The Life and Time Stories of Australian Musicians, Performance Artists and those who commenced their their contributed to the Australian Music industry from the 1950’s through to the 1970’s.
Australian Rock of Ages is a series of interviews conducted with artists, entrepreneurs, managers. Those who promoted and contributed to the Australian Music Industry. All were born in Australia or settled in Australia during the halcyon years of the late 1950’s through to the late 1970’s.
We present a different story each month.
This program features the story of David Flint
This is a 4-part program featuring the Life and Times of David Flint. When interviewed, David was 76 years of age when interviewed by me in 2017.
David was not a musician. Yet he had a profound effect on music venues in Melbourne, as well as on key groups and artists.
While not a Baby Boomer, David spent a good part of his life working with Baby Boomers. He certainly played a significant part in the Melbourne music scene from the mid 1960’s onwards.
He opening up Melbourne’s first and possible most successful discothèque – The Thumping Tum. Ths was “the” place for the Baby Boomers to be seen and to get their music fix.
As we follow David’s story from his early life onward we begin to understand what drove him. He was certainly driven, talented and successful.
Developing a strong desire to work in the fledgling Australian television industry he gained employment with Channel 9 in Melbourne. Here he worked on some of their top programs, such as Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight.
As he worked building sets for many Channel 9 programs, he identified a big need in the music scene.
He recognised that by the mid 1960’s live music in town halls was no longer meeting needs. Certainly the emerging Boomer generation wanted something better and something different. So we learn how he became involved in the establishment of the Thumping Tum disco.
Part 2
The Thumping Tum, affectionately known as the Tum, was Located at 50 Little Latrobe Street in the Melbourne CBD. It very quickly became a favorite of Melbourne’s music fans and bands.
It was also a favourite of the police and council authorities while becoming the precursor for many other unique venues.
The fans and the bands went there because it was the place to be! It had a wonderful atmosphere, decorated in Victorian period décor. It also featured a dance floor where the ceiling was entirely covered with opened umbrellas hanging upside down.
The authorities constantly visited it because as David learned he was operating without any of the many licenses required. As well, the huge crowds meant drugs and alcohol abounded.
It became known for featuring the most iconic bands and artists of the day.
These included such as Max Merritt and the Meteors, Billy Thorpe, the Purple Hearts, Chain, Spectrum, Campact, Wendy Saddington, Jeff St. John – just to name so very few.
We learn of the little known story of how the Tum came to be sold in 1970, only to fold within a year.
David was off on fresh adventures dipping his toe outside the entertainment business for a brief time.
Ten he returned for a short stint managing the Garrison disco in Toorak.
He also become an artist manager. He managed solo artists such as Hans Poulson and Bob Bright and groups, such as the popular Cam-pact
Then leaving the music business he opened one of Melbourne’s first bio-dynamic restaurants in the Dandenongs’.
Part 3
David freely shares stories about the Melbourne music scene in the mid to late 60’s through into the 70’s. These include some stories never told before.
We listen in amazement as he explains how many other Melbourne disco’s of the day came into being, all based upon the success of the Thumping Tum.
But with the amazing success of the Tum came the darker side of the industry. These were the standover merchants and the criminal element of Melbourne.
It got to the point where his own bouncers wouldn’t let him leave the Tum without an escort. In fact it wasn’t only the criminals that sought him out, but sections of Victoria police.
Part 4
This is the final part of the story of David Flint. He tells of the attempts he made to move into business ventures totally removed from the music/entertainment industry.
Yet, his passion for the music business along with other circumstances, kept drawing him back.
David shares how he finally moved into a new and pretty much final phase of his career. He now made use of his creative skills, moving into voice-over production.
With a partner, Phillip Webster, he sets up Flint-Webster, a production company. He co-ran it for some 25 years, having major success both locally and internationally.
Eventually David allows himself to be bought out, having worked himself into exhaustion.
David was almost in full retirement when interviewed. He lives in a beautiful house in the beautiful surrounds of Eltham outside of Melbourne.
David can now afford the luxury of sitting back and reflecting on, what has been an amazing career full of even more amazing experiences.
David Flint – Part 1
David Flint – Part 2
David Flint – Part 3
David Flint – Part 4
Previous stories in Australian Rock Of Ages can be found via these links:
Program #1 – Bob Bright: Click here
Program #2 – Normie Rowe: Click here
Program #3 – Mike Rudd: Click here
Program #4 – Phil Manning: Click here
Program #5 – Marcie Jones: Click here
Program #6 – Ross D. Wylie: Click here
Program #7 – Lynn Thorpe: Click here
Program #8 – Sam See: Click here:
Program #9 – Mick Hamilton: Click here
Program #10 – Claire Humphrys: Click here
Program #11- Glyn Mason: Click here
