30 Facts About Col Loughnan

Colin John Loughnan is an Australian jazz saxophonist, teacher, and composer, best known as a member of the Delltones, Ayers Rock, Judy Bailey quartet, and as a teacher of saxophone at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Col Loughnan was playing with Kala in London in 1973, before returning to Australia to join progressive rock, jazz fusion outfit Ayers Rock.

Col Loughnan was a major influence on the sound of the band, and wrote most of their musically adventurous material.

Col Loughnan flew back to Australia in 1978 to take up the position of lecturer in saxophone, and arranging at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Faculty.

Col Loughnan has played with many top international artists including Sammy Davis Jr.

Col Loughnan has played with a very long list of Australian musicians including Don Burrows, John Sangster, George Golla, Rhonda Burchmore, Errol Buddle, Bob Barnard and New Zealander Ricky May His long-term collaboration with Judy Bailey has extended from the late 1970s to the present.

Col Loughnan toured with Georgie Fame and The Aussie Blue Flames on Fame's frequent visits to Australia from 1979 to 2006.

Col Loughnan has entertained both great and small, playing with the Sydney and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and creating children's music in the studio for Australia's ABC Records.

Col Loughnan was involved in a scientific experiment at The University of New South Wales, nicknamed the "Frankensax" experiment, which investigated the acoustics inside the mouth, and throat of a saxophonist while playing.

Col Loughnan remains active in teaching and playing, often with friend Judy Bailey.

Colin John Loughnan was born on 26 October 1942, in Sydney, and became a professional musician, arranger, and teacher of saxophone.

Interactions with Coughlan lead the young Col Loughnan to ask his parents to buy him a trumpet, which received a polite but firm "no".

Downes and Col Loughnan were joined by Dennis O'Keefe, and Kel Palace, who lived near O'Keefe, to form a vocal quartet, The 4 Tops.

Five months later, Col Loughnan was, himself, a passenger in a car crash.

Col Loughnan was invited to become vocal harmony group, the Delltones, new lead singer in September 1962.

Col Loughnan joined original members Warren Lucas, Ian Wilson, and Brian Perkins.

From 1965, Col Loughnan was privately learning to play the saxophone at home in Randwick.

In 1967, Col Loughnan decided to take a very different direction, and left the Delltones after five years as a member.

In early 1968, Col Loughnan's services were no longer required because The Soulmates were cut back to a four piece outfit.

The band was augmented by Doyle on guitar, Col Loughnan wrote the first tune, "Shades of McSoul", and sang the vocal on the last track, "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" written by Jimmy Webb.

In October 1973, Col Loughnan was invited to join a recently formed band, Ayers Rock, by his friend, and former bandmate Doyle.

Col Loughnan flew from England to Melbourne to line up with Duncan McGuire bass, Mark Kennedy drums, Ray Burton on guitar and vocals, and Doyle on guitar.

Col Loughnan's family relocated to Melbourne during his time with the band.

Col Loughnan wrote two new tunes, "Crazy Boys" and "Big Red Rock", initially for the band's live sets, and eventually for their first album.

Col Loughnan started experiencing strong back pain which increased to such an extent that he was forced to quit live performing for two months.

Col Loughnan told The Advertiser: "We got $1000 not to play and the best seats in the house to watch Rod Stewart perform".

Ultimately, Col Loughnan composed most of the arrangements for Beyond while he and the band were on the road in the US.

Col Loughnan joined the academic staff at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney in 1978 as a lecturer in saxophone and arranging.

Many of Col Loughnan's students have established professional careers in music, including Dale Barlow, Sandy Evans, Richard Maegraith, Matt Keegan, and Mark Taylor.

Col Loughnan has taught at the Conservatorium of Music every year from 1978 to the present.