Peter Brideoake

Peter Brideoake was born and educated in Adelaide, South Australia, on 23 April 1945. His musical career began as a rhythm guitarist and vocalist in popular Australian pop group the Twilights (1964 - 1969). At times, Brideoake co-wrote with Terry Britten and Glenn Shorrock. The Twilights officially broke up in 1969, but have played reunion or special concerts in 2000, 2002, 2011 and 2015.

In 1969, Brideoake commenced studies in music composition at the University of Adelaide. Following his graduation with a Bachelor of Music (Hons) he began teaching harmony and modern composition techniques. From 1975, he was a career lecturer at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide.[5]

After several periods of study in China, Brideoake became a proficient performer on the ancient Chinese zither (ch'in or guqin) instrument. In 1978, he was awarded the John Bishop Memorial Commission; other commissioned works have been composed for the Sydney String Quartet, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Seymour Group, the Victorian String Quartet and, more recently, by percussionist Ryszard Pusz.

The musical career of Brideoake began in Adelaide, South Australia, as a rhythm guitarist and vocalist in the popular Australian pop group the Twilights (1964 - 1969) which reached the peak of their success in 1966. The Twilights consisted of Frank Barnard (drums 1964–65), Brideoake (rhythm guitar, vocals), Terry Britten (lead guitar, vocals), John Bywaters (bass, vocals), Clem "Paddy" McCartney (lead vocals), Laurie Pryor (drums 1965–69) and Glenn Shorrock (lead vocals). The Twilights earned acclaim for their body of recorded work, coupled with their status as arguably the most polished and accomplished Australian live act of the era.[6]

Pastoral Symphony, a "supergroup" project, issued a one-time studio release which was executive-produced by Jimmy Stewart and produced by Geoffrey Edelsten. A substantial hit upon its initial release, it was re-released in a barely noticeable US remix form in 1977. Pastoral Symphony comprised the full Twilights lineup augmented by Terry Walker (The Strangers) on lead vocals, Ronnie Charles (The Groop) doing backup vocals; and the Johnny Hawker Orchestra.

After the Twilights peak period (1964-1969), which included many recordings and performances (stage and television) around Australia, in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the group disbanded and Brideoake returned to Adelaide in 1969.

The Twilights reunited for a special Beatles tribute concert in Adelaide in 2000.[8]

The Twilights reformed again for the hugely successful "Long Way To The Top" Australian concert tour in 2002.

The surviving Twilights reunited for the all-star "Rock of Ages" concert promoted by Aztec Music at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne, in 2011.

Brideoake and two other original members of the Twilights (John Bywaters and Paddy McCartney) were joined by guest singer / guitarist Peter Tilbrook (Masters Apprentices) to perform "Needle In A Haystack" at "Yesterday's Heroes",[9] a various artists' show promoted by the Adelaide Music Collective in the Mortlock Chamber of the State Library on 9 February 2015 to coincide with a collection of Adelaide music memorabilia at the library.[10]

From 1975, Brideoake was a career lecturer at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide for the next 27 years. As well as teaching in composition studies, he introduced a course in Chinese music as the result of an interest in the music, theatre and language of China. A special interest in an ancient Chinese zither (ch'in or guqin) meant that after several periods of study in China, he became a proficient performer on this instrument. In 1978, he was awarded the John Bishop Memorial Commission; other commissioned works have been composed for the Sydney String Quartet, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Seymour Group, the Victorian String Quartet and, more recently, by percussionist Ryszard Pusz.

• Sonata for Flute and Piano (1969)
• Solo for 'Cello (1970)
• Music for Orchestra (1970)
• Composition for winds (1971)
• Gedatsu - solo guitar (1972)
• Music for Flute and Two Percussionists (1972)
• Chiaroscuro (1978)
• String Quartet No. 1 (1980)
• Interplay - two clarinets and harp (1981)
• Imager - string orchestra (1981)
• Shifting Reflections - chamber ensemble (1982)
• String Quartet No.2 (1986)
• Canto for Clarinet Alone (1987)
• Dialogue for Two - clarinet and percussion (1987)
• A Poet's Lament - soprano and piano (1988)

Brideoake co-wrote some songs with Terry Britten and Glenn Shorrock during the Twilights era.[2] In 2015, Peter Brideoake co-wrote " Situation Not Normal",[11] a song based on the kidnap for ransom of fellow Australian Warren Rodwell.

Brideoake lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in south west China from 2002 to 2009 before returning to his hometown of Adelaide. His death notice lists him as having two sisters and two sons.[1]

• National Library of Australia