10 June 2009

Thane Russal

Thane Russal's British version of Security (1966), a garage-style pop arrangement of the Otis Redding song, seems to have been popular nowhere except in Australia, where it was quite a hit (#7 Sydney #24 Melbourne #4 Brisbane #8 Perth). In fact, a lot of Aussie Boomers might even know it better than the original.

I left it out of my Only in Oz series, though, because it had already been given the full treatment by Glenn A. Baker in Hard To Get Hits, a CD series from the 1990s with a similar premise to Only in Oz. In fact, it was Baker, in his liner notes to Hard To Get Hits Vol. 1, who finally identified Thane Russal as Doug Gibbons.
Thane Russal's Security even inspired a 1976 dip o' the lid by Australian band Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, their first single. This gave me an excuse to write about everything I've ever been able to find out about Russal/Gibbons and his Security, over here at the website.

I can't recall seeing a photo of Russal/Gibbons until I saw this New Musical Express ad from March 1966.

Images: New Musical Express, 4 March 1966, p.5









20 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Saints have also covered Security on their 1978 Preshistoric Sounds album.

Lyn Nuttall said...

I know. I mention The Saints' version at my Security page: http://www.poparchives.com.au/feature.php?id=420 (& scroll way down).

But here I am writing about the "Thane Russal arrangement", which The Saints' version doesn't use: they stick more to the Otis Redding arrangement.

Thanks for commenting.

Anonymous said...

Good Old Paul Raven...aka Gary Glitter had a hand in the production credits....

Lyn Nuttall said...

Of course! And I do make clear Paul Raven/Gary Glitter's role in my more detailed outline at my website. This blog post, here, was just to give a better view of the graphics. See: my "Security" story.

SixtiesDj Johnny K said...

Hi Lyn,
I remember this version of Thane Russall, "Security", very well. I was the DJ, Johnny K at 10th Avenue in Bourke Street, Melbourne, when we got the single. It was a big favourite on our own Top 40 chart. At the time I remember thinking it was a Sydney band... Etta James version in 1968 to me is the classic of this song...Thane's comes close for its rough recording. Maybe because it reminds me of my own rough garage track single "Big Boat Up The River". "Security" being better produced.. Regards SixtiesDJ Johnny K.

Anonymous said...

Douglas Gibbons/ Thane Russell was a very good friend of mine for over 25 yrs, even though he lived in Paris, we played loads of blues gigs with Bob Weston | Fleetwood Mac } and Nick Renolds { Brucr Renolds son} at pubs on the Isle of Wight for fun and charities. Sadly, Dougie died of cancer in Paris on the 8th Aug 2010. He is sadly missed by us all. John Lytle { bassman with The Accellerators I.O.W.

Lyn Nuttall said...

John, thanks for an interesting comment. I did hear the sad news from Mick Brill earlier this year. Also heard from Peter Armott, another friend of Doug. (Perhaps you know them?)

Andy Rampage said...

I have have always thought that this was ONE Of THE BESTEST Otis Redding covers..EVER!!
THANKD for sharing it! TERRIBLE shame that this fine fellow didn't leave us MORE Of his recordings!!
Cheers from 'over above'.

Lyn Nuttall said...

Thanks. And I agree!

Christine said...

I was very close to Doug he did make some other records but in Italy as Thane Russal and a last one in Paris in 1978 under the name of Zingaro for Sunbar

He appears in two films : That'll be the day and Stardust both starring David Essex and Ringo Starr in the first one only, shot in 1972 and 1974 I was in both of them.

I'd like to find some old friends from the Ile of Wight, that's for John Lytle
Christine

Christine said...

Doug made records in Italy as Thane Russal and recorded a last time in Paris in 1978 as Zingaro for Sunbar
He also appeared in two films That'll be the day starring David Essex and Ringo Starr and Keith Moon from the Who and Stardust with David Essex and Adam Faith I was in both pictures too.

for John Lytle , I'd like to find friends from the Isle of Wight
It was a beautiful time
Christine

Christine said...

goes with previous comment about Doug Gibbons
follow up comments to my gmail address
thanks
Christine

Anonymous said...

I remember 10th avenue, first met Molly Meldrum there. black paint on the windows with a few specks scratched out and the sun at lunchtime used to come through like a laser. yes remember it well.

Paul K said...

I was mates with Dougie when he returned to stay with his father 'Wally' in Ryde IOW, and we had some great times together. I was well shocked when I found out that he had died. RIP mate. Paul K

Marc said...

Do you know if there's a difference between the UK, Oz and Italy pressing of the single soundwise/different mix?
I have the Italian and am wondering if the others sound the same?

Lyn Nuttall said...

Marc, I have no idea. Did you listen to the mp3 I have posted above?

Tee see said...

Thane was a legend when I was a schoolboy in Rome in the sixties. He was a fixture at the famous Piper club for a while which was conveniently located near my school. We all wanted to be Thane.

Lyn Nuttall said...

Great comment, Tee see. Thanks.

Greggo-the-not-so-Great said...

This version still stands the test of time. It may be raw but hey, it still excites with that great guitar.
it just wasn't long enough!

Lyn Nuttall said...

Greggo, I agree 100%. Just so, so good. Glad you commented as I noticed my mp3 link was defunct. Now fixed via YouTube.