Built around the world-class voice and blues guitar of Hammond Gamble, Street Talk released two albums, but they made their reputation as a full-on, no-frills live band. Players came and went around a nucleus of Gamble, Andy MacDonald and Mike Caen. In the March 1979 issue of Rip It Up, writer John Malloy stated there had been 18 musicians in all.
Street Talk’s debut album was awarded Album of the Year at the 1979 NZ Music Awards, where the band also picked up the Most Promising Group title.
Street Talk supported Talking Heads in New Zealand and opened for Fleetwood Mac in Wellington and Auckland. With the Mac coming undone at Athletic Park, a chant started up of, “Bring back Street Talk!”
Asylum Records
WEA
Elektra
Kim Fowley: Stranded in Paradise
Street Talk 'band file' in Rip It Up, June 1979
Hammond Gamble - vocals, guitar
Andy MacDonald - bass
Walter Ormsby - drums
Chris Murray - guitar
Mike Caen - vocals, guitar
Steve Butler - drums
Noel Christian - drums
Brent Eccles - drums
Peter Cuddihy - bass
Andrew Kay - keyboards