Somewhat of an Australian Rock institution although only really known internationally for having Brit Metal legends IRON MAIDEN score a British hit with their 1980 version of 'Women In Uniform'. SKYHOOKS dealt in raucous Pop Rock and were unafraid to deal with usually taboo topics. This non conformity and willingness to wear make up and outlandish costumes only served to fuel their reputation in their homeland.

SKYHOOKS was created in Melbourne during early 1973 by bass player Greg Macainsh, a veteran of REUBEN TICE and FRAME. The first roll call included ex-LILLIE and BLUE HILLS singer Steve Hill, former LIPP and SOUND BARRIA guitarist Peter Starkie, ex-CAPTAIN MATCHBOX WHOOPEE BAND and SPANNER guitarist Peter Ingliss and former FRAME drummer Freddie Strauks.

In their formative years Strauks and Macainsh had formed the rhythm section for such bands as SPARE PARTS and SOUND PUMP.

By August of the same year both Starkie and Ingliss were out of SKYHOOKS being supplanted by Starkie's younger sibling erstwhile MARY JANE UNION six stringer Bob Starkie and former SCUMBAG member Redmond Symons. A deal with Mushroom Records was soon forthcoming.

The band debuted with two live cuts culled from their appearance at the 1974 Sunbury festival. 'Love On The Radio' and 'hey, What's The Matter' appeared on the compilation album 'Highlights Of Sunbury '74'. After these recordings Hill lost his position to another ex FRAME member Grahame Strachan (known as 'Shirley)! SKYHOOKS recorded their first album 'Living In The 70's' with producer Ross Wilson that summer.

The bulk of the album tracks were banned from radio due to their liberal use of profanity and references to drugs. The authorities attempt to quash the album backfired in the biggest possible way as the controversy propelled the album to the number 1 spot. The record, bouyed by hit singles 'Living In The 70's' and the number 1 'Horror Movie', would stay in the charts for over a year and sell over 300'000 copies. The album would also collect numerous awards in Australia.

Quick to capitalize on this huge wave of popularity SKYHOOKS second album 'Ego Is Not A Dirty Word' was issued and went straight to the top spot. Its predecessor was still in the top ten. Once again it launched a number 1 single 'Ego Is Not A Dirty Word'.

SKYHOOKS toured Australia playing to enormous sold out crowds with a stage show centred upon a gigantic phallic mushroom! The offending fungus would explode during the band's peaen to masturbation 'Smut'.

Setting their gaze upon the international scene a deal was arranged with American label Mercury to release a compilation of the first two albums in America. SKYHOOKS toured America in March 1976 as support to URIAH HEEP but found the reception not what they expected. Back in Australia SKYHOOKS recorded a version of CHUCK BERRY's 'Let It Rock' which naturally charted.

band recorded a new album in Los Angeles before embarking on further Australian tour dates to plug the single 'This Is My City'. The 1976 album provocatively titled 'Straight In A Gay, Gay World' was a more eclectic affair than previous outings. The single 'Blue Jeans' gave them a hit not only in Australia but in New Zealand too. Confusingly Mercury issued this album titled 'Living In The 70's minus the track 'The Girl Say's She's Bored' and with it's place being taken by 'Living In The 70's'. In Europe the album retained it's proper title but featured the American track listing.

In October Strachan issued his first solo single 'Every Little Bit Hurts', a cover of the BRENDA HOLLOWAY tune, which reached number 3. 1977 saw Symonds leaving the band. After a one off single 'It's Only A Flipside' he retired from frontline music to go into production and film work.

The band drafted ex FINCH guitarist Bob Spencer as the band moved into a much harder direction. Spencer's first recording with SKYHOOKS was the single 'Party To End All Parties'. The band concentrated on touring whilst Strachan had another hit single with SMOKEY ROBINSON's 'Tracks Of My Tears'.

1978 beckoned with yet another hit single 'Women In Uniform', the following year this also made a small dent on the British charts. The 1979 album 'Guilty Till Proven Insane' provided ample evidence of SKYHOOKS's Hard Rock credentials and gave the band another monster hit reaching number 6.

The band were dealt a huge blow when in the summer of 1978 Strachan quit the band for a television career just up front of the release of a double live album. Considerations were to poach Peter Garrett from MIDNIGHT OIL or even enlist a female singer. In the end the band attempted to fill the awning gap with former RUEBEN TREE / STUNNING MULLETS singer Tony Williams. The new frontman's first foray into the public arena being the 'Over The Border' single.

the band's 1980 album and singles failed to make any impression and the writing was on the wall. The band collapsed in June.

Spencer formed the YOUNG LIONS. He would join fellow Aussie giants THE ANGELS in 1986. Strauks travelled through THE SPORTS, JO JO ZEP AND THE FALCONS and THE BUSHWHACKERS.

In December of 1982 a single medley of SKYHOOKS hits charted and was a foretaste of a lavish box set 'The Skyhooks Box' which included all the albums plus rarities. Such was fan pressure that by 1983 the classic line up with Strachan had reformed for a tour. The result of these dates was the 'Live In The 80s' album. The band played live again at an enormous outdoor show in Melbourne's Olympic Park to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their debut album. A commemorative gold vinyl version of 'Living In The 70's' was released to coincide with the show which contained two bonus live tracks 'Saturday Night' and 'Why Don't You Get'.

Macainsh was to tour with JOHN FARNHAM but SKYHOOKS would reform again in 1990 on the back of the 'Latest And Greatest' album and another number 1 single 'Jukebox In Siberia'. A mammoth tour was followed by another single 'Happy Hippy Hut' coupled with DADDY COOL's 'Ballad Of Oz'.

The singles was to precede a joint SKYHOOKS / DADDY COOL album but when the single faltered the record was shelved.

Tragically Strachan, aged 49, was killed in a helicopter crash on Mount Archer, north-west of Brisbane in August 2001.