Robbie France - Early Life and Career: Australia

Early Life and Career: Australia

France was born in Sheffield, and emigrated to Australia around 1970. He studied at the National Academy of Rudimentary Drummers of Australia until 1974, under tutor Harry Lebler. At the age of fifteen, he began to teach at the Australian Academy of Music (1974–1975).

While living and travelling in Australia, France formed the jazz-fusion group, Carnival, performed at the Oz Jazz Festival, and supported John McLaughlin. He worked with Stevie Wright of the Easybeats, Marty Rhone, Ray Burgess, Tim Gaze, and most major Australian artists. He amassed over 1,000 television, radio, and advertising credits, including eight documentaries and four film scores, including Band on the Run, one of the most successful surfing films ever made.

While acting in commercials, for which he often co-wrote the music, he met David Bentley, who would become his mentor and idol. 'It was a gas! Got a call from David's wife, Lena, be at the Journalists' Club at the Twelfth Night Theatre on Saturday night. That was that. So I rocked up not knowing what to expect, having heard David was a bit of a geezer, set up... he arrives, so cool man, and we just hit it off.' Robbie had a new outlook on life following meeting David. 'He taught me how to look at jazz in particular under a new light. I adored playing drums with him. He encouraged me to step out of myself and actually play the darn things!', he stated. 'Every night... magic. Simple as that'. Bentley affected France in other ways. ' He was and is a fabulous journalist, a loving father and sublime composer.' France recorded and performed live with Bentley. In addition, he often spent time at the Bentley's second home on Moreton Island. Bentley wrote 'In A Broken Dream' as member of Australian popstars Python Lee Jackson with Rod Stewart on vocals, which was a hit song all over the world. Twenty years later Stewart recorded a song co-written by France for the album When We Were the New Boys.