Ayers Rock, a Melbourne-based jazz fusion/progressive band, was founded in 1973. The group was formed in 1973 and featured many well-traveled rock performers. Drummer Mark Kennedy had played with Spectrum and also played on sessions for King Harvest, Friends, and others. Duncan McGuire, a bassist and experienced producer, was also a member of several Australian bands, including The Phantoms and The Epics. He also played with King Harvest. Ray Burton, guitarist, had previously played with The Dave Bridge Quartet and The Delltones. He also worked with Helen Reddy in America, where he composed the music for Reddy’s hit international single “I Am Woman.” The trio teamed up with Jimmy Doyle, guitarist who had previously played with The Delltones and Dig Richards. He also served as musical director for Winifred Atwell’s Australian tour. Doyle was an in-demand session musician and featured on the Neil Sedaka LP “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” and the Australian hit song “Wheeling West Virginia”, both of which were recorded in Sydney. Initialy, the new group was called McGuire, Kennedy.
