It's a Long Way There (Greatest Hits) is the first compilation album by the Australian group Little River Band, released in Australia and New Zealand in September 1978. The album peaked at No. 4 on the Australian Kent Music Report albums chart and No. 12 in New Zealand. The album sold over 200,000 copies in Australia. Retitled It's a Long Way There (1975–1979) it was re-issued in Germany for the European market in 1979.
The eleven tracks on the compilation album, It's a Long Way There (Greatest Hits), are presented in chronological order of the singles' release dates, which are taken from the band's first four Australian studio albums.[1][2] It was released in Australia and New Zealand via EMI Music in September 1978.[1][2]Pop rock group Little River Band were formed in March 1975 in Melbourne.[1][3] In May they signed with EMI Records and started recording their debut album, Little River Band (October) with the line-up of Beeb Birtles on lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars (acoustic, electric), Ric Formosa on guitars (lead, acoustic, slide), Graeham Goble on lead vocals, backing vocals and guitars (acoustic, electric), Roger McLachlan on bass guitar, Derek Pellicci on drums and percussion and Glenn Shorrock on lead vocals, backing vocals, percussion and harmonica.[1][2][3] Three of its singles appeared on Australia's Kent Music Report singles chart.[4] Their second album, After Hours (1976) provided one track, "Everyday of My Life". During August 1976 both Formosa and McLachlan were replaced by David Briggs on guitar and George McArdle on bass guitar, respectively.[1][2][5] Their third Australian album, Diamantina Cocktail (1977), delivered four tracks and fourth album, ''Sleeper Catcher (1978) has three on this greatest hits album.[1][3] The compilation reached No. 4 on the Kent Music Report albums chart – the highest charting compilation by Little River Band in Australia.[4] Retitled It's a Long Way There (1975–1979) it was re-issued in Germany for the European market.[2]
Second edition: McFarlane, Ian (2017). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Little River Band'". The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Jenkins, Jeff (Foreword) (2nd ed.). Gisborne, VIC: Third Stone Press. pp. 282–283. ISBN 978-0-9953856-0-3.
Beeb Birtles (1975–83): Holmgren, Magnus; McCarthy, Ken; Warnqvist, Stefan. "Beeb Birtles". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
David Briggs (1976–81): Holmgren, Magnus. "David Briggs". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 19 March 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
Graeham Goble/Graham Goble (1975–1992): Holmgren, Magnus; Reboulet, Scott; Warnqvist, Stefan; McCarthy, Ken. "Graham Goble". passagen.se. Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 28 March 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
Roger McLachlan (1975–76, 1998–99): Holmgren, Magnus; McLachlan, Roger. "Roger McLachlan". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 19 March 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
Derek Pellicci (1975–84, 1987–98): Holmgren, Magnus. "Derek Pellicci". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 19 January 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
Glenn Shorrock (1975-82, 1988-96): Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan. "Glenn Shorrock". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 19 March 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
^ abcNimmervoll, Ed. "Little River Band". HowlSpace – The Living History of Our Music. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2020. Note: user may have to click on 'More' (at bottom of page) to access further information.