The Four Tones

Inducted 18 May 2016

The Four Tones are inextricably linked to the Penny Rockets, with whom they entertained thousands of Adelaide teenagers at the Princeton Club in the late 1950’s and 60’s.  In 1958, brothers Peter and Gary Knoblauch and friends John and Lee Tingey were coaxed into singing as a foursome at a 21st birthday and The Four Tones vocal group was born, making their public debut in February, 1959. 

By the beginning of 1960, the Four Tones were looking for a rock and roll group to support them and began their association with The Penny Rockets.  Soon the Four Tones were working with The Penny Rockets 15 days a month.  When ‘Woodies Teentime’ commenced on Channel 9, The Four Tones became household names

In January, 1962 The Four Tones and Penny Rockets took up residence at the Burnside Town Hall for the historic first Princeton, become fixtures there for the next 3 years.  In August, 1963, with The Penny Rockets providing the backing, The Four Tones self-funded the recording of two songs - ‘Tennessee Stomp’ and ‘Momma Poppa’.  Released as a single on the Young Modern label in October,1963, it became a significant local hit.  The group continued to successfully perform around Adelaide before calling it a day in August, 1965.