Avion

Origin: Sydney (Australia)

AVION

John Waller - Randall Waller - Kendall Waller - Evan Murray - Martyn Toole

Discography:

White noise - 1986

Notes:

- Sydney band Avion came into being during 1981. Randall Waller (vocals/guitar) had already released two solo albums (‘Oasis’ in 1978 and ‘Midnight Fire’ in 1980) before forming the band Lionheart which soon evolved into Avion. Completing the original line-up were Martin Toole (guitar), Evan Murray (keyboards), along with Waller’s brothers Kendall (bass) and John (drums). Avion’s musical style was unabashedly influenced by American Adult Oriented Rock (think Journey/Boston/Night Ranger etc).

A recording contract with RCA led to the release of their eponymous debut album in 1983 (OZ48). RCA obviously thought the group’s sound better suited the North American market because the album was release there before it was at home in Australia. The album didn’t receive much promotion and though the first single from it ‘I Need You’ was a minor hit (OZ61 – reaching as high as 40 in NSW), Avion didn’t break through in a major way.

Two more ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’ were lifted from the album but neither made the charts. A stand alone single ‘Still The Night’ was released in August 1984 but again didn’t sell well. Paul Gannell came in to replace Toole on guitar for the band’s second album, 1987’s ‘White Noise’. The album included the earlier single releases ‘We’ve Got Secrets’ and ‘Celebration’ but the celebrations were non existent as none made the charts. The band had remained a solid touring outfit throughout this period though, and it was on a late 1987 tour that keyboardist Evan Murray was killed in a car accident. The loss of Murray and the failure to break through commercially finally led Waller to call an end to Avion’s tenure. -

(http://melodic-hardrock.com/bios/avion/)



- Sydney band Avion (not to be confused with the L.A. act current in the 00’s or the 'Par' variety) came into being during 1981. Randall Waller (vocals/guitar) had already released two solo albums (‘Oasis’ in 1978 and ‘Midnight Fire’ in 1980) before forming the band Lionheart which soon evolved into Avion. Completing the original line-up were Martin Toole (guitar), Evan Murray (keyboards), along with Waller’s brothers Kendall (bass) and John (drums). Avion’s musical style was unabashedly influenced by American Adult Oriented Rock (think Journey/Boston/Night Ranger etc). The band also included a strong Christian message in their music lyrically though it wasn’t overtly evident.

A recording contract with RCA led to the release of their eponymous debut album in 1983 (OZ#48). RCA obviously thought the group’s sound better suited the North American market because the album was release there before it was at home in Australia. The album didn’t receive much promotion and though the first single from it ‘I Need You’ was a minor hit (OZ#61 - reaching as high as #40 in NSW), Avion didn’t break through in a major way. Two more ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’ were lifted from the album but neither made the charts. A stand alone single ‘Still The Night’ was released in August 1984 but again didn’t sell well.

Paul Gannell came in to replace Toole on guitar for the band’s second album, 1987’s ‘White Noise’. The album included the earlier single releases ‘We’ve Got Secrets’ and ‘Celebration’ but the celebrations were non existent as none made the charts. The band had remained a solid touring outfit throughout this period though, and it was on a late 1987 tour that keyboardist Evan Murray was killed in a car accident. The loss of Murray and the failure to break through commercially finally led Waller to call an end to Avion’s tenure.

Randall Waller continued a strong involvement in the Australian music scene and for a time played in Sharon O’Neill’s band. He then settled in the U.K. for a time, working as a producer and also playing with Bonnie Tyler’s band. During the 90s he was recruited to the legendary Billy Thorpe’s touring band, and there are unconfirmed reports that he was last seen playing with Shania Twain’s touring band. -

(http://rqsretrouniverse.blogspot.com.ar/2008/06/avion-deliver-pomp-rock-to-australia.html)
(Notes from Paul Gannell’s MySpace page)



- Sydney based American style AOR act led by former solo artist RANDALL WALLER. The singer had issued two solo outings, 1978's 'Oasis' and 1980's 'Midnight Fire', prior to forming a group known as LIONHEART. This band later morphed into AVION. Lead guitar for AVION's self titled RCA 1983 debut was handled by Martyn Toole. He was replaced by Paul Gannell for 1986's 'White Noise', released by EMI Records. The band's career would be abruptly brought to a halt in late 1987 when keyboard player Evan Murray was killed in a car accident.

In 1988 Randall Waller joined DRAGON for their 'Bondi Road' album. Randall Waller landed the plum job of live musician for multi-platinum megastar SHANIA TWAIN during 1999. -

(http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/sydney/avion)



- Not the most distinguished or best remembered of Australian rock bands, Avion nevertheless completed two accomplished major label albums in the mid-70s. Formed in Sydney in 1983, the group included three brothers. Randall Waller (vocals/guitar), Martin Tode (guitar), Evan Murray (keyboards), Kendall Waller (bass) and John Waller (drums) made their debut in October with the ‘Never Let Me Go’ single. Their self-titled debut album followed a year later, its overwrought AOR sound and simplistic lyrics failing to secure significant sales. After its release the group’s line-up shuffled. Paul Gannel replaced Tode on guitar as the group left RCA Records for a new contract with EMI Records. The intervening 18 months had obviously improved the band. White Noise included the singles ‘Berlin Wall’ and ‘Ships’, but the more considered songwriting failed to produce an upturn in Avion’s career. They were dropped by EMI shortly thereafter. -

(http://www.allmusic.com/artist/avion-mn0000055160/biography)



- Avion were an Australian 1980s pop rock band formed in 1981, originally named Lionheart, the line-up was Evan Murray on keyboards, Martin Toole on guitar, and three brothers: John Waller on drums, Kendall Waller on bass guitar and Randall Waller on lead vocals and lead guitar. The group issued two albums, Avion (1983) and White Noise (1987). Late in 1987, Murray died in a car accident and the group disbanded. According to Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, the group had "a strong cult following ... [with their] brand of melodic, American-influenced Adult Oriented Rock ... [but] met with virtual indifference at home". -

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avion_(band)#Discography)