Piano Crash Chronicles: The Dugites and Lynton Luff’s Wild Ride

In July 1980, a group of friends embarked on a fateful journey to The Raffles Hotel in Western Australia, just before one of them was set to join the army. Their ride, a vintage Falcon, driven by Patrick with Jim and Pete in the back, led to a series of events that would be forever etched in their memories.

As they approached The Raffles, a reckless decision at a set of traffic lights caused their car to careen out of control, crashing through the window of Lynton Luff’s Piano Shop. The iconic shop, known for proudly displaying a grand piano on its roof, became an unexpected setting for their misadventure.

Amidst the chaos, the song “In Your Car” by The Dugites played on the radio, adding a surreal soundtrack to the unfolding drama. With the car lodged inside the shop, the group, including some helpful passers-by, managed to push it back onto the street, revealing the extent of the damage.

Despite the shock and confusion, the group sprang into action. Patrick, the driver, took charge, instructing some of his companions to salvage whatever remained of the Emu Export stubbies from the wreckage. Meanwhile, the narrator, dealing with injuries sustained during the crash, found himself reflecting on the unexpected turn of events.

Lynton Luff, the proprietor of the Piano Shop, eventually relocated, but the memories of that night lingered on. The Dugites, a local band from Western Australia, had their moment of fame, much like the reptile they were named after. The aftermath of the incident left a lasting impact on all involved, a bizarre chapter in their shared history.

Years later, as they reminisced about that wild ride, the group found solace in the fact that they had survived the ordeal. The crash at Lynton Luff’s Piano Shop became a tale to be retold, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life’s journey and the unexpected intersections of music, friendship, and fate.