8th October, 2009

GURYEL ALI

The Man From Little River: The Story Of George McArdle

Denise Austin with George McArdle

Ark House Press, North Sydney, NSW, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1921589034

"George says his first 'God encounter' came when he woke one night in his bedroom and saw a vision of Jesus on his bedroom wall. It would stay with him all his life."

Help Is On Its Way
Curiosity Killed The Cat
Happy Anniversary
Reminiscing…

This is the story of George McArdle, highly acclaimed bass player for the Little River Band (LRB) whose search for truth led him to God.

LRB hit rock 'n' roll heights and, at the summit, George found his Maker, only to walk away from it all.

The first Australian group to make the US top 10, the gold record achieving LRB played every major venue in North America alongside bands such as The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers and Santana to audiences numbering more than 80,000.

George's story begins with his upbringing on the streets of West Coburg in Melbourne where he grew up in an ordinary working class home with his disfunctional Irish Catholic family, including his father, a violent alcoholic who worked on the Melbourne trams.

George describes himself as a "social larrikin" by the age of five, saying that around that age, life at home became a nightmare as he spent countless nights on his bunk bed listening to fighting. Especially after payday.

He has some fond memories of him and his Dad together at football matches but recalls that even that would turn sour as they walked home. His Dad would take the opportunity to drink in pubs while George waited outside for him until every drop was gone and every penny spent.

Eventually his parents' marriage fell apart because of the abuse and mum and three kids moved in with George's uncle, Pat, to escape.

Uncle Pat emerges as a surrogate dad and encourages George in his many pursuits. As a result, George's musical endowment flowers and he wins a scholarship to St Patrick's church as one of 12 boy sopranos. Uncle Pat bought his first guitar and taught him to drive.

George says his first 'God encounter' came when he woke one night in his bedroom and saw a vision of Jesus on his bedroom wall. It would stay with him all his life.

The story follows George as he leaves school and starts doing odd jobs, eventually following his music-related dream and joining a band. He devotes himself to the guitar and proves to be a fast learner.

It's here that we're introduced to the world of rock and roll, night clubs, gigs, smells, alcohol, touring, practice, problems and all kinds of people, watching from the sidelines as George trains himself, copying Motown riffs and funky jazz.

By 1975, LRB were one of the biggest bands in Australia with four national hits. George, who is now gaining a reputation of greatness, and tries out for a place in the band which would see him playing with rock icons such as Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles and Graeham Goble.

He was well prepared, copying every note from LRB records and must have impressed - hence the phone call: "Hi Glenn Wheatley here, welcome aboard."

LRB were awesome, tight, loud with outstanding vocals. The story follows George and the band on tour to the UK and America where they see strong record sales and airplay. A hectic schedule follows.

In a few short years George had gone from lost teenager to wealthy musician. Receiving substantial earnings, he pays a deposit on a Melbourne home and pays the mortgage in 12 months.

About that time, sadly, George's sister Maureen is a chronic drug addict - "Have you heard about the lonesome loser?" Close to death, the heroin had destroyed her body. However, thankfully and miraculously, she is saved, healed and delivered at Richmond Temple AOG and from there, George begins his own search for something more. Grateful to see the change in his sister. He begins to attend the church himself with encounters with Pastor Phil Hills, a Franciscan monk and Arthur Blessitt, an American who has carried a cross all around the world.

Following his conversion and with a growing thirst for God, George finds himself at a crossroads - God or the Little River Band? It's here that he makes a dramatic turn and begins following God, eventually entering Bible college and then pastoring and speaking in churches. Turning his back on all his wealth, he gives everything away - money, his house and the band.

The narrative doesn't end there…Reminiscing. In 2004 Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles, Graeham Gobles and George McArdle are awarded the lifetime achievement award at the Aria Awards - a year earlier Carlos Santana had reportedly named George McArdle in his dream band.

It's not a racey thriller but, all-in-all this is a great book, easy to read and able to keep you turning the page. George's story involves the reader throughout his amazing faith journey; that of an interesting life, converted and redeemed.

A fascinating book, a story of rags to real riches.

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