Original members:
Allen Cope (Vocals, Lead guitar & keyboards) 1974-83
Wido Peppinck (Vocals, Rhythm guitar) 1974-1987
Michael Sawyer (vocals, bass guitar) 1974-1978
Sandy Graham (Drums) 1974-1978
Replacement members:
Merv Watkins (vocals, bass guitar) 1978-81 (replaced Michael Sawyer)
John Coyne (Drums) 1978-1983 (replaced Sandy Graham)
Sage was a four piece band formed in the mid 1970’s and in different permutations, played in the Perth pop music scene until 1988.
Two of the members, Allen Cope and Wido Peppinck had been friends since 1967, and had played together in various temporary or short lived musical acts since they had met.. Allen had also been a member of Perth 60’s band “Revue” and Wido, a member of floorshow duo “Pieces of Eight”. They combined with Sandy Graham and Michael Sawyer who had grown up in Norseman and had played together in a local band called “Legend”.
“Sage” played on average, at least 3 to 4 nights a week with its flagship gig being the Herdsman Hotel in Wembley. This was one of the most popular hotels in Perth in the mid 1970’s, and patronage on a Friday night was usually between 700-800 people. The band also worked other venues such as the Booragoon Hotel, Lynwood Arms, Warwick Arms, Balga Inn and around Perth in various Corporate functions. It also backed a number of visiting artists including Alison Durban, Frankie Davidson and countless E
lvis impersonators.
Whilst the band concentrated primarily on imitating songs by groups such as the Eagles, America and The Doobie Brothers, members did for a short period dabble in original compositions. In 1975, the band was invited to record two original songs written by Allen Cope and Wido Peppinck at the ABC studios in Perth with both songs receiving subsequent radio airplay. As well as Allen Cope’s quality guitar playing, the band’s strong lead vocals and smooth three-part harmonies set them apart from other contemporary Perth musical acts.
The Band developed a significant following at the Herdsman Hotel during its three and a half year residency. Friday nights at the Herdsman were crowded and fun filled, with many other Perth musicians coming down to watch the band’s renditions of songs such as "Art for Arts Sake” (10CC)and “Hotel California” (The Eagles). The latter became a feature number at the Herdsman, where the band’s “roadie” would "splatter the contents of a commercially available “light stick” over the Herdsman ceiling to create a starlit effect. Whilst it was effective, it did manage to pock mark expensive guitars due to the chemicals in the light stick landing on the instruments courtesy of an over enthusiastic roadie!. Whatever the problem, we blamed him for it!
Most Saturday nights were occupied by playing at “Cabarets” on the basis that this was the “mon
ey night” for the band. The live music scene was vibrant and work was plentiful, so playing a Friday night, followed by a daytime show at places such as Garden City and a country Saturday night in places such as Wagin or Dalwallinu before returning to a Sunday gig was not unusual.
Music requirements in cabarets ranged from barn dances to on the chart hits resulting in a wide spectrum of music to be learnt and performed. They also provided unforgettable memories of close friendship and camaraderie. Had we been able to bottle the fun we had, we would have been very wealthy!
Fortunately, in 1997, the original “Sage” combination was able to re-form for one final performance at a reunion night of the Herdsman Hotel artists at the Herdsman tavern (which had replaced the original Herdsman Hotel some years earlier). Along with other acts which had played in the golden era of live music at the Herdsman, we played some of its more memorable repertoire of the mid 70’s. Rehearsals for the big night rekindled some of the fun and camaraderie, and took us back in time to 1970’s. The actual performance on the night went extremely well and provided a fitting closure to the band’s contribution to the Perth music scene. Sadly, Sandy Graham, the original drummer passed away some years later.
