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Billy ThorpeAustralian rock musician
Date of Birth: 29.03.1946
Country:  Australia |
Content:
Biography of Billy Thorpe
Billy Thorpe was an Australian rock musician who found success as a member of the band 'The Aztecs'. Born William Richard Thorpe in 1946 in Manchester, England, his family emigrated to Australia in 1955. They settled first in Melbourne and then in Brisbane.
Early Career
Thorpe showed artistic talent from a young age, playing guitar and singing. By the age of 10, he was already known by the stage name Little Rock Allen. In the early 1960s, Thorpe began touring extensively in his region and eventually moved to Sydney in 1963. It was there that he found his place in 'The Aztecs', a band that was considered one of the top pop groups in Australia during the 1960s.
Success with 'The Aztecs'
As 'Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs', the band released nearly ten albums and more than 35 singles, many of which became national hits. Some of their popular songs from that era include 'Believe It Just Like Me', 'Most People I Know', 'Movie Queen', and 'Don't You Know You're Changing?'. The band's sound evolved from pop to rock in the 1970s.
Solo Career and Later Years
Throughout the 1970s, Thorpe also released solo albums, including the successful 'Million Dollar Bill' in 1975 and 'Pick Me Up and Play Me Loud' in 1976. After leaving 'The Aztecs', Thorpe relocated to the United States, where he recorded several conceptual albums. In 1979, his rock opera 'Children of the Sun' was released on 'Polydor Records' and reached the Billboard Pop Album chart in the US and the Top 50 in Australia.
In the 1980s, Thorpe shifted his focus to music production and became the owner of a recording label while also exploring other business ventures. He also collaborated with his former bandmate Tony Barber on a series of children's books called 'The Puggle Tales'. In 1987, Thorpe and Barber created a soft toy and recorded numerous children's songs released on cassettes and videos.
Thorpe returned to Australia in the 1990s and formed the 'Billy Thorpe Band'. He continued to perform and tour with the band, and in 1996, he published his first autobiography titled 'Sex and Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll'. Two years later, his second autobiography, 'Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy)', was released.
In 2007, Thorpe planned to release a new solo album, but tragically, it became his last. He passed away on February 28, 2007, due to a heart attack at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. He was survived by his wife Lynn and his daughters Rusty and Lauren. Thorpe received condolences from many prominent Australians, including the country's Prime Minister at the time, John Howard. Posthumously, he was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1991.
