Barry Stanton - 1981-onward

1981-onward

Mona Lisa & Others in 1981 saw the return of Barry to the recording studio, putting down an official recording of the song that launched his career on Six O'Clock Rock some 20 years earlier. Though never released through a major recording label, this album showed a more mature side of Barry musically with most of the songwriting done by himself and brother Rod. Included is a cover of the Johnny O'Keefe & Margaret McLaren hit Mockingbird which would see Stanton team up with good friend Pattie Towers. The pair would also perform it live on The John Singleton Show later that year. A re-recording of his hit song Beggin' On My Knees with a slightly more laid-back feel would have him call upon old friends and label mates The Delltones for backing vocals, and Warren Carr on piano - both of whom appeared on the original 1962 recording. Considered by many fans to be some of Barry's best work, it has become somewhat of a rare gem to collectors due to its limited pressings, with most high-end record executives having never seen or heard of it. However, concert bookings were few and far between, and with a wife and young family at home Barry had to go back to working a day job as a warehouse manager.

1981 would also see the birth of his son, the youngest of three children to wife Rena, and having two children from a previous marriage to singer Kelly Green.