Jeff suffered from Spina Bifuda(?) He came to Orange when I was there at 2GZ in 1969 and came to a party at my place after the show at the Amoco Centre. I played the him the Rotary Connection albums. He had never heard of them. I suggested he record "Teach me How to Fly" and gave him the words a friend had written out. I knew how popular the Rotary Connection were, as I played them nearly every night. He went back to Melbourne, recorded the song and got it into no. 2 there and no. 5 in Sydney.
I was Born with Spina Bifda but i had an OPERATION AT 6 WEEKS OLD and I was never in a wheel chair I learnt to walk when I was 3/1/2 years old and I am now 64 yrs old
This guy was born with a physical disability but what he missed out in that area he more than tenfold received in music genius and never was appreciated as much as he should have been world class s0ngwriter and he was Australian rip genius
I was about 14 when I saw him on GTK (Australian music segment of about 10 minutes on our ABC), and I INSTANTLY fell under his spell!!! Fast forward 50 years, and he requested my friendship on facebook, and it was really him!!! I was so thrilled!!! Unfortunately, he passed a few years after. Always adore Jeff!!
The sound of 1970's, last year of high school for me. So many great Aussie bands around at that time. What a voice Jeff had. I remember a story I saw about Jeff once on tv, there was Jeff riding his modified motor-trike burning along the road, hair in the wind, can still see that image. I thought what a cool guy
I saw Jeff around the time this song was popular. Since then, I’ve seen a lot of international “big names” but Jeff’s dynamic performance (in a small club) remains up there with the best I’ve seen. A fabulous artist and a genuinely nice guy. Edit....RIP Jeff, thanks for all of your amazing work.
As a little boy, I was so inspired by seeing Jeff perform "Big Time Operator" on ABC TV, complete with John Cale hair and Ray Bans...and his disability quite evident. Years later, he did a blindingly great set at my rural NSW uni campus. In the meantime, I had a dear aunt who had been afflicted with polio as a young girl, and even though she was part of another generation, my conversations with her mentioned Jeff and his commitment to live performance. My Aunty Val was very touched by his resilience and determination - thank you, Jeff.
Not many left now as Thorpie went not that long ago either & a month later Lobby Loyd who Thorpie did a benefit for just before dying just b4 Lobby.......I remember Itambu, Hush, Buffalo, Brian Cadd, Mississippi & saw Band Of Light & heaps like that back in the Chequer's daze in Sydney's very early '70's :)
I was searching for 70s cheezeball South African pop singer GEOFF St. John ... when I ran across this amazing guy! What a fantastic sound! You blerrie Ozzies seriously should've exported more of your early 70s rock music (I'm also just discovering Axiom...).
Dont care about his "disability", the guy had the most incredible singing voice, in a way i wonder if this song has anything to do with him refusing to accept his cobstraint, what a song!!!! What a voice !!!!!
Saw him and the Copperwine at the SCG around this time and he danced so hard in his wheel chair that he fell off,of the stage. Rolled over put himself back in his chair and continued to perform. Unreal for a 14 year old
What an incredible vocal talent - that Jeff has given us in his life - & still will - via TH-cam, & other medias. I have always loved this man & his songs ... Jeff, you will always bring back the memories of my teens.
Saw the dude at Hornsby Police Boys Club with Wendy a few times back in the late '60's. Absolute magic. Vale, Jeff and Wendy. Brings a tear to my eye thinking about our losses.
Brilliant singer and wonderful ERA for Australian music. I saw him live in 1973 at the Canberra Theatre. A great entertainer, doing wheelchair stands and then I saw him again later that same year at the Captain Cook hotel in Canberra, he was always willing to sign autographs, a gentleman and a creative vocalist.
I just read this musicians obituary today, and until today, was not familiar with any of his music. But listening today, he was very talented. With a clearly visible obstacle to overcome, he did well for himself . I will be listening to more in the future.
We used to hitch hike frm Villawood to Bexley Nth Hotel..always puts on an awesome night..miss the old days n all our brilliant Aussie talent n live bands at our local pubs.
I 1st saw Jeff St John at Bungool festival '72 & my god how he didn't manage to fall off that chair i still don't know! We all wanted to learn how to fly back then lol ;) RIP mate
What An Amazing Man & Band,I was 12 at the time and now I'm 64 and it still Hangs In There in 2022 as far as I Am Concerned!!!!! When music Was REALLY MUSIC!!
R.I.P to an Australian legend, heaven has gained a new angel. Now you have wings and you can fly so fly high. .I love this man always have and I could watch this video over and over. Something about him that had me from the beginning. You will be missed ❤❤❤❤❤ I truly hope I get to meet you in heaven. .What a LEGEND
i worked with jeff a few times, a consummate professional, probably one of the best in the world, based on my experiences. a loverly fellow to, one of the best, sadly missed. fly high, jeff
How was this not a world wide hit ?
I am 60 and have not forgotten this amazing song.
Jeff suffered from Spina Bifuda(?) He came to Orange when I was there at 2GZ in 1969 and came to a party at my place after the show at the Amoco Centre. I played the him the Rotary Connection albums. He had never heard of them. I suggested he record "Teach me How to Fly" and gave him the words a friend had written out. I knew how popular the Rotary Connection were, as I played them nearly every night. He went back to Melbourne, recorded the song and got it into no. 2 there and no. 5 in Sydney.
Great anecdote Steve. Thank you so much for this Comment. (I was just a teenager in Sydney watching him on TV.)
I was Born with Spina Bifda but i had an OPERATION AT 6 WEEKS OLD and I was never in a wheel chair I learnt to walk when I was 3/1/2 years old and I am now 64 yrs old
That's an incredible part of history right there... wow
Steve Owens wow !
Thankyou !
Steve Owens do you recall terry burkrey from then, a 2du announcer ? Very progressive
Imagine if he came on one of today's TV talent shows. He would have the judges and audience gushing over his voice!
Jeff wouldn't get past the audition. He can actually sing.
If he said he was a disabled, transgender aboriginal woman,he'd win 💯
@@ACDZ123 In that case, a mentally challenged imbecile like you would win as well.
@@ACDZ123 Well he was disabled (died in 2018) - he was born with spina bifida!
@cliffleigh7450 yes I know mate ..I been listening to Jeff since the 70s
One of the best vocals in OZ and songs of all time
I remember this from my youth, but I just couldn't recall what an absolutely amazing singer Jeff was! What a voice.
How the hell can an act like this only have 1300 likes, these guys are as good as it gets, singer in a league of his own !! 👍👍👍
Vale Jeff St John.
Australia"s most soulful male voice gone but never forgotten.
Incomparable! Is this your favorite song?
He boomed onto my tv as a young teen i loved his songs
This guy was born with a physical disability but what he missed out in that area he more than tenfold received in music genius and never was appreciated as much as he should have been world class s0ngwriter and he was Australian rip genius
Fantastic Ozzie Performer! 💋Rockkkn! Sweet! ❤️
Loved Jeff St John and so glad I got to see him live and watch him dance in that wheelchair, he was a truly amazing singer and performer.
I can't remember Jeff St John sounding so good. I guess we took all that talent for granted back then. Great bass playing too.
He did the best opening ever for the Sydney Olympics
I was about 14 when I saw him on GTK (Australian music segment of about 10 minutes on our ABC), and I INSTANTLY fell under his spell!!! Fast forward 50 years, and he requested my friendship on facebook, and it was really him!!! I was so thrilled!!! Unfortunately, he passed a few years after. Always adore Jeff!!
I'm 68 and remember this like it was yesterday. ❤❤❤
I am 73 and Jeff was the sound of my teenage years!
The sound of 1970's, last year of high school for me. So many great Aussie bands around at that time. What a voice Jeff had. I remember a story I saw about Jeff once on tv, there was Jeff riding his modified motor-trike burning along the road, hair in the wind, can still see that image. I thought what a cool guy
I saw Jeff around the time this song was popular. Since then, I’ve seen a lot of international “big names” but Jeff’s dynamic performance (in a small club) remains up there with the best I’ve seen. A fabulous artist and a genuinely nice guy. Edit....RIP Jeff, thanks for all of your amazing work.
I was a big fan of Jeff St John when I was a youngster. He reminded me so much of John Kay of Steppenwolf in looks and powerful voice !
As a little boy, I was so inspired by seeing Jeff perform "Big Time Operator" on ABC TV, complete with John Cale hair and Ray Bans...and his disability quite evident. Years later, he did a blindingly great set at my rural NSW uni campus. In the meantime, I had a dear aunt who had been afflicted with polio as a young girl, and even though she was part of another generation, my conversations with her mentioned Jeff and his commitment to live performance. My Aunty Val was very touched by his resilience and determination - thank you, Jeff.
Saw this guy at a pub in New Zealand in 1973 when hitch hiking, absolutely fantastic voice and a genuine nice guy.
My first ever live band at the Uninsw roundhouse in 1967.Instant fan for life.
Man that was a long time ago! The good old Roundhouse!
Went there a couple of times to watch surf movies.
Beautiful voice! I used to love going to Jeff’s concerts with the Copperwine, what a treat!
The Australian music scene was just so awesome around this time and I include the late great Jeff St John in this.
What a great vocalist
What a talent.
Power vocals.
Just effing brilliant.
I Love this song.
What a guy.
Almost 50 years JSJ and you re still the best!
Awesome vocals! riffs! \V/🥰
God they were great times when everything and anything was possible. The best times of my life.
What A Legend ,I hope there's a statue to commemorate his legacy somewhere in Australia, people forget about our music history!!!
Just heard Jeff has passed away. Another legend gone.
Not many left now as Thorpie went not that long ago either & a month later Lobby Loyd who Thorpie did a benefit for just before dying just b4 Lobby.......I remember Itambu, Hush, Buffalo, Brian Cadd, Mississippi & saw Band Of Light & heaps like that back in the Chequer's daze in Sydney's very early '70's :)
I was searching for 70s cheezeball South African pop singer GEOFF St. John ... when I ran across this amazing guy! What a fantastic sound! You blerrie Ozzies seriously should've exported more of your early 70s rock music (I'm also just discovering Axiom...).
Check out John Farnham.
Let's hear it for cheeseball searches!
You might like max Merritt and the meteors.
@@jonginder5494 Slipping Away got a little airplay in South Africa but it was a huge hit in Rhodesia, spending some weeks at the top of the chart.
R.I.P Jeff St. John
Now you can fly Jeff. RIP xx
Gutted tonight..JSJ you were a powerful influence in Aussie music what a talent and a Great human being..RIP
What a voice. Sadly missed.
Dont care about his "disability", the guy had the most incredible singing voice, in a way i wonder if this song has anything to do with him refusing to accept his cobstraint, what a song!!!! What a voice !!!!!
Who doesn’t want to fly?! Thanks Jeff for your fantastic music!
Incredible strong vocal talent remember him well first liked him when l heard big time operator had all his music on vinyl a real star never forgotten
Loved this guy. 🥰
I was 12at the time and, mezzmorrized, ohhhh, it stands the test ot time,and I still have my 45,I get transported EVERY time💓🎵
An Australian classic singer and band
Vale Jeff - such an amazing voice
Saw him and the Copperwine at the SCG around this time and he danced so hard in his wheel chair that he fell off,of the stage. Rolled over put himself back in his chair and continued to perform. Unreal for a 14 year old
Just an amazing song from that era - RIP JSJ 🫡
What an incredible vocal talent - that Jeff has given us in his life - & still will - via TH-cam, & other medias. I have always loved this man & his songs ... Jeff, you will always bring back the memories of my teens.
He had a great voice.
He flew and took a lot of people with him with that voice.
That kind of vocal projection from a seated position is astonishing. Ask any singer.
I am old enough to remember jeff St John. What an awesome singer.
Thanks for the music Jeff St. John
Rest in Peace
RIP Jeff.. a great Aussie talent gone
i saw jeff and the copperwine at a pub at bondi when i was living their great band
Saw the dude at Hornsby Police Boys Club with Wendy a few times back in the late '60's.
Absolute magic.
Vale, Jeff and Wendy.
Brings a tear to my eye thinking about our losses.
He was magnificent. 💕
Fly high Jeff
Awesome singer and song. saw him live a few times, still play this song.
R I P Jeff St John 💓
I hope you are flying now, with love
I remember him and he was amazing
Were ever you are Jeff I reckon your flying...saw you do that song live.. unforgettable....!
Jeff St John and Copperwine played at my school dance, South Sydney Boys High 1970.
Legend Jeff..thanks for the memories!
growing up I loved this tune. Jeff you really are an inspiration...
Great!!!
Was a good friend and the Copperwine too back in the day ' :)
This is rock! I've never seen this before. It's great.
Jeff St John, is a Beautiful Angel, I Love Him.
Saw him at the walkabout pub in Port Hedland in 1981. Brilliant!
Totally agree.....awesome voice....so many memories.
So many great memories with this song.
Brilliant singer and wonderful ERA for Australian music. I saw him live in 1973 at the Canberra Theatre. A great entertainer, doing wheelchair stands and then I saw him again later that same year at the Captain Cook hotel in Canberra, he was always willing to sign autographs, a gentleman and a creative vocalist.
I just read this musicians obituary today, and until today, was not familiar with any of his music. But listening today, he was very talented. With a clearly visible obstacle to overcome, he did well for himself . I will be listening to more in the future.
Hi IGrew up Idolising this Talented man. May he now have peace RIP Jeff St John
What a great song. JSJ had a voice like no other.
What a singer used to watch him at the mawson hotel in the 70s
I'VE. ALWAYS. ADMIRED. THIS MAN. I REMEMBER HIM BACK IN THE 60s
RIP Jeff.
Respect to you man, still listening...
We used to hitch hike frm Villawood to Bexley Nth Hotel..always puts on an awesome night..miss the old days n all our brilliant Aussie talent n live bands at our local pubs.
Whoa! I’ll fly with you, Jeff!😎
VERY SAD TO HERE OF HIS PASSING. 2YRS.AGO.HE WAS A GREAT. TALENT
Excelente voz
Thank you so much for this site. Great Memories of great Artists & Bands .
best guitar solo ever comp'd by an Aussie gun slinger. Classic!
An inspiration..........guts and determination....
Brilliant disability has no boundaries great talent and love it
Sad he's not around 😢
God bless his soul 🙏 ❤️
I 1st saw Jeff St John at Bungool festival '72 & my god how he didn't manage to fall off that chair i still don't know! We all wanted to learn how to fly back then lol ;) RIP mate
Great set of pipes.... talented fella..
R I P John
What An Amazing Man & Band,I was 12 at the time and now I'm 64 and it still Hangs
In There in 2022 as far as I Am Concerned!!!!! When music Was REALLY MUSIC!!
Great song from a great singer from all those years ago. I saw Jeff two or three times back in the mid 1970s and he was always awesome.
beautiful voice and man
Man this could rock it out, I remember you well
saw jeff and copperwine at adams apple in oxford street the mandala in Darlinghurst plus uni and other places bloody great band live fab singer
Wish I could upvote this more than just the once! Great stuff!
Was excellent live. A truly great singer.
R.I.P to an Australian legend, heaven has gained a new angel. Now you have wings and you can fly so fly high. .I love this man always have and I could watch this video over and over. Something about him that had me from the beginning. You will be missed ❤❤❤❤❤
I truly hope I get to meet you in heaven. .What a LEGEND
i worked with jeff a few times, a consummate professional, probably one of the best in the world, based on my experiences. a loverly fellow to, one of the best, sadly missed.
fly high, jeff
This is incredible. So uplifting. Rest easily buddy.
Rest in Peace.
R.I.P. Jeff, Remember you...
Great song
Flippin' awesome !!!