Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.

In Part Three, guitarist Bob Starkie - universally known and loved as 'Bongo' - shares his memories in one of his final interviews before his passing in November 2025. We retrace the early days, pre replacing his brother Peter in Skyhooks, meeting Greg for the first time, being in studio with Ross Wilson, the American tour and life after Skyhooks, including his Rio adventure with Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.

Recorded only weeks before his death, Bob also talks about his health battle and his positivity is testament to the man. Ross Wilson also pays tribute to Bob in a small excerpt from his full Skyhooks chat, which will be in Part 4.

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.

In Part Two, guitarist Red Symons shares his recollections of joining the band, recording those groundbreaking first albums, his stage look, leaving the band and his life after Skyhooks, including his very successful media career. Find out which one of the Hooks' biggest hits Red refers to as 'a prick of a song to play' and his memories of Shirl, including visiting the site of his death.

Song excerpts included in this episode in order:

Whatever Happened to the Revolution

Smut

Million Dollar Riff

You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed

Balwyn Calling

Somewhere in Sydney

I'm Normal

Ego Is Not a Dirty Word

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were. In the first of a four-part series, The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.

Part One features Greg Macainsh, the man who wote the songs, and what game changing songs they were - Living in the Seventies, Balwyn Calling, You Just Like Me Coz I'm Good in Bed, Toorak Cowboy, Women in Uniform and Ego is Not a Dirty Word. Greg created the sound of Skyhooks and lyrically shattered the stereotypical rock song.

Greg shares some of his thoughts on the band, the music, fame and much more.

You will also hear from David Briggs, the former Little River Band guitarist and songwriter given the task of remastering some Skyhooks material over the years.

Songs excerpts included in this episode in order

Toorak Cowboy (demo with Steve Hill on lead vocals)

Living in the Seventies

Horror Movie

All My Friends are getting Married

Women in Uniform

Balwyn Calling

Love's not Good Enough (3XY Rocktober Concert 1984 Hey hey It's Saturday)

Powdertown

Carlton ( Lygon Street Limbo)

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

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Peter Asher has had a career like a Russian doll. It started as an 8 year old actor working with the likes of Boris Karloff. While Peter's sister Jane became a leading actress, Peter was drawn to music and with Gordon Waller became the worldwide hit making duo Peter & Gordon. They did get some help from Peter's sister's boyfriend and Asher house lodger Paul McCartney, who wrote a few songs the duo recorded.

As Peter tells Kevin, being in a recording studio for the first time with Peter & Gordon was where he discovered his next calling - record producer. This led to running Apple Records' A&R Department for The Beatles, discovering James Taylor and relocating to America for the next phase of his incredible career.

Peter brilliantly combined being an artist manager and record producer, working with Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Robin Williams, Steve Martin and Diana Ross to name but a few.

It is an incredible career that is still going, both on and off stage, and it is a great privilege to have Peter Asher CBE on The H Files.

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

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www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

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Andy Kim has been a star for a very long time and his musical footprint started in the legendary Brill Building in New York, the mecca for budding songwriters from all over the world. When a young, wide-eyed Canadian walked in for a meeting with Jeff Barry, it was a life changing experience, and the start of a Hall of Fame musical career.

Andy talks about writing Sugar Sugar, a worldwide number one song for The Archies, and his solo hits like the classic Rock Me Gently. Success opened many doors, including backstage with Elvis and having a Beatle present him with his Gold Album.

Andy Kim has enjoyed a long and colourful musical journey and he shares much of it here.

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

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© 2025

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Mike McClellan has carved a very successful career across many decades because he is a craftsman, a showman, a man with a curious mind and a passion for singing and songwriting that he still works at today at the ripe old age of 80.

As he prepares for his latest tour, Mike reflects on what drives him, what makes him happy, what has influenced him and what has touched him over the year.

As you will discover in this chat, Mike is a master storyteller, whether he is singing those words or recounting stories of his life and times.

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

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Buzz Bidstrup is a jack of all trades and master of plenty - including storytelling - and does he have a story or two to tell. The man behind the drum kit for The Angels is also a founding member of Gangajang, record producer and sound engineer for many of this country's best artists, manager, promoter, songwriter (No Secrets - no less) and now author of the book No Secrets (Harper Collins) that tells the behind-the-scenes story of all those shenanigans and more.

From being booted off the Kinks tour of the USA and booting himself out of The Angels to forming Gangajang and meeting and working with Jimmy Little, Buzz has great stories and tells them beautifully in both print and voice.

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It has been 50 years since we first heard David Surkamp's unique voice as frontman of Pavlov's Dog and on the eve of the band's first Australian tour, David shares his thoughts on his amazing musical career. From writing the iconic Julia to meeting Vanda and Young on his only visit to Australia, David tells a great story.

Cowboy Junkies are also on their way to Australia for their 40th anniversary tour and founding member Michael Timmins talks about their longevity, their musical path and what Aussie audiences can expect in November.

Finishing this episode, a sneak preview of the next H Files with Buzz Bidstrup, a man of many and varied talents including being the drummer with the Angels. Buzz has written a brilliant memoir 'No Secrets' and in this snippet Buzz tells the story of that Angels crowd classic 'Am I ever gonna see your face again' and sharing a stage with I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden.

The H Files with Kevin Hillier

Post-production by Chris Gates

For Howdy Partners Media

www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts

© 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.