Lucky Starr

Leslie William Morrison (born 29 December 1940), known professionally as Lucky Starr, is an Australian pioneer rock and roll, pop and country music singer, guitarist and television presenter. His most popular single, "I've Been Everywhere", appeared in early 1962, which peaked at number one in Sydney. Starr became well known through his many TV appearances on shows such as Bandstand and Six O'Clock Rock, in which he briefly hosted taking over from Johnny O'Keefe, he was the first star to entertain troops in Vietnam.

Early life Lucky Starr was born as Leslie William Morrison in 1940. His father was a motor mechanic and his mother was a housewife, and he had a younger sister and an adopted older sister (who was his cousin but adopted into the family when her parents died).

Career The Hepparays Two-and-a-half years later he began his rock and roll career in 1957 as Les Starr, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, of the Hepparays in Sydney. Other members were Tony Caperero on lead guitar, Bruce Gurr on piano, Dave Taylor played bass guitar and Owen Smith provided drums and percussion. After winning several talent quests, "someone idly punned that he was 'a lucky Starr'." For his early work he used the Hepparays as his backing band. In May 1963, he recalled, "We corresponded when she went back to the States, and I decided then to follow her, somehow. Once, in 1961, I waited up all night to phone her when she was recovering from a tonsils operation. But we are not 'in love' any more, I guess." Adapted to American towns, it became a United States country music hit for Hank Snow after being released in September of that year. According to the journalist, "[he] has worked at his profession perfecting his musicianship, taking voice training, learning acting and dancing — in a word, learning enough to make the most of his 'break' when it came."

Touring the US During 1963, he travelled to the US where "[he] played the Nevada circuit, opening in mid-1963 at the Mapes Hotel Casino Room, Las Vegas." Starr signed with local label, Dot Records, which released three singles, including "Poor Little Jimmy Brown", however "proposed American movie roles and major record deals never happened." As from October 2023 Starr was performing on the nostalgia circuit as the Good Old Days of Rock'n'roll, with fellow veterans, Digger Revell, Little Pattie and Dinah Lee.

Discography Albums I've Been Everywhere (June 1962) [Festival Records] (FL 30807)

The Silver Spade Digs Lucky (1964) [Festival Records] I Am The Words (1971) [RCA Victor) (SP-152)

Big Wheels (1974) [RCA Camden] (VCL1-0015)

Wheels (1976) [RCA Australia] (VAL1-0111)

Old Friends (1977) [RCA Australia] (SCD 499060)

Mister Truckdriver (1978) [RCA Victor] (VAL1-0165)

Blueberry Hill (2022) [New Note Music]

Extended plays Sentimental Journey (December 1959) Festival Records Lucky's Been Everywhere (July 1962) Festival Records

Singles "Somebody Touched Me" (January 1960) "The Big Hurt" (March 1960) "Wrong" (May 1960) Sydney charts: No. 40 "June in Junee" (1962) "Hot Rod" (1962) "Mule Skinner Blues" (1963) "Come on In" (1963) "Poor Little Jimmy Brown" (1964)

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. (wins only) 2008 Lucky Starr Hall of Fame