History
JPJ Audio, the merged operation of Jands Production Services and Johnston Audio has a history dating back to 1970 when Jands first began providing sound and lighting equipment and expertise for local and overseas entertainers.
Over the last four decades, JPJ Audio has undertaken some of the most innovative and memorable projects in the fields of sound and lighting. When Elton John first toured Australia in 1971, Jands provided what was then the largest PA system ever assembled in Australia. Throughout the 70s and onwards JPS was the preferred supplier of equipment and staff for nearly every major entertainer that visited the country. We are gradually working through our old records and photographs and will add to this section regularly.
February 2nd, 1970
In the late 1960 and early 1970s radio station 2SM and confectionary maker Hoadleys staged an annual Battle of the Sounds to discover Australia’s best band. In 1970 the bands competing include Flying Circus, Freshwater, the Cleves, Pyramid, NZ Fantasy Band, Autumn, the La De Das, Pirana, Elm Tree, and Clik. Jands provided a column […]
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March 15th, 1970
From the late 60s Jands manufactured a range of lighting equipment including strobes, color-organs, chasers and lighting effects units. Jands lighting equipment was used for the 1969 Australian production of Hair, University Balls, and many other local productions and events. The March 1970 rental price list is reproduced below.
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January 31st, 1971
Photo courtesy of ©1971 Greg Dickins In January 1971 Jands provided stage and effects lighting for the first Fairlight Festival. The equipment consisted of Strand Patt 223 & 123 fresnels, Patt 23 & 23N profile spots and Patt 63 multi-cell ground rows. Kodak Carousel projectors loaded with hand painted sides and 3M overhead projectors with […]
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March 28th, 1971
One of the first outdoor shows Jands provided audio for was a concert was held at the Heddon Greta Speedway near Newcastle. The PA system included two Jands 4 x 12″ speaker columns shown on the left side of the photo. Microphones were AKG D190s. The mixer was designed and largely built by Philip Storey […]
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September 19th, 1971
In May 1971 Daddy Cool released their debut single ‘Eagle Rock’ and it stayed at number 1 on the Australian singles chart for ten weeks. On Sunday September 19, 1971 Ross Wilson and the band headlined a show at the Sydney show ground which also featured Chain, the La De Das, Taman Shud and Greg […]
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October 31st, 1971
This was Elton John’s first tour of Australia and New Zealand. He played outdoors and Jands provided what was then the largest sound system every assembled in Australia. Elton’s personal monitoring system consisted of JBL studio monitors supplied by Clair Brothers. Sound System 2 x RCA W Bin with 2 x 15″ JBL K140 4 […]
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