The Delmatics History

Authentic
Rock'n'Roll

The Delmatics Story

The Delmatics was originally formed as a four piece classic rock and roll dance band. Like so many bands of the 50s and early 60s, such as The Blue Caps, The Shadows, The Beatles and many others, The Delmatics consisted of two guitarists, a bass player and a drummer. Besides being accomplished musicians all band members are also vocalists, so there is plenty of opportunity for vocal harmony and even a little bit of doo-wop style backing. We concentrate mostly on dance tunes that are familiar to most of Melbourne's regular rock'n'roll community.

The band began in 1983 as a four piece party band named Beatin' Time. Beatin' Time then was Stuart Beatty, guitar and vocals; Steve Lappen, guitar and vocals; Ian Hooper, electric bass and vocals and Martin Mulholland, drums and vocals. The band started playing Melbourne rock and roll venues like the Royal Derby Hotel in Fitzroy North and numerous private parties and functions around the city and country Victoria. At that time there were only a few rock and roll and rock'a'billy bands in Melbourne playing to a growing group of enthusiastic fans of 50s music and culture.

After a few months Steve left the band to join a widely travelled country music group. He was replaced by guitar sound-master Michael Caligiuri. Although Michael wasn't a vocalist, his outstanding technical expertise enabled him to build his own guitars and most of his effects pedals. Michael had a unique range of guitar sounds that were exciting and sometimes controversial. The band expanded their list of venues with the Altona Workers Club, dances organized by ARRAS (Australian Rock and Roll Appreciation Society) and more sports club engagements, including fund raising functions for The Footscray Football Club, The North Melbourne Football Club and The Goorambat Football Club.

About this time, whilst the band was negotiating with a prospective band manger, it was decided to change the name to something more appealing and appropriate to the 50s style. Stuart came up with The Delmatics, and for a number of reasons, both serious and humorous, this was agreed. Beatin' Time became The Delmatics. The demand for 50's 60's rock and roll music continued to grow and the band worked regularly at hotels and parties around Melbourne.

Michael Caligiuri - Ian Hooper - Martin Mulholland - Stuart Beatty

After some time Stuart split from the band to work in Short Change Trio. The trio was “short change” because it was actually a duo. Short Change Trio was one of the pioneer acts to make extensive use of midi backing tracks. They were a popular party act. Stuart was replaced in the band by Daryl Langford, an excellent vocalist with a great Chuck Berry guitar style.

Seated back, Ian Hooper - Standing back, Daryl Langford
Seated front, Martin Mulholland - Seated middle, Michael Caligiuri

Several years later, Daryl married his fiancée Trish. When the couple went on their honeymoon, a long time acquaintance of Ian's, guitarist Tony Persic, temporarily filled Daryl's place in the band. Tony also played a few performances after Daryl returned, but three guitarists in The Delmatics was overkill and Tony departed and later began a long and successful career playing guitar with Melbourne rock'a'billy legends The Straight Eights.

Martin, a plumber by trade, left the band to move with his wife and growing young family to Maldon, in country Victoria, to set up a new business. The Mulholland family quickly became part of the Maldon community. Martin's position in the band was then taken by drummer John Walker, introduced to the band by Daryl. John was an energetic and precise drummer, and numbers like surf music hit Wipeout became regular features in The Delmatics' performance.

For personal reasons Michael left the band in April 1985. The loss of Michael was remedied when Stuart returned, and the band continued to play at the regular venues like The Springvale Hotel, The Union Hotel in Prahran, The South Eastern Family Rock and Roll Club dances and events organized by the Elvis Presley Fan Club. The list of rock and roll clubs around Victoria was growing and The Delmatics were hired by many of them to entertain their members and guests. The band performed in Ballarat, Sheparton, Echuca, Sunbury, Warragul, Sale, Langwarrin and many other country centres throughout Victoria. Since then Michael has played in a number of cover bands and is now the technical director, owner and manufacturer of MC-FX guitar pedals.

In June 1989, due to personal differences, Daryl and John split from The Delmatics and formed the band The Bakelites. Ian and Stuart began to rebuild the Delmatics by interviewing drummers. They interviewed and auditioned one drummer, Robert Urban. Besides being an excellent drummer, Rob turned out to be an accomplished vocalist. After less than an hour of audition it was obvious that they could perform well as a rock'n'roll trio. Besides the regular rock and roll clubs, The Delmatics performed at Bell Street Rock in the Olympic Hotel, Preston, The Melton Country Club, the Let's Rock Dances in Croydon and many more venues around Melbourne. They worked regularly around Victoria from June 1989 when they travelled to Sun Studios in Memphis to record in June 1991. The plan was to complete the recording back in Melbourne, and release a rock'n'roll CD featuring the Sun Sessions. After the Sun Sessions Rob took time off to visit relatives in Italy and Nic Pitman, another long time drummer friend of Ian's, filled Rob's place.

Stuart Beatty - Robert Urban - Ian Hooper

In 1992, a number of issues occurred prompted the group to suspend their partnership, and the Memphis tapes went into storage. Being the youngest in the band, Rob wanted to try his luck playing original pop music. Ian had business commitments that conflicted with band bookings, and Stuart was finding employment again in his network of film and media contacts. The Delmatics trio played it's last dance for “Let's Rock” at the Croydon Soccer Club on Friday, August 14, 1992. The band members went their separate ways for a break that was initially meant to be temporary, but due to very busy lives, it stretched to decades.

In 2010 Ian was invited to help celebrate the 60th birthday of Manny Evangelidis, a drummer he had played with in a pop-cover band, Kaleidoscope, in the early 1970s. At the party a number of musician friends got together to jam and entertain party guests. One of those musicians was Manny's workmate Stan Borysiewicz, an obviously accomplished guitarist and singer. Ian re-discovered the joy of playing rock and roll to an audience and asked Stan if he was interested in working with a band. Stan's response was positive and, after months of consideration, Ian decided in January 2011 to “put the band back together.” Due to organizational problems, and delays caused by personal health issues, the first meeting of the reformed band didn't happen until February 2011. The Delmatics became Ian Hooper, electric bass and vocals; Stuart Beatty, guitar and vocals; Nic Pitman, drums and vocals and Stan Borysiewicz, guitar and vocals.

Stuart Beatty - Nic Pitman - Ian Hooper - Stan Borysiewicz

Since February 2011 the rock and roll quartet have played to some wonderful dance crowds around Melbourne and country Victoria. Then, early in February 2016, due to pressing personal commitments and a persistent, painful back problem Nic was unable to perform with The Delmatics at a dance in Geelong. Ian's son-in-law Mick Glover took his place for the evening. Later that month Nic found it necesary to tender his resignation from the band, and Mick was persuaded to take over as The Delmatics' regular drummer. Thank you Nic Pitman for your continued friendship, and your help re-establishing The Delmatics. The Delmatics continued rocking with Ian Hooper, electric bass and vocals; Stuart Beatty, guitar and vocals; Mick Glover, drums and vocals and Stan Borysiewicz, guitar and vocals.

Stuart Beatty - Mick Glover - Ian Hooper - Stan Borysiewicz

Due to pressures of work and family, The Delmatics drummer Mick Glover resigned in January 2018. He played his farewell performance at West Coburg Bowls Club on January 12. Thank you Mick for keeping us rocking. Our first contact was Rob Urban, The Delmatics drummer from 1989 until 1992. Rob agreed to meet with The Delmatics and after one rehearsal with the original trio lineup, and a follow-up rehearsal as a four piece band, it was obvious that this line could be exceptional. Rob is an accomplished singer and songwriter and added considerably to The Delmatics sound.

Stuart Beatty - Ian Hooper - Rob Urban - Stan Borysiewicz

In November 2019 Rob informed the band he wanted to leave The Delmatics to concentrate more on his songwriting, his solo recording and giging with his rock'a'billy trio. Thank you Rob, and good luck buddy. In May 2021, we started rehearsals with a very good session drummer and vocalist Sam Biffi. Then the Covid 19 pan-demic arrived and stopped all music and dancing.

Stuart Beatty - Sam Biffi - Stan Borysiewicz - Ian Hooper

The Delmatics were for a time Stuart Beatty, guitar and vocals; Sam Biffi, drums and vocals; Stan Borysiewicz, guitar and vocals, and Ian Hooper, electric bass and vocals. Thank you Sam for your good cheer and input.

Michael Caligiuri

On Thursday June 16, 2022 we received the sad news that our freind, and previous band member, Michael Caligiuri, had died. Michael was a gentle, caring friend, proud of his Calabrian heritage. He crafted his own Telecaster guitar, that he called “The Stratodisaster”, which now resembles the Fender James Burton Telecaster. His custom made pedal board contained an 'MC sustain' effect that caused crowds to gather when he played instrumentals like “Telstar.” There are still a few tunes we don't play because we played them best with Michael. Vale Michael Caligiuri, August 24, 1956 until June 13, 2022. Rest in peace Michael.

A few days before Australia Day 2023 (January 27 & 28) The Delmatics had to cancel all future commitments due to Ian's health problems. After several cardio and vascular procedures at Epworth Hospital Ian began his recuperation. Late in June, 2023 Ian invited Stuart, Stan and Liam Webb, a drummer who had maintained contact since April 2021, to his house to make some music. Stan declined the invitation and explained that his priorities had changed and he no longer wanted to be involved with the Delmatics. After more than a decade playing with Stan, his departure was a surprise. Besides being a nice guy, he is an accomplished musician and an outstanding vocalist. Stan made a hugh contribution with everything from song sheets and arrangements to technical advice and logistic help. Ian and Stuart did meet with Liam and played enough tunes to convince themselves the Delmatcs could work as trio again.

Stuart Beatty - Liam Webb - Ian Hooper

Liam loves jump blues, rock'n'roll, country-rock and anything that's up tempo and swings. He has played with, and backed, many bands and solo performers in and around Melbourne. He is proficient drumming in bands or with musicians in various genres. Liam is also a keen student of the popular music history. His age, life experience, and musical preferences fit well with Stuart and Ian, much like our old friend Nic Pitman. We expect to be doing some low key gigs around town soon.

The Delmatics continue sharing their enjoyment of rock and roll music with the dancing public and, with more live performances they continue to write new chapters in The Story of The Delmatics.