Doc Neeson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doc Neeson
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Doc Neeson's Angels
The Forum, November 2008 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bernard Patrick Neeson |
| Also known as | Doc |
| Born | 4 January 1947 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Origin | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 4 June 2014 (aged 67) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Hard rock, blues rock, rock and roll, pub rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass guitar, guitar |
| Years active | 1971–2014 |
| Associated acts | The Innocents, Moonshine Jug and String Band, The Keystone Angels, The Angels, Doc Neeson's Angels, Red Phoenix |
Bernard Patrick "Doc" Neeson OAM (born 4 January 1947 – died 4 June 2014) was a famous Australian singer and songwriter. He was best known as the lead singer of the hard rock band, The Angels. He led the band from its start in 1976 until 1999. After a break, he rejoined them in 2008.
Doc Neeson was the main singer and songwriter for The Angels. He helped the band become very popular for over thirty years. Their hit albums included Face to Face (1978) and Beyond Salvation (1990), which reached number one. Some of their well-known songs were "No Secrets" (1980) and "Let the Night Roll On" (1990). In 1998, The Angels were added to the ARIA Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Doc Neeson had a car accident. This caused him years of pain and recovery. Even so, he returned to performing in 2006. He passed away on 4 June 2014, at the age of 67, due to a brain tumour.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Bernard Patrick Neeson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 4 January 1947. His father was a soldier, and his mother was Kathleen Corrigan. Doc was the oldest of six children. His family moved to Adelaide, Australia, on the ship SS Strathnaver. They settled in Elizabeth, where he went to St Paul's College.
At college, Doc first experienced performing. He sang in a group called the 'Reefers'. As a teenager, he also helped promote dances. He later attended a teachers college, thinking he would become a teacher. However, he was called to serve in the Australian army in Papua New Guinea for eighteen months. After his army service, he studied film and drama at Flinders University. He planned to become a film director.
Music Career
From Doc Talbot to The Keystone Angels
While at Flinders University, Doc Neeson joined an acoustic blues band. It was called Moonshine Jug and String Band. He sang and played guitar. The band included brothers Rick and John Brewster. In 1973, they released a four-song record called Keep You on the Move. It became popular in Adelaide.
By 1974, the band changed their style. They started playing electric instruments and became The Keystone Angels. They played 1950s rock and roll and R&B music. Doc Neeson played guitar and sang. The band even toured Australia with the famous American rock and roller, Chuck Berry. In 1975, they performed at the Sunbury Pop Festival.
The Angels
The Keystone Angels later supported the band AC/DC on a tour. They then signed with AC/DC's record label, Albert Productions. In February 1976, The Keystone Angels moved to Sydney. They made their sound tougher and more like hard rock. Their producers suggested they shorten their name to The Angels.
Doc Neeson became the lead singer and frontman. Their first song, "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again", came out in March 1976. Doc Neeson helped write the lyrics for this song. In 1977, Chris Bailey joined on bass guitar. This allowed Doc to focus on his singing and stage presence.
The Angels' first album, The Angels, was released in August 1977. Doc Neeson helped write seven of its ten songs. Their first top 50 hit song was "Take a Long Line" in 1978. Their second album, Face to Face, came out in August 1978. It reached number 16 on the Australian charts. Doc Neeson was known for his energetic and unique performances. He would twist and move on stage while singing.
On New Year's Eve 1979, The Angels played at the Sydney Opera House. The show ended with some trouble, and rock music was banned from official Sydney New Year's Eve events for a while. Doc Neeson and Chris Bailey even got head injuries from bottles thrown at them.
The Angels continued to perform with different band members over the years. They were also known as Angel City for international releases. On 20 October 1998, The Angels were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Outside of the band, Doc Neeson helped organize the Tour of Duty - Concert for the Troops. This concert was for Australian soldiers in East Timor in December 1999. He performed with other famous artists like John Farnham and Kylie Minogue.
Doc Neeson's Angels and Later Years
In 2001, Doc Neeson performed at the Tour of Duty Encore! concert in Canberra. He was also featured in a TV series about Australian rock and roll called Long Way to the Top. He talked about starting his career in pub rock venues.
In 2003, he started a new band called Doc Neeson's Angels. They played songs by The Angels. In 2005, he formed another band called Red Phoenix and released an album. In 2006, Doc Neeson was honored with a postage stamp by Australia Post.
In 2007, Doc Neeson's Angels toured for Australian troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. This was called the "Tour de Force" tour. Doc Neeson received two military medals in Baghdad for his support.
In 2008, Doc Neeson reunited with other original members of The Angels. They toured Australia together. In August 2008, Doc Neeson and the Brewster brothers were added to The Australian Songwriters Association Hall of Fame. In 2009, Doc Neeson was named one of the Top 100 Irish People in Australia. In 2010, he performed with The Adelaide Art Orchestra. He also started a solo project and continued to perform with his own band across Australia.
Personal Life and Health
Doc Neeson was married twice and had three sons.
In December 1999, Doc Neeson had a car accident on the M4 Western Motorway in Sydney. He was hit from behind by a truck. This caused serious whiplash and spinal damage. For several years, it was very hard for him to walk. Doctors warned him that his energetic stage performances could make his injuries worse. But he continued to perform, even though he was in a lot of pain.
Declining Health and Death
On 10 January 2013, it was announced that Doc Neeson had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. This is a serious form of cancer. He began immediate treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. The other members of The Angels sent their best wishes for his recovery.
In April 2014, the ABC TV show Australian Story aired an episode about Doc Neeson. It covered his music career and his health condition. Doc Neeson passed away on 4 June 2014, at the age of 67, from the brain tumour. His funeral was held in Sydney. He was survived by his partner, Anne Souter, and his three sons.
Doc Neeson was honored after his death. He was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall Of Fame in 2015. He also received the Australian Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal for his service to the troops and in the army.
Awards and Nominations
Australian Songwriter's Hall of Fame
The Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements of great Australian songwriters.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | himself | Australian Songwriter's Hall of Fame | inducted |
Doc Neeson was also awarded the Australian Service Medal by General Cosgrove. This was for his services to the troops in East Timor. He also received the Australian Defence Medal for his time in the Royal Australian Army Education Corps.
Images for kids
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Doc Neeson's Angels at The Forum, November 2008
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Doc Neeson's Angels performing in Baghdad, October 2007
