Red Symons: Real Name, Skyhooks Career, and Current Life

You probably remember the dry wit from Australia’s Got Talent or the voice that woke Melbourne up on ABC Radio. But before the TV lights and the morning microphone, Red Symons was the guitarist with the sharp tongue in Skyhooks, one of Australia’s most successful 1970s rock bands. This article pulls together the verified facts about his real name, his family life, and the zigzag career that took him from the stage to the studio – and shows why his story is still worth talking about today.

Born: 13 June 1949 ·
Birth name: Redmond Phillip Symons ·
Known for: Lead guitarist in Skyhooks; ABC radio host; Australia’s Got Talent judge ·
Skyhooks tenure: 1973–1977; rejoined 1978–1980 ·
Years active: 1973–present

Six key facts, one pattern: Red Symons brought the same critical eye and theatrical flair from the rock stage to the radio studio. Here’s what the records show.

What is Red Symons’ real name?

His full birth name is Redmond Phillip Symons, born on 13 June 1949 in Brighton, Sussex, England (Wikipedia). The nickname “Red” stuck early and has been his public identity ever since — from Skyhooks albums to ABC radio airchecks.

How did “Red” become his nickname?

• The origin is not widely documented, but he has been known as Red for his entire career.
• Occasionally he used the pseudonym “Red Pinko Sims” in session recordings (IMDb trivia).

Why do sources use Redmond Symons?

Official records — such as the ABC biography — refer to him as Red Symons, while legal documents and Wikipedia list his full name. “Redmond” appears on his birth certificate and is used in formal contexts.

Is Red Symons still married?

Public records do not confirm a current marriage. A 2019 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Symons had lost his marriage during the previous two years. In March 2022, Woman’s Day via PressReader reported he had been quietly dating a woman for about 18 months, but no further details have been confirmed.

Who was Red Symons’ wife?

• His former wife is not named in widely available public sources.
• Privacy around family relationships has been maintained throughout his career.

What is known about his relationship history?

Symons has largely kept his personal relationships out of the spotlight. The SMH interview is the primary source for this part of his life, but it does not name his ex-wife. The implication: while there is evidence of a past marriage and a current dating life, specifics remain private.

The pattern: Symons’ public persona is candid about professional milestones but guarded about intimate relationships.

What happened to Red Symons’ son?

In the same 2019 interview, Symons disclosed that his eldest son Samuel had died (The Sydney Morning Herald). He did not provide the cause of death publicly. Samuel was his eldest child; Symons has other children whom he has kept out of the media.

Has Red Symons spoken publicly about family loss?

Yes. In the SMH article he said, “I’m still coming to terms with what I’ve been through — I cry every day.” That remains his most detailed public statement on the subject.

What is confirmed about his children?

• He had at least two sons; the eldest, Samuel, predeceased him.
• Other children’s names and ages have not been publicly verified.

When did Red Symons leave Skyhooks?

Symons left Skyhooks in 1977 to pursue a television career (Noise11, an Australian music news site). He rejoined the band in 1978 and stayed until 1980 (IMDb). After that, Skyhooks continued with various lineup changes, eventually dissolving in the early 1980s.

Was there a reunion after his departure?

• He returned for a brief period in 1978 after the band’s initial peak.
• Skyhooks reformed occasionally for one-off shows, but Symons was not always part of them.

Who replaced Red Symons in Skyhooks?

The band did not directly replace him with another lead guitarist; instead, they continued with Bob “Bongo” Starkie on guitar (Australian Rock Company). The lineup shifted multiple times.

What is Red Symons doing now?

After radio, Symons has kept a lower profile. He finished his ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast show in 2016 (ABC Radio, Australia’s public broadcaster). He continues to take on occasional speaking engagements (Claxton Speakers) and may return to TV or music projects. As of 2025, he is not regularly hosting a show.

Where is Red Symons now?

• He resides in Australia, though his exact location is not publicly confirmed.
• His last known regular media role ended in 2016; since then he has made sporadic appearances.

What radio and TV work is he known for?

These two roles defined Symons’ media identity after Skyhooks.

What this means: Symons’ media career spanned two distinct formats, each leveraging his sharp critical instincts.

Where are the members of Skyhooks now?

The band’s lead singer, Graeme “Shirley” Strachan, died in a helicopter crash in 2001 (Australian Rock Company). Greg Macainsh, the bassist who wrote most of the band’s hits, later worked in music production and as a composer for film and television. Bob “Bongo” Starkie switched to visual arts. Imants “Freddie” Strauks, the drummer, eventually became a poker commentator. David Campbell – Singer, Jimmy Barnes’ Son and Peter FitzSimons – Bandana, Weight Loss, Family are examples of other Australian personalities with layered careers.

What happened to Shirley Strachan?

He died on 29 August 2001 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed in Queensland (Australian Rock Company).

Who wrote most of Skyhooks songs?

Greg Macainsh wrote the majority of the band’s hits, including “Horror Movie” and “You Just Like Me ‘Cos I’m Good in Bed.” He remains active in music and media.

Who is Australia’s biggest rock band?

There is no official ranking, but Skyhooks are frequently named among the most commercially successful Australian acts of the 1970s. AC/DC, INXS, and Cold Chisel also appear in the conversation. Context typically determines the answer — record sales, cultural impact, or longevity.

How do Skyhooks rank in Australian rock history?

• They produced five number-one albums on the Australian charts between 1974 and 1977.
• Their debut album Living in the ’70s spent 66 weeks in the top 40 (Australian Rock Company).

Which bands are usually named with Skyhooks?

AC/DC, INXS, Midnight Oil, and Cold Chisel are the usual contenders. Skyhooks’ peak era was briefer, but at their height they outsold many of their contemporaries in Australia.

Timeline

• 1949: Redmond Phillip Symons born 13 June in Brighton, England.
• 1973: Joins Skyhooks as lead guitarist and vocalist.
• 1977: Leaves Skyhooks for television work.
• 1978: Rejoins Skyhooks for a second stint.
• 2004: Begins hosting ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast.
• 2007: Appears as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent season 1.
• 2016: Finishes his ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast role.
• 2019: Gives candid interview about personal loss to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Clarity check

Quotes and perspectives

“I’m still coming to terms with what I’ve been through — I cry every day.”

— Red Symons, in a 2019 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald

“[Red Symons is a] musician, author, stage and TV performer, record producer, composer, columnist, and ABC radio presenter.”

— ABC Radio profile

For fans of Australian rock history, the implication is clear: Red Symons’ legacy is not just in the songs he played, but in the way he carried that sharp, skeptical voice from the stage to the studio. His ability to pivot between entertainment formats — and the personal costs that came with it — makes his story as compelling as any hit record.

Frequently asked questions