"Everlastng Love - The Town Criers (1968)

[@Chuckastrat]

The original T"C's were an extremely good band, Sammy a damn good guitar player and along with Andy on vocal's they always put on a great show. Their version of this song, without a doubt, the best by far.

[@lostraxx]

They used to practice in one of the members garage on Barrington Drive in Ashwood a SE suburb of Melbourne. I would ride past their place on my bike on the way to a girlfriends place. They even sounded great in their garage!

[@BigJack1]

How lucky you were.

[@raycbooth7558]

I was 14 & I think I remember being at one of those garage practice's that song brings back great memories of those days.

[@paisleyvespa]

That is exactly how Barry describes himself in this clip! He was still a teenager, had just replaced Andy in the band and had absolutely no idea what to do on stage! Says it's his best thunderbird impression!

[@folgore1]

I was going to say, "what's wrong with that guy's legs?" lol On top of that, the camerawork, in general, was a bit odd. Too many too, too close close-ups... The vocals on the song itself were impeccable; but the video was distracting!

[@abercrombie1416]

Lets face it,l was born 1960,everything was great especially tv shows 😊✌✌

[@denisejones5843]

Barry's first time with the band and first time on TV. One of the best bands of the time, nice young men. Love them.

[@paulweston285]

And Barry is celebrating his monumental success

[@measo...333]

The Sensational Sixties ...... Uptight on Saturday mornings.

[@annaseireklidou4270]

How I love this song. 🥰🥰

[@bobbles5637]

I still prefer dougie Parkinson's version....😂 Ducking for cover...lol

[@atikanikolla7680]

No matter who originally wrote / sang covered it. The Town. Criers get the credit of doing it the best ever 🎵🇦🇺

[@j2msu341]

This sounds like a piss up at a karaoke 🤮

[@Deejaay83urj38]

All the way

[@iansmethurst3610]

absolutely

[@marklee1783]

In the words of John McEnroe, YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!! 😂

[@angemaidment5640]

You’re clearly joking. Love Affair did it so much better.

[@archiethree]

This is the best version of this song absolute aussie classic.

[@riceski]

Good song - Good Hair - good times the 60-70's - @ 59 I remember this song well -

[@noelroberts8199]

Bring back the 60's best times best music best of life.....

[@christinastreicher6508]

Love Barry Smith totally a sweetheart

[@steveprice3584]

This song is so brilliant, there's no such thing as a bad cover of it

[@oranger2525]

this song is cover-proof. it (almost) always sounds good no matter who preforms it.

[@chygwelanmeneth]

I was in tech school (in Melbourne) when this came out and the girls just went nuts! Having subsequently heard the Love Affair's version, I still reckon the Town Criers' version is superior - it encapsulates a real beat and is not "wishy-washy". It makes you want to get up and dance at the local town hall dance. (and where have they gone?).

[@andrewsayers7991]

absolutely

[@peterscott2900]

yes agree the best version of this song ,never get tired of viewing this clip

[@macvatu]

Yes, I remember The Love Affairs came out with this and Rainbow Valley in '68 - they're lovely catchy tunes to singalong to. I still remember cleaning my windows with Radio Luxemburg belting out Everlasting Love on a hot summer day in Stamford Hill London N16; now how my heart aches thinking of those faraway days.

[@mredsquiz]

I love this song, great to see it! Love the way the guys all look so "chuffed" at being on tele! Must have been the first time! Barry, the newcomer, looks cool, calm & collected!

[@russoodle]

As I remember Barrie from his days with the Beque in Adelaide, he was quite a shy guy, not super confident of his vocal abilities at the time. I remember him with the Beque at the old Octagon Theatre out there in our “new” satellite city, Elizabeth, too….cheers dude

[@ellenlyne3215]

I saw them at festival hall for my 17th birthday. I was wrapped!

[@mrhypobaric2532]

This is definitely the BEST VERSION ever!

[@iansmethurst3610]

It is

[@Toner12]

Saw these guys in Melbourne supporting a big overseas act, can't remember who!! But I remember the Town Criers, they were terrific.

[@joebloggs619]

Back in the days when modern musicians could actually play and sing.... This is not the only good recording of this favourite love song of the era, by this Melbourne group, but they are pretty good. I think I still have rare signed old vinyl records by some of these groups whose members gave them to me as gifts during late night drinks etc after shows. I thought about donating them to charity to create more space in my cramped tiny one bedroom apartment but I can't. I look at pictures of these gorgeous fresh faced young men that seemed so 'cool', even wild back then, as we were forbidden as girls to have drinks with them, though we all tried to and I won, because I had left home at 13. But now they look so conservative, in collars and ties etc, playing in a band. And I often wonder what became of these boys in these bands. I recall asking one such band boy who fancied me and who says every other girl's dream lover, what he did for a crust when not doing music nobody can live off. He told me he was a plasterer. Stuck for further conversation as a shy teen, I asked him what doing that line of work involved. He replied "Not much. I just get plastered... Want a drink? Buy you a cocktail and we can get plastered together..." I was a good girl so I politely refused and left him to the bad girls to get plastered with him, as they were very eager to. I just went home to sleep. But I often wonder what happened to that young man and what might have happened had I not been so shocked by his tactless line about getting 'plastered' (meaning 'getting intoxicated' in Australian English). These bands used to be such fun to go and see or dance to. But, somewhere, on the way to now, the ability for youth and older people, too, to have some real social fun with music, dancing, getting dressed up t o meet new people, p t o spectate lovers etc somehow died. I think technology killed such joy. It is easier to have it on a screen, at home, for no effort. But something very important is lost this way. Real, genuine, human social connection, in the flesh. Virtual connection is only a second rate substitute for the real thing and you cannot be sure it is even genuine.

[@Deejaay83urj38]

I can tell you what happened to the drummer, Chris. He had a beautiful house in Sassafrass, then moved to St Kilda. He became a handyman and he painted his flat deep cream immaculately. The second bedroom housed his original drumkit. He said he loved being with me because with me there was no pressure to drink alcohol . . . nice guy. In 60s still perfectly lean body

[@mjames4709]

great song. Love Gordon from the Thunderbirds upfront!

[@Deejaay83urj38]

At least it isn't brains!

[@denisbargarey5335]

The best version of this great song

[@colinkelly8213]

Absolutely brilliant

[@webaroos]

Everlasting song.

[@roxydownunder]

Omg this band used to play down at Morwell when I was way to young great band..brings back many memories so good some well !

[@garrysmith6883]

yes Roxanne your right they did play at morwell at the karma in buckley street I saw them they were great

[@Luzielou]

You have to feel the passion then it´s real. I can see and feel it. Fantastic.

[@rpaton8802]

Played our school social (Prahran High School). Fantastic band

[@mkruup]

The originals are still the greatest! No doubt about that.

[@quieterrps]

Great to hear this. Weened on Robert Knight's version and then Carl Carton blew it out of the water. Very healthy take on this one, thank you!

[@Spazza40]

Best version of a great song....

[@whatwouldiknow1759]

I originally heard the Town Criers do this and though yeh it's good but equally good is Love Affair's version, especially their music clip.

[@joebloggs619]

Oh yes, I remember dancing to their music live, as a teen.... So emotional...Then all the love sick heart throb no it's would take a chance on love and ask you to dance for this song and girls like me would agonise and hesitate as we pondered whether we should or should not accept the dance request. I mean, what if they fell in love? Or worse still, if we fell in love with them.... The unthinkable could happen...What if the tried to kiss us...It was just too scary to contemplate, much as we liked them and it was the only reason we bothered spending our last dollar to buy a new dress just to to the dance, hoping to see them there and impress them with our feminine grace, beauty, class and style, cool dance moves etc... Youth used to be so innocent back then.Though we all thought we were ultra cool, very liberated chicks, when, in reality, we were anything but. And when young cool dude told me he could tell I was a virgin because of my white dress, which my friends said looked so "sexy", I could have died of embarrassment there and then because, if a girl was still a virgin, it is the last thing she wanted any cool young dude to know. He might consider her too boring and backward and old fashioned to be hanging around with, let alone have as his "hot c hi ick" girlfriend, which every girl wanted to be. For the most desirable, sought after cool dude every girl wanted to catch and hold...It was pretty competitive because the bad girls broke rules, to cheat and win the cool dudes eg by being "easy" b it the rest of didn't stoop to that level of sexual depravity. Eventually, once they got "experience" from the "tough bad chicks" the cool dudes would dump these and start on the "nice girls". Some succumbed and got to have a brief period of "female status" as their "girlfriend". But that was short-lived female glory because some other envious, competitive chick would try her charms on him, seduce him and steal him away. Leaving the soon yo be ex sad and broken hearted, possibly even "preggers",'with angry parents and community scandal to deal with and gossipping school peers. Mind you, the studs never put up much resistance to being seduced, stolen from their "true love" official girlfriends. It was pretty stressful being a teen and I was glad when I had an excuse ie university studies, that enabled me yo escape all this youthful fitting and love seeking scene. Just too complex for simple country girls like me who were told that it was reallyvery easy. Boy meets girl. They fall in love.Get married. Have kids. Live happily be or more or less happily ever after. Kids grow up.byou and your lover man grow old. And then you just die,like flowers past their blooming period. Hard university assignments were far easier than this youthful romantic courting scene, I room discovered. I was well on track for becoming a nerd, but I didn't care, because it felt better to be a geek,can need, an intellectual recluse who could laugh at the world in hiding, instead of being laughed at by the world. For being different from the rest. I soon discovered that all the seriously interesting types were also needs. But none of them were sexy, good looking,ultra cool. For that, I needed to find creative nerds. And I did. Trouble is,cthey were so slack and out of control and spent all day smoking dope and discussing be impractical solutions to impossible world problems, punctuated with the occasional bit of artistic creativity, when they had covered all the "world problems" topics on their political, religious etc agendas. I finally tired of them, too. The drugs etc bored me stupid. I needed to keep a clear mind...I needed to think, create, solve life problems. My own first, never mind the world ones I had no hope of fixing up.

[@colindominy]

Oh God I adore these classic Aussie songs, bands & vids ...

[@rosspluas3745]

Oh My Dear God What a nice song oh God my entire love

[@graffitiguru]

Barry Smith is a legend

[@floydroadheroes]

As a kid, I used to go and listen to them rehearse, as one of them lived just up the road from me. A real thrill!

[@derek5168]

I didn't know that this was a Melbourne band and have heard it on radio on and off over many years

[@phillipparli648]

At the time Andy left I was lead vocalist with Melbourne R & B band St Louis Union which disbanded and left me without a gig. I then sang with the Town Criers until Barry joined, but mustn't have made much of an impression on them as I am never mentioned in their history of members etc. Probably a little organic for the teeny-bopper image, but then they were only a covers band so what the heck ! It was interesting doing 20 gigs per week at school holidays time though, & I guess I kept them eating till they found their "ideal" singer. Anybody who's interested can find some of my songs on The Nod (NZ) first album (1987) or "See" by Mad Cow (NZ), a 4-song CD. No covers there ! lol Peace to all & "Hello" to anybody who remembers me from those days, when I too got to mime Andy's vocals on TV, whilst the band mimed Johnny Hawker's Big Band, who recorded the backing track. Aaaah! Those were the days..........NOT !

[@geraldineshaw290]

Great version of this song by a great Australia n love the violin Amen

[@glenlyons98]

This song was first recorded by the English band the Love Affair in January 1968 and it was a hit in the UK. The Town Criers recorded their version shortly thereafter and it become the hit in Australia.

[@whatwouldiknow1759]

Wrong. It was covered by both Town Criers, Love Affair & others. It was originally recorded by Robert Knight in the US in 1967.

[@paulottaway2194]

@@whatwouldiknow1759 i've got the robert knight single in my vinyl collection.

[@rrr1063]

@@whatwouldiknow1759 Correct!!

[@TheConverter330]

Too slow if I want to be critical.Love Affair by far the best arrangement.Just my opinion.

[@machiavelli99]

Best version of this song for sure. They had another hit "Love me Again" with another lead singer which is fantasitc.

[@helenhoughton7838]

Marvellous version!

[@ralphhaddon7457]

The guys lived on the other side of the creek from Jordanville tech at Ashwood...always use to see them outside there house when we went on cross country runs...I remember one of there mum's hot🙂

[@johnslaviero2080]

A glorious, fabulous masterpiece, full of joy!!

[@pamelabryant5460]

I think Barry mimed in this clip? I go-go'd to them at Penthouse..... fabulous band, great venue.

[@gpyri]

great memory from the past

[@measo...333]

Sensational sixties group and song, great memories of Saturday mornings, watching them on TV.

[@turnpiketed6383]

Ditto!!!

[@rainbow5428]

Ace band from Melbourne 1964 :)

[@lostraxx]

I used to walk to a girlfriend's place in Leopold St. Ashwood from Railway Ave. Jordanville, via Barrington Drive...they used to practice in a garage that I walked by every time.

[@BarnLes]

I'm glad that you corrected that person as I was going to say the same thing :-).

[@paulflinton1260]

played at the Bervale hotel in Forest hill and the Manhatten in Ringwood so much fun

[@ryanmcphie5024]

i went to ashwood high school at the time and was aware of that . spoke to barry one day and he confirmed that story

[@ohmkruger3373]

Klasse in der Zeit konnten die alle noch Musik machen ohne einen Rechner zu benutzen.

[@fossie32]

Fab clip!

[@anitashelby]

Ohh I Love, Love This Song!!!!...Thankyou Gary....Anita.

[@Janeblueheaven7]

I love this...Australian rock history

[@keetengblad]

Excellent! Andy Agtoft became a member of "Soames Electric" when he came to Sweden. We had a great time. Unfortunately I have no video clip from that period. Only a few recorded songs :-)

[@frednutz1604]

I used to work with Andy Agtoft. He once told me he hated this song.

[@Luzielou]

Super 60 song. Luv it.

[@belhudson71]

Great to see again. They played at my old school, Lyndale High in 1969 at our dance.

[@theeuprise]

awesome tune!

[@lyndacurran9216]

Omg 50 years later. They were great

[@parisbear6062]

They were a regular at Princeton - Burside Town hall Adelaide.

[@VintageSoundsFunk]

Wonderful Aussie Pop !

[@triciawenlock1196]

Great version.

[@mullity1952]

I concur very few of the songs to-day are that memorable, most a flash in the pans driven by commercialism.

[@1948ian]

I think this cover version is the better than Love Affairs version

[@tt1preciousmoments]

open your eyes then you realize , then I stand with my everlasting LoVe!!!! U NEVER BE DENIED EVERLASTING LOVEEEEE !!!! niceeeeeeee song and didn't know who sang this till now and I don't like other singers imitating this song because it sounds too much like a boring birthday party song instead. SERIOUSLY! :) SOMEONE TOLD ME TO CHECK THIS OUT AND I DID... THANKS friend from fb...

[@stevekazonic5661]

I have a 45 of "The Town Criers" which came out in the late 70's with "I walk with the sun" By Hod Davis and "She loves me" by Garry Boggs" It's a promotional 45. Is this the same group? THis is Horizon records which was a sub of A&M. It's signed too: Moody, Wing, Stepheror?, Patters.

[@briankeogh6269]

Hey Chris & Barry, do you remember Paula & Brian at the Star Hotel in South Melbourne when you were The Fabs. We still love you

[@lorrainebarry7184]

i love this versoin better

[@judithoneill4135]

Best of Australia music

[@edsantos6230]

Best version 💙💙💙

[@SuperJohnnykay]

@555Filters :yeah I remember this!! So the locals were doing In the Summertime ,The Pushbike song and all these covers but you also got to hear songs like unforgotten dreams by local artists. I reckon the Affairs version was a whole lot better than the Town Criers and Robert Knights that we never got to hear.The guys earlier like Normie and Ray Brown were ripping off the US and UK hits ..tell him Im not home,Pride, Shakin all over etc.Prob first songwriter of a decent song was hANS pOULSEN.

[@floydroadheroes]

i used to go around to watch them rehearse in Ashwood.... The lead singer has a wig on? Modelled on Francis Rossi in Pictures of matchstick men?

[@michael-yj1mf]

best australian band ever

[@oldwhippersnapper3]

Seriously good.

[@c9astal9unner]

never heard of them until now. better than Love affair

[@2jbenne]

Cassandra ...Violin player is actually their guitar play Sam Dunnin ... Barry Smithis actually playing tonight at 114 Nepean Hwy Mentone (that is 18th July)

[@Buzzbox3rd]

Pure class typical of Melbourne

[@ChopsForBohemians]

...Glenly - Black American Robrt Knight recirded the original US hit , the Love Affair's was a UK cover version .

[@GarryNeeman]

Great version. But the best? I think Love Affair's version has to be right up at the top.

[@Grum51]

its a classic the violin plyer looks shoched when he realises the camera is on and the the front guitarist just got out on paroll, very intense.

[@RawUmbers1]

@glenlyons98 The original was also a fairly big hit in the U.S., unfortunately another good song that has been forgotten by oldies radio stations that rotate about 12 songs, anchored by "Horse with No Name."

[@Chapps1941]

It doesn't have the rawness of the other version

[@zorazen2]

Popular 60s Song.

[@gazork123]

It was actually first recorded by Robert Knight in 1967; it was a top 20 hit in the US in November of that year. It hit the British charts at the same time as The Love Affairs' version, but didn't do nearly as well. Knights' version is somewhat subdued, while The Love Affairs' version is very vibrant and brassy. I like both versions, but TLAs version is the best, I think.

[@rrr1063]

I think the Town Criers' is best.

[@TheConverter330]

Not in the same league

[@rjthmson110253]

@glenlyons98 : Actually the original recording was by an American by the name of Robert Knight in 1967.

[@paulmac9646]

Love this, brings back fond memories. Which one of you lived in Mitcham? I still live there.

[@DigitalSpooker]

@glenlyons98 incorrect. The original version of "Everlasting Love" was recorded in Nashville by Robert Knight

[@peterchrisp9632]

legendary song although U2 did a version there is nothing better than the original an all classic legendary

[@gypsydog24]

+Peter Chrisp This is no doubt the best version however it was not the original ,the first being done by Robert Knight and the most successful version by a group called Love Affair.

[@whatwouldiknow1759]

The Love Affair in the UK did the original version. This is the better one.

[@pulykamell]

@@whatwouldiknow1759 Original was performed by Robert Knight. Carl Carlton also had a great version of it (my favorites are The Love Affair's and Carl Carlton's.)

[@astridmiller7938]

not being disrespectful, but the singer looks like a character out of the 'thunderbirds', the way he moves his arms and legs

[@wpaulvandyk]

@glenlyons98 Not as i know off as Robert Knight had the original in America before Love Affair.

[@AlexiJ0896]

It will be great,if someone could give guitar tabs to this version of the song.

[@lostraxx]

@cheekygirl1972 They used to practice in one of the guys garage about a half mile from my house in Ashwood. I had to walk or ride my bike right past their place to get to my girl friend's place.

[@1948ian]

i like this cover version better than the love affair

[@aliciastef]

A wonderful post glenlyons98.....and share garyco762 !!! 5/5 ********** Stars

[@Dragonlady66]

If the Thunderbirds ever formed a band they would be called The Town Criers.

[@jmc1908]

That's very funny. I never saw a bunch of guys look so awkward. (Like thunderbirds)

[@dennisballard3994]

This is the best, the only version of this song., Well produced and gutsy. It should get more air play than the Love Affair track which is insipid by comparison.

[@fossie32]

I fully agree it is the best. Don't normally get into arguments about which version is best but the comment on here putting it down just sucks. I think the original by Robert Knight is nice too.

[@sdovas]

Dennis Ballard Robert Knight and Carl Carlton both destroy this version with no effort, and neither of them could get service at some diners of the era.

[@gigantor62]

Lmao! You must be tone deaf or have poor taste in music Dennis.

[@skinner4320]

Yes, The Love Affair's was not the original.We heard Robert Knights' version & re arranged it. It was my first TV performance & I was overcome with nerves & succeeded magnificently in doing a wonderful Thunderbirds impersonation.Not my finest moment! However, proud of the recording. Robert Knights' & The Love Affairs versions were both brilliant & everyone has a different opinion on which version is their favourite. That's the way it should be!

[@Alaksuleiel]

DV8 :D

[@cassandrabevan8751]

Does anyone know who the gorgeous guy playing the violin is? In the clip of "Everlastingove"

[@2jbenne]

Cassandra ...Violin player is actually their guitar play Sam Dunnin ... Barry Smithis actually playing tonight at 114 Nepean Hwy Mentone (that is 18th July)

[@cassandrabevan8751]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. ♡