Elizabeth Rankin McQuade (26 August 1941 – 26 December 2011), known as Betty McQuade, was an Australian

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from Africa ...

and pop singer.

Biography

Born in Paisley, Scotland, McQuade moved to Australia with her family at the age of eight, settling in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

. She began singing in talent shows and in clubs such as Cloudland, winning a major talent show at

Brisbane City Hall Brisbane City Hall, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, is the seat of the Brisbane City Council. It is located adjacent to King George Square, where the rectangular City Hall has its main entrance. The City Hall also has frontages and entranc ...

in 1956 when she was 15. Her club appearances became more frequent, appearing on bills with

Johnny O'Keefe John Michael O'Keefe (19 January 1935 – 6 October 1978) was an Australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the 1950s. Some of his hits include " Wild One" (1958), " Shout!" and "She's My Baby". In his twenty-year career, O'Keefe rel ...

and

the Bee Gees ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

, and she featured in TV shows both as a singer and dancer. She moved to

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

in 1960, and joined an existing group, The Thunderbirds, replacing Judy Cannon. The following year she signed with

Astor Records Astor Records was an Australian recorded music manufacturer and distributor that operated from the early 1960s to the early 1980s. Astor was the trade name of the consumer electronics manufacturer Radio Corporation Pty. Ltd, a division of Electron ...

as a solo singer, releasing her versions of

Wanda Jackson Wanda LaVonne Jackson (born October 20, 1937) is an American singer and songwriter. Since the 1950s, she has recorded and released music in the genres of rock, country and gospel. She was among the first women to have a career in rock and roll, ...

's recording "Tongue Tied" and

John D. Loudermilk John Dee Loudermilk Jr. (March 31, 1934 – September 21, 2016) was an American singer and songwriter. Although he had his own recording career during the 1950s and 1960s, he was primarily known as a songwriter. His best-known songs include "I ...

's "Midnight Bus", on which she was backed by the Thunderbirds. The latter song reached most regional charts in Australia, has been reissued there several times, and was later voted in a newspaper poll as the #1 rock song of the 20th century in Australia."Betty McQuade born 26 August 1941", ''From The Vaults'', 26 August 2015
Retrieved 27 February 2019 Loudermilk himself described McQuade's recording as the "definitive killer version" of the song. Rob Greaves, "Cream of The Crate: CD’s #50 – Betty McQuade: Collection", ''Toorak Times'', 21 January 2017
Retrieved 27 February 2019 "Betty McQuade", ''Dynamic Management''
Retrieved 27 February 2019 McQuade appeared regularly on Australian TV shows through the early 1960s. In 1962 she joined with the Premiers and released her final record on the Astor label, "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby". She then joined the Go!! label, who reissued "Midnight Bus" and a further single, "Blue Train". She returned to

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

in 1966, and performed regularly in clubs, widening her repertoire to include pop

standard Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...

s and

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

s. She retired in 1968 and married, but after that ended she returned to singing in small clubs. In 1983, she returned to Melbourne and began performing at rock and roll revival events as well as guesting on TV shows. She continue to perform into the 2000s, until her final performance on 22 September 2007. She died in Brisbane on 26 December 2011, aged 70, after a long illness. Paul Cashmere, "Betty McQuade Dies At 70", ''Noise11'', 29 December 2011
Retrieved 27 February 2019 A compilation of her recordings, entitled ''Betty McQuade Collection'', was issued on CD in 2012, with all revenue going to a charity in support of entertainers.

References

External links

Discogs.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:McQuade, Betty 1941 births 2011 deaths Australian women pop singers