Beeb Birtles
The melodic architect behind some of Australia's smoothest soft-rock anthems, providing the harmonic glue for bands like Little River Band.
Born 1948 (age 78)·Australian musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist·Birthday: November 28·Baby Boomers
Biography
Beeb Birtles, born Gerard Bertelkamp in the Netherlands, found his musical footing in Adelaide, Australia. His journey through the vibrant pub rock scene saw him co-found the pop-rock group Zoot, known for its flamboyant style, before seeking a more nuanced sound. In 1972, he helped form Mississippi, which evolved into the internationally successful Little River Band. As a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Birtles was integral to crafting LRB's polished, harmony-rich signature, co-writing hits like 'Cool Change' and 'The Night Owls.' His tenor harmonies became a defining element of their sound. After leaving LRB, he continued performing and recording, later reuniting with former bandmates for the Birtles Shorrock Goble project, ensuring the music he helped shape endured for new generations.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Beeb was born in 1948, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Beeb Was Born
The biggest hits of 1948
#1 Movie
The Red Shoes
Best Picture
Hamlet
#1 TV Show
Texaco Star Theatre
Beeb's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1948Born
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1953Started school
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1961Became a teenager
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1964Could drive
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1966Could vote
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1969Turned 21
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1978Turned 30
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1988Turned 40
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1998Turned 50
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 60
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 70
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 78 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-wrote the Little River Band hits 'Cool Change' and 'The Night Owls,' which became international soft-rock standards.
- Was a founding member of the classic line-up of Little River Band, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2004.
- Provided the distinctive high harmony vocals that were a hallmark of Little River Band's sound.
- Successfully transitioned from 1960s pop with Zoot to the more sophisticated 1970s soft-rock arena.
Did You Know?
His stage name 'Beeb' originated from his childhood nickname 'Beebles.'
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2023 for services to the performing arts.
Before music, he worked as a commercial artist and graphic designer.
He is an avid photographer and has exhibited his work.
“The Little River Band sound was born from three-part harmonies and a twelve-string guitar.”
