THE VAMPS – ARCHIVE
Australia’s first all-female rock group 1965-1975
A collection of notes and memorabilia on the Vamps complied by Margaret Britt. Transcribed by Michael Organ, May-June 2014.
Part 1 – Notes by Margaret Britt, May 2014
No.1
The Vamps
This was the original line-up 1965. VAMPS first big gig, Orange (June). About August – September 1965 I added a vocalist Janice Glading (stage name Babs King) and made it a five piece. Played Millers Circuit in Sydney. TV Don Lane Show 1965, and other various venues around Sydney. This line-up changed early 1966.
Kaye Gazzard – Drums
Judy Owen – Rhythm guitar
Wendy Walton – Bass guitar
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar
* Added 5th member Babs King (Janice Glading) – Vocals
NB: Line-up changed early 1966.
Documents
1. The Vamps. Stomp City, AMOCO Centre, Orange. This Saturday. June 1965. Poster (copy) in black and pale orange, featuring the original four members. L to R – Kay, Margaret, Wendy and Judy.
2. Look out for the Vamps! Newspaper clipping (copy). Photograph of original four members L to R – Wendy, Margaret, Kay and Judy (portraits later used in poster). Plus text: Previous “Stomp City” attendance records are expected to be shattered on Saturday night when Australia’s leading all-girl band, The Vamps (pictured) from Sydney, make their first appearance in Orange…..
3. Record 2,030 attend Stomp City. Newspaper clipping. Text: … Biggest drawcard at Saturday’s dance was leading Australian all-girl band, “The Vamps” from Sydney. The four girls, dressing in purple and black, appeared from a makeshift cave on the stage about 8.30pm, and their half-hour performance “stopped the show.” They made three similar appearances during the night, each with equal effect…
4. Vamps Maroubra 1965 – five girls in dark jackets outside steps of a building. Photograph (copy).
5. Vamps live on stage Maroubra 1965. L. to R. – Kay drums, Wendy bass, Margaret lead guitar, Judy rhythm guitar, Jan (Babs) behind speaker vocals. Photograph (copy).
6. Vamps. Band with instruments and in uniform by a white stairwell. L. to R. – Janice (Babs), Judy, Kay, Margaret and Wendy. Photograph (copy). Shortly after the AMOCO Centre Orange 1965 gig (added another member – Janice on vocals – we worked on the Millers Circuit. Original drum kit.
No.2
The Vamps
Approximately February 1966 Vamps went on tour in Queensland, playing the Showground circuit. June – July – August – September 1966. This line-up worked in Brisbane and Ipswich areas appearing on a few TV shows in Brisbane.
Vamps
Jan Little – Drums
Merlene Ryder – Rhythm guitar
Lisa Kay – Bass guitar
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar
Elaine Nielson – Vocals
Documents
1. The Vamps. Photograph. New line-up, 1966. Left to right: Margaret, Lisa Kay, Merlene, Jan and Elaine.
2. “The Vamps” at the Show. The Daily Mercury, Mackay, 21 June 1966. Newspaper advertisement. Photograph + information.
3. Vamps at Cabaret. Bowen Independent, Friday 24 June 1966. Newspaper cutting. Notice of gig at the Go Go Cabaret, Queen’s Beach Motel.
4. Go Go to the Go Go. Promotional leaflet re gig at Go Go Cabaret, Queen’s Beach Motel, Saturday 26 June 1966.
5. Vamps at Cabaret. Bowen Independent, Friday 24 June 1966. Newspaper advertisement. Notice of gig at the Go Go Cabaret, Queen’s Beach Motel.
6. Vamps are not just long-haired musicians. In Orbit – for Teens and Twenties. Newspaper clipping. Brisbane, np, nd. Photograph + article by Kathy Stuart. Left to right” Margaret, Merlene, Jan, Lisa and Elaine + dog. Text: Their hair is about the same length as that of most popsters – except for the lead guitarist who has SHOULDER length locks. But not even the squarest of Grannies could criticise because – the Vamps are an all-girl band. They’re from Sydney and they’re currently working their way around Brisbane’s teenage circuit. The Vamps are Margaret Britt and her cousins Marlene Ryder, and Lisa Kay James, Jan Little and Elaine Nielsen. The girls have been thumping out their brand of rhythm for two years, and for the last 12 months it has been a full-time job. Versatility is one of their virtues. Each Vamp is proficient in at least two parts in the group. Here’s a sample of their talents. Margaret plays lead, harmonica, and organ; Marlene is rhythm guitar and saxophonist; Elaine sings and plays the organ; Jan sings and drums; and Kay plays bass and guitar.
7. The Vamps at the Show. Queensland tour poster.
8. The Vamps at the Show. The Townsville Daily Bulletin, Tuesday 5 July 1966. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + information.
9. At the Show- The Vamps. The Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 6 July 1966. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + information. Photograph of Margaret and Farfisa organ.
10. The Vamps at the Show. The Cairns Post, Tuesday 19 July 1966 and Wednesday 20 July 1966. Newspaper clipping. Photograph + text.
11. The Vamps on IN, 20 September 1966. Running sheet for TV show. Notes that the Vamps performed House of the Rising Sun and Hanky Panky.
12. The Vamps on IN. TV Times, 28 September 1966. Advertisement for the band’s appearance on the BTQ7 TV show IN. Mondays at 6.30pm. Also includes letters to the editor praising their appearance.
13. The Vamps on IN. TV Week, 15 October 1966. Brief report on the appearance of the band on the BTQ7 TV show IN.
14. The Vamps on IN. Letter to the editor complimenting their performance.
15. All Girl Band. Newspaper clipping. Report on the Vamp’s appearance on IN.
16. Enter the Girls. Letter to the editor by Alice Watson re Vamps performance on IN.
17. It’s the latest “IN” show. Advertisement for the Vamps Queensland tour. Photograph + text.
18. The Vamps. Gig at the Lionleigh Hotel. The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. Newspaper clipping.
19. The Vamps. Gig at the Lionleigh Hotel. The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. Newspaper clipping.
20. The Vamps. Gig at the YMCA Spectacular, Wintergarden Theatre. The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. Newspaper clipping.
21. The Vamps. Gig poster. Photograph of Margaret Britt at Farfisa organ + text.
22. The Vamps at Bald Hills, Bonny View. Newspaper advertisement. “Modern musical misses.”
23. The Vamps at the Bowl. Newspaper advertisement.
24. The Vamps. Photograph + text. PIX magazine, 26 November 1966, page 6. Text: All-girl group, The Vamps, from Sydney, at a coffee-break rehearsal for another Terry Herbert show at The Bowl. Left to right: Margaret (lead guitar), Elaine (vocalist, with Vamp the dog), Jan (drums), Lisa (bass guitar) and Merlene (rhythm guitar).
25. The Vamps at the Story Bridge Hotel. Telegraph News Pictorial, Brisbane, Saturday 24 December 1966. Newspaper advertisement. * The Bee Gees * The Vamps.
26. The Vamps at the Story Bridge Hotel. Newspaper advertisement. * Richard Gray * The Vamps.
27. The Vamps and banners, Brisbane Exhibition. 1966. Photograph. Babs returned for this gig. Six members of the band on a stage in front of five large banners promoting the group at the Brisbane Exhibition show.
28. Complimentary / Admit One / The Vamps. Orange card.
No.3
Vamps
This is the third line-up change. Elaine Nielsen was replaced by Denise Cooper on vocals approximately September 1966. We performed at Cloudland (Brisbane), The Cave, Story Bridge Hotel, Lands Office Hotel and quite a few more venues around Brisbane. We had two agents at the time – Bill South Agency and Ivan Dayman, both from Brisbane. From Brisbane we came back to Sydney and worked once more on the Millers Circuit., Tiki Village (King’s Cross) and also The Rex Hotel (Kings Cross) Sound Lounge. Our Sydney agent manager was Les Masliath from Showgroup Management. The Vamps then went to Melbourne and played at The Sound Lounge in St. Kilda, Sergio’s Rendezvous and the George Hotel.
Drums – Jan Little
Bass – Lisa Kay
Rhythm – Merlene Ryder
Lead and harp – Margaret Britt
Denise Cooper – Vocals.
Documents
1. The Vamps on stage. Photograph. Left to right: Jan Little, Merlene Ryder, Lisa Kay and Margaret Britt playing harmonica. At the Millers Hotel, Blacktown, 1966.
2. The Vamps, All Girl Band. Tiki Village Nite Spot, 22 Macleay St., Potts Point. Nightly Thursday to Saturday. Newspaper advertisement, Daily Mirror, Sydney, Thursday 19 January 1967.
3. The Vamps at the Sound Lounge, St. Kilda. Melbourne, March 1967. Photograph and text on card.
4. The Vamps – back to the 20s? Young Sun - The Scene with Ian Livingstone, The Sun – News and Pictorial, Melbourne, Monday 6 March 1967. Newspaper article + photograph. Interview with Margaret Britt.
5. The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Lisa Kay, Denise Cooper, Jan Little, Merlene Ryder and Margaret Britt + dog. Studio photograph with instruments and jump suits – used for cover of Sound Lounge card.
6. The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Merlene Ryder, Jan Little, Denise Cooper, Lisa Kay and Margaret Britt + dog. Posed on a stage (?Sound Lounge) with instruments and jump suits.
7. The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Denise Cooper, Jan Little, Merlene Ryder, Lisa Kay and Margaret Britt + dog. Posed on a stage (?Sound Lounge) with instruments and jump suits.
8. The Vamps. Photograph. Left to right: Margaret Britt, Merlene Ryder, Jan Little, Lisa Kay and Denise Cooper + dog. Posed on a stage (?Sound Lounge) with instruments and uniforms.
No.4
Vamps
?May - July – September 1967. This line-up replaced
Denise Cooper – Vocals
Lisa Kay – Bass
Jan Little – Drums
Merlene Ryder – Rhythm
New members
Linda Cable – Bass and lead guitar
Terri Scott –Rhythm guitar
Marilyn Ockwell – Drums
The Sound Lounge, St Kilda, changed its name to Ringo Phones. The Vamps appeared on TV in Melbourne then returned to Sydney and the Millers Circuit (Parramatta). This line-up was very short lived, 5-6 months maybe. I replaced these girls before going to Noumea and Vietnam in 1967.
Documents
1. Vamps. Melbourne, May 1967. Photograph. New line-up. Left to right: Margaret Britt, Linda Cable, Marilyn Ockwell and Terri Scott. Studio photograph with mirror, in skirts and boots, with Margaret at the organ.
2. Vamps. Melbourne, May 1967. Photograph. Studio photograph with mirror, in jump suits and with instruments.
No.5
Vamps
These girls replaced Linda Cable, Terri Scott and Marilyn Ockwell.
Julie Hibberd – Keyboard, vocals
Carol Middlemiss – Drums, vocals
Val Falloon- Rhythm guitar, bass, vocals
Denise Cooper – Vocals, rejoined the Vamps
Margaret Britt – Lead guitar, harmonica, bass, vocals
Before going to Vietnam we played in Noumea (New Caledonia). After Vietnam we played in Singapore, Mount Isa, Sydney, Melbourne, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Laos. We also did various TV shows in Sydney, Noumea and the Philippines. The last stint before heading to the United States in May 1969 was in Melbourne at the Whisky A Go Go (old Sound Lounge and Ringo Phones), Southern Aurora Hotel and George Hotel, St Kilda. Denise Cooper, vocals, did not go to the USA with us as I went back to a four piece group. Val Falloon rhythm and bass was also replaced by Joy Carroll.
Documents
1. The Vamps. Sydney, July 1967. Promotional still. Photograph. Left to right: Val Falloon, Julie Hibberd, Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt and Denise Cooper (blond wig), plus instruments, in white uniform. This is the band that went to New Caledonia on the way to Vietnam.
2. Vietnam for pops. 1967. Newspaper clipping re application to go to Vietnam.
3. Les Vamps: l’attraction a sensation du Biarritz. New Caledonia, September 1967. Newspaper clipping showing the band in performance, with 3 photographs. Last performance before going to Vietnam.
4. Les Vamps a la plage. La France austral, New Caledonia, September 1967. Newspaper clipping showing the band on a beach with instruments.
5. Les Vamps, …et nous … et nous .. et nous... La France australe, New Caledonia, September 1967. Newspaper clipping showing the band on a beach.
6. China Beach, Vietnam, 1967. Colour photograph. The Vamps waiting for a chopper.
7. LZ Ross US base, Danang, November 1967. Colour photograph of soldiers and jeep.
8. Vamps on stage, LZ Ross US base, Danang, Vietnam, November 1967. Colour photograph.
9. Vamps on stage, Vietnam. January 1968. Colour photograph. This concert was cut short due to a mortar attack just behind the tent. We later received a plaque for being on the Front Line.
10. Downtown Saigon. Photograph. Julie Hibberd, agents (3) and Margaret.
11. Downtown Saigon. Photograph. Margaret, agent and Julie Hibberd.
12. Carol Middlemiss in chopper and on gun. Photograph.
13. Vamps are safe in Saigon, Sun, Sydney, 5 February 1968. Newspaper clipping.
14. The Girls are Happy and Safe. January 1968. Newspaper clipping re Vamps in Vietnam.
15. Australian Pop Girls Reported Safe and Well. January 1968. Newspaper clipping re Vamps in Vietnam.
16. Girls Safe. February 1968. Newspaper clipping re Vamps in Vietnam.
17. The Vamps weren’t afraid of the Viet Cong. Australian Women’s Weekly, 5 June 1968. Photograph + story.
18. Vamp-ing It Up. Singapore and Malaysia. 1968. Newspaper clipping. Played at Singapore Intercontinental after Vietnam and before returning to Australia. Photograph + story.
19. Vamps in Singapore. 1968. Studio photograph. Left to right: Margaret, Denise, Juile, Val and Carol seated at front. With instruments.
20. Vamps in Singapore. Colour photographs proof sheet. 12 photographs.
21. Vamps in Singapore. 1968. Newspaper clipping for concert at the National Theatre, presented by Sonovox Music Corporation.
22. The Original Vamps. 1968. Newspaper advertisement for gig at The Barkly Hotel, Mt Isa, Queensland. First Australian gig on the way home from Vietnam. The Pussycats had played as the Vamps prior to going to Vietnam.
23. The Vamps. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Left to right: Carol Middlemiss, Margaret Britt, Val Falloon and Julie Hibberd, plus instruments.
24. The Vamps. 1968. Promotional still. Photograph. Parisian Studios, 33 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction. Left to right: Joy Carroll, Carol Middlemiss, Julie Hibberd, Denise Cooper and Margaret Britt, plus Margaret Britt at the front with multiple arms.