A brief history of The Executives

The Executives might well be remembered as the band with the right sound but the wrong image. At their late sixties peak, they were singing Blood, Sweat & Tears songs while looking like The Platters! In an era dominated by growing opposition to the Vietnam War, psychedelic clothing, Hair (and long hair!) and the post-Pepper Beatles, The Executives always seemed several steps behind, yet musically they were way out in front; one of the most multi-talented, musically ambitious and distinctive outfits of the day.

Today they are remembered—when they are remembered at all—as a vocal group, perhaps because that was how they first appeared on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand back in 1967, but the truth is, they were arguably the most musically capable band on the Sydney live circuit. The musical background of the band was staggering. Publicity from the era states proudly that, between them, they played 31 instruments—alto sax, balalaika, baritone sax, bass, bass sax, clarinet, cornet, drums, flute, glockenspiel, guitars, harmonica, harpsichord, lute, mandolin, marimbaphone, melodica, organ, pacific island ethnic drums, piano, recorder, rhythm percussion, soprano sax, spinet, tenor sax, trombone, trumpet, ukulele, vibes, violin and xylophone—and they used that musical mastery to good effect on their records, which have an artistry and a polish the equal of anything coming out of Los Angeles or London at the time.

Great musicians then, and great singers, but they also showed great skill in choosing songs and, later, at writing them. They all sang—exquisite, perfectly executed vocal harmonies were their trademark—resulting in fabulous song arrangements that often improved upon the originals. But while they had no trouble cracking the market in their Sydney hometown, success eluded them on a national level, particularly in the important music centre of Melbourne where, despite three promising tours, a perplexing lack of radio airplay prevented them from achieving the status they deserved.

1959-66: Formation and first release
1967: The rise
1968: Building upon success
1969: A peek at the peak
1970-71: The end
1970-present: Solo and reformed Executives
Discography