Doug Parkinson

Doug Parkinson (born 30 October 1946 – died 15 March 2021) was an Australian pop and rock singer. Parkinson first started singing with a band called The "A" Sound but soon graduated to a more professional outfit, forming The Questions (3) in 1967. This band supported The Who / Small Faces Australian tour. A year later in 1969 The Questions changed personnel. The new four-piece band took on the name of Doug Parkinson In Focus. It included some of Sydney's top musicians: Billy Green (guitar), Mark Kennedy (drums) and Duncan McGuire (bass) The band allowed Parkinson to showcase his powerful, soulful voice. With this band he rose to prominence with a number of Top 20 hit records in Australia such as "Dear Prudence" and "Without You", the latter written by guitarist and songwriter Billy Green (aka Wil Greenstreet) in the mid-1970s. When Green composed the soundtrack to the film Stone, Parkinson sang on two tracks. In 1969 Doug Parkinson In Focus won Australia's prestigious band competition, Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds. Other records include: "Baby Blue Eyes". After dissolving his new band, Fanny Adams, Parkinson formed a new In Focus in 1970. With little success he went solo in 1973, resulting in his album "No Regrets". Stage work followed in 1975-1976, appearing in two shows "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Ned Kelly". Another top ten hit followed with "Everlasting Love". In 1978 he teamed up again with Duncan McGuire to form The Southern Star Band. The group included guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, drummer Mark Kennedy and pianist, Frank Esler‐Smith. They recorded the album "I'll Be Around" which produced two top 10 hits "The Hungry Years" and "I’ll Be Around". In 1981 he recorded a solo album "Heartbeat to Heartbeat" which produced another top 10 hit, "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" with vocalist, Broderick Smith. In 1987 co-wrote the score for the surfing film "Wind Warriors". After many years on the stage, in 2004, Parkinson recorded his first album with the help of Sydney musicians: Gordon Rytmeister ­- drums, Leon Gaer - bass, Bill Risby - piano and David Longo - guitar.