Almanac Music: A Ruddy Good Idea!

A Ruddy Good Idea!

 

 

Readers of the Almanac will know of my admiration and love of the creative genius of Mike Rudd starting way back in the late 60s when he teamed up with Ross Wilson and Ross Hannaford to form the Party Machine. When Ross Wilson left Australia to join Procession in the UK, Mike formed what was to become Australia’s premier progressive rock band Spectrum with the late Bill Putt, the amazing teenager drummer Mark Kennedy and Lee Neal on organ.

 

Spectrum delivered the number 1 hit ‘I’ll Be Gone’ in early 1971 and when Spectrum/Indelible Murtceps split in 1973, Rudd and Putt formed Ariel with guitarist Tim Gaze and drummer Nigel Macara, both from Tamam Shud, and produced one of the finest Australian albums of the era in A Strange Fantastic Dream.

 

The album gained critical acclaim in the United Kingdom and Ariel was invited by EMI to record their next album at Abbey Road Studios. Geoff Emerick, who had worked with The Beatles, was the mixing engineer for Ariel’s second album, Rock & Roll Scars.

 

Ariel boasted some of Australia’s finest musicians, including Harvey James, (Sherbet), Glyn Mason, (Stockley, See, Mason) and Iain McLennan and Tony Slavich (Richard Clapton Band) and produced five albums and eight singles from 1973 to 1977.

 

Post Ariel, Rudd and Putt formed a succession of bands in the 1980s and continued to produce albums and perform live. Mike and Bill’s musical collaboration spanned 44 years until Bill’s untimely death at home in 2013.

 

Mike has continued his legacy with his current iteration of Spectrum predominately out of Melbourne, recently performed a series of shows in South Australia with Tim Gaze and next month will have a film documentary entitled Some Day I’ll Have Money released at a special launch at the Brunswick Ballroom. Acclaimed film maker Chris Franklin (who made the brilliant documentary on Broderick Smith) has captured the making of one of Australia’s most recognisable songs and the life and times of Mike Rudd.

 

Mike has not performed north of the Murray River for well over a decade and after much consternation I decided to put a somewhat ambitious proposal to him in late 2025 as per the email exchange below:

 

 

Hi Mike,

 

It is with great interest that each time I see you post a new show/gig on Facebook you get the odd Sydney devotee asking, “When are you coming to Sydney?” Your replies intrigue me, but I gather that not only would it be logistically difficult there is the cost/benefit consideration in transporting and performing with your band outside of Melbourne.

 

I have a proposal for your consideration only. Would you be averse to a 12month project whereby I cobble together some highly competent and experienced musicians out of Sydney to learn an agreed suite of Spectrum/Ariel classics to back you for two or three shows over a weekend (in say October 2026) in Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle and perhaps Wollongong. The Sydney show could even be a twilight harbour boat cruise.

 

Some two years ago myself and my fellow Sydney based musicians backed Kevin Borich for a one-off event. He gave us his set list, and we rehearsed half a dozen times without him then once the night before the gig. Suffice to say we nailed it. For this project I would fly you up (with Maria) mid-year for a rehearsal as a means of monitoring our progress and refining under your tutelage.

 

If my proposal is fanciful, I understand but the people of Canberra, NSW/Sydney deserve some Rudd in their lives – something to ponder.

 

Richard.

 

 

Richard,

 

It’s so unusual and nice to be considered a potential drawcard that I’m reluctant to dissuade you out of sheer gratitude for your boundless enthusiasm.

 

I’m thinking out loud here. While I have considered the prospect of working without the band in the past, I’ve been hesitant to leave the chaps out of the equation as we have that cohesion that only comes with years of grinding my shit out on the road.

 

On the other hand, I have been up to Newcastle for Tinno’s (Mark Tinson) birthday parties two or three times with his band as back-up and it’s worked very well, with a few extra belles and whiskers thrown in – but that’s been strictly confined to IBG and Esmeralda.

 

The timing could be right though. Not that we’ve been asked, but the logistical considerations in undertaking any interstate gigs with the band are just too daunting. A well-planned and publicised mini tour with the suggested pick-up band would no doubt address many of the financial and logistical issues. I might even look at the idea for South Australia.

 

So, in short, I’m not getting any younger and it appears I’m not wedded to the band for the band’s sake and therefore I’m for your idea in principle. Hooray!

 

Lastly, we know there are at least three people who will definitely attend.

 

Anyway, those are my thoughts for the moment.

 

Thanks again for coming up with the proposal. Looking forward to the party!

 

Mike.

 

 

And so, with that I have secured four shows over four nights in Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle, agreed on a set list with Mike, put the band back together and rehearsals are well underway.

 

A media release has been sent and a Facebook page set up-A Retro Spectrum with Mike Rudd.

 

Prepare for an exhilarating musical journey as the iconic Mike Rudd, a cornerstone of the Australian music scene, returns to New South Wales and Canberra for a series of memorable performances! Mark your calendars for October 2026, as Mike brings his acclaimed show “A Retro Spectrum with Mike Rudd” to four intimate venues: The Harmonie German Club Canberra on Wednesday, October 21, CentroCBD Sorrento Room in Wollongong on Thursday, October 22, The Camelot Lounge in Sydney on Friday, October 23, and Flamingos Live, Wollongong on Saturday, October 24. This will be Mike’s final tour in New South Wales and Canberra—an event not to be missed!

 

With over six decades of musical mastery, Mike Rudd takes fans on a nostalgic ride through his incredible repertoire that includes hits from Spectrum, Indelible Murtceps, and Ariel and more. Attendees will experience intimate performances featuring a carefully curated band of talented Sydney musicians who will bring Rudd’s classics to life including Jamaican Farewell, Rock ‘n Roll Scars, Launching Place, We Are Indelible, Some Good Advice and the timeless I’ll Be Gone.

 

Additionally, Mike will pay tribute to the greats who shaped his musical journey, performing blues numbers from legends such as John Mayall, Muddy Waters, and Chuck Berry.

 

“I can’t wait to reconnect with all the incredible fans from New South Wales and the ACT who have supported me throughout my career. These shows will be a celebration of our shared love for music and the unforgettable moments we’ve experienced together. I’m excited to bring the spirit of the ’60s and ’70s back to life!” said Mike Rudd.

 

So, for our ACT and NSW Almanackers who have a deep appreciation of the music from a timeless era be sure to get along to one of the four shows and experience the artistry of Mike Rudd.

 

 

Read more from Richard Griffiths HERE

 

 

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