John E. Broome and The Handels

At first glance, John E. Broome and The Handels may have sounded like just another 1960s pop group with a quirky name. But behind that modest exterior was a powerhouse band whose members would go on to shape the sound of Australian, and international music for decades to come. Formed in Adelaide’s northern suburbs in the mid-1960s, the band featured an extraordinary lineup of rising stars: John E. Broome (the stage name of Dave Reekes-Parsons) on vocals, Kevin Peek and Frank Tarney on guitars, Alan Tarney on bass, and Laurie Pryor on drums. Though the band’s roots were humble—playing weekly shows at The Octagon and the Salisbury Youth Centre in Elizabeth, they were at the heart of a vibrant and growing youth music scene. In 1964, they released the single “Do’s and Don’ts / Didn’t Know Her Name” on the W&G label, recorded at Visound Studios on Hindley Street in Adelaide. Both tracks were penned by Frank Tarney, and the single earned a place on 5DN’s Big 60, reaching #41 and staying on the chart for four weeks. The Handels' sound, equal parts beat-pop, soul, and R&B, was fronted by the commanding presence of John E. Broome, whose strong vocals and charismatic stage persona made the band a favourite in Adelaide’s northern clubs. But it was the band’s sheer talent that set them apart. Kevin Peek, later of The James Taylor Move and the globally successful instrumental supergroup Sky (with classical guitarist John Williams), was already one of Australia’s most impressive young guitarists. Alan Tarney, who would go on to play in The James Taylor Move, form the Tarney-Spencer Band, and later write and produce global hits for Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John, was at the beginning of a major international career. Laurie Pryor left the group to join The Twilights, later playing in Healing Force, Genesis (Australia), and Chain. In 1965, The Handels impressed Ken Pitt, the London-based manager of Manfred Mann and The Animals, who invited the group to the UK. Sailing on the Castle Felice, they arrived in London and secured a performance season at the legendary Marquee Club, joining the ranks of elite international acts who graced its stage. Though their time in the UK didn't result in lasting commercial success, it was a pioneering move, years ahead of later Australian acts like The Twilights, The Masters Apprentices, Fraternity, and Axiom, who would also seek success in Britain. Following their return to Australia, the band eventually disbanded, but its members left deep footprints in the music world. ​Dave Reekes-Parsons continued to work behind the scenes as a respected producer, notably with The Vibrants. Kevin Peek enjoyed global success with Sky before his passing in 2013. Alan Tarney became one of the most sought-after songwriter-producers of the 1980s. Laurie Pryor, who died in 2010, left a lasting legacy in some of Australia’s most influential bands. Dave Reekes-Parsons, the heart and soul of the group, passed away in 2018, remembered fondly for his voice, his showmanship, and his early contribution to South Australia's pop music legacy. John E. Broome and The Handels were more than just a local band, they were a launchpad for brilliance. Their story reflects a crucial chapter in Adelaide’s cultural history, when raw talent from the suburbs of Elizabeth helped set the stage for a generation of Australian musical greatness. Vale Dave Reekes-Parsons, Laurie Pryor, and Kevin Peek, pioneers whose music continues to echo across decades.​