Robert McComb
| Robert McComb | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Harold McComb |
| Born | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Genres | Rock, alternative, folk rock, country |
| Occupations | Musician, teacher |
| Instruments | Violins, guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals |
| Years active | 1979–1989 |
| Associated acts | The Triffids, Lawson Square Infirmary, The Red Ponies |
Robert Harold McComb is an Australian musician who played guitar, violin,[1] organ, and various other instruments with Perth-based rock group The Triffids,[2] from 1979 to 1989.[3] He is the older brother of the band's founder and lead singer-songwriter, David McComb (1962–1999). Both were also members of Lawson Square Infirmary and The Red Ponies.
Subsequently, McComb was a teacher[3] of geography in Melbourne. On 1 July 2008 The Triffids, with McComb and other surviving members, were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.[3]
Biography
Robert Harold McComb was born in Perth, Australia as one of four sons. His parents were both doctors, his father, Dr Harold Keith McComb (born 1924, Brisbane),[4] a plastic surgeon[5][6] and his mother, Dr Kathleen Athel Hockey (AO) (1923–2011), a medical geneticist.[6][7][8] Harold was the only son of A. R. McComb of Montreal, Canada and Athel was the youngest daughter of P. R. Hockey of Toorak, Victoria.[9] In 1947 both completed their medical degrees at University of Melbourne and were engaged in July.[6] In 1955 the McCombs moved to Perth,[4] and raised their family in a historical residence, The Cliffe in McNeil Street, Peppermint Grove.[10] All four boys attended Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont. The eldest son, Peter McComb, is also a doctor – in obstetrics and gynaecology – and an associate professor in Vancouver.[4]
In 1979 McComb joined his youngest brother, David Richard McComb (born 17 February 1962), in the rock band, The Triffids, initially as a guitarist, replacing founder Phil Kakulas.[11][12][13] Aside from guitar McComb also provided violin, keyboards, percussion and backing vocals for The Triffids from 1979 to their disbandment in 1989.[11][14] During 1990-1991 McComb toured internationally and recorded as a guest guitarist/violinist for Tall Tales and True. In June 1993 three former members of The Triffids: McComb, David and Graham Lee; as well as Charlie Owen and Chris Wilson guested on Acuff's Rose's debut studio album, Never Comin' Down.[15] On 2 February 1999 David McComb died.[11] From 2006, The Triffids with McComb have reformed for various performances with different guest lead vocalists. On 1 July 2008 The Triffids, with McComb and other surviving members, were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.[16]
Outside his music career, McComb, has been a secondary school teacher of geography in Melbourne and has written advice for Victorian Certificate of Education students.[3][17] In October 2009 McComb was a guest panellist on Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV pop music quiz show, Spicks and Specks.[18]
References
- General
- McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Retrieved 20 July 2012. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
- Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara, Paul McHenry with notes by Ed Nimmervoll (2002) [1987]. The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Vic.: Five Mile Press. ISBN 1-86503-891-1. [19]
- Specific
- ↑ Zuel, Bernard (26 June 2006). "The Day of the Triffids". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "Artist: The Triffids". Long Way to the Top. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "ARIA Hall of Fame - The Triffids" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Emeritus Consultants Biographies – Harold Keith McComb". Royal Perth Hospital. 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ McComb Foundation history
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Heinz, Karin Coventry (December 2005). "Western Australian Medicos Establish Scholarship at Queen's" (PDF). In Aeternum. Queens College – University of Melbourne. Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ Sutherland, Grant R (9 December 2009). "The History and Development of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia" (PDF). Human Genetics Society of Australasia. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ "Obituary: Dr Athel Hockey, (McComb), AO. [1923-2011]". Newsletters April 2011. Office of Population Health Genomics, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia. April 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ↑ "Lady Kitty Writes About People". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) (National Library of Australia). 15 July 1947. p. 10. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ↑ Heritage Council of Western Australia – Heritage listing – 'The Cliffe'
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 McFarlane (1999). Encyclopedia entry for 'The Triffids'. Archived from the original on 17 April 2004. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ↑ Nimmervoll, Ed. "The Triffids". Howlspace. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ↑ Spencer et al, (2007), 'Triffids, The' entry.
- ↑ Holmgren, Magnus; Skjefte, Morten; Warnqvist, Stefan; Simonetti, Vince. "The Triffids". Australian Rock Database. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren). Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ McFarlane (1999). Encyclopedia entry for 'Acuff's Rose'. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ↑ "Winners by Year: 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ McComb, Robert (December 2001). "VCE Geography sample SACs for Unit 3". Interaction 29 (4). Geography Teachers' Association of Victoria. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ "Episode Thirty Seven". Spicks and Specks. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 7 October 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ↑ "Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry". catalogue. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
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