Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons

Formation (1975–1976) In late 1975, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons were formed in Melbourne as Jo Jo Zep and His Little Helpers. The band were put together after Ross Wilson (ex-Daddy Cool, Mighty Kong), who was waiting out his recording contract, had turned to producing other artists for the label, Oz Records. He decided to produce a version of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run" as a one-off Christmas single for Mushroom Records. Contractually, Wilson could not perform the vocals himself, so he asked his friend, Joe Camilleri (ex-the Pelaco Brothers with Stephen Cummings) to sing and play on the recording. Camilleri's nickname was "Jo Jo Zep", which was derived from a traditional Maltese nickname for "Joseph", so the group was named Jo Jo Zep and His Little Helpers. The line-up included bass guitarist John Power (ex-Foreday Riders). A memorial concert was performed by Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Rock Doctors in Power's honour in Melbourne on 17 March 2019, with all proceeds going to his daughter Julia. At the show, Camilleri made remarks alluding to that concert potentially being the last ever Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons concert. There have not been any performances by the band since, though no formal announcement of any permanent disbanding has been made. Hall of Fame On 18 July 2007, Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) inducted Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons into its Hall of Fame. Also inducted that year were Hoodoo Gurus, Marcia Hines, Frank Ifield, Radio Birdman and Brian Cadd. According to Camilleri, "I always thought that I was the weak link in the band, that I wasn't good enough to be in it. I had some great moments, moments that I didn't deserve, and was just happy to tag along". Prior to the induction, Camilleri said "I'm chuffed. I think the Falcons did play a part in the Australian music explosion ... I'm happy it's been acknowledged. The Falcons were a band out of time. What we played wasn't what was being played. It was an R&B/reggae sound in the time of flares and funk and pop music. Somehow we slotted in." At the induction ceremony, Mark Seymour declared that Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons were an inspiration for the formation of his band, Hunters & Collectors. For Young, it was his second induction in a row, his 2006 entry was as a member of Daddy Cool. ==Members==

Arranged chronologically: • Joe Camilleri – vocals, saxophone, guitar • John Power (died 2018) – bass guitar, vocals, backing vocals (1975–1982, 1984, 2001, 2003–2004, 2011–2018) • Jeff Burstin – guitar, backing vocals • John McInerney – drums (1975) • Peter Starkie – guitar (1975) (died 2020) • Wayne Burt – vocals, guitar (1975–1977) • Gary Young – drums, backing vocals (1975–1982, 1984, 2001, 2003–2004, 2008, 2011–present) • Tony Faehse – guitar, backing vocals (1977–1982, 1984, 2001, 2003–2004, 2008, 2011–present) • Wilbur Wilde – saxophone, backing vocals (1977–1984, 2001, 2003–2004, 2008, 2011–present) • Sarah Buchanan – vocals, backing vocals, (1982–1983) • Bill Canty – keyboards (1982–1983) • Jane Clifton – vocals, backing vocals (1982–1983) • Steve Ewart – trombone, keyboards (1982–1983) • Simon Gyllies – bass guitar, backing vocals (1982–1983) • Dezzy McKenna – drums (1982–1983) • Sherine Abeyratne – vocals (1983) • Martin Kellock – vocals (1983) • Keith Pereira – percussion (1982–1983) • Ray Pereira – congas, timbales (1982–1983) • Freddie Strauks – drums (1981–1982) • James Valentine – saxophone (1982–1983) • Paul Williamson – saxophone (1982–1983) • Joe Creighton – bass guitar (2008) ==Discography==

• ''Don't Waste It'' (1977) • Whip It Out (1977) • So Young (1978) • Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons (1979) • Screaming Targets (1979) • Hats Off Step Lively (1980) • Dexterity (1981) • Cha (as Jo Jo Zep) (1982) • Ricochet (2003) ==References==