Greg’s award-winning `Life after Wak’ (1991)

Greg Doolan goes it alone

TV host John Burgess congratulates Greg Doolan at the Wallace Awards 1994.

On With the Show's

Flashback to Variety Today 1991

By SHIRLEY BROUN

The 1991 Wallace Awards Male Cabaret Vocalist of the Year Greg Doolan could not be more delighted. "Having always worked in a group, it was a very important award for me to win. It was also the first time I had been nominated in the category," he said.

As the founder of one of Australia's most successful show groups, Wickety Wak, Greg's solo career was a big step but one which - if the award is any indication - is destined for success in the years to come.

For the past 16 years Greg has headed the highly talented and successful `Wak' as they were affectionately known. During that time the group produced 10 television specials for Channel 7, released five albums and four videos, and scored sell-out seasons throughout the country.

Wak took on `Thriller' and almost won `Gold'

Their single `Moonlight Marvel' made it to Number two on the Queensland charts behind Michael Jackson's `Thriller' and was so close to going `gold' that group members toyed with the idea of buying the outstanding records themselves. "We were so close to the elusive `gold record'. We only just missed out," Greg said.

Nevertheless, the `Wak' had a dedicated following, an estimated 16,000 of whom turned up for their farewell concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre last year. Since then, Greg has been working on his own show which includes the talents of Entertainer of the Year Deana Peher and vocal harmony group, Soul Train.

The show was successfully launched at Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads, last year - a venue at which Greg will appear again from July 31 to August 4.

This appearance will be followed by a two week season in November-December at the popular venue, located on the Queensland and New South Wales border, in which Greg will present `Greg Doolan's Life After Wak' featuring guest appearances by former `Wak' members Rob Rosenlund and Peter Mackay.

Greg, who was involved in producing Wak's television specials, was responsible for producing this year's highly entertaining show enjoyed by more than 360 attendees of the 18th annual Wallace Awards at the Wynnum Manly RSL. The show, hosted by Eric Summons and Russ Walkington, starred Jade Hurley, Danny McMaster and eight-year-old Starsearch winner Wade Robson, plus 18 fabulous acts incorporating around 50 artists.

Greg, who attracted his first big break after winning the Hoadley's Battle of the Bands in 1972, is set to release a new album later in the year to be produced by Geoff Wilkes, responsible for all five albums released by Wickety Wak.

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