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Wendy Stapleton
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Key Information
Wendy Anne-Marie Stapleton[1] (born 8 July 1954) is an Australian pop/rock singer-songwriter, musical theatre performer and television actress and presenter[2][3] Stapleton has performed as a backing singer, session musician and a solo artist; she fronted various Melbourne-based groups including Wendy Stapleton Band (1976–1978)[4] and Wendy & the Rocketts (1980–1985)[5] which had a top 30 hit single with "Play the Game" in June 1983.[3][6]
Biography
[edit]1954–1978: Early years
[edit]Wendy Stapleton was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. At nine years old, Stapleton appeared in J. C. Williamson’s 1963 production of Noël Coward's Sail Away at Her Majesty's Theatre which starred Maggie Fitzgibbon.[3][7] In the mid-1960s she regularly performed in further J. C. Williamson productions and made weekly appearances on GTV-9's Tarax Show on Melbourne television.[3] She attended St. Columba's College, in Essendon.[8] From 16 years old, Stapleton was lead vocalist for a succession of bands including Keith McKay Trio (1968),[9] Souled Out (1976–1977),[10] Incession (1979),[11] Southern Transit, Bill Livingstone Trio.[2][3] She also worked as a session backing vocalist[3] and, during 1976–1978, fronted the Wendy Stapleton Band which included Geoff Cox (ex-Keith McKay Trio, Bootleg Family Band) on drums and backing vocals who was replaced by Mike Anderson (Traction) on drums and backing vocals; and Keith McKay (Keith McKay Trio, Cycle) on keyboards and backing vocals.[4]
1979–1985: Wendy & the Rocketts
[edit]Stapleton signed a solo deal with Festival Records and issued her debut single, "Heart of Stone", a cover of The Rolling Stones 1964 song, in September 1979.[2][12] Her version did not chart on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart.[6] In August 1980 Stapleton formed pub rock band, Wendy & the Rocketts, with Mark Chew on guitar and keyboards (ex-Traction, Southern Transit), Victor Crump on guitar (Bandicoot, Fastbuck), Steve Donald on drums (Fastbuck) and Wayne Sullivan on bass guitar (Fastbuck).[2][5] The band signed with Mushroom Records and released "Reputation" in June 1981, which peaked at No. 40.[2][5][6] "Tonite" followed in September but did not chart.[2][6] Sullivan was replaced by Joe Imbroll on bass guitar.[5]
A new line-up appeared in March 1982 with Donald, and new members: Joey Amenta on lead guitar and backing vocals (Taste, Redhouse, Russell Morris Band, Darryl Cotton Band), Noel Beare on bass guitar (Misfits, Routinos) and Adrian Dessent on rhythm guitar and backing vocals (Scandal, Vixen, Marc Hunter Band).[2][5] The third single, "Your Place or Mine?" released in March, reached the top 40.[2][6] A live recording, Live, appeared as a six-track EP in September.[2] The band travelled to UK in early 1983 to record their debut studio album, Dazed for Days it was issued in July and appeared into the top 30 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart.[2][6] Lead single, "Play the Game", was released in April and peaked in the top 30,[6] "Have You Been Telling Me Lies" followed in August with "Security" in November. However, by September, the band had left for UK and Europe to tour as support for Bryan Adams and ZZ Top.[2]
In November 1984, another version of Wendy & the Rocketts toured: John Dallimore replaced Amenta on lead guitar (Redhouse, Dallimore, Jon English & the Foster Brothers), Brian Hamilton replaced Beare on bass guitar,[2] and Paul McNaughton (aka Paul Norton) joined on guitar.[5] No more recordings appeared—the group disbanded in March 1985—and Stapleton returned to session work.[2] Stapleton joined as guest vocalist with The Incredible Penguins in 1985, for a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", a charity project for research on little penguins, which peaked at No. 10 on the singles chart in December.[6][12][13] Incredible Penguins also included Donald from an early Wendy & the Rocketts line-up.[5][13]
1986–present: Later years
[edit]Stapleton's work for the late 1980s includes recording vocals for Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under's releases in 1986, and performing backing vocals for Melbourne band, Wild Turkey, in 1988.[12] She performed in Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom, a 1989 musical theatre project with Daniel Abineri, Nadine Garner and Brian Mannix;[2][3] a soundtrack of the same name was released.[12] Also that year she formed The Glee Club with former bandmates Imbroll and Norton, adding Mark Greig on guitar (ex-The Runners with Norton) and Grant Hamston on drums (The Runners).[14] Other musical theatre appearances include: The Magic Show, Sentimental Bloke and What's Goin' On.[3]
By 1990, Stapleton and Norton were married,[2] and Paul Norton Band was formed with Greig, Norton and Stapleton joined by Tim Millikan (Chantoozies) on bass guitar and Derek Pellicci (Little River Band) on drums to record, Under a Southern Sky and related singles.[2][14][15] Yooralla, a disability support provider, recorded an advertising jingle, "Yooralla People Helping People Achieve" in use during 1993–2007, which featured lead vocals by Venetta Fields and John Paul Young with backing vocals by Stapleton and others. In 1994, Greig, Millikan, Norton and Stapleton formed Hillbilly Moon with Cletis Carr (Big Whiskey) on vocals, guitar and bass guitar; and Peter Wells (Rose Tattoo) on vocals, guitar and bass guitar.[15][16] They released an album, Volume One, on Pelican Records.[15][16] Stapleton returned to musical theatre in May 1995 with the role of UK entertainer Dusty Springfield in I Only Want to Be With You - The Dusty Springfield Story.[2][3] Li'l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers (1997) was a 26-episode children's television cartoon show on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), with Stapleton supplying the singing voice for lead character, 'Li'l Elvis Jones' and voice for 'Mama Rig'.[3][17] She released Li'l Elvis and the TruckStoppers soundtrack in 1998 on ABC Records with eleven tracks.[12][18] She revived her role as Springfield with another season of I Only Want to Be With You from July 1997, and toured Australia, UK and Europe into early 1998.[2][3] Stapleton and Norton sang the theme for long running TV series, Neighbours (1985–present) used during 1999–2001 seasons.[19]
In 2001, Stapleton, Debra Byrne and Lisa Edwards toured with Girls, Girls, Girls a tribute show of hits by The Supremes, Cilla Black, Springfield, Patsy Cline and Lulu.[20][21] After one month, Edwards returned to backing vocals for John Farnham on his The Last Time Tour;[20][21] she was replaced by Nikki Nicholls, Girls, Girls, Girls continued touring into 2002.[3][20][21] Stapleton's television roles include Trixie Tucker, the mother of Nina Tucker played by Delta Goodrem, on Neighbours during 2002 and 2003;[3][19] other TV roles have been on Blue Heelers (1996, 1999) and Halifax f.p. (1996).[3][22] Stapleton appeared on film in You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, a short by Terrence O'Connell.[3] During June–August 2006, Norton and Stapleton performed in the Countdown Spectacular alongside other 1970s and 1980s acts. As from February 2008, Stapleton hosted Wrokdown, a weekly TV interview show, on Channel 31.[3]
Television, theatre and host roles
[edit]Stapleton's television roles include Trixie Tucker, the mother of Nina Tucker played by Delta Goodrem, on Neighbours during 2002 and 2003.[3] She reprised the role in 2016.[23] Her musical theatre work includes her performance as United Kingdom singer, Dusty Springfield in I Only Want to Be with You in 1995 and 1997–1998.[3] As from February 2008, Stapleton hosted Wrokdown, a weekly TV music interview show, on Channel 31.[3]
Personal life
[edit]By 1990, Stapleton had married fellow Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Paul Norton (previously Paul McNaughton),[2] and they have a daughter, Alexandra, who performs under the name "Ally Mac".[8] As from March 2008, Stapleton and Norton perform regularly at Hardimans Hotel in Kensington.[15]
Discography
[edit]Releases by Wendy & the Rocketts unless otherwise indicated.
Albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [6][24] | ||
| Wendy & The Rocketts Live |
|
46 |
| Dazed for Days |
|
26 |
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [24] | ||
| "I Need You" (solo) | 1979 | — |
| "Heart of Stone" (solo) | 1979 | — |
| "Reputation" / "Let the Boy Go" | 1981 | 40 |
| "Tonite" / "The Brighton Creeper" | — | |
| "Your Place or Mine?" / "In Your Eyes" | 1982 | 35 |
| "Talking to You" | 1982 | — |
| "It's Always Maybe" | 1982 | — |
| "Play the Game" / "I Can't Tell You" | 1983 | 28 |
| "Have You Been Telling Me Lies" / "How Come You're Still Hanging Around" | 75 | |
| "Security" / "Nightflier" | — | |
| "C'Mon Demons" (solo with Bob Valentine) | 1989 | — |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Countdown Australian Music Awards
[edit]Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.[25][26]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | herself | Most Popular Female Performer | Nominated |
References
[edit]- General
- Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara; Paul McHenry (2002) [1987]. The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Vic.: Five Mile Press. ISBN 1-86503-891-1.[27]
- Specific
- ^ ""Play the Game" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Wendy and The Rocketts'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Australia Day Ambassadors – Wendy Stapleton". Australia Day Committee. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b Spencer et al, (2007) STAPLETON, Wendy BAND entry. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g Spencer et al, (2007) WENDY AND THE ROCKETTS entry. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book Ltd. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.
- ^ "Maggie Fitzgibbon [picture]". catalogue. National Library of Australia. 2005. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b "Parent's Association Special Event" (PDF). Columba. St. Columba's College. December 2008. p. 4. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ Spencer et al, (2007) McKAY, Keith TRIO entry. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ Spencer et al, (2007) SOULED OUT entry. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ Spencer et al, (2007) INCESSION entry. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Spencer et al, (2007) STAPLETON, Wendy entry. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b Spencer et al, (2007) INCREDIBLE PENGUINS entry. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b Holmgren, Magnus. "Paul McNaughton aka Paul Norton". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Where are they now? - Paul Norton". Newsletter No. 275. bmusic. 10 March 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ a b Spencer et al, (2007) HILLBILLY MOON entry. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ "Li'l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers". Australian Television Information Archive. 7 January 2002. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ "Li'L ELVIS JONES AND THE TRUCKSTOPPERS". Australian Television Memorabilia. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ a b Karl (17 April 2004). "Interview: Wendy Stapleton". Neighbours. The Perfect Blend. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ a b c Byrne, Debra (2008). Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir. Australia: Pan MacMillan. pp. 302, 454, 457, 461, 469. ISBN 978-0-330-42409-7. Note: Overview [on-line] has limited preview available.
- ^ a b c "Australia Day Ambassadors – Lisa Edwards". Australia Day Committee. Archived from the original on 1 December 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
- ^ "Search results for Wendy Stapleton". Australian Television Information Archive. 7 January 2002. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (14 November 2016). "Neighbours spoilers: Lou Carpenter's ex-wife Trixie Tucker is back after a 12-year absence". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 335. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Countdown to the Awards" (Portable document format (PDF)). Countdown Magazine. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). March 1987. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ "Final episode of Countdown". 1970scountdown. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry". catalogue. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Wendy Stapleton discography at Discogs
- Wendy Stapleton at IMDb
Wendy Stapleton
View on GrokipediaBiography
Early years (1954–1978)
Wendy Anne-Marie Stapleton was born on 8 July 1954 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[2] From a young age, Stapleton received training in classical ballet, tap dancing, acting, and singing, which laid the foundation for her multifaceted performing arts career.[7][2] She made her first professional appearance at the age of nine in J.C. Williamson's production of Noël Coward's Sail Away at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in 1963.[5][3] Throughout her childhood in the mid-1960s, she regularly performed on GTV-9's Tarax Show and other variety programs, honing her skills as a young entertainer.[8][9] By age 16, in 1970, Stapleton had transitioned to professional vocal work, sharing stages with prominent Australian artists including John Farnham, Glenn Shorrock, Jon English, and Joe Camilleri.[9][8] She began leading early bands, starting as lead vocalist for the Keith McKay Trio around that time, followed by other groups such as Souled Out and Incession.[3] In 1976, she formed and fronted the Wendy Stapleton Band, which performed until 1978 and featured musicians like Geoff Cox on drums.[3]Wendy & the Rocketts (1979–1985)
In 1979, Wendy Stapleton signed a recording contract with Mushroom Records as a solo artist. She issued her debut single, "Heart of Stone" (a cover of the 1964 Rolling Stones song), in September 1979, marking her entry into the recording industry.[3][10] This early solo effort preceded the formation of her band Wendy & the Rocketts in August 1980 as a pub rock outfit based in Melbourne. The group emerged from Stapleton's prior experience in local bands, blending rock and pop elements to capitalize on the Australian music scene's growing interest in female-fronted acts.[7][3] The band's core lineup featured Stapleton on lead vocals, with initial members including Ray Arnott on drums, Mark Chew on guitar and keyboards, and Victor Crump on bass guitar. Lineup adjustments occurred over the years, notably with Steve Donald replacing Arnott on drums in 1982 and Joey Amenta joining as lead guitarist, contributing to a more polished sound for recordings and live performances. The band's debut single, "Reputation," released in 1981, reached No. 40 on the Kent Music Report singles chart, marking their entry into national visibility. This was followed by the live EP Wendy & the Rocketts Live in September 1982, which peaked at No. 46 on the Kent Music Report albums chart and captured their energetic stage presence. Their studio debut album, Dazed for Days, issued in July 1983 and produced in London, climbed to No. 26 on the same chart, showcasing Stapleton's songwriting alongside covers and originals. Key singles from the album included the self-penned "Play the Game" in 1983, which became their biggest hit at No. 28 on the Kent Music Report; and "Have You Been Telling Me Lies". Earlier singles included "Your Place or Mine?" in 1982 at No. 35.[3][11][12] Wendy & the Rocketts built a strong live reputation through extensive touring across Australia and internationally, serving as support act for major artists such as Bryan Adams, ZZ Top, and Hall & Oates during the early 1980s. These tours, including European legs in 1983, helped expand their audience beyond local pubs to larger venues and festivals. The group disbanded in March 1985 after no further recordings were issued, amid ongoing lineup shifts and the evolving landscape of Australian rock.[7][3]Later music career (1986–present)
Following the peak of her success with Wendy & the Rocketts, Stapleton transitioned to solo endeavors and collaborations in the music industry. In 1986, she contributed backing vocals to the self-titled album by Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under, the project of the former AC/DC frontman, recorded in Melbourne and featuring a mix of hard rock tracks.[13] By 1988, Stapleton appeared as a special guest vocalist with the Australian rock band Wild Turkey during sessions for their album Kutchi Tuts, adding her distinctive pop-rock harmonies to the group's blues-infused sound on select tracks.[14] The following year, she released the football-themed single "C'Mon Demons" in collaboration with Bob Valentine, a motivational anthem tied to the Melbourne Football Club and performed ahead of the 1989 VFL Grand Final, which peaked at number 78 on the Australian charts.[15] Stapleton expanded into voice work in the late 1990s, providing the singing voice for the character Li'l Elvis Jones in the Australian animated series Li'l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers, which aired 26 episodes on ABC Television starting in 1997 and blended country music with adventure storytelling.[16] Her involvement extended to musical theatre soundtracks, notably contributing vocals to the original cast recording of I Only Want to Be with You: The Dusty Springfield Story in 1995, where she portrayed the iconic singer and delivered covers of hits like the title track alongside orchestral arrangements. Throughout the 2000s, Stapleton maintained an active presence in live music, including regular performances at Hardimans Hotel in Kensington, Melbourne, where she and musical partner Paul Norton delivered sets of classic rock and pop covers to local audiences.[17] This venue became a staple for her ongoing gigs, emphasizing her enduring appeal in intimate settings. In recent years, Stapleton has continued touring with tributes to her influences, including a 70th birthday celebration in July 2024 that featured a retrospective of her music career highlights from solo work to Rocketts-era hits.[18] Looking ahead, she performed The Swinging Sixties—a show celebrating female artists of the era—at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre on October 10, 2025, as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, drawing crowds with renditions of 1960s anthems.[19] Later that month, on November 15, 2025, she presented The Dusty Springfield Show at Frankston Arts Centre, a multimedia tribute incorporating Springfield's catalog performed live with a full band.[20]Performing arts
Theatre roles
Stapleton's theatre career began in the mid-1970s, building on her pop and rock music background to showcase her vocal versatility in musical productions. Her early stage work included a role in the Australian production of The Magic Show at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne in 1975, where she performed alongside performers like Samantha Sang and Larry Anderson.[11][2] In the 1980s, she appeared in The Sentimental Bloke, a musical adaptation of C. J. Dennis's classic Australian verse narrative, highlighting her ability to blend contemporary pop influences with traditional storytelling.[2] She also starred in What's Goin' On. Later, in 1990, Stapleton took on the role of Mary in the Melbourne premiere of Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom, a rock musical that featured original songs and addressed themes of rebellion and family.[4][21] Stapleton's most prominent theatre role came in 1995 when she starred as Dusty Springfield in the biographical musical I Only Want to Be With You – The Dusty Springfield Story, which traced the singer's career through her hits and personal struggles. The production was revived for seasons in 1997 and 1998, earning praise for Stapleton's vocal resemblance to Springfield and her commanding stage presence.[22][23] Following these successes, Stapleton has maintained an active presence in Dusty Springfield tribute theatre, including standalone productions and tours of The Dusty Springfield Story. These shows, featuring her as the lead portraying Springfield's life and repertoire from the 1960s to the 1990s, have toured Australia regularly, with performances documented as recently as 2025 at venues like Bird's Basement in Melbourne.[24][25] She has also appeared in other productions, including Two Up alongside Glenn Shorrock and Screen Gems with Dean Lotherington.[2] As part of her tribute work, she also appeared in the short film You Don't Have to Say You Love Me directed by Terrence O'Connell, a cinematic homage to Springfield's iconic song and legacy.[26]Television and film roles
Stapleton's television acting career began in the mid-1990s with guest appearances on popular Australian series. In 1996, she portrayed Paula Lake in the episode "Dead and Alive" of Blue Heelers, a crime drama centered on rural police work.[27] That same year, Stapleton guest-starred as Henri in the Halifax f.p. episode "Sweet Dreams," a forensic psychology series where her character contributed to a tense investigation involving deception and hidden motives.[28] She reprised her involvement with Blue Heelers in 1999, playing Maya Greene in the episode "Wishful Thinking," which explored themes of family mischief and small-town dynamics.[29] Her most prominent television role came in the long-running soap opera Neighbours, where she played Trixie Tucker, the flamboyant mother of teenager Nina Tucker (portrayed by Delta Goodrem), in 2003 across multiple episodes.[30] Trixie, a singer and performer, brought dramatic tension to Ramsay Street storylines, including her brief marriage to Lou Carpenter. Stapleton reprised the role in 2016 for a guest arc that reunited Trixie with Lou, adding nostalgic humor to the narrative.[30] Her theatre background, honed through musical productions, informed her nuanced portrayal of Trixie's expressive and charismatic persona on screen. In animation, Stapleton provided the singing voice for the titular character, Li'l Elvis Jones, in the 1997–1998 ABC series Li'l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers, an adventure show following a young prodigy's battles against villains in a truckstop setting.[16] This voice work showcased her vocal talents in 26 episodes, complementing the spoken dialogue by Stig Wemyss.Hosting roles
Stapleton began her television hosting career with a guest appearance as presenter on the popular Australian music program Countdown. On 23 September 1979, she filled in for regular host Ian "Molly" Meldrum during episode 212 after his flight delay, managing the show's segments despite challenges with cue cards due to her eyesight.[31] From February 2008 to 2016, Stapleton served as the host of Wrokdown, a weekly music interview series broadcast on Melbourne's community television station Channel 31. In this role, she conducted in-depth discussions with musicians, songwriters, and industry figures, drawing on her extensive experience in the Australian music scene to explore the history and development of local rock and pop.[32][33] Stapleton has also taken on guest hosting duties in music specials reflecting her career highlights, including a notable co-hosting stint on a commemorative segment for Countdown's legacy, where she shared anecdotes from her 1979 episode alongside fellow performers.[31]Personal life
Family
Wendy Stapleton has been married to Australian musician Paul Norton since the late 1980s; Norton previously served as the guitarist for her band Wendy & the Rocketts.[3][34] The couple has one daughter, Alexandra Norton, who performs professionally as Ally Mac and pursues a career in music as a singer-songwriter.[35][36] Stapleton, Norton, and their daughter have collaborated on musical endeavors, notably co-founding the Australian Women's Choir in 2014, where Ally contributed to its establishment and ongoing activities.[35] The family occasionally performs together at events, blending their shared passion for music and performance.Ongoing activities
Stapleton has maintained a long-term residence in Melbourne, Australia, where she continues to base her professional and personal life amid frequent local performances.[37] Since the early 2000s, she has performed regularly in a duo with her husband, Paul Norton, at Hardimans Hotel in Kensington, delivering sets that blend her pop and rock repertoire with his guitar accompaniment.[37] In 2025, Stapleton remains actively involved in community events as a performer for the Victorian Seniors Festival, including shows such as The Swinging Sixties and The Dusty Springfield Show, which celebrate iconic female artists from the 1960s and highlight her enduring stage presence.[38][39] Following her 70th birthday in July 2024, Stapleton shows no signs of retirement, continuing her musical engagements with family support, including occasional collaborations with Norton and daughter Ally Mac.[18][40]Discography
Albums
Wendy Stapleton's recorded output as a lead artist is limited to releases with her band Wendy & the Rocketts in the early 1980s, with no full-length solo studio albums issued to date. These works showcase her contributions to Australian pub rock and AOR, featuring her powerful vocals over rock-oriented arrangements. The band's debut release, Wendy & The Rocketts Live, is a six-track EP capturing live performances and was issued in September 1982 by Mushroom Records. It peaked at No. 46 on the Australian Kent Music Report albums chart.[11] Their sole studio album, Dazed for Days, followed in July 1983, also on Mushroom Records, and reached No. 26 on the Kent Music Report albums chart. Recorded in the United Kingdom, the album was produced with a polished AOR sound, blending rock tracks like the lead single "Play the Game" (which peaked at No. 28 on the singles chart). It received moderate commercial success and positive user ratings for its energetic production and Stapleton's vocal delivery, averaging 3.3 out of 5 on music database aggregators.[3][41][42]| Album Title | Type | Release Date | Label | Peak Chart Position (AUS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy & The Rocketts Live | EP (Live) | September 1982 | Mushroom Records | 46 |
| Dazed for Days | Studio | July 1983 | Mushroom Records | 26 |
Singles
Wendy Stapleton's recording career as a lead artist began with a solo single in 1979, prior to forming her band Wendy & the Rocketts, whose output included four charting singles on the Australian Kent Music Report between 1981 and 1983. These tracks, characterized by pop-rock and synth elements, represented the band's commercial peak, with "Play the Game" achieving the highest position. Later solo releases were more sporadic, often tied to specific themes like sports anthems, and generally received limited national airplay without entering the top 50. The following table lists Stapleton's key singles, including release years, associated acts, peak positions on the Kent Music Report (where applicable), and B-sides:| Year | Title | Artist/Band | Peak Position (Kent Music Report) | B-side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Heart of Stone" | Wendy Stapleton (solo) | — | "I Need You" |
| 1981 | "Tonite" | Wendy & the Rocketts | — | "The Brighton Creeper" |
| 1981 | "Reputation" | Wendy & the Rocketts | 40 | "Let the Boy Go" |
| 1982 | "Your Place or Mine?" | Wendy & the Rocketts | 35 | "In Your Eyes" |
| 1983 | "Play the Game" | Wendy & the Rocketts | 28 | "I Can't Tell You" |
| 1983 | "Have You Been Telling Me Lies" | Wendy & the Rocketts | 75 | "How Come You're Still Hanging Around" |
| 1983 | "Security" | Wendy & the Rocketts | — | "Nightflier" |
| 1989 | "C'Mon Demons" | Wendy Stapleton with Bob Valentine (solo) | 77 | — |
