Old friends now gone, but not forgotten ~ RIP
Ollie Olsen
1958 – 2024
The Primitive Calculators played their first gig in late 1978 at a party in Carlton where they met Ollie and John Murphy. Ollie said to Stuart “Hi, I’m your new friend. Where do you live? I’ll be around”. Ollie came to their (Stuart, Denise and Dave’s) house in Johnston Street, Fitzroy a week later and a friendship of over 45 years began.
In 1979, Denise told him that the house next door to them in Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy was up for lease and Ollie, Arne Hanna, Matt Errey and Lawton Ellery moved in soon after. As the Calculators did not have a TV, they would head next door every Sunday night to watch Countdown.
More info about Ollie here on Wikipedia.
Ollie in Hugo Klang, London 1981
Ollie in Hugo Klang, London 1981
Alan Bamford
1962 – 2019
Alan playing bass with Ollie and John for the Alan Bamford Musical Experience at a Little Band night at the Champion Hotel, 1979
7″ LB EP recorded December 1979. Recorded at York Street Recording Studio. North Fitzroy with David (Daffy) Williams. Each band member paid $20 for the recording costs.
Released by Max Robenstone and Alan Bamford with plain black label.
The Calculators started Little Bands, but Alan kept it going.
Alan’s thoughts about the Primitive Calculators gig from
PRIMITIVE CALCULATORS LIVE REVIEW (pdf)
Exford Hotel, Melbourne.
Wednesday 26th September, 1979.
North Fitzroy Beat interview (pdf) with Alan Bamford, John Murphy,
Greg Sun and Stuart Grant (Late 1979)
Alan Bamford and Jim Buck talking about Little Bands (1981)(pdf)
July 29th, 2009
Ding Dong Lounge
Review of the gig by Alan Bamford (pdf)
Unexpected visit by Alan to China to see us play, March 2015.
37.26 mins into video here
John Murphy
1959 – 2015
More about John Murphy here on Wikipedia.