WAS's Awesome New Wave Song Of The Week #31: Flash And The Pan - Hey St. Peter

This week’s Awesome Song has it’s roots in the 60s, was released in the 70s and then hit its stride in the very early 80s !

Flash & The Pan was started in 1976 in Australia by two former members of The Easybeats, famous for their 1966 hit “Friday On My Mind” (which was later memorably covered by David Bowie).  One of these members was the legendary George Young … older brother of Angus and Malcolm of Oz heroes AC/DC.  Although they lasted until 1993, their one-hit wondrousness peaked early with their debut song “Hey St. Peter”.  Released in 1976, but not making its way to north America until July 1979, “Hey St. Peter” was an early New Wave classic, featuring innovative vocals, unique song structure, inventive synths and even a really bad video!  Watch for George Young playing dress-up like little brother Angus in it.

It was one of those songs that radio wasn’t really sure what to do with…  I remember it being played on rock stations in NYC, and then later on it was also played on new music stations as they came into being - a rarity that any song would be on both at the time.  It even turned up on Richard Blade's Flashback Favorites, Vol 1 so it’s New Wave heritage is not in doubt.  I see it as an early example of what New Wave would soon become - an early foray into something different, unique & AWESOME!

 

-WAS