Mark Gillespie

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Biography

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Mark Gillespie commanded a strong cult following on the Melbourne scene. His heartfelt roots-rock style mixed R&B, soul, funk and a touch of reggae. His tracks 'I'm a Kite (Won't You Be My Hurricane?)' and 'The Joke's on You' appeared on the Oz label's Various Artists album The Debutantes (1977). Gillespie also issued Make Up, a collection of prose and poetry published by Outback Press.Gillespie's debut single 'Savanarola'/'Just Wanna Ball' came out credited to Mark Gillespie and the Victims in 1978. His band at that point comprised Mick 'The Reverend' O'Connor (keyboards), Bruno De Stanislo (bass; ex-One Nite Stand) and Peter Reed (drums; ex-Hot Dog, One Nite Stand). Gillespie issued a single on Festival/Infinity, 'Coming Back for More'/'Alligator Music' (April 1979), before coming to wider attention when he supported Maria Muldaur, Tom Waits and Rodriguez on their respective Australian tours. Gillespie's touring band comprised O'Connor, Broderick Smith (vocals, harmonica, guitar; ex-Dingoes), Stephen Cooney (guitar), Clive Harrison (bass, backing vocals; ex-Kush, Avalanche), Trevor Courtney (drums; ex-Chants R&B, Vibrants, Skylight), Stewart Watson (fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and Pat and Gay L'Nane (backing vocals). Gillespie recorded his brilliant debut album, Only Human, with assistance from Joe Creighton (bass; ex-Billy T), Ross Hannaford (guitar, backing vocals; ex-Daddy Cool), Rex Bullen (keyboards; ex-Bakery), Mark Meyer (drums) and Lisa Bade (backing vocals). Gillespie sang as well as playing guitar, keyboards and mandolin. The album produced the singles 'Only Human'/'Long & Strong' (June 1980) and 'Small Mercies'/'Black Angels' (September). 'Deep as You'/'Stronger Together', 'Together' followed in April 1981. Gillespie travelled throughout Asia before recording his second album, Sweet Nothing. His backing band again included Hannaford, Meyer and Bade, plus Tim Partridge (bass), Andrew Thompson (sax), Gary Lyon (backing vocals) and Nikki Nicholls (backing vocals). Sweet Nothing (March 1982) took Gillespie into the national Top 40 for the first time when it peaked at #32. The album also reached #9 in Melbourne. Sweet Nothing yielded three singles, 'Nothing Special'/'Passing' (February), 'Traveller in the Night'/'Swing Tonight' (June) and 'Night & Day'/'Looking for You' (October). Gillespie's third album, Mark Gillespie (aka Ring of Truth) (January 1984) produced the singles 'Ring of Truth'/'All for Your Love' (November 1983), 'You'/'Thanks' (also November 1983) and 'Letting Go'/'Animal' (May 1984). Backing Gillespie on the album was drummer Geoff Bridgeford (ex-Groove, Bee Gees). Little was heard from Gillespie on the music scene for some time. He returned to Asia and founded an orphanage in Bangladesh. He re-emerged in Australia during 1992 and issued the album Flame, the CD single 'Long Time' and the CD EP 'Don't Wait' on the Aurora label. Members of his backing band around that time included old mates Joe Creighton and Ross Hannaford, plus James Black (keyboards; ex-Russell Morris Band, Mondo Rock, Revelators), Angus Burchill (drums; John Farnham Band), Alex Pertout (percussion), John Watson (drums; ex-Australian Crawl, Kevin Borich Express), Shane O'Mara (guitar; ex-Stephen Cummings Band) and Bill McDonald (bass; ex-Hot Half Hour, Deborah Conway Band). &mdash; Ian McFarlane

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