Middle-Earth was a Maitland based band that began playing Newcastle and Hunter Valley gigs in '75. The band was started by Larry Shone (guitar) with Brett Carson (bass) and Warren Cook (drums). The addition of Geoff Turner (vocals, guitar) later in the year completed the line-up.

The band played the usual standards by 'Chuck Berry', 'The Stones', 'Status Quo', 'Deep Purple', 'Kiss', 'Free' and 'Santana', as well as songs by 'America', 'David Bowie', 'The Dooby Brothers', 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young', and 'Steely Dan'.

The band changed drummers a number of times with Chris Varley then Glen "Butch" Butcher and even the roadie, Brian Kelly, keeping the beat.

Middle-Earth played the usual venues around Newcastle and Maitland and travelled as far as Muswellbrook and Karuah before breaking-up in '77. Larry moved on to the 'Randy River Boot Band', 'Teaser' and other bands. He still plays today in 'Radio Ga Ga'. Brett also joined other bands, including 'Teaser', and is still playing in 'Misbehave'.

I joined 'Rat Salad' for a while then did some acoustic duo gigs with Steve Russell before quitting the business in '80.

Geoff Turner