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Buddy England - Singer - Composer - Producer

Born at Woking, Surrey, England.

 

During the early 60s, Buddy’s television, recording and live performance career began to flourish quickly. He appeared regularly on every national and local pop and variety TV programme throughout Australia and on all Networks. His live and television appearances have carried on through more than four decades.

 

Here are some of them. The Go Show, IMT; Johnny O’Keefe Show; Sing, Sing, Sing; Ten on the Town; Upbeat; Sunny Side Up; Country & Western Hour; The Entertainers; The Mike Walsh Show; Hey, Hey It’s Saturday, and Good Morning Australia. Buddy was also invited to appear as special guest on several television specials, including the Sammy Davis Junior Show and the Earl Grant Show. He even played a character or two on a few drama shows….Homicide….The Detectives…etc. 

 

Through his regular early television appearances and his increasing popularity during the early 60s, Buddy was offered a recording contract with Festival Records. His first single, I’ve Come of Age, was released receiving little or no air play. The following year he signed with EMI and immediately had chart success with If I Never Get To Love You, written by the great Burt Bacharach, followed by Doll House then Question.  Then came Movin’ Man, which also charted in the USA and the Cashbox Top 40, and was followed by More Today than Yesterday, There Goes My Baby and Sunny.

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Buddy was then asked to return to England and sign with the then Beatles publicist Brian Somerville, who at that time and following the death of Brian Epstein,  had in his stable, Manfred Mann, The Walker Brothers, Cilla Black, Crispian St Peters and Peter & Gordon, with whom he also toured. Buddy remained with EMI in England and during his time  there, released What a Wonderful World, In Need Of A Friend, Forgive and Forget, The Name Of My Sorrow and Without Her and toured Europe with Crispian St Peters, as well as representing Australia at many song festivals and contests from Malta, Spain, Holland, through Europe to Sopot Poland..

 

As a songwriter, Buddy’s talents also shone through.  Not only did he write many of his own releases, he also wrote and produced a few chart successes for other artists, amongst which were Kentucky Poorboy and Hitch Hike for The Strangers; I Can’t Let Go Of Your Love and Looking For Someone, for The Vibrants; New World In The Morning for The Seekers; Every Time You Touch Me and Enigma for Tony Pantano which also hit number one in Italy and Europe; Here Comes Love Again and Fancy Meeting You for The Mixtures, which charted in the USA; Throw A Little Love My Way, for Love Story, (a Buddy nom de plume which also had a huge hit with Neanderthal Man). The Pattersons, a UK based group, also had a hit with Throw a Little Love My Way in the UK and Europe.

 

Buddy also wrote, scored and produced the Album of the year, in Australia, Early One Morning, for Benjamin Hugg, from which the single of the year was Thank God You're Here with Me.

 

Throughout his career Buddy toured in Australia and overseas with names such as Billy Thorpe, Ray Brown, Johnny O’Keefe, The Easy Beats. Crispian St Peters, The Mixtures, Gerry And The Pacemakers, Olivia Newton John, The Easy Beats, David Frost, The Irish Rovers, Peter & Gordon, Mike Walsh and The Walker Brothers.

 

 

Buddy was invited to join the Mixtures, during the early seventies, when Idris Jones, their lead singer, became ill. Whilst with the group The Mixtures had several top ten hits, including, Here Comes Love Again, Fancy Meeting You Here, etc.

 

When The Seekers reformed during the mid 70’s, Buddy was asked to work on the musical and vocal scores, and the production of their new album, which was to be recorded in England. This album, “The Seekers”, gained gold status soon after being released. A year later, Buddy replaced Bruce Woodley in The Seekers and remained with the group recording and touring nationally and internationally for seven years, during which time they had several successful singles and albums.

 

Today, Buddy is still going strong writing, recording and performing and will keep on doing so until he can’t sing or write any more.

 

Some Career Highlights

There have been many exciting Australian and International television and concert performances that have been very important to Buddy and a few which will remain very special such as:

 

Command Performance

 

  • His Royal Highness Prince Charles ( In celebration of the Silver Jubilee year of
    Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.)
  • Governor of Victoria Sir Henry Winneke, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E., K.St.J., Q.C.

Also

 

  • Representing Australia at the Malta Oscar Song Festival, Malta.
  • The Sopot Song Festival, Poland.
  • Spanish Song Contest and Music Festival.
  • Music for the People & other Myer Music Bowl Spectaculars
  • Melbourne Festival Hall Concerts
  • Sydney Stadium Concerts
  • Sydney Opera House Concerts
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