Vale
LOBBY LOYDE
(SAL Recipient)
Billy Thorpe once said:
"Lobby is the godfather of heavy
rock in this country."
Australian rock legend, Lobby Loyde
passed away on Saturday 21 April 2007,
after a long battle with cancer.
Lobby influenced countless musicians, both nationally and internationally. Amongst them were AC/DC. Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Henry Rollins, Steve Malkmus (Pavement), Kurt Cobain, Rose Tattoo, Cosmic Psycos, Bored! (the last two covering his son G.O.D) and many more.
He played in various outfits including Stilettos (1963), The Impacts, who changed their name to The Purple Hearts (1964 - 1968), The Wild Cherries (1967 - 1968), The Aztecs (late 1968 - 1970), Coloured Balls (1972 - 1974), as well a short stint with Rose Tattoo. Lobby also had a very successful solo career.
Lobby did everything from the heart. He was a true inspiration. To paraphrase Frank Sinartra... he lived a life that's full. He was determined, talented, intelligent and above all a true gentleman. He had a wicked sense of humour. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and called a spade a spade. You always knew where you stood with Lobby.
He was a mentor to many musicians. Not only encouraging them to believe in themselves, but producing their albums, showing them guitar techniques, sharing stories and advice, and always giving them his time, no matter what was going on in his life.
Lobby produced albums for many acts including X, Painters & Dockers, The Sunnyboys, Machinations, and Flaming Hands.
"More than anyone else, Lobby helped create the Australian guitar sound. Long before Angus (Young) or Billy Thorpe or the Angels or Rose Tattoo. Lobby inspired Australian bands to step forward and play as loud and aggressively as they could. People are still trying to copy it today" - Angry Anderson told The Age in 2006. Angry stated yesterday 'The man who fathered the aussie rock guitar sound has moved on, but the sound remains'.
Since being diagnosed with cancer two years ago, Lobby was able to fulfill two of his dying wishes over the past three months. Lobby joined his fellow band mates, Gav Carroll, Trevor and Bobsie (Ian) Miller to perform their favourite Coloured Balls songs at the Corner Hotel in December, 2006. And in 2007, Beyond Morgia, Lobby's previously unreleased sci-fi influenced / space rock album (originally recorded in 1976), was released after the master tapes were discovered at a rubbish tip. Something Lobby never thought would occur.
Always ahead of his time musically, Lobby was most at home on the stage. Playing some of the loudest rock and roll Australia has ever heard, he was an instigator of disturbing the peace, and was an incredible guitar player. He loved many styles of music, and had an amazing knowledge in this arena. Ever articulate, Lobby even spent time at being a music journalist. He was constantly creating music, he was never far from his guitar, even when he was ill.
In 2006 Lobby was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame. Having been part of the Australian musical landscape since the 1960's, Lobby was a true rock and roll renegade and will be so sorely missed.
Sincere condolences to his children - Frank, Becky, Lucy and Viv, to Deb, friends and band mates.
Rock In Peace Lobster.
(Article reproduced courtesy Lou Ridsdale Lance Rock Publicity)
