The Saints were a loose group of gigging musicians who went into the Coogee Bay Hotel as the house band around 1962-1965. Working seven shows a week the concept of rock in a hotel lounge was a novel and successful idea at the time, and featured regular acts like The Bee Gees, Delltones, Digger Revell, Lucky Starr, Dig Richards, Rob E G, and many many more. The band also featured many of the best female singers in the business.
During this time the band was looking for a new sound and they hit upon the idea of ski music. People were flocking to the snow each winter and the band figured these same people were just waiting for music that could form the soundtrack to their holidays. For several months they experimented until they finally emerged with the album ‘Ski with The Saints’. Produced by celebrated CBS Records in-house producer Sven Libaek, the album captured the smooth sounds of a cool winter at Thredbo or Mt Buller. It was music with the excitement of a black diamond run or the warmth of an open fire at the end of the day.
Along with the album, CBS also released an EP and a few singles recorded by the band. The Saints appeared on many TV shows and at live concerts. Their tune “White Midnight” was the station ID for Channel 10 in Sydney for many years. Noel Quinlan departed the band in 1965 to be replaced by future Ayres Rock guitarist Jimmy Doyle. Noel Quinlan went on to compose scores for over 40 films and documentaries, including the ground breaking Australian feature, The Man From Hong Kong starring George Lazenby.
Members
Brian Myers (piano), Peter Cole (bass), George Thornton (drums/vibes),
Noel Quinlan (guitar /vocals/harmonica), Jimmy Doyle (guitar)
References
Noel Quinlan
