Toowoomba band The Countdowns celebrates 60 year anniversary with Rumours International Show

Could this be Queensland’s longest-running active band? Its founder certainly thinks so. Ahead of their 60th anniversary show, here is a wild story of The Countdowns.

The Countdowns in 2013 – Roger, Owen, Bob and Bevan in front. Photo Contributed

Owen Ray still remembers the South Toowoomba home where he formed the band that would be part of his life for six decades

“I formed the band, I formed them myself at my house in 1965 — it was in Joyce Street in Toowoomba and I lived in that house for 39 years,” the legendary guitarist said.

“I must have been 17 because I left school when my father died in 64 when I was 16, and then I formed the band the year later.”

60 years and thousands of shows later, Mr Ray believes the story of Toowoomba institution The Countdowns is coming to an end — and it could be as soon as this Saturday at the band’s anniversary show at Rumours International.

“We played full-on for 50 years, it’s only the last ten years where things have quieted down a hell of a lot, but we’re still playing,” he said.

“I’d say it would be (our last anniversary show) – there’s health issues in the band, which is obvious — we’re not spring chickens anymore.”

Owen Ray. Countdowns 50th birthday at Rumours. Saturday, Jul 25, 2015. Photo Nev Madsen / The Chronicle

Mr Ray’s initial line-up, which only lasted two years, included a Toowoomba identity.

“One of (the original members) was Barry Bernoth, the guy that owns half of Toowoomba — he was our original bass player, and Barry’s singing with us (on Saturday night),” he said.

“Barry and the drummer called Lenny Richardson were in another band, and that band broke up and I was working with the guy that was the leader of that band in town.

“I said, ‘would you mind if I got those two members?’ and he didn’t care because the band broke up.

“Then we picked up a guy called Billy De Kroon, and Bill’s coming Saturday night too — he’s in his 80s now.”

With a name inspired by the Space Race between the USA and Soviet Union at the time, The Countdowns arguably hit their peak during the late 60s and early 1970s.

This period included a remarkable appearance at Brisbane’s Festival Hall that stands as one of Queensland’s biggest musical moments.

“In 1960, we were selected to back all the artists at what we still believe is the biggest function ever held in Festival Hall’s history in Brisbane.

The Countdowns – Lennons Hotel, 1968 from left; Roger, Denis, Len and Owen Photo Contributed

“That night, they estimated there was 6500 people in Festival Hall, and they were standing.

“The line-up was John Farnham, Ronnie Burns, Bobby and Laurie, Russell Morris and Jamie Redfern, who was very big at the time.

“(The crowd) was like (they were watching) the Beatles, just screaming, yelling over the top, you know?

“That was a big, big thing for us to be part of that show.”

The longevity of the band, which has enjoyed surprisingly few members since 1965, is also a potential Australian record.

Mr Ray also argued the achievement was even more impressive than The Rolling Stones’ similar milestone reached in 2022.

The Countdowns – from left; Barry, Owen, Denis and Len dance at Clewley Motel, 1967 Photo Contributed

“I sponsored Glenn A Baker, Australia’s musical historian, to a dinner up the north coast and I was talking about the band, and he said he didn’t know another band had been together for 50 years,” he said.

“I read a book a year ago about the Rolling Stones, which was about 50 years of the Rolling Stones.

“If you read the book, they’ve only probably played 20 years out of the whole 50 years.

“But we played solidly for 50 years – solidly.”

Today, the line-up includes long-term drummer Bevan Betros, bassist Roger Hill and Bob Donovan.

Saturday’s gig, which kicks off from 6.15pm, includes Johnny O’Keefe’s daughter Vicky, Sue Ray and The Shadows Tribute Band as guests.

Tickets are still available at the door so for more information, head to the Facebook event.

The Countdowns in 2013 – Roger, Owen, Bob and Bevan in front. Photo Contributed