THE THUNDERBIRDS
Machine Gun
(Johnny Hudson - Ernie Sawyers - Ross Dietrich)
Australia 1959
#16 Melbourne

Single on W&G by long-lasting rock'n'roll band formed in 1957, popular at dance venues in Melbourne.

For a good history and appreciation of the band see Eddie Leahy's 1998 article from Big Beat of the Fifties at the Thunderbirds website.

On CD: The W&G Instrumental Story [Amazon link].


Thunderbirds 1997, at the Preston Town Hall. Photo: Peter Robinson.

THE RIPTIDES
Machine Gun
(Johnny Hudson - Ernie Sawyers - Ross Dietrich)
USA 1959
Original version

Single on Challenge label, Hollywood.

Californian band, also known as Johnny Hudson and the Riptides.

Machine Gun was not a national hit but seems to have charted locally in California.

Corrections or comments? Contact the writer.