[1][2] In 1980 local pop singer Ronnie Charles (ex-the Groop), recorded a single, "Rock and Roll Hoodlum", with his backing band, the Runners.
[1][3] The pop rock group were formed by Norton on bass guitar and backing vocals, Edwards and Reading with Grant Hamston on drums and Lester Price on keyboards.
[4][1][3] During his time with Runners, Norton co-wrote various tracks including, "Don't Apologise", "Walk Between the Lines" and "Sky Is Falling".
[2][7] In the following year he signed with Mushroom as a solo artist to release another single, "Stuck on You",[2][7] which peaked at number three on the Australian charts.
[2][7] For touring, the singer-songwriter, guitarist formed the Paul Norton Band with his spouse Wendy Stapleton (ex-Wendy and the Rocketts [sic]) on backing vocals, Greig on guitar, Tim Milikan on bass guitar and Derek Pellicci on drums (ex-Little River Band).
Later that year they released an album, Hillbilly Moon Volume One, with the song "She Left Me" receiving airplay on Country Music Television.