The Kingston was a significant early player in the development of inner-city pubs as music venues. There was a Kingston Hotel in Richmond as early as 1856 (The Age, 16 April 1856 p. 3) and the hotel has played a substantial role in the local community since that time. In the mid-1970s the Kingston took on a new role when the Pelaco Brothers - originally, Stephen Cummings (vocals) Peter Lillie (vocals, guitar) Joe Camilleri (vocals, saxophone) Johnny Topper (bass) Karl Wolfe (drums) and Chris Worrall (guitar) - started operating the hotel as a music venue. As well as creating a new musical aesthetic, in hindsight, termed 'ockerbilly', the group were an extraordinary launchpad, and four of the members went on to be the nucleus of their own bands and to have successful careers thereafter. As well as the Pelaco Brothers and their various offshoot bands (for instance, the Autodrifters, featuring Lillie, Topper and Wolfe, who played there on Saturday 4 February 1978) the hotel hosted shows by Skyhooks, Crossfire, One Nite Stand and News. Joe Camilleri had a small guest role in Dogs in Space as the angry 'ethnic' neighbour, 'Terry Towling Man'.
by davidnichols on Oct. 6, 2018Please login to comment on this item