John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special

An enthusiastic young music journalist once described Sydney musician John Kennedy as a humble genius. Kennedy is neither a genius nor particularly humble. He is the writer and performer of many fine songs, some of which have found a place in the hearts of music fans of the golden era of Australian independent music. Kennedy started his music career in Brisbane with his band JFK and the Cuban Crisis. The band moved to Sydney and after establishing itself on the indie music scene broke up leaving Kennedy to pursue a solo career with his band vehicle, John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong. Kennedy spent the ‘90’s living and playing music in Berlin, Hong Kong and London before returning to Sydney in the early 2000’s. He formed a new band, John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special and continues to perform and produce independent record releases.

The band’s recent Raining Treasure album releases feature cover versions of Australian Independent bands like the Scientists, Radio Birdman, the Triffids and by stretching to definition of Indie music, the Angels and the Sports. For his original songs Kennedy created the music category Urban and Western which mixes pop, country, folk and rock influences. The audience at Twin Towns can expect to hear a mix of Kennedy’s original songs and the band’s Indie cover versions from the Raining Treasure albums.

Over the years Kennedy has shared stages with many of the acts covered on the Raining Treasure albums. His band members have come from or gone on to The Triffids, the Go-Betweens, Pop Mechanix and the Lime Spiders. The current line up of the band boasts its own fine indie pedigree. Long time drummer, Peter Timmerman was an original Love Gone Wrong member before moving on to the Widdershins. Bassist Phil Hall played with Sardine v and the Dropbears. Guitarist Murray Cook started out with indie hopefuls Finger Guns before going on to form what is probably Australia’s most successful independent band, the Wiggles. Together with Kennedy they have great fun taking audiences on a journey with Kennedy’s original Urban and Western songs and their cover versions of Australian indie classics.