Bob Starkey is an old friend of our managing director Leah Gallin’s father and used to shop at the Gallin’s Guitars stores, he came to the Gibson Showcase ‘A night out with Gibson Guitars’.

Skyhooks were an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in March 1973 by mainstays Greg Macainsh on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Imants “Freddie” Strauks on drums. They were soon joined by Bob “Bongo” Starkie on guitar and backing vocals, and Red Symons on guitar, vocals and keyboards; Graeme “Shirley” Strachan became lead vocalist in March 1974. Described as a glam rock band, because of flamboyant costumes and make-up, Skyhooks made an enormous impact on Australian social life.

Skyhooks had #1 albums with their 1974 debut, Living in the 70’s (for 16 weeks), and its 1975 follow-up, Ego Is Not a Dirty Word (11 weeks). Their #1 singles were “Horror Movie” (January 1975) and “Jukebox in Siberia” (November 1990).

In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.