The Vibrants

Starting out as a backing group, the Vibrants were one of Australia's first soul/R&B groups. Bobby James & the Vibrants released the singles "Jezabel"/"Tossin'," "Turnin'," and "I've Learned" during the early '60s, before singer James formed the Bobby James Syndicate. The Vibrants also backed Bev Harrell and Johnny O'Keefe, before releasing the single "Furry Legs"/"Maybe Tomorrow" in May 1965. In April 1966, organist Geoff Skewes formed a new lineup comprised of Rick Kent (drums), John Rupert Perry (vocals), Mike Wade (guitar), Bill Pfeifer (bass), and John Hossin (sax). The band moved from their hometown of Adelaide, South Australia, to Melbourne in July 1966, where Mick Hamilton replaced Wade on guitar. With their brand of soul/R&B, the Vibrants issued "I've Got to Go"/"Somebody Help Me" in September 1966. The band's live reputation continued to grow and a cover of the Four Tops' "Something About You Baby"/"Danger Zone" reached number 17 on the Melbourne charts in April 1967. It was followed by "The Letter Song"/"How Sweet It Is" in June and "My Prayer"/"Don't Let Your Left Hand Know," which peaked at number five in November. Perry left in February 1968 to form the John Rupert Group, and he was replaced by Marc Leon. Soon after, Barry Rogers replaced Bill Pfeifer on bass and the band released a cover of the Bee Gees' "Terrible Way to Treat You Baby"/"I Don't Need Nobody" in March 1968. In October, Leon, Hossin, and Rogers left to form Graduate; and Skewes, Hamilton, and Kent continued on with a new Vibrants lineup that also contained Penny Parsons (vocals) and Bob Flynn (bass). The Vibrants released two further singles: "I Can't Let Go of Your Love"/"Looking for Someone" (1970) and "Give Me Just a Little More"/"I'm Gonna Be a Man Someday" (1971), before the Vibrants broke up at the end of the year. ~ Brendan Swift