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Anonymous
7 years ago

Recently I came across Mary-Jane- Boyd's site quite by accident while searching the net for some of my old friends. After listening to her sing "The Man I Love" I was reminded of what an extraordinary and talented singer she was. Mary-Jane and I crossed paths several times while I was working the lucrative club circuit in Sydney. I was then represented by The Warren T Smith Organisation and because she was there amongst us I guess I took Mary-Jane and her huge outstanding talent for granted. We as artists and performers were all trying to make a living on the circuit then and it isn't until now after all these years I realise that Mary -Jane was taken from us far to soon. I have no doubt that had she not been taken so soon she would have been a iconic international star. Mary-Jane Boyd was already a star the day she was born and for those who knew her and saw her performances were blessed in seeing a rising star. I for one am honoured to have known and seen that star quality in her.

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Anonymous
7 years ago

Recently I came across Mary-Jane- Boyd's site quite by accident while searching the net for some of my old friends. After listening to her sing "The Man I Love" I was reminded of what an extraordinary and talented singer she was. Mary-Jane and I crossed paths several times while I was working the lucrative club circuit in Sydney. I was then represented by The Warren T Smith Organisation and because she was there amongst us I guess I took Mary-Jane and her huge outstanding talent for granted. We as artists and performers were all trying to make a living on the circuit then and it isn't until now after all these years I realise that Mary -Jane was taken from us far to soon. I have no doubt that had she not been taken so soon she would have been a iconic international star. Mary-Jane Boyd was already a star the day she was born and for those who knew her and saw her performances were blessed in seeing a rising star. I for one am honoured to have known and seen that star quality in her. Will Scarlet

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Anonymous
7 years ago

Recently I came across Mary-Jane- Boyd's site quite by accident while searching the net for some of my old friends. After listening to her sing "The Man I Love" I was reminded of what an extraordinary and talented singer she was. Mary-Jane and I crossed paths several times while I was working the lucrative club circuit in Sydney. I was then represented by The Warren T Smith Organisation and because she was there amongst us I guess I took Mary-Jane and her huge outstanding talent for granted. We as artists and performers were all trying to make a living on the circuit then and it isn't until now after all these years I realise that Mary -Jane was taken from us far to soon. I have no doubt that had she not been taken so soon she would have been a iconic international star. Mary-Jane Boyd was already a star the day she was born and for those who knew her and saw her performances were blessed in seeing a rising star. I for one am honoured to have known and seen that star quality in her.

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7 years ago

Mary Jane was the vocalist in my band, "The Shapes Inbetween." (State Express were a great Sydney band, but Mary Jane didn't sing with them). We had a lot of success in 1969, with live appearances on "In Town Tonight" and "New Faces." I have posted some of the audio on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkK0F7kPFi8 (search also Shapes Inbetween and Mary Jane Boyd). We were a finalist in the 2UW "New Sounds of 69" competition, playing at Randwick Racecourse. (River Deep, Mountain High). We played in a stripped down version of the band on most Saturdays mornings at the Bondi Junction Shopping Village. We also did local Sydney gigs. The band was a bunch of school kids ... and Mary Jane was a world class vocalist. The line up was: Peter Forrester, drums, Gary Kurzer, guitar, Tony Gerber, keyboards, and Bob Sykes, bass. Her management didn't encourage her to record original music, but pushed her into the Leagues Clubs, and she was signed to do the weekly "The Sound of Music" tv show, which didn't showcase her brilliant abilities. She suffered from (what we would call today) bi-polar, and this made for some interesting times. She married twice, without a lot of joy, and her 30's she tried to get back to music via writing originals songs. I worked with her on these, and although they had potential, unfortunately the material was not recorded, and she was not in great voice by this stage. We lost her at age 40, and I am firmly of the view that had she been guided properly in her pioneering days, she would have easily been a major star, who would have been right at home with Janis or the other greats of the day. Have a listen to her singing with the Channel 9 orchestra (piano, bass, drums) doing St James Infirmary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qthh_mid-I She sounds like a fabulous blues diva. Amazing.

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7 years ago

No one has mentioned Mary Jane Boyd singing on the Mike Walsh show. That is where I first seen her beauty and heard her wonderful voice and being a teenager I had an instant crush. I would always tune in when Mary appeared. I am also sure that her tragic passing was announced by Mike Walsh. What a sad day that was. I could not believe it. Here was a beautiful talented woman with a wonderful voice and persona. Mary had charisma in abundance. Unfortunately, we don't see the inner person and what demons we all carry. It's hidden and sometimes we don't know where to turn to for help. I often through my life wonder what if. Long live her spirit and rest her soul.

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David B. J. Murphy.
11 years ago

Hoping that you have found peace and happiness, happy birthday Mary-Jane. Missing you every passing day and forever in our memory and hearts, Love. David.

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David B. J. Murphy.
12 years ago

I met Mary-Jane on September 1st., 1989 at what I believe was her last major public appearence. We became friends almost instantly and I think of her every passing day. She helped me feel at ease from the moment we met and I will never forget her for her warmth, her care and her friendship. To this day I think of her every day as a very special friend and wish she was still with us all. I wish I knew the problems she faced as I feel I could have helped her solve them. I can only wish that she is in peace and is safe. Take care Mary-Jane.

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Michael Cronin
12 years ago

I met Mary Jane just prior to her tragic death. I also attended St PiusX (as did Greg Maudie )adjacent to her old school Our lady of Doloures. I remember her saying she always felt she may have a vocation to become a nun when I mentioned my sister had been an LCM for many Years

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MERV CREEF
12 years ago

Thanks for the comments as i am related to Mary Jane Boyd if you could contact me on mcr43901@bigpond.net.au or phone 02 95805027 as i have some recordings would love to pass on to you some from the ABC radio days and also a dvd from chile of the competition she won but they gave her a second REGARDS MERV CREEF

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MERV CREEF
12 years ago

Thanks for the comments as i am related to Mary Jane Boyd if you could contact me on mcr43901@bigpond.net.au or phone 02 95805027 as i have some recordings would love to pass on to you some from the ABC radio days and also a dvd from chile of the competition she won but they gave her a second REGARDS MERV CREEF

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MERV CREEF
12 years ago

Thanks for the comments as i am related to Mary Jane Boyd if you could contact me on mcr43901@bigpond.net.au or phone 02 95805027 as i have some recordings would love to pass on to you some from the ABC radio days and also a dvd from chile of the competition she won but they gave her a second REGARDS MERV CREEF

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Michael Cronin
12 years ago

I met Mary Jane Boyd just prior to her tragic death, I also attended St Pius X Chatswood adjoining Our Lady of Doloures as did Greg Mudie (Posted Oct1,2011. WE shared a lovely time in Sydney. She indicated she always felt some form of vocation to become a nun after I mentioned my sister was an LCM (Little Company of Mary). May she rest in peace;--Mike Cronin

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Greg Mudie
12 years ago

I remember Mary Jane Boyd from the late 60s when her band used to sing at our school dances. I believe the band was called State Express 555.... ( a brand of cigarettes at the time) The dances were held in the "Green Hall",in the grounds of Our lady of Doloures School at Chatswood. I went to the adjoining boy's college St Pius X. I was married in May 1980 and honeymooned at Dunk Island. I was surprised yet delighted to discover that Mary Jane was performing there during my stay. I caught up for a drink at the bar and talked about old times. I was deeply saddened when I heard about her untimely death. I was not aware of the turmoil she was experiencing in her life. A great talent and a marvellous human being taken from us too soon

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Greg Mudie
12 years ago

I had an absolute crush on Mary Jane when she played at our school dances in the late 60s at the "Green Hall" as we knew it in the grounds of Our Lady of Doloures and St Pius X College at Chatswood. I believe her band was called State Express 555. She was a fabulous singer and absolutely gorgeous. I was maarried in May 1980 and honeymooned at Dunk Island. I was surprised and delighted when I discoverd Mary Jane was performing there during my stay. I has a drink with her at the bar and reminiced about old times. I had followed her rising career with great interest. I was saddened when I heard of her untimely death. I had no idea that life had been so difficult for her. A sad end for a beautiful, special person.

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