Biography
Goanna originated in 1977 under guitarist Shane Howard, yet national attention in Australia arrived with the 1982 single "Solid Rock" and the album Spirit of Place. Keyboardist and vocalist Rose Bygrave entered the lineup in 1979; alongside Warwick Harwood on lead guitar and vocals, Ian Morrison handling vocals and harmonica, Carl Smith on bass, and Gary Crothall at the drums, the group cut the independent 12" EP Livin' on the Razor's Edge.
In 1981 Goanna joined the WEA roster and opened for James Taylor on his Australian dates. WEA hesitated, but the band still issued its signature single "Solid Rock" in October 1982—an unflinching rock track addressing the European invasion of Australia. The surprise success climbed to number three on the national charts and later surfaced on the 1989 multi-artist collection Building Bridges.
December 1982 brought the debut album Spirit of Place, which also reached number three nationally. Lineup flux followed: Harwood departed while backing vocalist Suzie Dickinson arrived soon afterward. Under the alias Gordon Franklin and the Wilderness Ensemble, Goanna released the May 1983 single "Let the Franklin Flow" to back the Tasmanian Wilderness Society’s effort against damming the Franklin River; the track rose to number 12.
Oceania, the final album, appeared in April 1985 and hit number 20 the next month. A nationwide tour collapsed in September 1985 after Shane Howard disappeared, nullifying $20,000 in engagements; his exit ended the band. He had traveled to South Australia amid exhaustion from relentless touring, mounting debts, and continual personnel shifts.
In 1981 Goanna joined the WEA roster and opened for James Taylor on his Australian dates. WEA hesitated, but the band still issued its signature single "Solid Rock" in October 1982—an unflinching rock track addressing the European invasion of Australia. The surprise success climbed to number three on the national charts and later surfaced on the 1989 multi-artist collection Building Bridges.
December 1982 brought the debut album Spirit of Place, which also reached number three nationally. Lineup flux followed: Harwood departed while backing vocalist Suzie Dickinson arrived soon afterward. Under the alias Gordon Franklin and the Wilderness Ensemble, Goanna released the May 1983 single "Let the Franklin Flow" to back the Tasmanian Wilderness Society’s effort against damming the Franklin River; the track rose to number 12.
Oceania, the final album, appeared in April 1985 and hit number 20 the next month. A nationwide tour collapsed in September 1985 after Shane Howard disappeared, nullifying $20,000 in engagements; his exit ended the band. He had traveled to South Australia amid exhaustion from relentless touring, mounting debts, and continual personnel shifts.
Albums
Singles
