André Santos Joins Mississippi
To take care of their drifting fortunes towards the end of 1973, Mississippi took in a manager that immediately moved towards taking the group out of the Bootleg record label, despite the fact that the Mississippi album had been released by Fantasy in America and was gaining good reviews. Their manager also thought the group’s image was lacking, and he encouraged them to replace both Colin Deluca and John Mower with one new man – Maori singer/bass player Andre Santos. He proved impossible to work with, and was immediately replaced by another, more experience Maori performer, Charlie Tumahai.
The brief period in Mississippi when André Santos was the bass player before Charlie Tumahai joined the band. L To R: Derek Pellicci, Harvey James, Graeham Goble, André Santos and Beeb Birtles.
Photo courtesy of Philip Morris.
Mississippi – ‘It’s A Long Way There’ GTK 1973
Beethoven’s Perth Gigs
Mississippi – Kings Of The World Channel 7
12th May 1973 – Melbourne Comedy Theatre, Channel 7
Melbourne Gets Bootleg
Mississippi Poster
Mississippi lineup with Harvey James. Colin Deluca, Harvey James, Beeb Birtles, Graeham Goble, John Mower, and Derek Pellicci in front.
Harvey James Joins Mississippi
Mississippi became even more of a rock band when Russ Johnson left and was replaced ultimately by the crisp guitar lines of Harvey James – of later Ariel and Sherbet fame. Harvey’s knife-edge solos had an immediate impact on the group’s sound. Beeb started developing the dual guitar ideas used so effectively later in Little River Band.
Russ Johnson quit Mississippi to join Greg Quill’s Country Radio and Harvey James joined the band. Colin Deluca, Harvey James, Beeb Birtles, Derek Pellicci, John Mower and Graeham Goble. Harvey’s first gig in Mississippi was on 11/3/1973 at the La Trobe Valley Festival in Rosedale, Victoria.
Mississippi – Your Mama Don’t Dance
12th February 1973 – ABC GTK
Mississippi – Kings Of The World Sunbury 73′
In late 1972, Mississippi were joined by Beeb Birtles (ex-Zoot, Frieze) on guitar and vocals, Colin DeLuca (ex-Fugitives) on bass guitar and Derek Pellicci (ex-Ash) on drums. This line-up released a single, “Mr Moondog”, in December and toured Australia. Here is their appearance with a 37 piece orchestra at the Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1973 ‘Kings Of The World’. Clip introduced by Ken Sparkes.
New Year’s Eve in Bungool, N.S.W.
