Manchester is not only rightfully considered the centre of British industry, but also the city that gave birth to many talented people. Billy Thorpe is one of numerous stars who were born in Manchester. Having started his career at an early age, he became a true genius in the music industry. In addition, this famous singer and songwriter developed the pub rock scene in the 1970s. Learn more about the rise and success of Billy Thorpe at manchester-trend.
WHAT WAS BILLY LIKE AS A CHILD?
Thorpe was born in Manchester in 1946. Nine years later, his family emigrated to Australia. There, he began to show his musical talent. He was a true musical prodigy. Therefore, Thorpe’s career began at a fairly early age.
At the age of 10, Thorpe came up with the pseudonym Little Rock Allen. He started to give his first performances in the back of his parents’ shop. Having set up the equipment, Billy sang and played guitar there. His talent attracted not only visitors but also the attention of a TV producer. After that, the young man became a regular guest on TV. He constantly appeared in music shows and performances.
When Thorpe turned 17, he decided to move to Sydney and continue to develop his music career there. He auditioned for a regular gig at Surf City. It was an extremely popular beat music venue in the 1960s. For several years, his backing band at Surf City was The Aztecs, a seasoned Sydney instrumental group. His career as a musician began to develop at a rapid pace.
THE CREATION OF BILLY THORPE & THE AZTECS AND THEIR SUCCESS
After giving a series of performances within The Aztecs, Thorpe decided to create his own band. Thus, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs was formed in the 1960s. Over the years, its composition changed many times, but it didn’t prevent Thorpe and his team from achieving worldwide popularity.
Thorpe, as a soloist of the group, achieved tremendous success shortly after its formation. In particular, in the 1960s, he became famous throughout the world with such songs as Blue Day, Poison Ivy, Over the Rainbow, Sick and Tired and Baby, Hold Me Close. The band actively participated in various concerts, festivals and other musical events. Thanks to this, they found a large number of fans all over the world. In the 1970s, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs began to develop the pub-rock scene and were one of the “loudest” bands of that time.
WHAT WAS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THORPE?
Thorpe and his band were known for their energetic and dynamic playing style. It certainly contributed to their success in the Australian rock scene. Moreover, it allowed them to conquer the rock scene in other countries of the world.
The key to the world-wide success of Thorpe’s creativity was hidden in his energetic live performances, which enchanted the audience. Thorpe was a genius in the music industry of the 1960s and 1970s. He was very famous for his charismatic behaviour.
His guitar playing also attracted special attention. It was incredibly powerful and aggressive. The music of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs was dominated by ringing guitar riffs, which became a defining element of their work.
Thorpe and his band played blues and rock. They created unique melodies that were adored by millions. Their music was influenced by British and American rock with a distinctive Australian twist.
Another distinctive feature of Thorpe’s creativity was musical spontaneity and improvisation, with which he filled most of his live performances. Moreover, throughout its existence, the band Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs demonstrated the versatility of their musical approach.
Thorpe himself and the band Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs left behind a huge legacy. Their hits, written in the 1960s and 1970s, are still listened to today. They are rightfully considered legends of the rock scene, as they have been shaping this direction for more than one decade. Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs is a combination of powerful guitar energy, energetic performance and willingness to experiment with different musical elements. This is what made them a driving force in the development of Australian rock music.
THE LAST YEARS OF THE ROCK LEGEND
From a young age and until his last breath, Thorpe was devoted to music with all his soul and heart. He gave concerts and performances, recorded new music and released albums until the last days of his life.
He died of a heart attack in 2007. It was a great tragedy for the music industry and its fans around the world. Thorpe was posthumously appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his enormous contribution to the development of the music industry.
In addition, it should also be noted that Thorpe, unlike many other Australian artists, gained international popularity (for example, in Canada, the USA and even his native Britain). He had a whole cult of followers, which became especially numerous after the release of the sci-fi album Children of the Sun.
