Humpy Bong - Don't You Be Too Long (1970)

Colin Petersen was born March 24, 1946 in Queensland, Australia. He attended Humpybong State School with the three future members of the Bee Gees, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. After a successful stint as a child actor, it was his friendship with Maurice Gibb that allowed him to showcase his musical talents by becoming the Bee Gee’s first drummer. In 1969, after having appeared on multiple tracks, Petersen was fired from the group for raising “conflict of interest” questions in regard to the Bee Gee’s manager, Robert Stigwood, who also happened to own the group’s recordings and publishing, making him in effect their employer.

After his release from the band, still 1969, Petersen walked into a London restaurant and witnessed a performance being done by Jonathan Kelly, born July 8, 1947 in Drogheda, Ireland. Immediately recognizing Kelly’s talent, Petersen offered to become his record producer, while Petersen’s wife, Joanne Petersen, later became Kelly’s personal manager. Under Petersen’s producing, Kelly released three singles in the coming months, the last of which (“Don’t You Believe It”) featured Eric Clapton on slide guitar.

Then, in the summer of 1970, Petersen and Kelly decided to form a band, which is the one featured here today. Needing a vocalist, the duo enlisted the talents of Tim Staffell (born February 24, 1948 in London, England) who had previously been the bassist and frontman for a band named Smile (that would eventually evolve into Freddie Mercury’s Queen). But, unfortunately, the trio had problems while looking for another guitarist and pianist. According to an interview with Petersen from the time, “People are assuming the new group will be a carbon copy of the Bee Gees.” “We can record with the three of us by double-tracking, but we can't appear on stage.”

Although they were able to record a couple songs, including the one heard below (written by Jonathan Kelly), the band ran into problems when they went to perform on Top of the Pops. Not having enough songs, the band decided to try and perform “Don’t You Believe It” from Kelly’s solo catalog. Unfortunately, Eric Clapton wasn’t able to make the pre-recording session and so Staffell had to try and fill his shoes. It didn’t go well. Ultimately, the band could never really solidify a solid lineup of members nor a signature sound. After only a few months together, and after only recording two songs in the studio, the band split up.

Colin and Joanne Petersen resumed their managerial roles in Kelly’s solo career until Kelly retired from the music industry in 1974. Shortly after, the Petersens moved back to Australia and Colin became a painter. Staffell was in and out of various bands until 1973, eventually becoming an animator and model builder.



Humpy Bong - Don't You Be Too Long (1970)

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Lyrics:

Like the man who rode his camel down to Aqaba from Tobruk
My heart is a weary traveler and it’s looking for a friend
My thirsty eyes are aching just to find a pretty face to look upon
So come out all you ladies, who you hiding from?

But oh oh
Now don’t you be too long
Whoa, ho, ho
Woman, listen to my song
Oh
One day you’re gonna come along
But oh ho
Now don’t you be too long

Now here I sit in this old room, four walls that close me in
The bread man, he don’t call no more, and no one clears my bin
Oh, I need a soul to comfort me, somebody just for talking to
To help me pay my rent, you see, I’m four weeks overdue

But oh, oh
Now don’t you be too long
Whoa, ho, ho
Woman, listen to my song
Oh
One day you’re gonna come along
But oh ho
Now don’t you be too long

Don’t you be too long

But oh ho
Now don’t you be too long
Oh ho ho
Woman, listen to my song
Oh
One day you’re gonna come along
But oh ho
Now don’t you be too long

Don’t you be too long
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)
Don’t you be too long
(Don’t, don’t)