Zoot will be playing their first show in 40
years on this year's Rick Springfield & Friends
Cruise!
Beeb Birtles, bass guitar (left) was a founding
member of Little River Band, Darryl Cotton (lead
singer) (next to Beeb) had solo Australian hits and
was a TV star in Oz. Rick Brewer (drummer) (next to
Darryl) had a band called the Ferrets who had a big
hit in Australia after the Zoot and Ricky (yes
Ricky) Springfield (lead guitar) is your host for
the cruise!
Beeb Birtles Musical Guest
The world knows Beeb Birtles through his association
with Little River Band – the Australian-based group that
conquered the international music scene on stage and on
record for a decade from 1975 – the first Australian act
to achieve gold record status in the USA.
In Australian terms Little River Band was a “supergroup”,
made up of band members who came into the group with
established reputations. Australia knew Beeb Birtles
well before the Little River Band days. You might say he
was the supergroup’s first “super” member. You might
also say he was the group’s heartbeat, its integrity,
the intangible glue that helped LRB’s famously disparate
membership manage to operate together. He was also an
integral part of the group’s vocal armory, and part of
its songwriting strength.
But let’s go back to the start.
The Beeb Birtles (Gerard Bertelkamp) who arrived in
Australia with his family from Holland in 1959 initially
played another part in Australian history. That vast
under populated Southern hemisphere island colony had
opened its arms to post-war Europe, offering new
beginnings. That generation of post-war children was set
to make a significant mark on world culture. In
Australia, that experience, the thirst to make a
difference, the quest to belong would be all that more
intense, because of the cultural distance, because of
the migrant factor.
The young Bertelkamp happened to find himself growing
into his teenage years in Adelaide, which more than any
other Australian city had evolved into a British
enclave, and as the cultural and musical revolution that
was about to sweep the world evolved in England it was
Adelaide’s heartbeat that was racing fastest, Adelaide
which heard and saw the latest as migrants stepped off
the ships, Adelaide which most eagerly embraced and
emulated this Great Adventure. The revolution was
already well underway in 1966 when” Beeb” joined his
first group.
Times Unlimited became Zoot, Beeb the bass playing,
harmonising anchor behind the group’s charismatic
chick-magnet lead singer Darryl Cotton. Beeb proved
then, as he would continue to prove, that he was more
interested in making an essential contribution than
dominating the spotlight. He was happy to stand
alongside Darryl, enough of a chick magnet in his own
right to be satisfied on that level as well as the
musical one.
After Zoot moved to Melbourne and enjoyed significant
success as a pop group, they – and this might have been
as Beeb’s instigation – were keen to improve themselves
musically and brought in the multi-talented songwriting
(equally handsome) Rick Springfield, pushing Beeb
another step back into the shadows. He didn’t mind. The
group was obviously much better for Rick’s entry.
Beeb next made his mark with Mississippi, Graeham
Goble’s group. They’d had one major debut hit, and now
needed to become a working band in order to survive.
Attracted by the quality of the songs, by Graeham’s
vision, the already famous, already legendary Beeb
Birtles allowed himself to be diverted, agreed to pick
up his bass again and give Mississippi the benefit of
his experience and talent. Beeb and Graeham formed a
unique bond. Mississippi eventually became Little River
Band.
Commercially, in Australia, LRB’s strength was its
“Supergroup” status – lead singer Glenn Shorrock had
seen success previously with The Twilights and Axiom.
Artistically their strength was the combined vocal front
line, Glenn, Graeham and Beeb, and their individual
songwriting. Graeham was (and is) one of the most
melodic songwriters of our time. Glenn’s songs gave LRB
its pop sense. Beeb’s songs had (and have) heart. It was
Beeb who provided LRB with the song they needed as their
first single (Curiosity Killed The Cat). As LRB’s career
and music evolved, it was always Beeb’s songs that were
the most honest, most real, the meat in the sandwich. If
you knew Beeb, you knew how true his songs were to his
own life experience.
Those LRB years are long behind Beeb Birtles, as is
Australia. Life goes on. Music goes on. Whatever else
has happened, whatever else will be, the essentials of
Beeb Birtles’ character outlined above remain. He never
was and never will be a scene-stealer. The song is
what’s important, the task at hand, that’s the ultimate
objective. And inside that song, inside whatever Beeb
Birtles has put his mind to you’ll sense a spirit of
someone who has worked hard, thought hard, dug deep, at
whatever the personal cost in order to arrive at the
result we’re privileged to share.
Darryl Cotton Musical Guest
Darryl Cotton has long been recognized as one of
Australia’s most popular and successful entertainers,
with a career of more than 40 years in the entertainment
industry.
A founding member of the Aussie rock band ZOOT, along
with Rick Springfield (Jessie’s Girl) and Beeb Birtles
(Little River Band). Their classic recording of Eleanor
Rigby was a gold record no: 1 and established ZOOT as
one of the most popular Australian bands of that era.
The mid 70’s saw Darryl based in the US and recording 3
albums including a Billboard top 40 hit “I go to
Pieces”. He appeared on a number of US TV shows such as
American Bandstand and the “Midnite Special” and toured
with Olivia Newton John and Cliff Richard.
A successful solo career followed and song writing
credits for such artists as Mississippi, The New
Seekers, Shaun Cassidy and Englebert Humperdink. In 1980
he scored a top 10 Australian hit with the self penned
“Same Old Girl” and became a regular face on the ABC’s
“Countdown”. Acting roles in the TV series “The Young
Doctors” and “Neighbours” as well as critically
acclaimed role as Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat”.
Establishing Darryl as a successful and popular all
round performer.
In 1983 Darryl, along with his side kick Marty Monster
began hosting Ten network’s “Early Bird Show”. The show
was a huge national success, running 5 years and
introduced him to a new generation of fans.
In recent years Darryl has performed regularly with
several Aussie music “Legends” including Russell Morris,
Ronnie Burns and Jim Keays.
Rick Brewer Musical Guest
Rick Brewer started in show business at 9 years old with
the ROSS DAVIES OLYMPIC GYM. He remembers doing 2 TV
spots a week, demonstrating various forms of gymnastics,
as well as performing at the 1st Adelaide Festival of
Arts. From a young age, he was trained that “even if you
break your leg, SMILE and keep going,” a sentiment which
has served Brewer well as a performing artist throughout
the years.
By age 13, he was playing drums professionally as the
musical director of a comedy trampoline act, which he
describes as “much like a circus drummer.” His first
charting hit came when he was only 15 years old! Brewer
played in both The Zoot and The Ferretts, which both had
number 1 charting hits in Australia, “Eleanor Rigby” and
“Don’t Fall in Love” respectively. He also played in The
Motivators, which had the underground hit, “After the
Fall”.
Brewer has played a fascinating range of styles over the
years and has in more recent times been in demand by
dance & techno track producers for his unique percussion
abilities and trance sound. He has recently teamed up
with Australian songwriter Barry Ferrier and has
provided the grooves on Ferrier’s original CD The Big
One and a second album entitled The Black Pearls. Brewer
has also done many recording sessions with groups like
Dr. Bax and Slim Pickens. Brewer also is about to
release a psychedelic R&B album, where all the drums and
percussion are played without samples or loops. One
track on the album took 34 takes in 6 different
locations, including recording in the middle of an
overgrown field in the country side, which gives the
track a very dry clean and present cymbal sound.
Doug Davidson Special Guest
Doug Davidson created the role of Paul Williams in 1978 on the Emmy
Award winning show THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. With over 3,000 shows to
his credit on the number one rated daytime drama, Davidson personally
has ranked in the top ten of the TVQ ratings for a decade. Davidson has
even acquired the TVQ rating #1 which has marked him as the top daytime
performer (including both men and women) based on talent, familiarity
and likability. A higher position in daytime television can not be
earned. Davidson has also been honored on the SOAP OPERA AWARDS
telecasts being the recipient of four nominations and winning all awards
he has been nominated for, the latest being voted BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
in Jan 1997.
Davidson is also known to audiences when he hosted the nighttime version
of THE PRICE IS RIGHT for Paramount Pictures 94 Season. For the past two
years Davidson has been the host for the TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE LIVE
for CBS. He has been the host of CBS's COMING UP ROSES NEW YEAR'S
SPECIAL (for six consecutive years running) and also Ceremonies for the
state wide telecast THE MISS CALIFORNIA PAGEANT and recently co-hosted
LIVE with Stephanie Edwards, as well as the JENNY JONES SHOW in the
past. Davison's hosting abilities enabled cable TV's THE KENNY ROGER'S
CEREBRAL PALSY TELETHON to surpass all financial goals, making it three
record breaking years when Doug Davidson was hosting.
Although Davidson's daytime schedule is demanding, he was able to star
with Paul Reiser in the feature film MR. WRITE and co-star in Judith
Krantz's mini-series I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN, Davidson slipped away to guest
on an episode of DIAGNOSIS MURDER with Dick Van Dyke and taped a special
piece for the OLYMPICS on CBS. He has appeared on Fox's MOW L.A. JOHNS.
Doug Davidson's popularity and success has earned him over 700 national
magazine covers and newspapers and guest appearances on CBS THIS
MORNING, PHIL DONAHUE, KTLA MORNING SHOW, MAURY POVICH, GERALDO, VICKI,
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, THE PAT SAJACK SHOW, MIKE AND MATY, DONNY AND
MARIE, MARILU, HOUR MAGAZINE, MERV GRIFFIN, amongst others. Davidson's
countless appearances all over the United States and Canada has proven
how strong viewership in daytime T.V. really is. In Markville, Canada,
thirty thousand people besieged a shopping mall just to get a single
glimpse of the blonde, blue-eyed, six foot actor who appears weekly as
detective Paul Williams.
Supporting charitable causes, Davidson has been featured on more FAMILY
FEUDS than anyone (with the exception of the show's host). Davidson has
appeared on such show as THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE , WIN LOSE OR DRAW, TIC
TAC DOUGH, and CARD SHARKS, raising money for charities having to do
with children, animals, and saving our earth. Davidson's dedication to
youth is evident through his strong association with the YMCA. He has
worked as Youth Director on Catalina Island , Davidson and his wife
actress Cindy Fisher, have served as National Honorary Chairperson's for
WE-TIP, a non-profit anonymous tip line that aids in crime stopping.
Once a marine biology major at Occidental College, Davidson still enjoys
SCUBA diving and the outdoors. He has camped all over Europe,
water-skied the Colorado River, and remains a 1st degree brown belt in
Karate. Davidson commutes to Hollywood from his 5 1/2 acre secluded
property in a beach community outside of Los Angeles. At home, he loves
to spend time with his daughter Calyssa, and his son, Caden and their
old English Sheepdog Gertrude.
Jack Wagner Musical Guest/Special Guest
Jack Wagner is currently playing the brash and earthy
sea captain Dominick Marone whose seemingly uncultivated
ways belie his secret wealthy origins, on The Bold and
The Beautiful.
Wagner majored in theater in college, attending the
University of Missouri and graduated from The University
of Arizona with a BFA in Drama. His theatrical
background of singing, dancing and acting would prove to
be a true cornerstone in a diversified career.
In 1983 Wagner landed the starring role on the #1
daytime series, General Hospital, playing the rocker
Frisco Jones. After recording several songs for the show
Wagner signed a recording deal on Quincy Jones label,
Qwest, and within 6 months his first single, “All I
Need,” was #2 on the Pop charts and #1 on Adult
Contemporary charts, followed by 3 Top 40 hits from his
next 3 records.
In 1987 Wagner returned to his theatrical roots touring
nationally as Tony in West Side Story and in 1988 as
Danny Zuko in Grease. Wagner moved back to daytime in
1990 joining the cast of Santa Barbara where he played
the Hemingwayesque writer, Warren Lockridge. In 1992
Wagner Again returned to the theater in Neil Simon’s
They’re Playing Our Song at the Long Beach Civic Light
Opera.
In 1993 Wagner moved to the nighttime television joining
the hit series Melrose Place where he Spent 5 seasons
both acting and directing.
In 2000 he took the role of a lifetime moving to
Broadway, starring in the title role of Jekyll and Hyde.
Wagner has starred in over 15 made-for-TV movies and
appeared in over 40 theatrical productions around the
country.
In 2001 he worked with Aaron Spelling again and took the
lead in the NBC series, Titans. Finally in 2003 Wagner
made s move to where he now calls home joining the
company of The Bold and the Beautiful, the most
successful dramatic serial in the world, viewed in 130
countries.
He is a scratch golfer and has won 6 Club Championships
at his home course in Los Angeles, Bel Air Country Club.
In 1990 won the ProAm with John Cook at Pebble Beach’s
ATT Tournament. In 2002 hosted the ESPN golf show, Off
Course with Jack Wagner, where he interviewed
celebrities, Alex Rodriquez, Heather Locklear, John
Elway, James Woods to name a few. Wagner is the 2006
Champion on American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament
at Lake Tahoe, NV. broadcasted live on NBC annually. In
2007 named #1 Celebrity Golfer by Golf Digest.
In 2005, Wagner released his 5th record, a CD entitled
DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT. Most of the 12 Songs on the CD
were penned by Wagner and will be featured in episodes
of The Bold and the Beautiful.
An avid supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,
who benefits from the annual golf tournament, The Jack
Wagner Celebrity Golf Classic, Wagner has spent many
tireless hours Working for this charity that is very
dear to his heart.
Mark Goodman Special Guest Host
Mark Goodman has been in the music biz for 30 years. He started in radio
in his hometown of Philadelphia at WMMR. In 1978 he became music
director of the station. Then in 1980 he moved to NYC to work at WPLJ
the number one rock station in New York.
It was 1981 when Mark left WPLJ to join the as yet unknown music video
channel called MTV. As one of the 5 original VJs Mark interviewed
everyone from Paul McCartney to Sting to Bruce Springsteen. He also
hosted several special shows for the channel including “The Week In
Rock”, "120 Minutes” and the first show ever syndicated to broadcast by
MTV “The Top 20 Video Countdown.”
In the late 80’s Mark began an acting career that saw him working in
film, and TV. Goodman appeared in several films including “Man Trouble”
the worst film Jack Nicholson ever made and “Don’t Be a Menace To
Society When You’re Drinking Your Juice In The Hood” with the Wayans
brothers as well as Police Academy 6 (yes there were 6!). On TV Mark
could be seen in such shows as “ Married With Children, The Practice,
Superman and others.
In 1989 Mark returned to radio in LA at the legendary but short lived
“The Edge”. Over the next 10 years he worked at stations including KROQ,
KMPC-AM and Star 98.7 in Los Angeles as well as Q101 and WLS-FM in
Chicago.
Through the 90’s Mark worked hosting several different TV shows and
music specials. One show ”Fit TV” is still running on cable. Mark
receives no royalties from the show but is pleased he is still helping
people learn how to eat right, exercise more and be open to alternative
methods of healing and stress reduction. He is trying to utilize these
things in his own life with varying degrees of success.
In 1999 Mark became SVP of Music Programming for Soundbreak.com. He
developed the format, hired and trained the air staff, and developed all
the special programming which became available for syndication to other
sites including British Telecom Open World, As Seen In (Aaron Spelling’s
site), and Newgrounds.
After the dot com crash Mark continued his search for the new musical
underground. Oddly it presented itself from outer space in the form of
satellite radio. Mark was offered a position on Sirius Satellite Radio
on their (what else) Big 80’s channel. Since starting there in 2004 Mark
has added full time shows on Classic Rewind (late 70’s through early
90’s rock) and The Spectrum (a lively mix of rock, pop and indy for
grownups…which Mark is still considering becoming).
Concurrent with that Goodman’s understanding of the power of combining
music and visuals made Mark’s next step in the music business almost a
given. Music supervision...putting music in films and TV shows. While he
had music supervised several pilots for Fox it was the Touchstone/ABC TV
show “Desperate Housewives” which offered Mark his greatest challenge.
Mark was tapped as music supervisor to help launch the series.
Developments lately though have allowed Mark to agree with his old pal
Jon Bonjovi who asks “Who says you can’t go home?” Lately he is back
home (sort of) on VH1 and VH1 Classic doing interviews and hosting
special programs while continuing to broadcast 7 days a week on Sirius
Satellite Radio.
