Beeb Birtles

BEEB BIRTLES played a key role in the founding of LITTLE RIVER BAND beside GRAEHAM GOBLE and GLENN SHORROCK. He had already gained some success as a member of the Australian teenager band ZOOT, later teamed up with DARRLY COTTON for FRIEZE, and was subsequently asked by GRAEHAM to join MISSISSIPPI, a band that released only one album and two singles between 1973 and 1975. When MISSISSIPPI was confronted with a lack of success on an England trip the group ceased to exist and disbanded. GLENN SHORROCK, a fellow Australian who was also staying in London at the time, was invited by BEEB and GRAEHAM to form a new group, eventually leading to the foundation of LITTLE RIVER BAND in Melbourne some weeks later.

Since then BEEB'S outstanding voice, his composition skills and guitar playing became a significant brand mark of the early LRB, and in the prime time years up to 1983. In that time span he penned hits like Witchery, Everyday Of My Life, Happy Anniversary [with DAVID BRIGGS] and Take Me Home for LITTLE RIVER BAND. In 1979 he and GRAEHM GOBLE recorded a duo album under the name BIRTLES & GOBLE, which yielded the highly-acclaimed album 'The Last Romance'. Three years later, one year after GLENN SHORROCK resigned from the band, BEEB also decided to leave, and pursued a career as a songwriter and producer. In the early 90s BEEB and his family moved to the US, where they live in a greater Nashville area. In that environment BEEB worked closely with a variety of fine musicians of the local rock and country scene, recording demo songs together with keyboarder and producer BILL CUOMO. In 1998 BEEB and BILL founded Sonic Sorbet, their own record label. This label was also instrumental in publishing BEEB'S first solo album, 'Driven By Dreams', which was a delightful masterpiece for LRB fans as well as every assertive music lover. Parallel to that he was the first LRB member to launch his own website at http://www.birtles.com/.

Press information of 1998:

Rock and roll music is forever changing, progressing.
So is BEEB BIRTLES

First came the discovery, the celebration of rock. Then, the group experience, when every kid on the block realized that he could be like his heroes if he wanted. Later, the best of the group players found each other and formed even better live groups. And now, in the Nineties, it's the era of the Great Survivors, with the best of the best stepping out on their own.

BEEB BIRTLES is one of those Great Survivors. He has been through the whole rock and roll journey. The discovery, enjoying his first taste of popularity and success with a pop band group called ZOOT, drifting from apprenticeship to the 'Big Time' with the experienced friends in the LITTLE RIVER BAND.

And then, in 1984, eight years after forming and playing a key role in the LITTLE RIVER BAND, BEEB BIRTLES shocked the band members by announcing that it was time for him to move on, up, and out on his own.

Wherever he has been, BEEB BIRTLES has made his presence felt. Australian audiences and record buyers have followed each and every twist and turn of his career. His voice is what the one who wrote LRB'S first single, Curiosity (Killed The Cat), and pushed for change and adventure.

And now, the greatest adventure so far, a Great Survivor, BEEB BIRTLES is ON HIS OWN.