”Digging” with Louis Armstrong & JOK - Leon’s Story Part

"Digging" with Louis Armstrong and JOK - Leon's Story Part 1


In the early days of Rock 'n' Roll in Australia, Dig
Richards & the R'Jays were one of the biggest bands in the
land.


With movie-star good looks, Dig was Australia's very first
teenage idol, and with his band the R'Jays, they were at the
forefront of the Rock 'n' Roll revolution.


They were the first Aussie band to release a full length album
through Festival Records and as a live act, they were as popular
as any local band. They also appeared on many Lee Gordon Big
Shows and more than held their own playing alongside the visiting
American superstars.


At a time when the "establishment" was doing it best to stop this
new form of music from taking hold, Dig Richards & the R'Jays
led the way in spreading the gospel of Rock 'n' Roll. They even
had their own TV show on Channel 7 called Teen Time.


I speak with R'Jays drummer Leon Isackson about his amazing
musical journey hanging out with the like of The Bee Gees and
Louis Armstrong and I also spoke with Dig's brother, Doug and
gained some insight into Digs career.


Sadly, Dig died aged just 42-years-old in 1983 , however,
his musical legacy lives on.