BILLY THORPE & THE AZTECS
About Love
(Buddy Mize)
Australia 1964
#3 Sydney #7 Melbourne

Double-sided hit with the A-side, Sick And Tired.

Billy Thorpe (1946-2007): British-born singer, guitarist and songwriter whose family emigrated to Brisbane in the 1950s. Based in Sydney from 1963, 'Thorpy', with The Aztecs, had numerous pop hits in a variety of styles, but at the end of the 60s, then in Melbourne, he fronted a loud, rocky, blues-based formation of the Aztecs that contrasted with his earlier pop idol image. Later, his solo and business career took him to Los Angeles, and he wrote two popular autobiographical books, Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy) and Sex And Thugs And Rock'n'Roll [AbeBooks link].

Further reading: Paul Culnane's account of Billy Thorpe's career at Milesago.

TONY WORSLEY WITH THE FABULOUS BLUE JAYS
Sure Know A Lot About Love
(Buddy Mize)
Australia 1964

Title track of EP Sure Know A Lot About Love.

The Blue Jays were originally formed in 1959 in Melbourne, where they recorded on the Crest label. Laurie Allen, later of Bobby & Laurie, was their lead singer in the early 60s. They were joined with Brisbane singer Tony Worsley in 1964 to record on Sunshine as The Fabulous Blue Jays. By that time drummer Bob Johnston was the only remaining original member of the band.

From the release of Velvet Waters (1965) Tony Worsley was given top billing as a solo artist.

See also Just A Little Bit and Tony Worsley's solo releases Missing You and Velvet Waters.

Thanks to Terry Stacey for version alert.

THE SEARCHERS
Sho' Know A Lot About Love
(Buddy Mize)
UK 1963

On the album Live at the Star Club, on Phillips label, recorded in Hamburg 1963, possibly released early '64. Also on the 1964 album It's The Searchers.

Also on the Star Club album were two other songs recorded by Billy Thorpe in 1964: Mashed Potato and Sick And Tired (the A-side of About Love).

THE HOLLYWOOD ARGYLES
Sho' Know A Lot About Love
(Buddy Mize)
USA 1960
Original version

B-side of the #1 hit Alley-Oop, single on Lute label.

The Hollywood Argyles were a studio group formed by producer Gary Paxton with Kim Fowley to record a pop version of country singer-songwriter Dallas Frazier's Alley Oop.

Buddy Mize
, a Nashville singer-songwriter (brother of singer Billy Mize), was one of the backing singers, with Paxton on lead vocals, and Sandy Nelson on drums.

Reference: Gary Paxton's account of the recording session, quoted at Jerry Osborne's Mr Music website. Billy & Buddy Mize capsule bios at Corrigan Movie Ranch.
Further reading: Gary Paxton biography at GaryPaxton.net. Gary Paxton at Wikipedia.

Corrections or comments? Contact the writer.