Biography

Geisha are an Australian pop rock band formed in Melbourne as "Geisha Detail" in 1983, with founding member Chris Doheny (ex-The Officials lead singer) on lead vocals (later on acoustic guitar in mid '85 & bass guitar in mid '86), and co-founders Ken Sheppard on guitar, & John Nyman on keyboards. In early 1984, Donoghue Doheny (Chris' younger brother) on bass guitar/backing vocals and Peter Robertson on drums joined the band. They signed with EMI Records and shortened their name to Geisha by early 1985. Their debut single, "Fool's Way," was released in February 1985 (which their music video was filmed in December 1984 in Melbourne Uni Car Park) and charted on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. By March 1985, they were signed to American label from Philadelphia, Manhattan Records (which Fools Way was featured on 'What's New On Manhattan' cassette), that was originally going to release an album in America on October 16, 1985; but the label fell through midway 1985 and ended up not releasing an album in America and not touring overseas in that year. Later that year in 1985, they released two more singles, "Rainy Day" (July) and "Kabuki" (October) along their self-titled debut album "Geisha" in August 26, 1985. They didn't feature on Countdown until November 17, 1985 with their third single "Kabuki". In March 1986, they release a remixed version of Rainy Day. By mid 1986, Donoghue Doheny, John Nyman, and Peter Robertson left the band, leaving two original founding members Chris Doheny and Ken Sheppard. In late July of 1986, Bret Luton (ex-Dance Park) joined Geisha on drums. In August 1986, they released their top charting hit "Part Time Love Affair", which was at No. 24 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. "Girl Like You," was released and charted nationwide in November 1986. Around March-April 1987, they recorded their second album "Midnight To Dawn". In July 1987, they released another hit, "Calling Your Name," which charted at number 100, but did not make it to the top 50. On that same month, Real Life's Alan Johnson on bass guitar, and former Strange Tenants/No Nonsense keyboardist Laurence Maddick on keyboards toured with Geisha during the promotion for "Calling Your Name" & Midnight To Dawn Tour. By late August 1987, Ken Sheppard and Bret Luton left the band with Chris Doheny the sole and original member of the band. In early September 1987, former Japan guitarist Rob Dean joined on guitars, replacing long-time guitarist Ken Sheppard; & former James Freud & The Radio Stars (later called as James Freud & Berlin) drummer Tom Hosie joined on drums replacing Bret Luton. They released "Normal People" in early October 1987 along their second album release of "Midnight to Dawn" in October 26, 1987. They released another single "Never Tell You Why" in November 1987. In December 1987, Chris Doheny recorded "In My Life" that would've been for the third album 'No Second Prize', but it never been released (it was later given to Daryl Braitwaite for his comeback album "Edge"). In April 1988, Geisha performed "Shout Me Down" on The Factory that was an unreleased single. By mid 1988, Geisha disbanded. Sadly, founding member Chris Doheny died in a car accident in Kapunda, South Australia on 19 September, 2025 at the age of 64.