[1][2] Instead of joining the prevailing surf music trend, the Strangers modelled themselves on British and European instrumental groups, the Shadows, the Tornados and the Spotnicks.
[1][2] At the end of 1962 they signed with W&G Records, headed by Ron Tudor after working as the studio band for the Seekers, Frankie Davidson, Johnny Chester, Merv Benton Little Gulliver and the Children, Pat Carroll and Joy Lemmon.
Other singles included "Happy Without You" (Kenny Laguna, Shelley Pinz, 1968), "Melanie Makes Me Smile" (Tony Macaulay, Barry Mason, 1970), "Looking Through the Eyes of a Beautiful Girl" (1970), "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" (Rudy Clark, 1965) and a cover of Five Americans, "Western Union" (Mike Rabon, Norman Ezell, John Durrill, 1967).
Also in 1964, the band supported Roy Orbison and Paul and Paula on an Australian tour which featured The Surfaris and The Beach Boys.
In August 1964, The Strangers were selected as the resident backing band on the Melbourne based teenage television pop program The Go!!
In February 1967, Terry Walker (ex Glen Ingram & The Hi-Five) replaced Fred Wieland, who left to join The Mixtures.
Later singles included "Mr. President" (Trevor 'Dozy' Davies, John 'Beaky' Dymond, Ian 'Tich' Amey) in 1970, and "Sweet Water" (Fletcher/Flett), a cover of a song by obscure British band Brass Monkey, in 1971.
[citation needed] Farrar later moved to the USA, and wrote and produced a number of hits for Olivia Newton-John, including "Hopelessly Devoted to You", "Have You Never Been Mellow" and "Magic".