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1931 – July 1 Russell Hawking born, Mooroopna Victoria.
1933 – July 7 Alan Hawking born.
1935 – Mother dies.
Alan raised by his grandparents (mother’s parents)
in Clifton Hill.
Russell
raised by grandparents (fathers side) in Mooroopna.
Because they were raised separately they spent much of
their childhood apart.
When older Russell moved to the country inspired by brother
Rus and cousin Barry Ling.
Rus and Barry both played bass and sang.
1940’s – Alan Rus and Barry went along to the newly
formed Hillbilly Club in
Brunswick.
This
is where they got their basic training.
Alan worked as a cabinetmaker, so he made his first
guitar which led to a guitar making hobby.
Later he joined the well known fretted instrument
maker in Melbourne, “Maton” he stayed 15 years until he
became a professional musician in the 70’s.
1950’s - Alan and Russell joined the “Trailblazers” a
Melbourne country music concert troupe, working in radio,
touring and doing live concerts in and around Victoria where
he met his future wife Diane.
Alan and Russell started as a duo Alan on lead and Rus on
rhythm guitar featuring the two voices Alan is a
multi-instrumentalist. They then formed the band which
turned professional in 1970.
1955 – The Hawking Brothers as a duo record their first
78rpm Regal Zonophone disc. “My
Darling Daisy”.
Since then almost 30 more recordings in the
Hawking Brothers name for W & G, Parlophone”, “Fable”,
“Planet”, “Crest”, “Columbia”
and “RCA”.
1956 – Alan and Diane marry.
They later have four children.
1970 – The Hawking Brothers (full band) become professional
musicians.
1972 – Hawking Brothers fan club founded by Dian Johns.
First club ever set up in Australia
for a country band.
They were support acts for Johnny Cash and Buck Owens and
many other artists they toured Australia.
Recorded at the famed RCA Studio in Nashville.
1974 – Golden Guitars for Instrumental of the Year with “Yakity
Axe” and Vocal Group with “Catfish John”.
1975 – Golden Guitar for Vocal Group of the Year with
“Julianna”. Representing
Australia
on the International Show in
Nashville
USA.
1976 – Won award for “The Country Band” that has done the
most in country music.
1976 – November 2 Russell Hawking died from a heart attack.
As a memorial tribute to his brother Alan decided to
continue with the Hawking Brothers name that together they
had started many years ago.
After the death of Russell they took out ‘Best
Group and Album Award’ in Tamworth.
Awarded for 21 years in recording from Melbourne Lord
Mayor.
1977 – Golden Guitar for
Best Group” with “This House Runs on Sunshine”.
Inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth.
1978 – Golden Guitars for Album of the Year with “Country
Travellin’” and Vocal Group of the Year with “Silver Wings”.
FEIP award (Favourite Entertainment Incentive Performance)
for “Best Country Band”
1979 – Golden Guitar for Top Selling Single and Album of the
Year with “One Day at a Time”.
Three more FEIP Awards for “Best Country Band”, “Best
Country Album –
Australasian Radio Recording Award.
1980 – Won Best Country Band FEIP. As The Hawking
Brothers they toured with Charlie Pride.
After numerous changes to the band lineup Alan
decides to goes solo. – He performs with the help of his
long time friends “Country Ltd.”
Records with RCA a
single “Just For Today” Releases album of the same name.He
received two FEIP Awards for Best Male plus Most Popular.
1983 – Golden Guitar for “Best Instrumental” – “Back
to Those Rolling Plains”.
1985 - Golden Guitar for Instrumental of the Year with
“Gospel Train”
1988 – Alan Hawking passed away on 19th
September.
1989 – Inducted into the “Roll of Renown” in Tamworth
“Some”
recordings of the Hawking Brothers;
“Portrait of the Folksy Hawking Brothers”
“Australian Heritage”
“Country Gold”
“The Best of the Hawking Brothers”
“Country Travelling”
“21 Years with the Hawking Brothers”
“Flying High in Concert”
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