous .. et nous... New Caledonia, September 1967. Newspaper clipping showing the
band on a beach.
8
October
The Vamps arrive in Vietnam to begin their tour.
November
China Beach, Vietnam, 1967. Colour photograph. The Vamps waiting for a chopper.
L.Z. Ross US base, Danang, November 1967. Colour photograph of soldiers and jeep.
Vamps on stage, L.Z. Ross US base, Danang, Vietnam, November 1967. Colour photograph. This concert was cut
short due to a mortar attack just behind the tent. The band later received a plaque for being on the Front Line.
1968
January
10 January – the Vamps are awarded a plaque for being the first group to perform so far afield and on the front
line. It was presented by L.Z. Ross for outstanding performance and courage.
Downtown Saigon. Photograph. Julie Hibberd, agents (3) and Margaret.
Downtown Saigon. Photograph. Margaret, agent and Julie Hibberd.
Carol Middlemiss in chopper and on gun. Photograph.
February
Vamps are safe in Saigon, Sun, Sydney, 5 February 1968. Newspaper clipping.
Australian Girls Safe. Canberra Times, 6 February 1968. Report on The Pussycats and the Vamps.
The Girls are Happy and Safe. February 1968. Newspaper clipping re Vamps in Vietnam.
Australian Pop Girls Reported Safe and Well. February 1968. Newspaper clipping re Vamps in Vietnam.
Girls Safe. February 1968. Newspaper clipping re Vamps in Vietnam.
April
Vamp-ing It Up. Singapore and Malaysia. 1968. Newspaper clipping. “Played at Singapore Intercontinental after
Vietnam and before returning to Australia.” Photograph + story.
Vamps in Singapore. 1968. Studio photograph. Left to right: Margaret, Denise, Juile, Val and Carol seated at front.
With instruments.
Vamps in Singapore. Colour photographs proof sheet. 12 photographs.
Vamps in Singapore. 1968. Newspaper clipping for concert at the National Theatre, presented by Sonovox Music
Corporation.
The Vamps. Singapore, 1968. Promotional photograph. Left to right: Carol Middlemiss, Julie Hibberd, Denise
Cooper, Margaret Britt and Val Falloon, with instruments.
May
The Vamps return to Australia from Vietnam and do a gig at Mt Isa en route to Sydney.
The Original Vamps. 1968. Newspaper advertisement for gig at The Barkly Hotel, Mt Isa, Queensland. First
Australian gig on the way home from Vietnam. The Pussycats had played as the Vamps prior to going to Vietnam.
June
Following their return to Sydney the Vamps appear on a number of TV pop shows, including the Graham Webb
Show. Val Falloon decides to leave the band and return to the UK to work as a journalist. Prior to this she
interviews the band for a local magazine. The band also feature’s in the lead Australian women’s magazine.
The Vamps. Return to Sydney after Vietnam. 1968. Newspaper clipping.
9
Top Vamper. Go-Set, 1968. Magazine clipping. Story + photograph of Margaret Britt. Returning to Sydney and
Melbourne after Vietnam.
The Vamps weren’t afraid of the Viet Cong. Australian Women’s Weekly, 5 June 1968. Photograph + story.
Following the departure of Val Falloon, the band is joined by Joy Carroll.
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Carol Middlemiss – Drums, vocals
Joy Carroll - Rhythm guitar, bass, vocals
Denise Cooper – Vocals, rejoins the Vamps
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
The Vamps. 1968. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Left to right:
Joy Carroll, Carol Middlemiss, Julie Hibberd, Denise Cooper and Margaret Britt, plus Margaret Britt at the front with
multiple arms.
The Vamps. 1968. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Left to right:
Margaret Britt, Denise Cooper, Julie Hibberd, Carol Middlemiss and Joy Carroll, plus instruments in front.
The Vamps. 1968. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Close up, in
white sparkly dresses. Left to right: Joy Carroll, Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt, Julie Hibberd and Denise Cooper.
Val Falloon, The Vamps - The Sky is the Limit. New Idea magazine, 1968. Photograph + story by Val Falloon. Left to
right: Joy Carroll, Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt, Julie Hibberd and Denise Cooper.
The Vamps perform for a couple of weeks at the Dodds Hotel, Cooma. Joy Carroll is broken in on bass following the
departure of Val Falloon.
July-August
All Girl Band! The Vamps. Reservoir Hotel, K/s Southern Aurora Hotel, Dandenong, Victoria. 1968. Newspaper
advertisement. Gig details + photograph. A photograph was also published in a local newspaper of the band
members arriving on board the Southern Aurora train for their gig, with equipment.
September
The band leaves Australia on a 6 month Pacific and South East Asian tour to Tahiti, New Caledonia, Taiwan, the
Phillippines, Bangkok in Thailand and Singapore, returning to Australia around March 1969.
10
Vamps in Tahiti. September 1968. Title: Pour la premiere fois dimanche a Tahiti : un orchestra de femmes. Le
Journal de Tahiti. Newspaper clipping. Story in French + photograph. Left to right: Denise Cooper, Julie Hibberd,
Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt and Joy Carroll all. Photograph of the band standing around an organ with the
Vamps logo.
Orchestre au Feminin. Tahiti, 1968. Newspaper clipping. Photographs + story, in French.
October
Un Orchestre de Femmes. Tahiti, Bonux, 15 October 1968. Newspaper clipping. Story + photograph.
Letter to Margaret Britt from Tony A. Bambridge re Hotel Moana Nui, Tahiti. A letter of recommendation following
their 3 week engagement.
Unique: un orchestra de femmes a Noumea. 1968. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + story, in French.
November
Taiwan – a miniature China. Postcard, 1968. Record of the band’s visit to Taipei.
December
The Vamps. 1968. Club Orient News, Canacao Clipper, Subic Bay, Philippines. Newspaper clipping + photograph.
Left to right: Denise Cooper, Julie Hibberd, Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt and Joy Carroll all. Photograph of the
band standing around an organ with the Vamps logo.
The Vamps at Club Orient, Subic Bay, Philippines. 1968. Card listing acts for the week.
The Vamps. 1968. The Afterburner, Subic Bay, Philippines. Newspaper clipping + photograph. The photograph is a
reverse image of the top half of the Parisian Studios promotional still, but also includes the band standing in front
of their instruments. Cocoanut Grove Herald, Phillippines. 1968. Photograph + story.
Vamps live on Philippines TV. 1968. Photograph. Picture of the 5-piece band performing live on a TV stage. Left to
right: Julie, Jay, Carol, Denise and Margaret. Dressed in white skirts.
Vamps live on Philippines TV. 1968. Photograph. Picture of the 5-piece band on a TV stage, with Denise being
interviewed. Left to right: Julie, Jay, Carol, Denise and Margaret. Dressed in white skirts.
Vamps live on Philippines TV. 1968. Photograph. Picture of the 5-piece band performing live on a TV stage. Left to
right: Julie, Joy, Carol, Denise and Margaret. Dressed in black skirts.
1969
January
The Vamps at the Café de Paris. Bangkok World – News of the World and Community, Sunday 5 January 1969.
Newspaper clipping with photograph. Notice of performance at the Café de Paris.
The Vamps – Top girl show band from Australia, 3rd-16th January, 1969. Café de Paris, Bangkok, Thailand. Colour
promotional poster featuring a number of acts for the Christmas and New Year period. Left to right: Denise,
Margaret, Carol, Julie, Joy.
February
The Vamps return to Australia. They perform in Sydney and Melbourne.
April
The Vamps, Melbourne April 1969. Studio photograph. Left to right: Jay Carroll, Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt
and Julie Hibberd, plus instruments. Leder’s Photographic Service, 17 Grey Street, St. Kilda. This was the band that
would go to the US:
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Carol Middlemiss – Drums, vocals
Joy Carroll – Bass
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
11
The Vamps perform at the George Hotel, St Kilda – last job before leaving Australia.
May
The 4 piece band went to the United States in 1969, leaving on Mother’s Day (May) and working through to 1975
as both a 4 piece and 8 piece band.
Now touring USA – 4 girls from Australia – Vamps. The Barn Nite Club, Huntsville, Alabama. Newspaper clipping.
Photograph + information.
The Australian Vamps. The Diplomat Inn, Huntsville, Alabama. Newspaper advertisement.
The Australian Vamps. Decatur Cocktail Lounge, Illinois. Newspaper cutting. Photograph + information.
The Australian Vamps take over Reder’s. Rockford, Illinois. Newspaper clipping.
Vamps in USA. Australian music newspaper clipping. Photograph + text. Left to right: …
Vamps at Gigi’s Can Can Lounge. Jacksonville Journal. Newspaper advertisement. Photograph + information. First
Jax Appearance. US.
Australian Vamps. Colour promotional photograph. Gary van Zeeland Talent Inc. Left to right: Julie Hibberd,
Margaret Britt, ? ?. Plus instruments. Photography: Maurice Seymour. Dark blue, metallic, miniskirts.
The Vamps on stage. Colour photograph.
The Australian Vamps. At Mr Kent’s, Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. The Iron Mountain News, Michigan. Newspaper
clipping. Photograph + information.
The Australian Vamps. At Boom Boom Room, Birmingham, Alabama. The Birmingham News. Newspaper clipping.
The Australian Vamps. At Boom Boom Room, Birmingham, Alabama. Flyer.
Australian Vamps. At The Golden Eagle, Wisconsin Rapids. Newspaper clipping.
The Vamps. At Mr. Roberts, Appleton, Wisconsin. Newspaper clipping.
The Australian Vamps. At Mr. Roberts, Appleton, Wisconsin. Post-Crescent. Newspaper clipping.
From Sydney, Australia, The Australian Vamps. Flyer in purple. Photograph of 4 piece, with instruments. Left to
right: Kay, Margaret, Joy, Julie.
September
Carol Middlemiss leaves the band to return to Australia. She is replaced by Mary Kay Kuenzli (US).
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Joy Carroll – Bass, vocals
Mary Kay Kuenzli (US) – Drums
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
Australian Vamps. Colour promotional photograph. Gary van Zeeland Talent Inc. Left to right: Mary Kay Kuenzli, Joy
Carroll, Margaret Britt, Julie Hibberd. Photography: Maurice Seymour. Dark blue, metallic, miniskirts. 2 copies.
Vamps. Promotional photograph. Left to right: Joy Carroll, Margaret Britt, Kay, Julie Hibberd. Photography: Maurice
Seymour. Close up head shots.
12
Vamps. Promotional photograph. Left to right: Joy Carroll, Margaret Britt, Kay, Julie Hibberd. Photography: Maurice
Seymour. Silk tops with flowery pants.
The Vamps. Promotional colour photograph. Left to right: Kay, Joy, Julie, Margaret. Yellow silk tops with flowery
pants. Holding instruments.
The Vamps. Promotional colour photograph. Left to right: Kay, Joy, Julie, Margaret. Brown stringy tops with flowery
pants.
Now Appearing – Australian Vamps – All Girl Band. Colour polaroid. Jacksonville, North Carolina.
1970
March
Vamps at Dixieland Club. 1970. Yellow, red and black flyer. Photograph + information. Starting Monday, March 30.
Back by Popular Demand – The Australian Vamps. Dixieland Club. Colour polaroid. 4 piece band + another outside
entrance to the club.
November
The Vamps go to Hawaii. After this Mary Kay Kuenzli leaves to return to the US and Joy Carroll leaves to return to
Australia. They are replaced by two sisters from Columbus, Ohio, Cheryl and Micky Petrak.
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Cheryl Petrak (US) - Drums
Micky Petrak (US) – Bass
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
December
The Australian Vamp. Club Jetty, Hawaii. The Garden Island. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + information.
Xmas Eve – Margaret Britt and Jon Kirk marry in Hawaii.
Wedding. Hawaii. Colour photograph. Features Margaret, Julie and Jon.
1971
February
The Vamps on stage, Tehachapi Prison, California. February 1971. Photograph. Australian flag on organ.
Letter thanking Vamps for appearance at Tehachapi Prison. 3 February 1971.
The Vamps, by Darrell Connelly, Tehachapi Prison newspaper. Refers to Cheryl, Micky, Julie and Margaret.
Photograph + text. Left to right: Julie Hibberd, ?, ? and Margaret Britt.
March
The Petrak sisters leave The Vamps. Jon’s band disbands and he joins The Vamps. They are also joined by drummer
Diane Smith. The new band is called Jon and the Vamps.
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Jon Kirk - Bass
Diane Smith - Drums
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
13
At a hotel in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which was their base during the change in band members, Margaret and Jon
jam with Suzi Quatro and members of her band. Suzi plays Jon’s bass.
April+
Jon and the Vamps tour the US.
Australian Vamps plus John. Return by Popular Demand. Dixieland Club. 4 piece. Photograph + information. Flyer.
Australian Vamps. Colour studio photograph. Left to right: Diane, Jon, Julie, Margaret. Gary van Zeeland Talent Inc.
September
Nancy “Kay” Kuminkovski and Judy Spangler join the band. They record two singles with this line-up.
Jon Kirk - Bass
Julie Hibberd
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
Nancy Kay Kuminkovski - Vocals
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Studio colour photograph. Holding bongo, guitars and trumpet. Don James Music.
Purple and black.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Studio colour photograph. Holding bongo, guitars and trumpet. Don James Music.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Studio colour photograph. Outside by tree. Don James Music. Purple and black.
Maddock Photography, St Petersburg, Florida. 1970.
December
By the end of the year a homesick Diane Smith has left the band to return home, following gigs at St. Petersburg,
Florida and a hurricane.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Kauai Resort, Hawaii. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + information. 27 December
– 1 January. 4 piece.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Happy New Year. Neighbour Island, Hawaii. Photograph + information.
1972
January
Diane Smith returns to the Vamps.
February
Jon and the Vamps leave the states to return home to Australia for 6 weeks (February – March). They perform at
the Whisky a Go Go and Cockney’s Pride in Kings Cross, Sydney.
The Vamps perform in northern Australia at the Walkabout Hotel, Gove, and at Port Headland. They then return to
Sydney
April
The Vamps return to the United States. Julie Hibberd and Diane Smith leave the band.
17 June
Margaret Britt’s brother dies. She returns to Australia for 2 weeks.
July
Following the departure of Julie and Diane, Margaret and Jon decide to form an 8 piece band. It is variously known
as Jon and the Vamps / Jon and the Australian Vamps. Members include:
Suzi Appolow (Hawaiian)
Mary Dhien - keyboard
Tony Dhien
14
Jon Kirk
Margaret Britt - guitars
“Little” Jim Boling
“Big” Jim Enloe - horns
Rick – drums (only in the band for a short period during 1972)
Dan Wall – drums (replaced Rick)
1973
October
Jon and the Vamps. 29 October – 10 November, The Red Pussycat, Salina. The Salina Journal, 30 October 1973.
1973-5
Jon and the Vamps tour the United States.
Jon and the Vamps. Holiday Inn, West. Newspaper advertisement. Photograph + information. 8 piece band.
Jon and the Vamps. Colour photograph strip (4) by creek. Turquoise and black. 8 piece.
Jon and the Vamps. Colour photograph by creek. Turquoise and black. 8 piece.
Jon & the Vamps. 30 April – 5 May. Cabana Club, Kentucky. Newspaper advertisement. Photograph + information.
Jon and the Vamps on stage. Colour photograph strip (4). Live on stage. Las Vegas.
Jon and the Vamps. Studio colour photograph. Landscape. 8 piece band. Gary van Zeeland Talent Inc. Portraits by
Laux of Fond du Lac. Left to right: Rick, Jim, Suzi, Jon, Margaret, Metch, Jim, Tony.
Jon and the Vamps. Studio colour photograph. Portrait. 8 piece band. Gary van Zeeland Talent Inc. Portraits by Laux
of Fond du Lac. Left to right: Tony, Jim, Margaret, Metch, Suzi, Jon, Jim and Rick.
Oasis Nite Club, Honolulu, Hawaii. Card.
Chaco’s Steak House, Hawaii. Card.
Holiday Inn postcard, Chicago.
The Vamps on stage. Chicago. Photograph.
The Vamps on stage. Hollywood. Colour photograph.
Jon and the Vamps. Las Vegas. Studio colour photograph. Portrait. 7 piece band. Women in red, men in white.
Jon and the Vamps. Music City, USA, Nashville. Studio photograph. Portrait. 8 piece band. Women in red, men in
white – b/w copy.
Jon and the Vamps, on stage. Holiday Inn. Colour polaroids (3).
Jon and the Vamps. Newspaper advertisement. Holiday Inn, Lake Tahoe. Photograph + information.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Card with colour photograph of the 8 piece Jon and the Vamps (red and
white costumes).
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Balcony. Colour photograph of 4 members of Jon and the Vamps on a balcony.
Jon and the Vamps. The Entertainer. Photograph + text. 8 piece.
Last Week – Jon and the Vamps – in the lounge. Holiday Inn – East, Saginaw, Michigan. Colour photograph.
Holiday Inn – East, Saginaw, Michigan. Colour postcard.
Jon and the Vamps on stage. Detroit, Michigan. Colour photographs (3).
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Cosmopolitan, South Carolina. Flyer. 4 piece band. Photograph + information. Left to
right: Margaret, Jon, Julie, ?.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. A Jollie Ollie Production. Colour photograph. 4 piece. Left to right: ?, Julie, Jon,
Margaret. Front cover of 45rpm single. Recording in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rear cover of 45rpm single.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Grand Old Oprey, Nashville, Tennessee. Colour photograph. 4 piece. Left to right: ?,
Jon, Julie, Margaret. Holding ukulele and trumpet.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Grand Old Oprey, Nashville, Tennessee. Newspaper cutting. 4 piece. Left to right: ?,
Jon, Julie, Margaret. Holding ukulele and trumpet.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Colour photograph. 4 piece. Left to right: ?, Julie, Margaret Jon. Sitting on bongo.
Nevada.
Reno.
Nebraska.
Los Angeles.
The White Hare, The Talk of the Town.
Florida.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. Stock Market, St Petersburg. Flyer. 4 piece. Photograph + information. Opening 9
August.
Jon and the Vamps. Colour photograph. 4 piece. Purple and black.
Jon and the Vamps. Colour photograph. 4 piece. Purple and black.
Sahara, Lake Lahoe. Postcard.
Jon and the Australian Vamps. December, E.M. Club, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. Flyer.
The Vamps. The Left Guard, Green Bay. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + information. Picture of 8 piece band.
The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 8 piece band on stage, with Jon out front. Women in red, men
in white.
The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 8 piece band on stage, with Jon out front. Women in red, men
in white.
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The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 7 piece band on stage, with 3 girls out front. Women in red,
men in white.
The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 7 piece band on stage, with 3 girls out front. Women in red,
men in white.
The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 7 piece band on stage, with 3 girls out front. Women in
turquoise, men in black.
The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 8 piece band outside venue. Women in turquoise, men in
black.
The Vamps. St. Paul, Minnesota. Colour photograph. 7 piece band on stage, with 3 girls out front and Jon out front.
Women in turquoise, men in black.
1975
Margaret and Jon return to Australia. They are unable to bring the 8 piece band to Australia due to the logistics
and lack of appropriate gigs. They perform as the Vamps. It is later recommended that they drop the name Vamps
and change it to Peaches.
1977
Margaret Britt. Letter of recommendation. Don James Agency, 21 November 1977.
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