Purple Hearts

In the mid-sixties there were two strains to the popular music which changed everything so dramatically. One was the pop as charactized by the Beatles, the other rhythm and blues, as represented by the Rolling Stones. Of course there were elements of both strains in either of those actual groups, but the music of the day generally fell into one camp or the other. Australia tended more towards the "Rolling Stones" side of the ledger than the rest of the world, and the Purple Hearts were the local pioneers in the field.

Singer Mick Hadley and bass player Bob Dames met each other in England in 1963, when the Beatles' popularity had just started, and the Rolling Stones were the hottest new band on London's live scene; just before it all exploded internationally. Hadley and Dames emigrated to Brisbane, Australia, but they'd seen and heard what was happening in London with their own eyes and ears.

Initially they formed the Impacts together, to play that "Rolling Stones" style music. Adding Scottish-born rhythm guitarist Fred Pickard and local musicians Barry Lyde (guitar) and Adrian Redmonds (drums) the group was transformed into the Purple Hearts, named after the pep-pills that were fashionable (though illicit) at the time amongst party-goers. First and best at playing the music that was taking the world by storm, the Purple Hearts quickly became the biggest thing in Brisbane, and a rough recording made at a radio station studio was released as a single. 'Long Legged Baby' was the Purple Heart's version of a song originally recorded in London by cult figure in the new scene, Graham Bond.

Signing to Brisbane-based national independent label Sunshine Records, 'Long Legged Baby' was re-issued with a new b-side, and while it was climbing towards the Brisbane Top 10 the band headed for Sydney with Tony Cahill taking over the drum kit. The stay in Sydney was short. Melbourne was much more oriented to the Purple Hearts' orientation in music. By now they were making an impression in their own right, not because their music was the latest thing. The Purple Hearts' Mick Hadley was an amazing frontman, riveting audiences with his wild-eyed performances. The rest of the band were quickly considered the best in their field, especially guitarist Barry Lyle, who was now known as Lobby Loyde. Deservedly. Lobby was Australia's first guitar hero.

After two singles, the earthy 'Of Hopes And Dreams And Tombstones' (YouTube) and the eerily experimental 'Early In The Morning', on January 23, 1967 the band issued a statement to say they were splitting up because they were no longer progressing musically. Lobby joined Melbourne jazz-turned-r&b band the Wild Cherries, on his way to becoming one of the true legends of Australian rock. The Purple Hearts continued for a month as a four-piece to honor its engagements. Two singles were released post-humorously.

Very briefly, Mick Hadley was a member of the Virgil Brothers, before he formed a new group in Brisbane with Bob Dames called the Coloured Balls (not to be confused with the Lobby Loyde band of the same name from the 70s). Tony Cahill would replace Snowey Fleet on drums in the Easybeats.

The Purple Hearts reformed at the end of 2005 for the Woodford Festival, then played two shows in Brisbane in June, and another in December in Melbourne. The reunion (YouTube) featured the original line-up, including Lobby Loyde on lead guitar, Mick Hadley on vocals and harmonica, Bob Dames on bass guitar and Freddy Pickard on rhythm guitar. Special guests included Keith Megson on drums and Craig Claxton on lead guitar.

Related artists
Bay City Union
Loved Ones
Virgil Brothers
Wild Cherries