Rick Pointon Interview - Founder of Benny And The Jets (Newcastle Series Ep #6)

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack talks with Rick Pointon, founder of Benny and The Jets. Last time Rick was on the show, in episode 2 of this Newcastle Vinyl Vibes special, he talked about his music work in the ‘60s. In this episode, he discusses his music work in the ‘70s with Benny and The Jets. 

Prior to forming Benny and The Jets in 1973, Rick was in a local group called Keg. While in Keg, Rick had the idea of performing a 20-minute medley of rock and roll songs from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Toward the end of Keg, while at the Star Hotel watching Bob Hudson one day in 1973, Rick had the idea to form a band based around the rock and roll of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Rick aspired to launch this new band, Benny and The Jets, at The Star Hotel. This was no easy task at the time, as The Star was primarily a jazz pub. However, after much persistence, Rick convinced the publican, Don Graham, to let Benny and The Jets play a free night at the Star. This first performance was a success, and the band soon rose to prominence around Newcastle. Upon their first gig, the band became Australia's first rock and roll revival group. 

In 1975, Rick contacted Copperfield Records in Sydney, and the band recorded its first single, a cover of Barry Mann’s We Put the Bomp (In the Bomp Bomp Bomp). For Benny and The Jets, the single became a number one hit on the local Newcastle charts and reached number 90 nationally on the Kent Music charts. This marked the beginning of a string of local hits for the group. In 1976, Benny and The Jets released their well-known album Hey Rock and Roll, which reached number one locally in Newcastle. 

Although still popular, in May 1978, Benny and The Jets came to an end after Rick underwent an intensive throat operation. Rick has remained a fixture of the music scene in Newcastle and, more recently, has written a book called Hey Rock and Roll, which reflects on his time in music and the Newcastle music scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

Jack talked with Rick in the studio about his time in Keg, what inspired Keg to play a rock and roll medley, how Bob Hudson inspired Rick to form Benny and The Jets, how the band came to play The Star, the success the band had throughout the '70s, the recording of hits such as Hey Rock and Roll, the writing of songs such as JOK, why the band came to an end, and his book Hey Rock and Roll. 

"He (Don Graham) didn't know who I was, so then he would say, 'Well, where have you been playing?' and I’d reply, 'We haven't been playing anywhere.' In the end, he said, 'Look, just keep in touch,' so I rang him back every second day, drove him crazy... I said, 'We'll do a free night for you.' Don said, 'Oh, okay, what about next Tuesday?'... Halfway through the night, it was jumping, so they got us back." – Rick Pointon on this episode of Vinyl Vibes, talking about Benny and The Jets playing The Star for the first time. 

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins. 

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