blue pie Release
Clarion records have you covered with a nostalgic trip into AC/DC prehistory! We recently reopened a much-loved page by revisiting The Valentines with their eponymous EP, and now we’re taking the time to examine Perculiar Hole in the Sky!
This album positively screams “60s” with its tone, brass, flowing melody and harmonious dual vocals. The song to which the album owes its title was written by brother of Angus and Malcolm Young, that being George, in addition to Harry Vanda. Clarion records was Perth’s only record company at the time, and this exclusive company still noticed the talents of The Valentines, as the world soon would after!
You’ll probably know The Valentines best for their lead singers, Vince Lovegrove and of course Bon Scott himself. The latter in particular needs no introduction, due to his fame with AC/DC. But before that came The Valentines, as well as the secret uncovered song “Round And Round And Round”. We’ve often sung the praises of this one.
The Valentines formed in Perth in mid-1966, bringing together members of three leading local beat groups: Scott and Milson were from The Spektors, Lovegrove, Ward and Cooksey from The Winztons, and Findlay from top WA band Ray Hoff & The Off Beats. Playing a mixture of soul, R&B and mod covers, by the start of 1967 they were already Perth’s top group. A major drawcard was the double-vocal attack of dynamic frontmen Bon Scott and Vince Lovegrove, and within a few weeks of their live debut they were packing in crowds
When Bon Scott made an impact on the international hard rock market as frontman for the awesome AC/DC, he was already a bona fide Oz Rock veteran. During the 1960s, he had commanded the attention of hordes of hysterical fans as a fluffy, cuddly scream-dream pop idol with The Valentines. With the dawning of the 1970s, the adaptable Scott eschewed the bubblegum pop format in favour of the solid thumping rock and metaphysical progressive stylings of Fraternity. From there, it was just a short leap into the no nonsense power rock world of AC/DC. This album shows off the best parts of The Valentines’ journey, and the sound that they were renowned for, with just a dash of 60s spice. The vibe really helped put each of the members on the musical map, and without this chapter in history, we wouldn’t have had many songs that a whole swathe of people couldn’t ever live without! So play The Valentines loud and reflect fondly back on this era – it too, deserves to be treasured just as much as what these all-stars would eventually go on to achieve.
Peculiar Hole in the Sky is a collection of some of the greatest hits The Valentines ever produced together. It’s a wonderful launchpad for the careers that everyone knows and loves, and will really help any newcomer fans of rock and pop understand just where Bon came from… and why he changed the world of music as much as he did.
Check out the Valentines’ section on the website for the upcoming Looking For Bon documentary!
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