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Bombora

Publisher Music Publishing Co of Australia Pty Ltd

Datec 1963

Object number00018431

NameSheet music

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 380 x 219 x 2 mm, 10 g
Display dimensions (Open): 280 x 436 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis sheet music for the guitar solo of the 1963 hit 'Bombora' was published in Sydney by the Music Publishing Company of Australia. Written by Peter A Hood and Jim Skiathitis of the Atlantics, the instrumental piece topped the Australian charts, and was released in America, England, Japan, Italy, Holland and New Zealand. The cover is illustrated with an oval photo-lithographic image of a rocky outcrop emerging from the surf, and bears a blue stamp indicating that the music was sold for 75 cents. It also features a company logo for the Southern Peer Organisation.History'Bombora' is an aboriginal word for a wave that breaks outside the normal surf line, or large waves breaking over submerged rock shelves. It was also the title of the first Australian surf instrumental piece to go number one on the charts in September 1963. The Atlantics had four members, Jim Skiathitis on guitar, Martin Cilia also on guitar, Peter Hood on drums, and Michael Smith on bass. Written by Skiathitis and Hood, 'Bombora' was an international hit that owed a small part of its success to the fact that many thought the band was American because of their name. In October 1963 they released their first LP album, named 'Bombora', with the B-side playing their instrumental version of 'Greensleeves'.SignificanceThis sheet music reflects early 1960s Australian popular culture, and is representataive of the surf music craze with bands such as the Deltones and the Atlantics creating a distinctive instrumental sound.