For over 30 years Danny and the band Flashback has been entertaining rockers and rock and roll dancers in Melbourne, country Victoria and interstate. On Sunday 10th October at 1pm there will be a dance to celebrate those 30 years at the Whitehorse Club East Burwood reserve, Burwood Hwy, Burwood. Come along and be part of this memorable occasion. Entry is only $5 and bookings can be made by contacting Gordon and Jill – see contact details in the flyer below.
Back in 2002 I produced a web page for Flashback. Its long gone now but I hunted around and managed to find the bio that was on the page. I’ve included it below after bringing the years referred to up to date..
The Flashback Story
Often referred to as 'The Legendary Flashback', the band was formed well over three decades ago by the DeRizzario brothers. They were later joined by Tony Samson (rhythm guitarist), who ran the band. Later they were joined by Danny Boyd who was seen on the TV show 'New Faces' performing the 'Elvis' song, 'Blue Suede Shoes'. He became the fifth member.
Eventually the three DeRizzario brothers left and formed another now well-known band, Mustang. Over the years there have been many replacements for them. At one time they lost their drummer, Paul Allan, to a heart attack. Their lead guitarist went to France and was replaced by Lyndon Lewis who is now with Shadoogie. Danny says,"Lyndon has to be one of the best guitarists in Australia for Rock and Roll music".
The last 20 years has been a pretty stable period for 'Flashback'. They have played all over the southern states of Australia and have to be the most versatile Rock and Roll band around at this time. They play a diverse range of music including songs by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Al Jolson, Bobby Darren as well as Elvis Presley and all the other original artists from the fifties and sixties period. They have something for all ages and the versatility of their lead singer Danny enables them to satisfy a broad scope of music tastes.
The band is regularly booked to play at the 'Adelaide Festival', the 'Geelong Festival', and the 'Hastiings Festival' and have played at the Melbourne Arts Centre. Over the years they have played at just about every R.S.L. Club, Hotel, Town Hall, Community Centre and Reception Centre in Melbourne and have been seen regularly in country Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia.
They have backed many artists over the years such as Grantly Dee, Merv Benton, Betty McQuade, Dennis Walter, Billy O'Rourke and Ann Maree to name a few.
One of the most difficult things for a band is to have the right chemistry between the members so that the band works well on and off the stage. Flashback certainly has the right chemistry.
Most muso's become band members for two reasons, the opportunity to play the music they love and for the extra money it can bring. (Although all will tell you, "if it's only money your after, you wouldn't bother being a band member". The cost of hiring a band hasn't changed much in the last 20 years.)
Flashback band members do it for the music. Money comes a distant second. At all times the cost of hiring the band is based on what the hirer can afford rather than any set fee. They have a reputation for providing the best for less.
This Rock and Roll band has to be the busiest in Victoria, playing three to four nights every week, week in week out, always giving one hundred percent.
Thanks Mel for writing a great article .Danny will be thrilled to read this & also it's his birthday on Sunday 29Th Happy Birthday Mate, have a great day with your friends That have arranged a party for you .Flashback is also featured on the cover of this months Rock n Roll news.Gordon
I think I first heard of Flashback when they were regulars on Thursday nights at the Seaford Hotel about ten years ago. That was the time when I was just starting to take an interest in the rock and roll scene. They were the perfect band for the beginner dancer that I was at that time, and Danny was the ideal front man, with his friendly manner and incredible vocal range. I remember being surprised to find Flashback doing not just rock and roll, but also Al Jolson type numbers at a dinner dance I went to about that time. I have since heard Danny perform a wide range of vocal styles, which I think has been a major factor in Flashback being recognised as one of the most versatile bands around.
I was pleased to catch up with Flashback last Friday night at the Dandenong Workers Club. Particularly as members of the Flashback line-up that I remember from those Seaford and Pitrone days came along to do a bracket with Danny. It was nostalgic to see Lyndon and the others on stage with Danny again, and a treat to see Danny later move onto the drums while one of his talented sons took over the vocals for a few songs. I know one or two people were videoing the performances that night and I hope we might eventually see some of it posted here on VicRock.
I note that Flashback is scheduled to play at Jonathon’s Alleycatz hop tomorrow night. Can’t be there for that gig, but I will get along to the 30 year celebration on 10 October to reminisce on Danny and Flashback’s contribution to the local rock and roll scene.
P.S. Best wishes to Danny for a great day on his birthday this weekend.
Steve
Dance like nobody's watching. Love like you've never been hurt
Thanks for posting the history of Danny and Flashback. I was fortunate enough to see Danny and Flashback at Dandy Workers Club on August 20, while visiting Australia from the US, upon high recommendation from Noel Tresider, of Melbourne. What a great rock and roll band! They really had the crowd up and dancing from the very first song, and that's impressive.
Many thanks also to the band for inviting me to play a few songs with them that evening, and especially to John Obie for letting me play his Fender Telecaster to bang out some of our favorites like Honey Don't, 20-Flight Rock and Folsum Prison Blues! It was a big highlight of my trip, and my US bandmates (www.johnnyandtherebels.com) have heard plenty about the great work of Flashback.
Hi Everyone
Thanks Frank for your offer .I tell ya folks that’s the rock n roll scene .everybody chips in .Its going to be a great afternoon ,tables are filling fast. So if you’re planning on coming please give us a call to book your table .Flasherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Danny Boyed.....You asked me to contact you....Just want you to know I have been trying to make contact on the phone number you gave me for the past 5 days, this phone has been switched off, and the messages I sent you via Text have not been answered.
Want you to know I have tried to make contact. All the best.
Hi Everyone We Are Booked Out
30 year Celebration Danny & Friends ,All tables are booked we have the odd seat here and there on different tables ,so its then standing room only .Thanks to everyone that have booked we will see you on Sunday the 10th October. Gordon & Gillian.
It was a one-off experience to be with Flashback and Danny at the Whitehorse club yesterday afternoon.
We were there to celebrate the band's extraordinarily long history as one of Melbourne's premier 50's & 60's rock and roll groups. Past and current members of the band took to the stage and kept the dance floor full throughout the afternoon.
The centre of attention of course was Danny Boyd, Flashback's front man for decades. Though frail and wheelchair bound, the performer in Danny is still as vibrant as ever. Sitting in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by his fans and backed by his beloved Flashback, Danny gave us his distinctive versions of 'Sway', 'Foolish Heart' and 'Love Me Tender'.
Between each song Danny was as quick-witted as ever in his little asides with the audience and the players in the band. Danny was clearly exhausted after the third song. But remarkably after a short pause, Danny asked for the microphone again and his once again steady voice rang with the opening lines to 'Mona Lisa'. I think everyone understood the effort it took for Danny to give us that performance, and there was long and heart-felt applause as it ended.
A day to remember. My best wishes to Danny and all members of Flashback, past, present, and future.
Dance like nobody's watching. Love like you've never been hurt
Re: Celebrating 30 years of Danny & Flashback
Bookmarks