Ol' 55
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Ol' 55 is a band that was formed 1975 in Sydney, Australia. Ol' 55 performed a retro-fifties style of music. Some of their hits included remakes of Diana, Goodnight Sweetheart, Teenager In Love, Ruby, Two Faces Have I and Looking For An Echo. Ol' 55's original music, such as their first big hit, On The Prowl, Skateboard Thrills and Stay While The Night Is Young were composed by bassist Jimmy Manzie whilst the Number One single, I Wanna Rockin Christmas and C'mon Lets Do It were jointly penned by Manzie and Glenn A Baker. Ol' 55 was born from a band called Fanis with Geoff Plummer, Rockpile Jones, Jimmy Manzie, Pat Drummond and Paul McCann. Fanis played regularly in the Sutherland area of Sydney in the early seventies. Drummer Geoff Plummer worked with now rock historian, Glenn A Baker at the department of media. Geoff invited Glenn to hear his band, Fanis play. Glenn took over the management of the band, and introduced front man Frankie J. Holden and saxophonist Wilbur Wilde. One of the features of the band was that all six members could sing and at concerts the lead vocals were shared around although Frankie J and Rockpile sang most of the songs. Rockpile's falsetto and range was amazing and he has been arguably one of the most underrated vocalists in Australian rock music history. With Geoff's bass vocal talents, Ol'55 produced great harmonies, sometimes managing four or five piece vocal arrangements.
Members
Original OL'55 (the classic line-up)Frankie J Holden-Vocals (1975-77)
Rockpile Jones-Guitar & vocals (1975-86)
Jimmy Manzie-Bass & vocals (1975-79)
Pat Drummond-Guitar & vocals (1975-86)
Wilbur Wilde-Tenor Sax & vocals (1975-77)
Geoff Plummer-Drums & vocals (1975-77, 79-80 and 1986)
Other band members include:
Geoff Peterkin-Drums and vocals (1977-79)
Paul Stevens aka Mike Raffone-Vocals (1977)
Bruce Allen-Sax and vocals (1978-79)
Robert Drummond-Guitar (1979-82)
Terry Bellew-Bass and vocals (1979-86)
Doug Martin-Drums and vocals (1980-81)
Geoff Cripps-Drums and vocals (1981-85)
Acheivements
Ol' 55 released several albums, the first, Take It Greasy, reached number 2 on the ARIA charts (number 1 on some independent charts). The album acheived double platinum and toppled The Best of ABBA from the top of the charts. Their second album, Fiveslivejive, failed to chart. Later arrangements of the band recorded further albums such as Crusin For A Bruisin, The Vault, Let's Have A Party (live) and Open Top Cars and Girls in Tight T Shirts. Rockpile Jones was lead singer on most tracks on these albums.Ol'55 made regular appearances on Countdown and at music concerts and festivals. They were often billed with groups like Skyhooks, Sherbet and the Ted Mulry Gang. Their first big gig was to support the famous Electric Light Orchestra at Sydney's Hordern Pavillion. In recent years they have reformed at special occasions such as Carols by Candlelight and for a series of gigs in Sydney and Melbourne. The old magic was still there with the harmony vocals and comic genius still a feature to the delight of the over 40 "Countdown tragics" in the audience!
Now
Geoff Plummer lives in Sydney, has 4 children, and is married although sadly passed away 2/2/06.Frankie J Holden lives in Melbourne and is married with 4 daughters.
Rockpile Jones lives in Sydney and is married with children.
Pat Drummond lives in Hobart, Tasmania and is married.
Jimmy Manzie lives in Hollywood, writes film music and is married with a son.
Wilbur Wilde lives in Melbourne and is married with 3 kids, including twins.
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