| Ross D. Wylie | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948 (age 63–64) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | pop music |
| Occupations | singer, television presenter, produced, public relations |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Sunshine, Festival, Fable |
| Associated acts | The Kodiaks The Escorts |
Ross D. Wylie (born 1948) is an Australian pop music singer and television presenter from the 1960s and 1970s. Originally from Brisbane, Wylie had a Top 20 hit with his cover of Ray Stevens' song, "Funny Man" and an Australian No. 1 with "The Star", both in 1969. Between 1967 and 1969, Wylie hosted Uptight, a weekly four-hour music series, on Channel 0 in Melbourne. In 1970 he followed with a similar show, Happening '70, and from 1978 to 1980, he presented films on a late-night time slot.
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Ross D. Wylie was born in 1948 and raised in Brisbane. In 1964, he joined a pop band, The Kodiaks, as lead singer. By 1967, as a solo artist, he signed with the Sunshine label and released a debut single, "Short Skirts". He was backed by label-mates, The Escorts.[1] His next single, "A Bit of Love" followed, using only studio musicians.
Wylie relocated to Melbourne and, on 28 October, became the host of a new pop music television show, Uptight for local Channel 0. He signed with Festival Records, and released the non-charting single, "Smile", in April 1968. Uptight was a weekly four-hour series that ran until 1969 with Wylie as its host.[1][2]
Wylie had a No. 17 hit on Go-Set's National Top 40 in July, with his cover of Ray Stevens' song, "Funny Man".[3][4] His National No. 1 hit, "The Star", followed in November.[5] It was later covered by United Kingdom act, Herman's Hermits, as "Here Comes the Star".[2]
In 1970, Uptight was replaced on Channel 0 by a one-hour pop music series, Happening '70 retaining Wylie as host. In April, he released a double-A-sided single, "Free Born Man" / "My Little Girl", with its charting affected by the radio ban – where commercial stations refused to play recordings by Festival Records (among others) from May to October.[6] He left Happening '70 to return to Brisbane in late 1970.[1]
In 1971, Wylie signed with the Fable Label and released, "He Gives Us All His Love" in April. He followed with "It Takes Time" in August and "Sweet White Dove" in May 1972. He turned to the pub and club circuit. Eventually he formed a production company with fellow pop artist, Ronnie Burns, and artist manager, Jeff Joseph. With Tony Healy, he also created a public relations company. In the late 1970s he presented a late-night movie show on Melbourne's Channel 0-10.[1]
In 1988, Festival Records released a compilation album of Wylie's singles, Smile: The Festival Files Volume Ten. In August 2003, Wylie performed an Uptight themed variety show at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne reuniting with other 1960s performers.[7]