Marcie Jones and the Cookies.
The Cookies were Wendy, Beverley and Margaret Cook, born in Portsmouth! Margaret was born in Guildford Road, Fratton, Wendy in St Marys Hospital, and Beverley in Raglan Street, Southsea (the bit that became Somerstown).
We all emigrated to Brisbane where “the Cook sisters” won a talent quest in 1960 beating “the Gibbs Brothers” (yes, later The Beegees) – all very young migrant kids then. Due to Mum’s homesickness, we all returned to Sheffield Road, Fratton, Portsmouth between 1962 and 1965 and caught up with swinging England for a while then moving back to Aus.
The Cookies formed in 1965 and gained success initially in Brisbane. They recorded a few minor hits including a No 1 in Brisbane and as session singers also did many backing vocals for a wide range of artists from heavy rock bands to pop balladeers. They toured nightspots in SE Asia then came to England in 1968. The girls appeared at the Guildhall Portsmouth on 5th November 1969 with Cliff Richard and around Europe. They also toured Australia with The Monkees, Gene Pitney, Dobie Grey and very many Australian rock bands, singers, and appeared widely on stage at clubs, on TV shows, recording sessions etc.
In London, Wendy later married Douggie Reece who was then Dusty Springfield’s Musical Director.
Marcie and the Cookies were voted Australia’s top female act in1968. Although we are all now resident in Melbourne
Marcie & The Cookies
Singles (45rpm)
All Or Nothing/I Would If I Could 1968 (#2 Brisbane, #28 Melbourne)
White Christmas/You On My Mind 1968 (#23 Brisbane)
These tracks are on You Tube
- Walking along -
- Heatwave -
- I would if I could -
The Cookies 1967 on tour in Queensland
Marcie and the Cookies 1968
Cookies 1975 - l to r Wendy, Beverley, Margaret
Marcie and the Cookies 1989 - l to r Beverley, Wendy, Margaret, Marcie
Marcie and the Cookies performing recently
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