The Valentines (rock band)

The Valentines were an Australian pop band active from 1966–1970, chiefly noted for their lead singers, Bon Scott, who later went on to great success as lead vocalist with AC/DC; and Vince Lovegrove, who subsequently became a successful music journalist and manager of Divinyls.

For the doo-wop band, see The Valentines (doo-wop band).

The Valentines
The Valentines c. 1969: (L–R) Wyn Milsom, Bon Scott, Vince Lovegrove, Paddy Beach, Ted Ward
Background information
OriginPerth, Western Australia
GenresPop, rock
Years active1966–1970
LabelsClarion
Associated actsThe Spektors, Fraternity, AC/DC
Past membersBon Scott
Vince Lovegrove
Wyn Milsom
Ted Ward
Bruce Abbott
Warwick Findlay
John Cooksey
Doug Lavery
Paddy Beach

Band history

The band was formed in late 1966 with the amalgamation of Perth groups The Spektors and The Winstons. They capitalised on the success of both the former bands, plus the interest created by having two lead singers in Scott and Lovegrove. Inspired by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and local stars The Easybeats, they enjoyed considerable local success and released a few singles.

In late 1967, The Valentines moved to Melbourne in search of greater success, and soon toured other major cities. With a development towards the popular Bubblegum sound late in 1968, the band became more in demand, particularly among teenage girls. However, as the fashion for bubblegum music wore off, The Valentines struggled to retain their musical credibility despite a turn towards rock music. With differing opinions within the band concerning musical direction, and a much-publicised drugs bust in September 1969, group stability began to suffer. Although they still had a strong fanbase in certain areas of the country, especially back home in Perth, The Valentines decided to disband amicably in August 1970.

Scott had built a strong reputation as a powerful vocalist and soon joined Fraternity, and later AC/DC. Lovegrove found success as a music journalist, and guitarist Wyn Milsom became a sound engineer.

Personnel
  • Bon Scott – vocals (1966–1970; Died 1980)
  • Vince Lovegrove – vocals (1966–1970; Died 2012)
  • Wyn Milsom – guitar (1966–1970)
  • Ted Ward – guitar (1966–1969), bass guitar (1969–1970)
  • Bruce Abbott – bass guitar (1966–1968)
  • Warwick Findlay – drums (1966–1968)
  • John Cooksey – bass guitar (1968–1969)
  • Doug Lavery – drums (1968–1969)
  • Paddy Beach – drums (1969–1970)

Discography

Singles

Other songs

EPs
  • The Valentines (Clarion records, 1968)
  • My Old Man's a Groovy Old Man (Philips records, February 1969)

Albums
  • The Valentines (1987 compilation) (reissued in 1988, entitled Seasons of Change: The Early Years 1967–72 and again in 1991, entitled Bon Scott – The Early Years 1967–1972)
  • The Sound of the Valentines (2016 compilation, RPM Records)

Several albums and CDs have been released over the years compiling Valentines material.

See also

References
  • Highway to Hell: The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott – Clinton Walker, 1994. ISBN 1-891241-13-3
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