Well known Lithgow identity Colin McAulay died at Armidale hospital on October 13 after a long illness.
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He will be remembered as the drummer in the iconic Lithgow Black Diamonds rock band.
Drummer Colin grew up in Lithgow and was a member of one of the best known families in the district.
He helped form one of Lithgow's earliest and most successful rock bands, the Black Diamonds, then Tymepiece.
According to Australasian music and pop culture (1964-1975) website Milesago, the Black Diamonds' name was inspired by their home town's mining roots.
You can watch the music video of the Black Diamonds' 1966 release See The Way here.
The Diamonds played as a session band under a recording company, in which they became the first Lithgow rock band to have a record in the top 40 with their recording of 'Wimoweh' (The Lions Sleeps Tonight).
They enjoyed considerable success as a full time professional outfit on the Sydney scene before breaking up and returning to reside in Lithgow.
The B-side release of See The Way, (I Want, Need, Love You) is held by many to be their most definitive sound. You can watch it here.
Colin moved to Armidale 18 years ago and worked at one of the local nursing homes for a number of years until retirement. He was active and well liked in the community and became a mentor to a number of young bands of musicians in Armidale.
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