Pub rock pioneers. Battle of the Sounds champions. The band where Bon became a songwriter.
When The Valentines split in 1970, bassist Bruce Howe called Bon to front his new band. Fraternity were heavier, bluesier and more adventurous than anything Bon had sung with before. They played long, progressive songs, and Bon added recorder and percussion to his vocals. Within months they were touring with Jerry Lee Lewis.
In 1971 the band moved to the Adelaide Hills under manager Hamish Henry and hit their stride. Their version of "Seasons of Change" went to #1 in Adelaide, they released their debut album Livestock, and they won Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds. The prize was a trip to London. Go-Set put them on the cover as "The Next Big Band," and Bon co-wrote "Raglan's Folly" as his lyric writing took shape.
In 1972 came the album Flaming Galah and a performance of Peter Sculthorpe's "Love 200" with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Adelaide Festival of Arts. Then they went to the UK, worked the club circuit, with dates advertised at Liverpool's Cavern Club, and briefly toured as Fang. Bandmates remember it as the time Bon learned the craft that would soon power AC/DC.
Bon joins in Sydney, gets a residency at Jonathan's and tours with Jerry Lee Lewis.
The move to Adelaide. "Seasons of Change" hits #1 there, Livestock is released, and they win the Battle of the Sounds.
Flaming Galah is released. They play "Love 200" with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, then head for London.
They tour the UK as Fang, then come home. Bon's next stop is AC/DC.
“When I joined Fraternity as a 20-year-old neophyte, I literally learned how to be a rock star simply by watching Bon. Though he acted as one who was born to it, he never lost his humility. He would give you the shirt off his back.”
“Bon was a true front man, a genuine rock star… He had the voice, he had the look, and he had the talent.”
“The band, the show, Bon's own performance, always took precedence above everything in his life. I loved that about him… I loved singing harmony with that great voice.”
“Bon brought a very dynamic drive to the band. He commanded the stage. He was a great singer and an excellent percussionist.”
“I am most grateful to have known Bon.”
“Bon was a gypsy, a vagabond, a Bad Boy and a Rock n Roll outlaw. He truly was a street poet.”
