Influences
In 1996 Thorpe formed the Billy Thorpe Band with Andy Cichon (bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals), Steve Edmonds (guitar, vocals), Paul DeMarco/Mick O'Shea (drums) and Randall Waller (guitar, vocals, keyboards), and toured Australia in July. He had returned to live in Sydney and authored his first autobiography, "Sex and Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll", on his early experiences in King's Cross and the formation of the Aztecs, which was released in November. He followed with an Australian TV appearance on "This Is Your Life". In October 1998, he released his second autobiography, "Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy)". On 14 November 1998, with the Aztecs, Thorpe appeared at the Mushroom 25 Concert, singing "Most People I Know" and "Ooh Poo Pah Doo"; ex-Aztec Lobby Loyde joined them on-stage on guitar. At the "Gimme Ted" benefit concert on 9 March 2001 Thorpe performed five songs including a duet with INXS.