Birtles.com--Hall of Fame

On Friday October 15th, 2004, Deluxe Audio in South Melbourne was booked as the place for us to rehearse. Deluxe was the old Balance Sound where we used to do all of our rehearsals in the old days of the classic lineup. When I arrived, most of the guys were already there setting up their gear. There was not one ounce of awkwardness between us, we were extremely happy to see each other because of the upcoming lifetime achievement honour at the ARIA Awards. While we were setting up, there were reminders of stories about the old days, events remembered and events forgotten. Quite a bit of laughter went around the room. And it wasn’t like there was going to be any pressure on us seeing as we were only rehearsing one song. Glenn Shorrock wasn’t even there to rehearse, as it was more for the benefit of us, the players in the band.

Dorian West (from the BSG band) was there to play the piano part in "Help Is On Its Way" and he flew up to Sydney with us to perform that evening at the ARIA Awards. It felt a little strange rehearsing just the one song, so I don’t think any of us really thought about having to get back in the groove because of that. We must have run through "Help Is On Its Way" maybe six or seven times to iron out all of the kinks and it sounded the same way it always did!

We flew to Sydney and had the chance to rehearse on the ARIA Awards stage prior to the show. The excitement began to build even more by this point, and I think you can see from all of the photos just how excited we are!

It was great being up on stage with David, Derek and George, my old band mates! I enjoy performing, so I’m always smiling on stage! (Dorian West calls me "Beaming Beeb," and I guess that's for good reason!) I'm happiest when I'm up there playing in the band.

The event was very special to my family as well. My two daughters, Hannah and Emmie, were both very young when I left Little River Band in 1983, so they don’t remember seeing me on stage. Emmie has since seen me perform with BSG, but Hannah had never seen me up on stage that she could remember. They thought it was fabulous to see the classic lineup of Little River Band perform together again. Both of my girls were featured during the actual televised performance on the night, with big smiles.

It was a true honour to receive the lifetime achievement recognition from the Board of Directors of the Australian Recording Industry Association. Little River Band has had a longstanding relationship with EMI Australia and Capitol Records in the U.S.A., without whose determination and support we could not have achieved what we did. In particular I’d like to thank John O’Donnell from EMI Australia who made it possible for our wives and children to attend this once in a lifetime honour, something they will not forget as long as they live. Thank you!

Many thanks also to Vicky Vogiatzoglou from EMI for coordinating our arrival in Sydney and transporting all of us to and from the Superdome. I think her cell phone was permanently glued to her ear over that weekend!

I’d also like to congratulate all of this year’s ARIA Awards winners, the new and established talent who performed throughout the night. As I watched each and every one of you, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps one day the honour of induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame will be bestowed upon you. May you be around as long as we have to receive this most prestigious honour!

And to the fans, thanks for hanging in there with us for all these years. Without you, we might still be lost on that long road to Geelong...

We all had the chance to rehearse for a bit on the ARIA stage with full video effects. Wow... what a presentation! It was weird seeing myself so much larger than life! (Photo by Dorian West)

David Briggs writes:

"What the induction into the Hall of Fame meant to me, as a member of that select group, was a public appreciation of the contribution, both musical and social, that we took to the world as representatives of the Australian music industry at that time, and for the quality of the music we made.

"For me, joining LRB was the opportunity to be a part of what I knew was a great band, making great music, and bringing it to a world stage. That Sunday was a wonderful feeling of being back with old friends, with the opportunity to play together, yet again, "Help Is On Its Way" ... It did feel like the classic line-up of the Little River Band." (Photo by Dorian West)

The one, the only — DP — Derek Pellicci. Derek shared his thoughts on the occasion:

"It felt quite spooky, having the six of us in the same room together after more than 25 years!! I sincerely hope that one day we can ALL appreciate the unique musicianship and qualities that messrs, Birtles, Briggs, Goble, McArdle, Pellicci and Shorrock brought together. Thus, creating indeed, the 'Classic Lineup'." (Photo by Dorian West)

Graeham Goble wrote many of our hits, including "Reminiscing," and was primarily responsible for the vocal arrangements. (Photo by Dorian West)

George McArdle, our bass player, brought a richness to the band with some now-classic bass guitar lines! (Photo by Dorian West)

Our longtime sound man, Ernie Rose, and George McArdle work hard to ensure that the levels on George's bass amplifier are perfect for the performance on the Big Night! (Photo by Dorian West)

Glenn Shorrock and David Briggs at the rehearsal before the show. (Photo by Dorian West)

Beeb and Donna go down the red carpet
The excitement was building as Donna and I made our way down the red carpet for the ARIA Awards. Our girls shot this photo from far away, but it gives a sense of the anticipation and the crowds outside the event. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

Here I am with my soulmate of more than 25 years, Donna. We're SO thrilled to be there on this special night! Can you tell? (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

Being onstage and performing is my favorite part of the entire experience. It was a blast to perform "Help Is On Its Way" together with the guys who made it famous! (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

Photo of the boys with head of Derek Pellicci

Left to Right: Graeham Goble, Derek Pellicci (Derek?!?), Glenn Shorrock, David Briggs, George McArdle, Beeb Birtles. (Photo Fun by Derek Pellicci!)

Spouses, daughter and companions
We rock stars are always surrounded by throngs of beautiful women! :-) Our wives, daughters and partners were quite ravishing at our sides on the Big Night. Left to right, Emmie (my daughter), Anne Pellicci (Derek's wife), Charlotte Goble (Graeham's daughter), Donna (my lovely wife!), Elisha Goble (Graeham's daughter), Hannah (my daughter), Laura McArdle (George's daughter), Roxanne McArdle (George's wife), Amy McArdle (George's daughter), Kirsten Rodger (wife of Paul Rodger, BSG Australian manager), Karen O'Reilly (David Briggs' significant other!), and little Georgia McArdle in front. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

David Briggs with Karen O'Reilly. It was wonderful to see David again and to meet the lovely Karen! (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

Beeb Birtles, Graeham Goble, George McArdle

In the brief time we all were together, the flashbulbs were popping as we all caught up with each other. Here I am with Graeham and George. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

The Birtles, McArdle, and Goble families. Back row: Donna, Beeb, Joshua Goble, Nathan Goble, George McArdle. Front row: Emmie, Hannah, Charlotte Goble, Graeham, Laura McArdle, Amy McArdle, Roxanne McArdle and Georgia McArdle standing out in front. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

The McArdle and the Birtles families. Left to Right: Laura, Roxanne, Amy, Hannah, Emmie, Beeb, George, Donna, and Georgia in front. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

While we were in Sydney, we had the chance to take in some sights and visit with family. Here, Emmie, Hannah, Donna and I walked down to Double Bay beach in Sydney. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

One of the most famous vistas in all Australia... the Sydney Opera House. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)

While we were in Sydney, I had the chance to see my sister Elly and her family, and our girls got to spend time with their cousins. Lauren Kennedy stands between Hannah and me. Elly, my sister, is next to Emmie and Donna. Stewart and Louise Kennedy are to my right. (Bertelkamp Family Photo)