Whatever Happened to the Revolution

Annotation — Australian & New Zealand Songs

Glam Rock / Hard Rock group formed in 1973 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They disbanded in 1994. It had a revolving line-up, but with the mainstays Greg Macainsh (bass), and Freddie Strauks (drums, percussion , backing vocals). This album, "Living in the 70s" also featured Shirley Strachan (vocals), Red Symons (guitar, vocals, mandolin), and Bob Starkie (guitar, vocals). Their debut album, it initially did not have much commercial success, until 1975, when It spent 16 weeks at the top of the Australian album charts, selling 240,000 copies.1 The group often tackled political and social themes, including the song "Whatever Happened to the Revolution" (Mushroom Records # L-35299), which reflected on the apathy of the 60s / 70s protest movement: "we all got stoned and it drifted away". It recalled the war in Vietnam and opposition to it: "in 1970, the army wanted you... there was a war goin' on". People were "out in the streets, wearing our badges and stampin' our feet" in protest. However, the movement died, as "everyone's a bit older, we're gettin' richer". It also noted the end of hippie culture: "don't mean nothin' to have long hair". It concluded with calling on people to…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Skyhooks - glam and hard rock group formed 1973 in Melbourne, Victoria, disbanded 1994; mainstays Greg Macainsh (bass) and Freddie Strauks (drums), with Shirley Strachan (vocals), Red Symons and Bob Starkie (guitars) on this album, which topped the Australian chart for 16 weeks in 1975.

Themes

Protest · Demonstration · Draft · Counter-Culture & Hippies · Anti-War

In collections

Australian & New Zealand Songs · Draft Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]