George Assang

Australian singer and actor (1927–1997)

Rowena Wallace

(m. 1973; div. 1974)

Musical artist

George Assang (1927 – 1997), also known by his stage name Vic Sabrino, was an Australian jazz and blues singer and actor from Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia. He performed under his own name and the stage name Vic Sabrino. Assang was of Aboriginal, Pacific Islander, and Asian descent.^[1]

Music career

As Vic Sabrino, he may have made the first Australian rock and roll recording. A single he recorded with French jazz artist Red Perksey and his orchestra included a version of "Rock Around the Clock". This single may have been recorded in 1955, some three years before Johnny O'Keefe's recording of "Wild One" in 1958.^[2]

Filmography

Television

Vic Sabrino Sings (1958)
Skippy the bush Kangaroo (1968)
Hunter (1968)
Barrier Reef^[3] (1971–1972)
Spyforce (1971)
Boney (1972)
Number 96 (1974)

Film

The Intruders (1969)
And Millions Will Die (1973)
Dot and the Kangaroo (1977).^[4]

Personal life

Assang was briefly married to actress Rowena Wallace from 1973 until their divorce in 1974.

Discography

George Assang

with Trevor Jones' Orchestra

"Daughter of Mona Lisa" (1955) Mercury

George and Ken Assang

Just A Closer Walk (1965) Philips
"Songs From Down Under" - The Colonials (1967) Phillips PD 200

Vic Sabrino

"Dust in the Sun / Who Needs You" Festival

with Red Perksey & His Orchestra and Sheila Sewell

"The End of the Affair/Drifting Along" Pacific AUS #19^[5]

with Red Perksey & His Orchestra

"The Magic of Love/(We're gonna) Rock Around the Clock" (1955) Pacific
"Merry-go-round/Time For Parting" (1955) Pacific
"Blue Suede Shoes/Heartbreak Hotel" (1956) Pacific

with Dave Owens and his Blue Boys with The Blue Notes

"Long, Long Lane/Painted Doll" (1957) Festival

with Gus Merzi's Orchestra and with Harry Willis Orchestra; and The Belltones & Iris Mason Singers

"Fraulein/Hitch-Hiking Heart" (1957) Festival

with Graeme Bell and his Skiffle band

"Sweet Georgia Brown/ Freight Train" (1957) Columbia
"John Henry/Don't You Rock Me, Daddy-O" (1957) Columbia
"The Gospel Train/Come Skiffle Chicken" (1957) Columbia
"Gamblin' Man/Skiffle Board Blues" (1957) Columbia

References

^ Walker, Clinton (2000). "Last of the Red Hot Mammas". Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music. Pluto Press. pp. 62–63. ISBN 1-86403-152-2.
^ The Age 4 June 2005 Discovered: rock'n'roll's scratchy start
^ Great Australian Television: Barrier Reef, http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/BarrierReef1.htm
^ IMDb: George Assang, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0039768/, accessed 22 August 2012
^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book (1940–1969). Turramurra, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.

THE FIRST WAVE: Australian rock & pop recordings, 1955–1963 by Ross Laird (pdf)
Australian Popular Music Recordings 1955–1969 by Ross Laird (pdf)