Max Merritt – The Legend
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After 45 years in the music industry, Max Merritt is a true legend of Australasian music. It is a tragic aspect of Max's career that he was so chronically under-recorded during his prime years. For someone who may have played bridesmaid so many times in his early years, he certainly proved he had the ability and his longevity shows that in the end he certainly came out the winner. The year 2002 heralds a new era for the 61 year old Max Merritt. Touring in April and May under the banner "The Heart & Soul of Rock & Roll" with Doug Parkinson, Max witnessed what could be described as a re-birth for Australian rock pioneers, a rejuvenation that may largely be attributed to the highly successful ABC TV series "Long Way To The Top". Throughout the 2002 tour, events mounted at breakneck speed for Max, including an offer from Michael Chugg and Kevin Jacobson, inviting Max to perform as part of "Long Way To The Top ú The Concert" arena spectacular touring throughout Australia's major markets in August and September. At the same time came confirmation that the pairing of Doug Parkinson with Max Merritt and the Meteors would re-unite in October for a 20-show date "Heart & Soul of Rock & Roll" tour. During his time in Melbourne, Max Merritt together with the Meteors entered the recording studio for the first time in almost a decade. Max cut four brand new tracks at the state-of-the-art Metropolis Studio in Bank Street South Melbourne for inclusion in an up-coming project. While in Melbourne, Max took the opportunity to call in a bunch of favours, turning to every name on his use-up-a-friend list. With the show at Crown Casino full to the brim, Max expanded the Meteors line-up in spectacular fashion by including John Montesante (Trumpet), Charles MacInnis (Trombone), Gary Deleo (Alto Sax), Jamie Oehlers (Tenor Sax), Nick Lester (Baritone Sax), John Bedggood and Justin Brady (Violins), Jenny Thomas (Viola), Michelle John (Cello), and backing vocalists Alvie Johns, John "JT" Toney, Lucy Gale and Shirley Davis, the Meteors had become a one-off eighteen piece outfit. With sound, lighting and staging under the direction of the "A-Team", Noel Bennett and Alex Saad, the audible gasp from the audience when the curtain went up at Crown Showroom was testament to the efforts that had gone into making this a very special event. This performance by Max Merritt and the Meteors was recorded in 5.1 sound by supremo Ernie Rose and digitally video taped for release on DVD. The sound track was also released on CD and includes the new studio tracks as a bonus. Since the Long Way To The Top tour, things have gone from strength to strength for the mighty Max Merritt & The Meteors. They have become one of the most popular and sought after Headline Attraction for Special Events and Music Festivals nation wide. In recent years, Max Merritt shared the bill with Wilson Pickett, James Brown and Ray Charles and did Australia proud. As a leading Oz Rock Icon, the legendary Max Merritt & The Meteors continue to wow audiences whenever Max returns to Australia. During visits over the past couple of years, Max and the band have headlined shows at the Melbourne Music & Blues Festival, The Perth Moonlight Festival, The Byron Bay Blues Festival, The Veterans Games in Alice Springs, The Queenscliff Festival and The Toyota Muster Gympie ....... and each and every time has been 'the high point of the event'. To quote John Faine on ABC Radio in Melbourne on the Monday morning after the Queenscliff Festival, John glowingly reported "If you missed seeing and hearing Max Merritt & The Meteors last Saturday, you missed something really special". Following the resounding success of the Corner Hotel in August, 2005 Max is playing more of the "Street Cred" gigs throughout Victoria and New South Wales. "I just loved the Corner Hotel gig, it was just like the old days at The Catcher or the Thumping Tum" Max said. Max returned to Australia in April 2006 to play the Byron Bay Blues Festival and the Gladstone Harbour Festival. |