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Bands and Music
Graham Bell is a Coffs Harbour musical icon, with a long-established career in music & radio. This is his story, and how started his music & radio career in the 1950’s and throughout until the 2000’s.
The 1950’s
I was 12 years old when the family moved to Coffs Harbour. Harry and I joined the Brass Band. It wasn't long before Harry, Vonda and I, along with a mate Geoff Fawcett, We formed a dance band we called the "Olympians". We would play at balls and local dances as well as the High School Socials while we were all still going to the Coffs Harbour High School. After leaving High School Harry and I both went to Sydney where we re-formed the dance band with Ken Bourne who was also in our band in Coffs Harbour. Ken was at the time working for the Rural Bank in Sydney. Our band could play "Old Time Dance Music" and we could always get work in Clubs for dancing and for weddings.
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Music began
Coffs Brass Band 1950s
Our first Dance Band
The OLYMPIANS 1950s
Bill Cheal Band at Hotel Motel
Coffs Harbour
Barry Cheal Bass, Bruce Hogan Organ
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Olympians
Coffs Harbour 1950s
The Olympians playing at Bonville Hall late 1950s