George Assang

George Assang (1927–1997) was an Australian jazz and blues singer and actor from Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia. He performed under his own name and the stage name Vic Sabrino. Assang was of Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, and Asian descent.[1]

George Assang
Also known asVic Sabrino
Born1927 (1927)
Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia
Died1997 (aged 69–70)
Nowra, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actor
Instrument(s)Vocals

Music career

As Vic Sabrino, he may have made the first Australian Rock'n'Roll recording. A single he recorded with French jazz artist Red Perksey and his orchestra included a version of "Rock Around the Clock". This single may have been recorded in 1955, some three years before Johnny O'Keefe's recording of "Wild One" in 1958.[2]

Acting career

As an actor, Assang was featured in televisions and films. Assang had a major part in the TV series Barrier Reef[3] (1971–1972), appeared in episodes of Skippy and Hunter (1968), Spyforce (1971), Boney (1972 and Number 96 (1974). He also acted in several films, the 1969 film The Intruders, the 1973 film And Millions Will Die, and was one of the voices in the animated movie Dot and the Kangaroo (1977).[4] Under the Vic Sabrino name he had a short-lived television series in 1958 called Vic Sabrino Sings.

Personal life

Assang was briefly married to actress Rowena Wallace from 1973 until their divorce in 1974.

Discography

George Assang
with Trevor Jones' Orchestra
  • "Daughter of Mona Lisa" (1955) Mercury

George and Ken Assang
  • Just A Closer Walk (1965) Philips
  • "Songs From Down Under" - The Colonials (1967) Phillips PD 200

Vic Sabrino
  • "Dust in the Sun / Who Needs You" Festival
with Red Perksey & His Orchestra and Sheila Sewell
  • "The End of the Affair/Drifting Along" Pacific AUS #19[5]
with Red Perksey & His Orchestra
  • "The Magic of Love/(We're gonna) Rock Around the Clock" (1955) Pacific
  • "Merry-go-round/Time For Parting" (1955) Pacific
  • "Blue Suede Shoes/Heartbreak Hotel" (1956) Pacific
with Dave Owens and his Blue Boys with The Blue Notes
  • "Long, Long Lane/Painted Doll" (1957) Festival
with Gus Merzi's Orchestra and with Harry Willis Orchestra; and The Belltones & Iris Mason Singers
  • "Fraulein/Hitch-Hiking Heart" (1957) Festival
with Graeme Bell and his Skiffle band
  • "Sweet Georgia Brown/ Freight Train" (1957) Columbia
  • "John Henry/Don't You Rock Me, Daddy-O" (1957) Columbia
  • "The Gospel Train/Come Skiffle Chicken" (1957) Columbia
  • "Gamblin' Man/Skiffle Board Blues" (1957) Columbia

References
  1. Walker, Clinton (2000). "Last of the Red Hot Mammas". Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music. Pluto Press. pp. 62–63. ISBN 1-86403-152-2.
  2. The Age 4 June 2005 Discovered: rock'n'roll's scratchy start
  3. Great Australian Television: Barrier Reef, http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/BarrierReef1.htm
  4. IMDb: George Assang, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0039768/, accessed 22 August 2012
  5. Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book (1940–1969). Turramurra, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
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