The Ferrets (band)
The Ferrets were an Australian pop band. They are best known for their song "Don't Fall in Love" and album, "Dreams of a Love" which were both released in 1977. History. 1975: Formation. Ken Firth, Phil Eizenberg and William "Billy" Miller had been involved with the Australian stage production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1972–1974) which also included singer-actors Jon English, John Paul Young and Rory O'Donoghue. Firth (bass guitar, backing vocals), Miller (vocals, guitar) and Dave Springfield (guitar, backing vocals) were all members of hard rockers Buster Brown (which also featured vocalist Angry Anderson later  of Rose Tattoo). In November 1975 the trio left Buster Brown to join guitarist Eizenberg and formed The Ferrets. Drummer Rick Brewer (ex-Zoot) joined in April 1976 followed by Miller's sisters Jane Miller (backing vocals, keyboard) and Pam Miller (backing vocals) in July—they were now a seven-piece band. 1976-1977: "Don't Fall in Love" and "Dreams of a Love". After favourable reactions from audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, The Ferrets produced a demo tape that caught the attention of Ian "Molly" Meldrum talent coordinator for Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV series "Countdown". Meldrum got them  signed to Mushroom Records and started producing their debut album, "Dreams of a Love", in July 1976. In April 1977 they released their debut single, "Robin Hood", which did not chart. After nearly a year, production of the album was still incomplete, so The Ferrets took over—assisted by recording engineers Tony Cohen and Ian MacKenzie—Meldrum was attributed as "Willie Everfinish". In June 1977, The Ferrets released the double A-side single "Don't Fall in Love"/"Lies". Meldrum had carefully crafted "Lies" taking weeks whilst "Don't Fall in Love" was recorded in three hours. The Ferrets premiered on  Countdown in an episode compered by Jon English performing "Don't Fall in Love", which peaked at No. 2 Nationally. They were awarded with 'Best Australian TV Performer' at the 1977 for their "Countdown" appearances. In October 1977, The Ferret's released "Janie May" which reached No. 25 nationally and was televised on "Countdown" on 13 November 1977, which also featured the infamous Prince Charles interview. Their debut album "Dreams of a Love" was released in October 1977 and achieved Gold record status. The album cover depicted a model (Wendy Bannister) holding a snarling ferret on her shoulder. 1978-1979 : "Fame at Any Price" and disbandment. By the end of 1977, guitarist Eizenberg and backing vocalist Pam Miller had left. After another single, "Are You Looking at Me?" was released in April 1978. Jane Miller also left. The Ferrets continued to tour and recorded their second studio album "Fame at Any Price" which was produced by Cohen and released in October 1978. There were disappointing sales for the related singles "This Night" (written by Frank Howson, Firth, Miller) and "Tripsville" and for the album itself. Firth also left to be replaced successively by George Cross (previously in Jim Keays Southern  Cross with Brewer) and Ric Petropolis. The Ferrets had no further chart success and disbanded in March 1979. In 2018 Miller started working on a project with former Sports vocalist, Stephen Cummings 2006: Countdown Spectacular. Billy Miller performed "Don't Fall in Love" for the first Countdown Spectacular Tour of Australia from June to August 2006 and can be seen on the associated DVD (disc 1 track 16). Also on this tour were Jon English and John Paul Young from his "Jesus Christ Superstar" days. Awards and nominations. King of Pop Awards. were voted by the readers of TV Week . The King of Pop award started in 1967 and ran through to 1978.