Hi, Tony here, I’m the one playing the lick and miming the backing vocals! Sorry, it seemed like a good idea at the time! Thanks for playing it though.. so glad you loved it, and for the great comments! It was our best work I think. Cheers!

Happy Birthday to Mr Joe Camilleri, born on this day in 1948 in Malta. Leo Sayer is also celebrating his birthday. Same age as Joe.

A late comment here, but this oldie brings back great memories of 70's/80's Australia where music was well and truly alive and most importantly, live!

A very likeable guy that aged gracefully. I remember meeting up with my girlfriend and mates out in Paddington, Sydney and making our way to see these guys. Great band that always put on first class show. Never a boring moment with these guys. great song! Check out ''Security'' and ''All I wanna Do'' sometime.

I loved this in the seventies...then saw Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows with Vika and Linda in the eighties....outstanding. And only last year I saw him at a blues festival!! He was as awesome as ever!!

I saw Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons at a pub in Melbourne one night, when this song was getting so much radio play. I remember he played it twice. Such a great night.

In my opinion, this was the peak of the Countdown kids and their power and this song was a real win for them. What a way to end a decade. From that time on, they just kept scoring goals with Split Enz's 'I Got You' and Men At Work's 'Who Can It Be now'. Those kids could be brutal when they didn't get their way, but the Australian charts got to be colourful because of them. And they were right to pressure ABBA with a petition... ''Mama Mia'' had to be a single

Thanks for playing. Interesting fact for you guys. In the last week you also reacted to Leo Sayer. Joe Camilleri (Jo Jo Zep) and Leo were born on the same day. 21st May. 1948, Joe in Malta and Leo in UK so Happy Birthday to them tomorrow. They held a joint concert last year to celebrate. Joe with The Black Sorrows had some big hits in the 1990s.

Apparently Joe only became an Australian citizen three years ago! Gawd, we have a bloody weird country. Anyway, this tune takes me back to the time I lived in Kings Cross and wasted my life drinking at all the watering holes around the place at night, and wasting days in cafes. These guys were so tight and energetic and true to the rock 'n' roll roots. They were of the generation that still understood the value of 50's rock 'n' roll. They changed after this single hit the charts.

Thanks I really enjoyed listening to hours of Aussie music I haven't heard in years. Cheers from Melbourne. (Aussie frontmen dance on the inside)

This was so much fun to hear again after so long, Jo Camilleri has such a great selection from all of the years he has entertained us here in Australia. From these days to The Black Sorrows the legend makes us feel so good with all he has done. I would love you to react to The Black Sorrows doing " Ain't Love The Strangest Thing" as I have not seen anyone react to such a epic song and I hope others add to my suggestion and it makes it on your show. Congrats on 2 years having such fun with us all. Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘❤❤❤❤🎶🎶🎵🎵🎶🎶

Thank you. I always thought this song was called Don't Look Back - I was wrong. Great chair dancing by both of you.

I'm very pleased with the reaction. lol@Australian frontmen don't dance. I'm sorry to hear about the stress and I'm glad that the request helped ease the stress. Congratulations for the 2nd anniversary. It's been a fun ride for all of us!

Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons had spent a few years having moderate commercial success in Australia, because we saw them as a live band that released records for their fans. But this single changed their profile. When this single hit the market around '79, some of us radio programmers weren't too hot about the song and thought of passing it by. But like you Cynthia, I think the kids on Countdown took an immediate shining to it and one kid voice after another began calling in the station I worked at and made their request for this song. What would typically happen is that the calls would start off sounding very young and by the end of the week, the adult voices would outnumber the kid voices. That's when you knew you had a real hit on your hands. It's one thing for Countdown kids to dig a song for a week or two, but it's another when the actual adults begin asking for the same song. And that's how ''Hit & Run'' got to be a Top 20 hit in Australia.

Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons hit their commercial peak with this one. This song took them out of being a well-loved cult band to being loved by the Countdown kids. This was our song.

Did I love this song back in the day!!! I was already enjoying Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons as a live band, and didn't mind a few of their recordings, particularly ''So Young''. But this one was where I really got them. Jo Jo Zep mixing and matching different styles is what made his work a fascinating tapestry. I really don't know how to describe him/them without sounding a little pretentious. Teehee 😉

My goodness this really takes me back to being 11. 3XY wouldn't stop playing this record. No doubt it was probably the Countdown kids that pushed it onto the constant playlist roster. I remember him performing this on Countdown and then noticing he was panting as he began hosting the show. I just thought it was interesting that all that jumping got him to lose his breath even though he only had to mime. One of those things that made me go hmmm... Great song! All I Wanna Do was another hit of their's.

Oh yeah. This was a big hit & a heap of fun. At 75 years of age, Joe and The Black Sorrows are starting a tour next month. Joe's still a great live act.

''Well, that's the end of them as a pub rock band. These guys are now ready for the big time'' was what I thought after hearing this song for the first time on Countdown. Before that, they were just playing 50's/60's covers and their own rock 'n' roll numbers. Even their originals like ''So Young'' (covered by Elvis Costello and I think Graham Parker) wasn't quite the radio number that this was. This song is just one out of many feathers in Joe Camilleri's many caps.

Joe is a great talent and always drew great talent to him. I totally forgot to recommend this, but I’m not surprised so many people requested it.

I've yet to fully understand the meaning of this song, but it's definitely a great stress busting song. I can never sit still when I hear it and used to love dancing on my roller skates to it. Sorry to hear about your stresses, but happy anniversary 🎉💝🥂🍾

My favourite pub band of all time. There is so much material for you guys to enjoy. An amazing band live, back in the day. To get into a good mood, Security, 1977 is a cool vibe.

This was great fun, I'm so glad that it helped relieve your stress Cynthia, obviously you're bound to be concerned with things as they are, I hope that you manage to find somewhere suitable as soon as possible, I'll keep you in my thoughts. I look forward to whatever you decide to do for your two year anniversary.

Great song !!! Brings back memories of living in Australia when I was a traveling Canadian. Spent a good three years in Melbourne in the early 1980's, and these guys were one of the best bands there, which is saying something because there were a lot of great bands and people in Australia in those days.

Hi Cynthia, I woud just like to say that I am sorry to hear about your recent bout with stress. I have had my minor bout with sadness which was partially triggered by the passing of Ignatius Jones. His passing was a little close to home for me. Although I am in Australia and am not experiencing your situation, I would like to recommend you to try Mindfulness. If a simple song like this can give you some relief, just imagine what a class or a session could do for you... Never hurts to try. Soldier on, Cynthia and Chris. You two are good spirits.

Aww stress is terrible! I go through a lot of stress and anxiety. You might not appreciate a tip from a pipsqueak like me, but maybe mindfulness is something you would like to try? It's helped me a lot because I'm a little nervous thing that takes on big projects like theme parties, dinners and events and Oh boy, I really don't know how I managed to get through it all without mindfulness. I like old Joe Camilleri. You should take time to listen to The Black Sorrows' 'Hold On To Me' and 'Chained To The Wheel'. Some real gems! 🍷

Very nice slick, cool, stylised, professional, seasoned musicians (taking somebody else's comment) band featuring backing singer by the sexy Chrissie and Lyndsay Hammond - who you two have already seen in Stevie Wright's ''Evie'' performance at the Sydney Opera House. These guys were from the same area of Melbourne rock that The Sports, Mondo Rock and Skyhooks had come from. Members of all those bands had played together at some point ... This song was a hit in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some of the US, maybe it charted in Canada too... But it feels really Melbourne to me.. maybe it's just me

This was quite catchy and def the best thing this weekend .. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Nice work yet again....and yes I also noticed those ratty looking bowling shoes!. I love the reggae feel of this song. Little River Band have a similar funky reggaeish type song called "Curiosity Killed the cat". It was their first single released in Australia. I think you'll really love it.

Tight, creative, cool, stylised, professional, seasoned musicians, back up singers and all. And a fantastic production. This is how it is done. I'm liking the almost Madness frontman dancing thing going on here too. Edit: I forgot talented. I suppose it goes without saying.

This is a late 70's Melbourne rock classic along with The Sports ''Don't Throw Stones'' and '' Who Listens to The Radio''.

You would have heard Joe Camilleri's (Jo Jo) sax in Cold Chisel's 'My Baby'.

They were always great live. Even though I bought all their albums, live is where all incarnations of Joe's bands excel. We travelled to go to their gigs like we did with Dr Feelgood. Great nights out for a rage.

Australian front men do dance, I mean, Peter Garrett comes to mind!!! I remember my brother bought this cassette (yes, cassette!) and we were and sitting around, partaking in a certain herbal enhancer, looking forward checking out the album. Everyone had partaken enough, and my brother pushed play.... And a kids voice started singing "Somebody come and play...." They'd put a Sesame Street cassette into the cassette case at the shop! Well, we fell about the place laughing, we laughed so much, I don't think my brother ever took the cassette back and exchanged it!

Thanks guys this brings back some memories, and thanks to the requesters too. Great reaction guys.

Great song.happy KZfaq anniversary

Joe Camilleri is an Australian national treasure. Went on to form The Black Sorrows after the Falcons.

Great song... great memories. Mindfulness Cynthia.. I would have saved myself a lot of difficulty if I jumped on it earlier. At the same time, I know these things are easier said than done.

It seems a few of us on here had been following Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons since the mid 70's. My younger sister, who seldom took an interest in the hit parade and only casually watched Countdown, began singing this song while we were driving. It was then that I knew this song was going to be big for Jo and the boys.

What can I say? It has all the ingredients needed for a hit song. From pub band to cult band to Countdown band to The Black Sorrows. Great stuff!

Cynthia... There's a light at the end of all tunnels. Just stay focused. I'll extend that to you too Chris.

This is also the second time you get to hear Chrissie and Lyndsay Hammond of Cheetah. They were backing singing Stevie Wright when he performed ''Evie'' at the Opera House. Def. should check out Cheetah's ''Spend The Night''.

Some sad news has come in. Australia's first international pop singer, Frank Ifield, has passed away at age 86. He is best remembered for the hit ''I Remember You''. He was born in England, but grew up in Australia and was described by many, including Elvis Costello (can't say what his attitude was), as the yodelling Australian. I met him at a dinner function and we had a good conversation. He was a gentleman and quite affable. It'd be nice for you to do ''I remember you''.

I remember this being a radio hit in LA in the late 70's. Of course I assumed this would be a hit, but major companies here in the States were as aggressive then as they are now and any lesser known product would be shot out of the water. These guys came to the States with the support of their American label Columbia (now Sony), but hardly anything happened for them. Still a great song and Screaming Targets is a lost classic IMO.

Jo Jo Zep was actually Joe Camalliri. Who would go on to lead the Black Sorrows.

I just remember getting behind this with all my Countdown comrades. We saw them perform it in the Countdown studio (I think it was the episode hosted by Dolly Parton) and we all called our local radio stations and encouraged the DJ's to give it a spin. Luckily, everybody else outside the Countdown contingent jumped on this groovy little rock number and it got to about number 12 on the Australian charts. I don't have memories of taking drugs and reading feminist manifestos like LeaveMeAlone and Kaitlyn Batt do, but I do remember dancing and grooving to this single at the teenage Discos and dance halls. Very much etched in 1979 as far as I'm concerned. Cheers, Hayley

Here's an old Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons' suggestion. Their first single from 1976. *Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons - Beating Around The Bush (Audio + Video merge 2024)* This is my suggestion/request.. No rush. In the next few weeks, I'll be requesting the most popular by Hunters And Collectors, Flash & The Pan, The Sports, Hoodoo Gurus, Black Sorrows, Paul Kelly, Rose Tattoo, Billy Thorpe and Moving Pictures.

Happy 2nd anniversary! Maybe a live stream with live requests? lol I got no idea

I think this is one for Sir Jay to comment on.

Sorry to hear about the stress. Our Pups is a yogo instructor and mindfulness guru. Maybe you should have a talk with her. I don't mean to make light of it, but is onto something with the whole mindfulness thing.

Peter Garrett can dance .. what you talking about!!

The Sports - Cruising In A Citroen AussieTV (AussieTV is the best upload) + The Sports - Live Work And Play (visual + video merge) Good and rare picture of band in email. Please use because it has original guitarist Ed Bates. ''Cruising'' is not a long song, but is a performance worth seeing. The Aussie TV upload has the best sound. Beats my old nzoz1977 upload. ''Cruising'' is the sports in their early ''Melbourne'' days. ''Live Work And Play'' is an enjoyable rock 'n' roll standard from the late 70's - a bit Rolling Stonesy. I will suggest three more crucial Sports songs in the passage of time. Other Sports that I have listed can be done whenever you want, but the three I will suggest in the next couple of months were actual hits that can't be left on the shelf for too long. Cheers!!!

Little River Band - Curiosity Killed The Cat - Official Video - 1975 Austech

I've said it before but I used to see these guys around '76, '77.. and continued seeing 'em well into '79. But this song was a hot item here in Melbourne and everytime I hear it I am reminded of my footy scarf stained by sauce from the kabab I chowed down, as I smoked a cigarette in a typically cold Melbourne night, waiting for my f-buddy to show up with some beers that'd we sneak into the movies. Then after the movie we'd be off to see some locals like Models or The Sports or maybe Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons ... I was a miserable little Melbourne bitch with a head influenced by pills and feminist manifestos, yet those were the best years of my life.. who knew?... after whatever gig, we'd crash at the Pancake Parlour Lovely! like any self-respecting/self-loathing young Melburnian and continue chowing down icecream and pancakes, because some substances can bring on the munchies... and then walk home with sore bellies. Anyway, that's what this cool song brings me back too...

I didn't know what to make of it 😂

Mimeing at it's best.

I liked these guys in the day. They got some attention stateside with this track, but their moment was short-lived and like so many foreign and even American groups, these guys got lost in the shuffle. When I look back on these guys, I also think of the other Aussie band The Sports and British groups like Live Wire and The Members. I'm seriously considering making my own online radio show where I can ramble on about all these old groups and play their tracks. My favorite Jo Jo Zep album will always be 1982's ''Cha...''

Some Aussie music is under-appreciated (is that one word?) I've not seen people react to Swanee (John Swan - Jimmy Barnes' brother)

No need to dance when you can sing, I cant do either.

Just like Leave Me Alone in Melbourne, I was chowing down Kababs and munching on pancakes at Pancakes On The Rocks up here in Sydney. Then I'd read my feminist manifestos while taking drugs and then go and see Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons with my fun-buddy. Obviously LeaveMeAlone and I were separated at birth. Grrr!!!

Music was good but video seemed horribly out of sync to me. This is one of those songs heard on radio as a kid but never would have known whom sang it. I probably thought it was Thin Lizzy before finding out it is this band.

It's very nice to see your spirits lifted, Cynthia. As somebody that has also dealt with stress I just want to say that you have my support and empathy. Nobody would begrudge the two of you your break. You have given us so much. The road gets easier and you will get back to that comfortable zone. 🫂Hayley