As it happened, my brother John, George Foundis and myself had already created a Trio we called ‘The Athenian Trio’ and we were playing at dances, weddings and parties.
It was in one of those parties we played, as I remember, on a Harbour Ferry, that we realised that a large majority of the guests there, were all involved in music, some way or another.
That’s where the idea was manifested into “Why don’t we form a club”, and have regular functions where we could get together and enjoy playing, jamming and dancing.
Realising that we needed an energetic leader to take the reigns, we approached my elder brother Leo Anagnostou to fill that spot.
After looking around for more interested persons to join us, we called a meeting at my family home and we came up with the necessary positions and the COMMITTEE was formed with its First President, Leo Anagnostou.
The first decision made was that the name should be “The Music Lovers’ Club”.
And so goes the birth of “The Music Lovers’ Club”.
It was at that meeting that the Committee decided that the purpose of the club would be to hold dances as often as it was possible and use all profits to support different charities. Also that the dances were to be used as a stepping stone to help promote groups and individual musicians to expose themselves and help to kick-start their own careers in the music industry.
The Club, with its functions and activities, as in small parties and picnics, started to grow and started to attract a plethora of Members who supported tirelessly and offered their time to help with the organisation of all the functions.
The Club held dances regularly at the ‘Burland Community Hall’ Newtown and managed to fill it to capacity of 450 people every time sticking to its original decision to help different Charities with all its profits.
As in all clubs, eventually Committee persons were replaced by others who kept the club going for many years. Noted Presidents, and I apologise in advance if I missed anyone, were Nick Malaxos and Nick Alexandrou. Eventually the club folded as people got too old or found different interests.
I am delighted to see that, due to renewed vigour and willingness, “The Music Lovers’ Club” has been reborn. I congratulate the new Committee for their effort and hope that it will become as successful as it was back then.
Evangelos (Lucky) Anagnostou.
Foundation & present Committee Member
Flash back to 28 December 1968
The Music Lovers Club is a social club which would be classed as a “Non-Profit Charitable Body” that was established on the 28th of February 1964. Three years later, in 1967, Mr Nick Malaxos was given the opportunity to produce and edit the Club’s first Annual Magazine.
In this relatively short time, the achievements of the club were phenomenal. From an idea to a reality, from obscurity to popularity, from a handful of boys to an organisation of young people. This success was due to the hard working committee, to the magnificent leadership and to their loyal members. Together they formed this club, they carried this club through the difficult first years and together they supported it.
The Foundation Dance took place in May 1964. Within a period of three years the following dances were organised by the Club:
1964 May – Foundation Dance
July – Athenian Night Dance
September – Arabian Night Dance
December – New Year’s Dance
1965 February – Annual Dance
April – Fancy Dress Dance
June – Athenian Night Dance
September – Arabian Night Dance
October – Spring Festival Dance
December – New Year’s Dance
1966 February – Fancy Dress Dance
May – Go-Go Night Dance
August – “A Night Dance”
October – “A Night in Athens” Dance
November – “A Night of Stars” Dance
November – Arabian Night Dance
December – New Year’s Dance
Οn the 24th October 1970 the Club organised the first Miss Music Ball @ The Wentworth Hotel. Proceeds went to the Spastice Centre of NSW.
Information from “The Note” 1967
MUSIC LOVERS’ BANDS
- Athenian Quartet: This popular band started as a trio in 1963, with Johnny Anagnostou on the piano-accordion, Luckie Anagnostou on the guitar and George Foundis on the drums. In this short time they achieved wonders and have played in well-known restaurants such as the Colonnades, Copa Cubano and now Bamboo. During their appearance at Colonnades they had the popular pianist Themos Mexis as their fourth man.
- Blue Stars: This exciting band reached its peak in 1966-1967 after three years of changes in players and names until stability was achieved. The band was originally known as “Granados”, later changed to “Latin Combo” and finally “Blue Stars”. The band of 1966/67 included Terry Nicolaou on guitar, Nick Nicolaou on guitar and bouzouki, Nick Makroyiannis on accordion and Vivi Malaxos on drums. The band had played at the “Elatos” and later “Pyntreello”. In 1967 Nick Makroyiannis left to play in the “Café de la Paix” night-spot, while Vivi Malaxos left to play in the “Copa Cubano” restaurant. Jack Vardavas ex Trio Amigos, joined them.
- Trio Amigos: This band started in 19.. with George Kaperonis on accordion, Peter Michaelandos on guitar and George Malaxos on drums. This band has been popular amongst Greek dances and although they made several changes in their players, the trio always retained its name. In 1965, George Malaxos left the band for an overseas trip and Jack Vardavas replaced him on drums, while in 1966 Peter Michaelandos departed for Greece. “Trio Amigos” is identified by the short accordionist known as “Collosus”.
- Flamingo Trio: This band, although shortlived, achieved wonders in producing three fine musicians. Chris Christoforou on the guitar, Nick Makroyiannis on the accordion and George Lekkas on the drums. The band was disbanded due to other more important scholarship studies.
- Los Vanitos: This band started about two years ago, and has done very well in establishing popularity. George Karayiannis leads this band and plays the clarinet and saxophone while Mario is on guitar. Joe is on the accordion, Con is their organ player and singer and George is their drummer.
- Sanjakaas: This band emerged as an exciting popular music band in the last year or so. The boys in the band are Angelo and Michael on guitars, Santos on accordion and Jack on drums.
Text from The Note (1967)