The Flyers

David Blight is without doubt Australia’s premier harmonica player. There aren’t too many people in Australia who are not familiar with the harmonica playing of David Blight. Every time you hear that favourite of Australia’s rock anthems, KHE SANH by Cold Chisel you will hear David’s distinctive harp lines weaving in and out behind Jimmy Barnes’ vocals. He was and still is Cold Chisels harp player of choice and has recorded and toured with the band collectively and individually throughout the years. The Flyers is a musical partnership based on the song writing talents of Dave Blight and long time friend and musical partner, Dave Small.

Dave Small is an icon of the Adelaide blues scene. As well as performing with The Flyers since its inception, Dave is also a founding member of Hoy Hoy which is led by former Flyers Bass guitarist, Frank Lang. Dave and David Blight first started writing songs in the early 70’s and performing in bands along with Dave’s younger brother Phil Small who went on to join Cold Chisel.

ARIA Hall of Fame member Rockin Rob Riley renowned and respected all over the world for his guitar and Pedal Steel guitar talents. Rob made his name in the 1980’s with Rose Tattoo and wrote arguably two of their best songs, ’We can’t be beaten’ and ’Scarred for life’. Rob has also performed with a who’s who of Australian music including Jimmy Barnes and The Party Boys. Rob brings to this band yet another dimension to his musical skills and somewhat unknown talents of his pedal steel guitar playing. Rob’s love for country music goes back to his early days and it hasn’t been until he joined The Flyers that his true musical knowledge came to the fore. Whilst David and Dave are the songwriters for the band it is Rob who is the chief catalyst of arranging the songs and coming up with the parts that lift the music to another level.

Mick Rajan joined the current formation of The Flyers in early 1999. At that stage Mick had been working with Rob Riley on his original project and doing performances as The Rob Riley Band. David Blight also worked with Rob in this band which briefly worked as The Riley/Blight Band. Mick has worked with some of Adelaide’s leading rock bands including Just Strait and Let it be Beatles. Joining The Flyers has allowed Mick to expand his playing into the country and Blues genres which make for a unique style that suits this band blending his powerful hitting with the subtleties of blues and everything in between.

Bass Guitarist Laurie Height is the latest addition to The Flyers. Laurie brings to the band over 20 years of live music experience predominantly with Adelaide outfit The Fools and has shared the stage with a number of well known artists including Mick Fleetwood, Joe Walsh, Jimmy Barnes and many others who dropped by to check out The Fools. Laurie brings to the band another musical dimension and is equally at home playing Blues, Country or Rock.

The Flyers are a band that can’t be pigeon holed in one genre. The band can deliver a gutsy rock song like Bryan Ferry’ Price of love followed by a slow blues influenced tune such as ‘Can’t stop loving you’ followed by a Tom Waits folk tune into their own country, rock a billy or boogie style original pieces.