Children Of The Sun

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a cosmic ride as The Zoo Crew spins Children Of The Sun by Billy Thorpe from his 1979 album of the same name! This track is a sci-fi rock opera gem, with its title song peaking at #41 on the Billboard Singles chart and the album hitting #39 on the Billboard Pop Album chart. The song’s epic intro, complete with soaring guitar riffs and spaceship sound effects, made it a staple on album-oriented radio in the late ’70s. Fans on Reddit recall it as a weekend anthem, with one user sharing how their local hard rock station played it every Friday to kick off the party vibe, signaling it was time to crack open a beer. Another fan mentioned a DJ at ABC Liquors’ bar cranking the tune with fog and lighting effects, drawing ladies to the dance floor. The song’s narrative, about aliens rescuing humanity from Earth’s self-destruction, captivated listeners, with Cult Sci Fi noting its appeal to genre fans due to its adventurous and mystical themes.

The album itself is split into two distinct vibes: Side A delivers straightforward late ’70s rock, while Side B, the “Sun Children Suite,” dives into a prog-rock concept piece about humanity’s exodus to a utopian galaxy. Alterpast calls it one of the last great concept albums, highlighting its lush backups and heavy guitar work. A vinyl enthusiast praised its shift from a Roky Erickson-esque rock vibe on Side A to Queen-like prog territory on Side B, noting it’s a killer find in dollar bins. The song’s legacy lives on, with a Tesla Light Show fan sharing a custom light display synced to the track in 2022, and others recalling hearing it in places like central Iowa’s KGGO radio or even in season 2 of Fargo. One fan on Reddit shared a nostalgic story of buying the album in 8th grade at a now-defunct mall’s Camelot Music, cementing its place in their teenage memories.

Billy Thorpe, born in Manchester, England, in 1946, kicked off his musical journey at just 10 years old after his family emigrated to Australia in 1955. Settling in Brisbane, he began singing and quickly became a child star, performing on local stages. By the early ’60s, he formed Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, a band that scored hits like “Poison Ivy” and “Mashed Potato” in 1964. Their raw energy and Thorpe’s powerful vocals made them a sensation, with their 1972 hit “Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy)” becoming an Aussie rock classic. The Aztecs were known for their loud, wild performances, once reportedly so intense at a 1974 Sydney club show that they killed a tank of tropical fish upstairs, as shared in a 2002 interview with Thorpe’s manager Michael Chugg. Thorpe’s move to Los Angeles in 1976 marked a new chapter, leading to the creation of Children Of The Sun, his U.S. debut that blended his rock roots with sci-fi flair. He later worked on TV scores for shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation and co-founded a soft toy company, showing his diverse talents.

Sadly, Billy Thorpe passed away in 2007 at age 60, but his music continues to resonate with fans worldwide. While he didn’t maintain personal social media accounts due to his era, fans keep his legacy alive through platforms like the Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories and rare clips. There’s no official artist website, but you can explore his discography and bio on sites like AllMusic. For social media, check out posts on X, where fans occasionally share tributes, like a 2025 post calling the song a #BlastFromThePast. Fan-driven sites such as Power Pop Blog also dive into Thorpe’s work, with one writer sharing how they learned to play the song’s iconic riff in a band before ever hearing the record. Zoo Freaks, crank up this interstellar anthem and let Thorpe’s cosmic vision take you to the stars!