Chapter 1:

In the beginning there was Peter & the Silhouettes, and Peter & the Silhouettes were Kevin Clancy-lead guitar, Keiran Keogh-bass guitar, Manuel Pappos-rhythm guitar Tony Truscott-drums & Peter Rechter- vocals and keyboard.

Peter & the Silhouettes played at numerous dances all over country Victoria and ran their own dance each Friday night at the Golden Square Fire Brigade Hall. The Silhouettes first recorded with Allan Williams, a local sound technician, where they did covers of early R & B recordings. As their popularity grew the local radio station invited them in to record versions of current hits. This was soon brought to an end as publishing & record companies complained to the station of breach of copyright.

In 1965 local dance promoters John Kiely & Colin James decided to record an album of original material featuring local bands. Peter & the Silhouettes were invited to participate, producing Claudette Jones & The Natural Man for "The Scene" Album. The album was recorded at W & G studios in Melbourne and produced by Johnny Chester, a rock and television star of the day and personal friend of John Kiely. Before Peter & the Silhouettes entered the studio their drummer, Tony Truscott was involved in a car accident, breaking his leg. Tony was replaced on the album by Len Gaskell. The Scene album was released in 1966 and all of the songs were featured on a television special on B.C.V. 8.

In 1987 Dean Mittelhausen re-released Claudette Jones on "It's A Kave In" and in 1999 Peter Markmann featured "Claudette Jones" as the opening track on the C.D. version of "It's A Kave In". In 2000 Chris Spencer, a rock historian re- released "The Scene" album on C.D.

Chapter 2:

And it came to pass that Peter & the Silhouettes changed their name and line-up to The Tol-Puddle Martyrs in 1966,

Len (Loin) Gaskell replaced Tony Truscott on drums and Russell (Rocky) Hogan replaced Manuel Pappos on rhythm guitar. The Silhouettes became The Tol Puddle Martyrs. They moved their Friday Night dance to the Unity Hall, and increased their popularity with the release of their 1967 single "Time Will Come" / "Social Cell", reaching number 6 on the Top Forty charts in Central Victoria.

The " Puddles" were working three to four gigs a week, travelling all over Victoria and Southern N.S.W. In 1968 they won the Country Final of "Hoadleys Battle Of The Sounds" and then placed third in the Australian final. This was the recognition they needed to enter the dance & disco scene in Melbourne. During 1968 "Hoadleys" ran another battle of the bands; Hoadleys "Big Break", on the number 1 radio station of the day, 3UZ.

The Tol Puddle Martyrs won a recording contract with Festival Records. In 1968 they travelled to Sydney to record "Love Your Life" / "Nellie Bligh". It became another top ten hit for the band in Regional Victoria and the Puddles appeared on the top Rock T.V. show Ñ "Uptight". During 1969 the "Puddles" continued to work at the major venues in Melbourne and Regional Victoria, but with various members marrying and heading in different musical directions, the band decided to call it a day.

Chapter 3:

And lo, there came from within The Tol-Puddle Martyrs a new band called The Secrets, but here endeth the lesson.

You can find out more about Peter Rechter and The Secrets by visiting our web-site at www.secretdeals.com.au or contacting peter@secretdeals.com.au