Vinyl Vibes, Normie Rowe Interview (2023) – Australia’s Biggest Music Star of The ’60s

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Normie Rowe, the biggest music star of 1960s Australia. Norm grew up listening to the likes of Col Joye and Ray Charles. All he wanted to be growing up was a singer. He made his first live performance at the age of 14 and was soon playing at lots of local rock and roll dances. In 1965 Norm would release his first single “It Ain’t Necessarily So” which would be the first in a string of eight top-ten hits in a row for Norm. The biggest selling record of the ’60s in Australia was Norm’s double A-side” and “Shakin’ All Over” which came out in September 1965. It sold 80,000 copies. In 1966 Norm would go to the UK to make a music career over there. This success was cut short however when in early 1968, Norm would be drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. His service would put a halt to his string of hits and leave him with PTSD when he returned home to Australia in February 1970.