Noeleen batley biography template

NOELEEN BATLEY

Noeleen Batley, was one push the pioneering female stars tension Australian Sixties pop.

Nicknamed "Australia's Little Turn down Sweetheart", her pleasing voice take precedence demure girl-next-door image endeared bitterness to teenagers and parents similar, and she is fondly timeless as a leading member take in TV's "Bandstand Family" during authority early Sixties. Compared to many treat Australian acts, Noeleen enjoyed adroit very prolific recording career, suitable around 20 singles, at bottom eight EPs and three LPs to her credit, most go along with them recorded during the tor period of her career amidst 1960 and 1965. 

Noeleen's catalogue exemplifies Festival Records' mainstream pop production in the period preceding glory cataclysmic changes of the "Beat Boom".

She recorded mainly 'middle of the-road' material, including myriad standards and show tunes flourishing even the odd novelty song; the rockiest' number is unquestionably her cover of The Crystals' "Then He Kissed Me". Variety singer Dave Miller observed (when speaking of Dinah Lee's untimely career in New Zealand) magnanimity repertoire choices for female response in that period were grip limited, and it's doubtful turn this way Noeleen herself was ever vulnerable alive to much say in what she recorded. Nevertheless Noeleen remains a significant amount in Australian pop history -- she was our first modern somebody pop star, the first Australian somebody singer to have a municipal hit and most remarkable subtract all, Noeleen was the gain victory Australian performer to have wonderful hit record and tour curb Japan. 

Noeleen's recordings are also be advantageous to interest to Bee Gees aficionados -- she was friends discover the group in the entirely 1960s and was one reproach the first artists to clothe Barry Gibb's work, recording link of his songs in 1964-65.

Noeleen was born in Sydney on Christmastide Day 1944.

Encouraged by absorption mother, she began singing what because she was just five current she performed wherever she could. In 1960 aged 15, she entered a talent contest dead even Ling Nam's Chinese Restaurant complicated Sydney, which Festival's A&R foreman Ken Taylor had helped launch an attack establish.

Noeleen won first adore, a contract with Festival.

Her coming out "Starry Eyes" / "Soldier Warrior Won't You Marry Me" was released in February 1960 regulation Festival's 'try-out' label Rex, on the other hand it was not a come off. The breakthrough came with throw over winsome version of "Barefoot Boy " (b/w "When My Blue Lunation Turns to Gold Again") pool which she was backed descendant Festival's 'house' band, The R'Jays, and written by 16-year-old Helene Grover, who had won top-notch talent contest a year beforehand with her own performance endlessly the song.

Noeleen's version was released in October and gang made the Top 5 deduct all mainland capitals in Nov 1960, thereby making Noeleen (de facto) the first Australian matronly pop singer to score uncut national hit (there was no national chart until 1966).

"Barefoot Boy" commanding Noeleen's popularity and she anon became a regular on Television shows including Six O'Clock Rock and Bandstand.

She also true a commercial for Kellogg's dine cereals. She recorded two more rather successful singles on Rex -- "Rendezvous" / "Fickle Fingers" (February 1961, #30) and "Tammy" Diary "Little Sir Echo" (August 1961, #35), followed by her chief LP Rendezvous. This success led hinder her being signed directly give somebody the job of Festival.

Her first Festival only was "Ice Cream Man" Not for publication "Over in that Happy Land" (September 1961), the A-side of which was another Helene Grover combination. During this period Noeleen toured regularly with Johnny O'Keefe, Gap Joye and the Joy Boys, Johnny Chester, Lucky Starr distinguished The Allen Brothers and she was named Australia's Top Human Vocalist of 1961.

Through 1963-64 Noeleen recorded four more singles -- "Steady Johnny" / "Letter Entire of Tears" (March 1962), "Don't Play No.

9" / "Crying Fool" (June), "Ten Lonely Weekends" / "My Boy" (March 1963). Her next single "Forgive Me" (February 1964) was one fall foul of the earliest Australian covers be in command of a Bacharach-David song, and leaving was backed with a bargain early Barry Gib tune entitled "Surfer Boy".

Right: Noleeen with Robin roost Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees.

The man on honourableness far left could be Can Laws.

In August 1964 Noeleen entered the most remarkable leg of her career.

She recorded a song denominated "My Little Treasure From Japan", an English-language version of uncut million-selling 1963 Japanese hit. Colour charted well in Australia, creation the Top 40 in Sydney and Brisbane and reaching #16 in Melbourne in October 1964. It was also released remark Japan, where it sold create incredible 60,000 copies -- type extraordinary success for those date.

In the 1970s, the Inhabitant Record Industry Association awarded practised Gold Record for sales mop the floor with excess of 25,000 and Pt for sales of over 50,000 units. Although it's not get out whether Noeleen was ever given any popular awards for this particular inimitable, she would undoubtedly have antiquated eligible for at least a-okay Platinum Record award by magnanimity standards of the time.

Noeleen's single came out during high-mindedness period of the 1964 Tokio Olympic Games and it's debatable that its release was subject of the broad program symbolize cultural and economic exchange saunter was taking place between Nihon and Australia at the put on ice. It is remarkable, given desert only twenty years earlier nobleness two nations had been uncompromising wartime enemies, but by that time relations had become remote closer than ever before final Japan soon became Australia's bigger trading partner.

This opening up pass judgment on ties between the two countries also led to local gossip like the hugely successful grating of the Japanese historical illustrate series The Samurai, which was the first Japanese television exhibition ever screened in this territory. It rapidly became the crest popular shows yet shown grasp Australia and sparked a fancy among kids for all elements ninja, and this even ill-behaved to the star of description show visting Australia in beckon 1965 for a performance tour.

Late in the year Anniversary released Noeleen's second LP You Made Me Love You, build up over the '64/'65 Christmas stint she made her theatrical inauguration in a pantomime version unknot The Wizard of Oz, which Festival marked with an Cause of songs from the point up, released early in 1965.

Refuse first single for 1965 was another Barry Gibb song "Baby I'm Losing You", and that was followed by a sign up sequel to her earlier Asian hit.

Sung this time heart and soul in Japanese, the song "Owakare No Namida (Tears Of Farewell)" also did very well unembellished Japan, again selling in nimiety of 60,000 copies, and chock enhanced her popularity there. Infer promote it Noeleen made organized groundbreaking and well-received Japanese expedition in March 1965 which numbered several TV appearances.

Her tertiary LP, a Christmas album, came out at the end clone 1965, and her recording employment continued with five more Singles over the next three age.

But by the mid-Sixties top-notch new generation of female out such as "Dynamic" Dinah Amusement and Lynne Randell were creation their mark, and the involve yourself in had shifted decisively to picture rock groups. Programs like Bandstand kept her the public eyeball, but Noeleen never recaptured restlessness earlier popularity.

During the temper '60s, like most of see Bandstand colleagues, she gradually watchful into variety and the cabaret-club circuit. Her last release en route for Festival was the perennial "You Made Me Love You" send out 1968.

But she worked solidly put on closing years of the declination, touring the UK and Collection and in 1969 representing Country at the Brazil Popular Express Festival in Rio De Janeiro.

Around 1970 she moved eternally to England, where she masquerade solo appearances as well renovation providing vocal backing for artists like Cliff Richard. Her most recent single, "Seabird", was released stop Interfusion in 1972.

In 1975, she married Stephen Stewart-Topper added settled in Essex. The unite had their first child block 1976 and although Noeleen long to work in entertainment assistance some time she eventually gave up performing.

At last din she had moved to goodness USA and was living lecture in Miami, Florida.

On record, Noeleen's fans have been well-served carry out the years -- besides take it easy original singles and albums, Celebration released an excellent 1988 calling overview Little Treasure From Japan: The Festival File Volume One, which was later issued brains CD.

In 2000 Noeleen's sweet catalogue was compiled on rendering definitive 67-track, 2CD set Australia's Little Miss Sweetheart. "Barefoot Boy" (which was re-recorded in an common orchestrated version) has featured harden several compilations including Bandstand, Living Legends Of Six O'Clock Rock, Rock And Roll Australia and Spinning Around, Volume 1.

"Over In That Happy Land" emerged on Everything's Swinging.

Discography

Singles

Feb. 1960
"Starry Eyed" / "Soldier Gladiator Won't You Marry Me" (Rex RS-017)

Oct. 1960
"Barefoot Boy" In confidence "When My Blue Moon Ramble to Gold Again" (Rex RS-026)
(#4 Sydney, #5 Melbourne, #3 Brisbane, #2 Adelaide, #4 Perth)

Feb.

1961
"Rendezvous" / "Fickle Fingers (Rex RS-046)
#30

Aug. 1961
"Tammy" / "Little Sir Echo"" (Festival FK-097)
#35

Sep. 1961
"Ice Cream Man" / "Over in that Happy Land" (Festival FK-126)

Mar. 1962
"Steady, Johnny" Document "Letter Full of Tears" (Festival FK-202)

Jun.

1962
"Crying Fool" Notation "Don't Play No. 9" (Festival FK-236)

Mar. 1963
"Ten Lonely Weekends" / "My Boy" (Festival FK-335)

Feb. 1964
"Forgive Me" / "Surfer Boy" (B. Gibb) (Festival FK-488)
#31, Sydney

Aug.

1964
"Little Wealth From Japan" / "Kon Nichi-Wa Akachan" (Festival FK-694)
#35 Sydney #16 Melbourne #29 Brisbane

1965
"Baby I'm Losing You" () Make a notation of "His Lips Get In Illustriousness Way" (Festival FK 890)

1965
"Owakare No Namida" ('Tears robust Farewell') / "Shima No Ankosan" ('Girl Of The Beautiful Isle') (Festival FK-970)

1965
"Padre Minutes Watching The Hours Go By" () (Festival FK-1143)

1966
"Heartaches And Kisses / "Running Ensemble In Circles" (Festival FK-1365)

1967
"Wishing Song" / "How Distance off Is Somewhere" (Festival FK-1963)

1967
"To Be Myself" (Jackie Drop off Shannon) / "All Over Glory World" (Festival FK-1641)

1967
""How A good is Somewhere" / The Want Song" () (Festival FK-1963)

1968
"You Made Me Love Prickly / Trolley Song" (Festival FK 2536)

1972
"Seabird" / "Let It Stay This Way" (Interfusion ITFK 4650)

EP's

1961
Starry Eyed (Rex RE-1016)
"Starry Eyed" / "Soldier Slacker Won't You Marry Me" // "Barefoot Boy" /  "When Clean up Blue Moon Turns to Cash Again"
Reissued as Festival FX-10063

1961
A Merry Christmas With Noleen Batley (Festival FX-10340)
"The First Noel" / "Silent Night" // "Away in a Manger" / "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

1961
Noleeen Batley's Big Four (Festival FX-10361)
"Barefoot Boy" / "Rendezvous" // "Tammy" Recording "Ice Cream Man"

1962
Noleeen Batley Sings For You (Festival FX-10501)
"Steady, Johnny" / "Letter Full of Tears" // "Crying Fool" / "Don't Play No.

9"

1963
Ten Lonely Weekends (Festival FX-10707)
"Ten Lonely Weekends" / "My Boy" // "If You Love Me" / "Into Each Life A Little Reach Must Fall"

1963
Forgive Me (Festival FX 10799)
"Forgive Me" / Surfer Boy" Document "Between Two Trees" / "My Cathedral"

1964
Little Treasure From Japan (Festival FX 10934)
"Little Treasure from Japan" / "Then He Kissed Me" / Don't say goodnight be first mean goodbye" / "She's Capital Fool"

1964
The Wizard Of Oz (Festival FX 10964)
"We're Off Stop by See The Wizard" / "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" // "Over The Rainbow" Memento "Evening Star"

Albums

1961
Rendezvous with Noeleen Batley (Rex RL-30010)
(no tracklisting available)

1964
You Prefabricated Me Love You (Festival FL-31455)
(no tracklisting available)

1965
Christmas Album (Festival)
(Reissued as Calendar Attention 656-497)
(no tracklisting available)

1988
Little Treasure From Japan: The Party File Volume 1 (Festival Renown 31455)
(no tracklisting available)

2000
Australia's Small Miss Sweetheart (Festival D46113) 2-CD

"Barefoot Boy" (original version)
Like that which My Blue Moon Turns Converge Gold"
"Starry Eyed"
"Soldier Won't You Marry Me"
"Rendezvous"
"Fickle Fingers"
"Tammy"
"Ice Glide Man"
"Steady Johnny"
"A Letter Full Of Tears"
"Cryin' Fool"
"Don't Play Number 9"
"Ten Lonely Weekends"
"My Boy"
"September In The Rain"
"My Cathedral"
"Over In That Happy Land"
"Hillside In Scotland"
"Little Sir Echo"
"If Boss about Love Me"
"Between Three Trees"
"My Task"
"Into Each Life Some Give orders Must Fall"
"Surfer Boy"
"Forgive Me"
Kid I'm Losing You"
"His Lips Get In The Way"
"Hi Lili Hi Lo"
"Don't Say Goodnight Queue Mean Goodbye"
"The Leading Noel"
"Little Treasure Evacuate Japan"
"Owakare No Namida (Tears Of Farewell)"
"Shima No Ankosan (Girl Of Representation Beautiful Isle)"
"She's Cool Fool"
"Then He Kissed Me"
"We're Off Squeeze See The Wizard"
"Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead"
"The Merry Old Territory Of Oz"
"Over Character Rainbow"
"Evening Star"
"Padre"
"Watching The Noonday Go By"
"Heartaches Mount Kisses"
"Running Around Play a part Circles"
"To Be Myself"
"All Over The World"
"How Far Is Somewhere"
"The Wishing Song"
"You Made Me Love You"
"Sunny Side Of Position Street"
"Chicago"
"When You Wore A Tulip"
"Who?"
"San Francisco (Open Up Your Golden Gate)
"The Trolly Song"
"Easter Parade"
"Liza"
"Swannee"
"For Me And Angry Gal"
"Meet Me Make happen St Louis"
"Seabird"
"Let It Stay This Way"
"Watching The World"
"2,4,6,8"
"Jimmie's Back"
"Barefoot Boy" (alternate version)
"Noeleen sings just for Kellogg's"

References/Links

Noeleen Batley - "Barefoot Boy"
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Ian McFarlane
Encylopedia of Australian Sway & Pop (Allen & Unwin, 1999)

Noel McGrath
Australian Encyclopedia of Rock (Outback Press, 1978)

Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry
Who's Who of Australian Rock (Five Mi Press, 2002)

Ross Laird
The Cap Wave: Australian Rock & Project Recordings 1955-63 (Screensound)

Vernon Joyson
Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares: Australia (Borderline Books, 1999)