The indefatigable Billy Thorpe (b. 1946) is one of the true legends of Australian rock'n'roll. Ever the journeyman rock'n'roll chameleon, Thorpie evolved from child star, beat pop sensation and cuddly pop crooner to finally emerge as the country's wildest and heaviest blues rocker. By the early 1970s, fronting the umpteenth version of his ever-changing Aztecs, Thorpie was the unassailable monarch of Australian rock music.
Growing tired of the faded denims and the 'suck more piss' Aussie pub rock ethos, Thorpie left Australia in 1976 to try his luck in Los Angeles. He produced a series of inventive, futuristic concept albums which sold remarkably well in the USA, but were overlooked locally. He returned to Australia in 1994 as a conquering hero, issued the three-CD box set Lock Up Your Mothers, was interviewed on 60 Minutes and relaunched himself on the Australian pub and concert circuit. There have been few more remarkable careers in Australian rock'n'roll.
For Billy’s full story visit this website –
http://www.deltacounseling.com/billy-thorpe/bio.html
R.I.P. Thorpie