Billy Thorpe's 'Children of the Sun' Reissued

Fans of classic rock have a new reason to celebrate as Billy Thorpe's 1979 album, Children of the Sun, receives its first major reissue in over 30 years. For decades, the original recording was a "deep cut" for collectors, available only through a rare 1993 Australian CD pressing that became prohibitively expensive for the average listener.

The project was revived by Jeremy Holiday of Iconoclassic Records. Recognizing that the album had never seen a proper CD release in the United States, Holiday collaborated with producer Spencer Proffer - later famous for his work with Quiet Riot - to restore the record. This new edition is a comprehensive overhaul, featuring a full remaster, extensive liner notes, and archival photos. To ensure the highest audio quality, the team located original production master tapes through Universal's archives, which included the original handwritten technical notes.

The album's origin is as imaginative as its sound. Thorpe and Proffer conceived the project as a space rock opera after discussing outer space exploration and the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The narrative focuses on a friendly alien race watching Earth's inhabitants struggle with self-destruction, reflecting the political tensions of the late 1970s. The recording featured an elite lineup of musicians, including bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Alvin Taylor.

Despite its artistic merit and initial radio success, the album's momentum was halted when its label, Capricorn Records, filed for bankruptcy. While a modified version was released in 1987, the original 1979 vision remained elusive. Proffer, who financed the project himself, continues to praise Thorpe as a brilliant talent who was simply hindered by unfortunate timing. Although Thorpe passed away in 2007, this reissue finally gives his futuristic masterpiece the visibility it deserves.