Coloured Balls

A product of the working-class area of the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, the Coloured Balls had a ready-made, predominantly male audience. This comprised fans of the cult movie A Clockwork Orange, who also adopted the aggressive ‘skinhead’ style of closely-shaven heads and thick boots and braces. The band reflected this in their music and image. Led by Lobby Loyde (b. John Baslington Lyde, 18 May 1941, Longreach, Queensland, Australia, d. 21 April 2007, Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria,… Show more USA), a product of the R&B/rock scene of the 60s (the Wild Cherries, Purple Hearts, the Aztecs), the Coloured Balls originally comprised Andrew Fordham (guitar/vocals), Trevor Young (drums), and Janis Miglans (bass). They covered Chuck Berry songs and wrote others around this rock ‘n’ roll rhythm complete with Loyde’s lead guitar work, all played at an eardrum-shattering volume. The band had success mainly in Melbourne; it was short-lived (1972-74) and waned as fashions invariably do, with other members including Ian ‘Bobsy’ Millar (guitar/vocals) and Peter White (drums). Loyde went solo, then relocated to the UK, releasing an album of guitar experimentation, learnt to produce and, following his return, produced underground and alternative bands. ~ Rovi

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