In round five this season, the Raiders had a special guest as Viking Ambassador, with Australian music legend Les Gock performing the 'The Mighty Green Machine' live at GIO Stadium.
But did you know there was another song which came prior to the Raiders now iconic theme song?
This is the story of the Raiders Original Theme Song "We Are the Canberra Raiders"
In the late 1970s Jeff Gallimore was one of the founding members of a local Canberra band called "Saga". The band had a lot of success on the local music scene and was in great demand well into the late 1980s. Jeff was the drummer and backup singer of the band.|
In 1980 Jeff co-founded and opened Gas Studios, a local 16 track recording company located in the Lyons Shopping Centre in Canberra.
Jeff, co-owners and staff then branched out, writing and recording commercials for radio and corporate use, as well as recording tracks for local and interstate bands and individuals. Although a small studio the reputation of great quality work grew.
In January 1982 Jeff Gallimore was approached by Don Furner Sr to write an anthem for the Canberra Raiders as they were entering the what was then the Sydney Rugby League.
Jeff then spent many weeks writing the lyrics and composing the music.
Once Jeff felt he had the music and lyrics right, he then set about recording a demonstration recording to be heard by Don Furner and the Raiders board. The song was accepted without changes.
Jeff then recruited the band Franklyn B Paverty, (a very popular bush band in Canberra at the time) to do the vocals. Members of Saga recorded the backing tracks.
Jeff then decided the anthem needed a bigger bolder sound, so through his contacts in the music industry approached members of the Duntroon Military Band brass section to add to the mix.
This began the close relationship that the Raiders still enjoy with Duntroon today.
Jeff is very proud to have written and composed the first anthem for the Canberra Raiders and keeps a framed copy of the record on his music room wall at his home.
Jeff was a guest of the Canberra Raiders in 1982 when it was first played over the loud speakers at Seiffert Oval for the new kids on the block in the Sydney Rugby League, the "Canberra Raiders" to begin the story of the mighty Green Machine.
Story and image provided by Dot Miller
