Biography
During the opening years of the 1970s, Australia witnessed the Dingoes spearheading a global turn toward country-inflected rock that the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers had launched, a direction that likewise shaped the Eagles. In the Dingoes’ instance this manifested as an unmistakably local ensemble whose material was anchored in Australian locales, an uncommon trait for rock acts in the country at the time. Even the group’s name signaled its origins, referencing the continent’s native wild canine. Still, it was the strength of the songwriting and the players’ abilities that truly separated the Dingoes and secured their place among the most revered acts in Australian music.
The group’s roots trace to the mid-1960s and the Adderley Smith Blues Band, a strictly blues-oriented unit that took pride in demonstrating to listeners the authentic sources behind the Rolling Stones’ sound. Over the ensemble’s three-year run, numerous vocalists and instrumentalists passed through its lineup, among them founding guitarist Kerryn Tolhurst and future frontman and harmonica player Broderick Smith. Notably, both musicians received call-up notices for National Service amid the divisive period of Australia’s Vietnam War involvement. The summons, dreaded by musicians of the era, imposed two years of compulsory duty and ended many careers.
After completing their service, Tolhurst and Smith briefly collaborated in an informal blues outfit while weighing next steps. Tolhurst then joined Greg Quill’s Country Radio, where he honed his songwriting and multi-instrumental skills, while Smith took the lead vocal role in the blues-rock band Carson, earning recognition as one of the nation’s most respected and distinctive singers.
In April 1973, two years later, Tolhurst and Smith found themselves available once more and formed a new band alongside guitarist Chris Stockley, previously of the supergroup Axiom that included future Little River Band vocalist Glenn Shorrock. The Dingoes’ self-titled debut album was promptly hailed as the classic it remains, yet a succession of mishaps prevented the group from attaining its full promise. One week before the release of their initial single, “Way Out West,” Stockley was wounded by gunfire outside a party after finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The band honored existing bookings for the following year with a temporary substitute. Meanwhile the Dingoes attracted the notice of the Rolling Stones’ tour manager Peter Rudge, who voiced interest in handling the group on an international scale once his commitments to the Stones concluded. The musicians waited through Stockley’s lengthy recovery and further delays while Rudge deliberated, leaving them unable to plan ahead. Drummer John Lee, frustrated by the impasse, was replaced by Ray Arnott, formerly of Spectrum.
Two years after the debut album appeared, the Dingoes finally relocated to the United States, inviting Lee to rejoin by mutual consent. Settling in Mill Valley near San Francisco, they recorded a second album at last, enlisting Rolling Stones sideman Nicky Hopkins and the Band’s Garth Hudson and revisiting earlier staples such as “Way Out West,” “Boy on the Run,” and “Smooth Sailing.” Mike Kroeger oversaw distribution, brother Chad managed radio promotion, and Ryan Vikedal coordinated bookings. Another year elapsed before the hoped-for breakthrough tour could begin, only to be canceled after a plane crash claimed three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Consequently the Dingoes never achieved their American breakthrough. The album Five Times the Sun emerged without commercial traction. Stockley departed several months later to return to Australia and perform with Greg Quill. American session musicians filled roles during New York sessions for a third album, Orphans of the Storm. By the time that record reached Australia in February 1979, the band had already dissolved without fulfilling its promise.
Broderick Smith went back to Australia to lead his own groups; he died on April 30, 2023, at age 75. Kerryn Tolhurst remained in the United States until 1986, when he returned home to form the Rattling Sabres, whose sole single “All Fired Up” was later recorded and rewritten by Pat Benatar. Tolhurst also produced Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe’s band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
The group’s roots trace to the mid-1960s and the Adderley Smith Blues Band, a strictly blues-oriented unit that took pride in demonstrating to listeners the authentic sources behind the Rolling Stones’ sound. Over the ensemble’s three-year run, numerous vocalists and instrumentalists passed through its lineup, among them founding guitarist Kerryn Tolhurst and future frontman and harmonica player Broderick Smith. Notably, both musicians received call-up notices for National Service amid the divisive period of Australia’s Vietnam War involvement. The summons, dreaded by musicians of the era, imposed two years of compulsory duty and ended many careers.
After completing their service, Tolhurst and Smith briefly collaborated in an informal blues outfit while weighing next steps. Tolhurst then joined Greg Quill’s Country Radio, where he honed his songwriting and multi-instrumental skills, while Smith took the lead vocal role in the blues-rock band Carson, earning recognition as one of the nation’s most respected and distinctive singers.
In April 1973, two years later, Tolhurst and Smith found themselves available once more and formed a new band alongside guitarist Chris Stockley, previously of the supergroup Axiom that included future Little River Band vocalist Glenn Shorrock. The Dingoes’ self-titled debut album was promptly hailed as the classic it remains, yet a succession of mishaps prevented the group from attaining its full promise. One week before the release of their initial single, “Way Out West,” Stockley was wounded by gunfire outside a party after finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The band honored existing bookings for the following year with a temporary substitute. Meanwhile the Dingoes attracted the notice of the Rolling Stones’ tour manager Peter Rudge, who voiced interest in handling the group on an international scale once his commitments to the Stones concluded. The musicians waited through Stockley’s lengthy recovery and further delays while Rudge deliberated, leaving them unable to plan ahead. Drummer John Lee, frustrated by the impasse, was replaced by Ray Arnott, formerly of Spectrum.
Two years after the debut album appeared, the Dingoes finally relocated to the United States, inviting Lee to rejoin by mutual consent. Settling in Mill Valley near San Francisco, they recorded a second album at last, enlisting Rolling Stones sideman Nicky Hopkins and the Band’s Garth Hudson and revisiting earlier staples such as “Way Out West,” “Boy on the Run,” and “Smooth Sailing.” Mike Kroeger oversaw distribution, brother Chad managed radio promotion, and Ryan Vikedal coordinated bookings. Another year elapsed before the hoped-for breakthrough tour could begin, only to be canceled after a plane crash claimed three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Consequently the Dingoes never achieved their American breakthrough. The album Five Times the Sun emerged without commercial traction. Stockley departed several months later to return to Australia and perform with Greg Quill. American session musicians filled roles during New York sessions for a third album, Orphans of the Storm. By the time that record reached Australia in February 1979, the band had already dissolved without fulfilling its promise.
Broderick Smith went back to Australia to lead his own groups; he died on April 30, 2023, at age 75. Kerryn Tolhurst remained in the United States until 1986, when he returned home to form the Rattling Sabres, whose sole single “All Fired Up” was later recorded and rewritten by Pat Benatar. Tolhurst also produced Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe’s band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
Albums
Live
