The H Files with Kevin Hillier

On the eve of his farewell tour of Australia, Ralph McTell joins me to chat about his many Australian experiences, his enormous catalogue of songs, his love affair with his guitar and the ups and downs of having such an iconic hit as Streets of London.
My other guest is David Briggs, another man known for his prowess with the guitar. It was that skill which brought him to our attention as a long time member of the Little River Band in their halcyon days. Not only a guitarist, David wrote one of the band's biggest worldwide hits, Lonesome Loser. The story behind that song, his days on the road and in the studio with LRB plus life before all that are discussed in part one of this interview.
The H Files with Kevin Hillier Episode 33 with Ralph McTell and David Briggs.
Ralph is touring across Australia from May 7th tickets https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RALPHMC26
Coming soon Episode 34 with Francis Rossi of Status Quo fame and David Briggs Part Two.
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
© 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Their musical footprint is undeniable and the mere mention of the name brings gasps to a generation. Spinal Tap blazed a trail through the music business, ignoring the rule book, rewriting the etiquette of rock, blowing up many sound systems worldwide and causing pandemonium at airport security.
And in one final act of anarchy, they blew themeselves up. Bass player Derek Small walked out. The shockwaves are still being felt as Derek tells Kevin in this illuminating chat about the demise of the band that brought the world classics like Big Bottom, Sex Farm and Bitch School.
Derek is now carving out a solo career sans the influence of David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tuffnel and the shackles are off, as he launches into his post-Spinal Tap life with new original songs Rear View Mirror and Balls.
Derek has much to get off his rockstar hairy chest and does so.
The H Files with Kevin Hillier
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
© 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.
In Part 5 you'll hear Ross Wilson, who saw the band in the very early days, signed Greg to a music publishing deal and then became the producer of the first three Skyhooks albums. Ross' memories take you inside the studio, on the road in the USA and more.
3XY disc jockey Mark Irvine got teamed with Shirl in 1984 for a short term Rocktober on-air promotion that became a permanent pairing. They became a very successful radio team and a professional and personal partnership was formed.
Peter Green was a 70s Wollongong teenager who loved the music and that passion led him to Melbourne, where he is now official historian and the man behind the Official Skyhooks Facebook page and YouTube channel, plus curator of Skyhooks memorabilia.
Musical excerpts in this episode
Hey What's the Matter featuring Steve Hill live Benefit Concert
Living in the 70's Shirl solo Live soundcheck Melbourne Music Festival 1988
Love's Not Good Enough From Ego is Not a Dirty Word
Blue Jeans from Straight in a Gay Gay World
Women in Uniform from Guilty Until Proven Insane
Jukebox in Siberia The Latest and Greatest
Ego is Not a Dirty Word Ross Wilson featuring Bongo Starkie Five Decades of Cool Palais Theatre 2009
Every Litte Bit Hurts Shirley Strachan solo single
Crazy Heart from Straight in a Gay Gay World
3XY Shirl & Irvine Show 1988 courtesy of Ken Francis
Love on the Radio live from the In the Heat of the Night concert Myer Music Bowl Melbourne 1975
Let it Rock Hits and Riffs
Meglomania, Life in ther Modern World and Don't Take Your Lurex to the Laundromat from ABC TV Special Guilty Until Proven Insane
The H Files with Kevin Hillier
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
© 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.
In Part 4, the men chosen to replace two of the country's biggest pop stars in one of the country's most popular bands. Bob Spencer - a cocky guitar slinger from the pop group Finch - was enlisted to fill Red Symons' role and singer Tony Williams - an alumni of most of the group - was selected to front the band after Shirley Strachan departed for a media career.
Bob and Tony take us through the early days fitting into the band and finding their place, plus the highs and lows of being a Skyhook.
Musical excerpts in this episode
Meglomania from Guilty Until Proven Insane
BBB Boogie from Guilty Until Proven Insane
Women in Uniform recorded live at Festival Hall Melbourne 1983 ’
Point in the Distance from Guilty Until Proven Insane
Why Don’t You All Get F....D live Sydney Opera House 1978
Carlton Lygon Street Limbo from the Pint on Pub live show
Over the Border recorded live at Bombay Rock February 1980

The H Files with Kevin Hillier
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
© 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were.The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that captured the nation.
In Part Three, guitarist Bob Starkie - universally known and loved as 'Bongo' - shares his memories in one of his final interviews before his passing in November 2025. We retrace the early days, pre replacing his brother Peter in Skyhooks, meeting Greg for the first time, being in studio with Ross Wilson, the American tour and life after Skyhooks, including his Rio adventure with Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.
Recorded only weeks before his death, Bob also talks about his health battle and his positivity is testament to the man. Ross Wilson also pays tribute to Bob in a small excerpt from his full Skyhooks chat, which will be in Part 4.
Music in this episode
‘Hey What’s the Matter’ Sydney Opera House 15th of September 1974.
‘Ego is not a Dirty Word’ Bridgeway Hotel, Pooraka South Australia Sunday 24th September 2023 Vocals Laura Davidson
‘Mercedes Ladies’ from Ego is not a Dirty Word
‘Every Chase a Steeple’ from Ego is Not a Dirty Word
‘Is this America’ from Straight in a Gay Gay World
‘Carlton Lygon Street Limbo’ 'Bongo' Starkie performing with fellow Skyhooks members Greg Macainsh and Bob Spencer 'Rockin' for the legendary Doc Neeson - The Voice of The Angels' in 2013 at Cherry Bar.
‘Horror Movie’ Bongo Starkie's Skyhooks Show performing 'Horror Movie' at the Harley Davidson National Hog Rally Saturday - 23rd September 2023
‘Party to end all Parties’ from The Skyhooks Tapes
‘Balwyn Calling’ Skyhooks featuring Ross Wilson Rockwiz October 2015
‘All My Friends are getting Married’ Bongo Starlie’s Skyhooks Show Adelaide October 2024 featuring Sasha Theunissen on vocals
The H Files with Kevin Hillier
Post-production by Chris Gates
For Howdy Partners Media
www.howdypartnersmedia.com.au/podcasts
© 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.