Doug Parkinson

Douglas John Parkinson (30 October 1946 – 15 March 2021) His German-descended father was a commercial artist in print advertising, while his mother was of Welsh-Irish heritage. with Helen Barnes on bass guitar, her brother Sid Barnes junior on drums and David Lee on guitar – and changed their name to the 'A' Sound – as a folk music group. The 'A' Sound released "Talk About That" via Festival Records, which Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described as a "pleasant folk single (in the Seekers vein)." With Parkinson the band issued three "minor psychedelic pop classic" singles, "Sally Go Round the Roses" (cover version, July 1967), "And Things Unsaid" (October) and "Something Wonderful" (February 1968). Also in that year the group won the Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds national final. In November Green and McGuire left to join Rush while Parkinson and Dick recruited Mick Rogers (ex-Procession) and Les Stacpool (ex-Chessmen, Merv Benton and the Tamlas) each alternating on bass and lead guitars. The group disbanded when Parkinson and Dick relocated to the United Kingdom in June 1970.

Parkinson and Dick had been invited to join Fanny Adams by founder Vince Melouney on guitar and vocals (ex-Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, the Bee Gees), alongside Teddy Toi on bass guitar (ex-Max Merritt and the Meteors, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs). Parkinson "conveyed considerable charisma with his imposing presence and gruff, raspy voice." Fellow Australian artists were Daryl Braithwaite (as Tommy), Bobby Bright, Linda George, Colleen Hewett, Jim Keays, Ian Meldrum (as Uncle Ernie, in Sydney only), Billy Thorpe, Wendy Saddington, Broderick Smith and Ross Wilson.

In May 1973 Parkinson released his debut solo album, No Regrets, on Polydor Records.

Also in 1973 he formed a big band jazz ensemble, the Life Organisation, with Morgan and Toi joined by Warren Ford on guitar and piano; Peter Martin on guitar (ex-SCRA); and Bill Motzing on trombone and keyboards. He followed with "Love is Like a Cloudy Day" (May 1975) and "Raised on Rock" (September) but they did reach the top 100. Its first run was at the Festival Theatre, Adelaide and was followed by a run at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney. His touring band for solo work were Sanctuary, which included ex-Chain and ex-Renée Geyer Band members: Mal Logan on keyboards and Barry Sullivan on bass guitar.

In 1978 Parkinson formed the Southern Star Band, comprising former bandmates Kennedy and McGuire and new associates Frank Esler-Smith on keyboards (ex-Marcia Hines Band) and Jim Gannon on guitar (ex-Black Widow, Yellow Dog). The album of the same name was "a steady seller" and reached the related Top 40 albums chart.

1988–2021: Musical theatre and later career From the late 1980s to the early 2000s Parkinson "concentrated on musical theatre" with roles in Australian stage productions of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (April 1989: Brisbane, May 1989: Melbourne, January 1990: Adelaide), The Hunting of the Snark (October 1990: Sydney), Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story as the Big Bopper (January: Sydney and September 1991: Melbourne, April: Perth, June: Adelaide, July: Brisbane and August 1992: Sydney), Grease as Vince Fontaine (1998), Happy Days - The Arena Mega Musical as Delvicchio (1999) and The Wizard of Oz as Cowardly Lion (2002).

Parkinson continued performing in cabaret and clubs and recording as of 2016. He contributed a version of "Always to the Light" to the tribute album, Some Lonesome Picker (June 2016). The family were long-term residents of Sydney's Northern Beaches. One of their children, Daniel Parkinson, was the bass guitarist for the Hanging Tree, a progressive metal group from 1992 to 2002. Daniel has also worked as a graphic designer and photographer.

The couple also ran their own record label, Roy Boy Records, from 2005, which issued Parkinson's latter-day solo material.

Parkinson died on 15 March 2021, aged 74, at his Northern Beaches home.

Released: June 1973 Format: LP, cassette Label: Polydor (2907004) —

Released: March 1979 Format: LP, cassette Label: Southern Star Records (L 36824) 37

Released: 28 March 1983 Format: LP, cassette Label: CBS (SBP 237862) 59

Released: September 1986 Format: LP, cassette Label: Hammard (HAM 147) —

Released: 2 September 2005 Format: CD Label: Roy Boy (rbr1000) —

Released: 2006 Format: CD Label: Roy Boy (rbr1000) —

Released: 2010 Format: CD Label: Roy Boy (rbr4000) —

Released: 2020 Format: CD Label: Roy Boy (RBR2020) —

Live albums Title Album details Live at Gobbles, Perth, 1979 (As Doug Parkinson and the Southern Star Band) Released: 1 February 2021 Format: CD (limited), DD, streaming Label: Doug Parkinson, Black Box Records/ MGM Distribution

Compilation albums Title Album details In & Out of Focus 1966-75 Released: 1996 Format: CD Label: Raven (RVCD-58)

Extended plays Title EP details Something Wonderful Released: 1968 Format: LP Label: Festival (FX-11477) Doug Parkinson in Focus Released: 1970 Format: LP Label: Columbia (SEGO-70188)

Singles

Charity singles +List of charity singles, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown Title Year Peak chart positions AUS "The Garden"(as Australia Too) 1985 22

Awards Mo Awards The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Doug Parkinson won four awards in that time. (wins only) 2000 Doug Parkinson Classic Rock Performer of the Year 2001 Doug Parkinson Classic Rock Performer of the Year 2002 Doug Parkinson Classic Rock Performer of the Year 2003 Doug Parkinson Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year