The Kinsfolk was a family act (formed after its members saw Peter Paul & Mary at the Sydney Stadium in 1964), grounded in church and gospel music. Before they went full time in 1969, Marion Begbie was an infant teacher, her brothers Richard (a theology student), Ross (a teacher) and Tim was a university student.Work in Sydney coffee lounges and gigging regularly at the Copperfield on the corner of King and Missenden Rd Newtown, led to appearances on national TV shows like Bobby Limb’s Sound of Music, tapping into the lucrative middle-of-the-road The Twiliters/ Wesley Three market.
Although their influences were readily apparent in performance, arrangement and choice of material, The Kinsfolk were skilled and well-trained professional musicians, as evidenced by two creditable LPs they recorded for RCA, ‘Ain’t That News’ (1969) and ‘For Tomorrow’ (1970). In 1968 they sang at American evangelist Billy Graham’s crusade in Sydney and Melbourne. Later the band toured Asia, the UK and had a very busy six months in the USA including a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York. In 1969 they appeared on the album ‘Billy Graham Crusade In Miniature’ contributing the song ”The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy”. Their last performance was in 1971. In 2000 a reissue of both albums was released.
Members
Marion Begbie (vocals/celeste/recorder), Richard Begbie (vocals/banjo/guitar/flute),
Ross Begbie (vocals/guitar), Tim Begbie (vocals/bass)
References
Early Sydney part5 – Warren Fahey
