Barry Greenwood was born in Melbourne. In the late 1950s he became an apprentice motor mechanic and was singing at the Diamond Creek Hotel. He met up with Ben E. Joyner (a guitarist in one of Melbourne’s first rock n roll bands The Planets) in a milk bar in Bell St Heidelberg late one Friday night where he used to sing with his guitar and friends next to the coloured lights of the big carnival juke box (for lighting & atmosphere) after the dances and theatres had finished. He used to sing there for customers and bikies and have his friends there for support.
Joyner gave him some guitar lessons and liked Greenwood’s voice so much he asked him to join the band. Soon Greenwood was working at the best dance halls in the city. Jon Royce one of Melbourne’s top popular radio personalities (who would soon become Greenwood’s manager) heard him and advised him to forsake the motor trade for singing, drama and dancing lessons and go solo. UK entertainer Tommy Steele was touring at the time (in 1960) and his manager Larry Parnes stated Greenwood was potentially the best singing teenager in the country. A huge compliment for the youngster. Johnny O’Keefe also saw his potential and invited him to appear on his TV show Six O’Clock Rock. Greenwood would become a regular on the show. O’Keefe also took him on tour to open the shows.
Greenwood was picked up by the Astor label and recorded ”Remember Your Kissin’! / Sittin’ On Top Of The World” in 1960 backed by The Planets. The A side was written by his manager Jon Royce. Jon Royce managed to get him a longer contract with W&G Records where he recorded a few singles and an EP. As a bonus Greenwood’s songwriting was starting to shine through as he recorded his own songs ”Lonely Am I”, ”I Found A New Romance” and ”Little Angel”.
Greenwood appeared on many popular TV shows at the time including Dig We Must hosted by Bobby and Laurie. Greenwood would later receive private tuition and a lasting friendship at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he studied under the famous Australian operatic tenor Donald Smith OBE. During the journey of his singing career Greenwood sang at many festivals and concerts including the annual ”Italian Australian Festival” where he appeared as the guest operatic tenor and was so well received, he was invited back again the following year. Of their own volition (without consulting him) they introduced him as ”The Australian Tenor” a title that has stuck with him. This can be seen on YouTube ”Barry Greenwood Opera”. Barry still however sings and loves rockabilly. He became a Reverend in the Christian Church.
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Barry Greenwood
