Lonnie Lee is a genuine pioneer of Australian rock and roll, and a name that connects directly to the first wave of the music in this country. Born David Laurence Rix in 1940 and raised between Sydney and Rowena in regional New South Wales, he came to prominence after competing in 2UW Amateur Hour in 1956 and then winning a Sydney contest promoted as an “Australia’s own Elvis Presley” search in 1957. He soon became associated with Johnny O Keefe, adopted the name Lonnie Lee, and went on to build his career as a singer and bandleader with the Leemen.
By the end of the 1950s and into the 1960s, Lonnie Lee was appearing on landmark television programs including Six O Clock Rock and Bandstand, while releasing hit songs such as “Ain’t It So,” “Starlight Star Bright,” and “I Found a New Love.” His career is widely credited with multiple chart hits and gold records, and his official timeline highlights just how central he was to Australia’s early rock and roll era. For festival audiences, that means more than a great set, it means the chance to see a performer whose story is part of Australian music history.
A true architect of Australian rock and roll, Lonnie Lee brings living music history to the stage with timeless hits, legendary presence, and the spirit of the genre’s first golden era
Event Venue
Victor Harbor Town Hall, 12 Coral St, Victor Harbor SA 5211, Australia, Victor Harbor
