How Farewell Aunty Jack Captured Australia’s ’70s Rebellion
In 1974, a song born from a TV show about a cross-dressing bikie blasted to No. 1 on Australia’s charts, elbowing out David Bowie and holding court for three weeks. Farewell Aunty Jack, penned and performed by Grahame Bond and Rory O’Donoghue, wasn’t just a catchy tune—it was a middle finger to the staid norms…
Read MoreTucker’s Daughter: The Making of Ian Moss’s 1989 Breakout Hit
When Ian Moss released Tucker’s Daughter in 1989, it wasn’t just a song—it was a declaration. After years as Cold Chisel’s guitar wizard, he stepped into the spotlight with a single that roared to No. 1 on the ARIA charts and snagged two ARIA Awards. Released on Mushroom Records (K 690), this track—co-written with Don…
Read MoreHow John Farnham Turned Raindrops into a 1969 Chart-Topping Classic
Back in December 1969, a young John Farnham stepped into the spotlight with a song that would echo through Australian music history: Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head. Fresh off the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid soundtrack—where B.J. Thomas had already made it a global sensation—this wasn’t just a cover for Farnham. It was…
Read MoreDragon’s April Sun in Cuba – A ‘70s Rock Anthem Down Under
In October 1977, Dragon unleashed April Sun in Cuba, a single that turned a Kiwi band into Aussie rock legends. Released on Portrait (PR 45008) as the lead track from their fourth album, Running Free, this song roared onto the charts on November 7th, soaring to No. 2 and hanging around for 22 weeks. Only…
Read MoreBecoming Little River Band: The Story Before the Band
Before Little River Band became one of Australia’s greatest musical exports, its members were already shaping the country’s music scene in bands like The Twilights, Zoot, Mississippi, and Axiom. Discover their incredible journey from Adelaide’s vibrant ‘60s music scene to international stardom.
Read MoreThe Story Behind Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself”
In 1990, Divinyls released a song that would not only define their career but also leave an indelible mark on the music world. “I Touch Myself” was a bold, sultry anthem that captured the spirit of the 90s with its infectious melody and unapologetic lyrics. The single was released through the Virgin label with the…
Read MoreThe Story Behind INXS’s “Original Sin”
In 1983, INXS released the single that would catapult them into the mainstream and solidify their place in Australian music history: “Original Sin.” The track, written by the band’s frontman Michael Hutchence and keyboardist Andrew Farriss, was the first single from their fourth album, The Swing. It was a groundbreaking moment for the band, not…
Read MoreJohnny O’Keefe’s “She’s My Baby” – A Double Chart-Topper
Explore the history of Johnny O’Keefe’s ‘She’s My Baby,’ the Australian rock and roll classic that topped charts twice, cementing J.O.K. as a music legend.
Read MoreHow “Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)” Made John Farnham a Star
Before “You’re the Voice” catapulted him to international fame, John Farnham was a young pop star breaking through with an unlikely hit. “Sadie (The Cleaning Lady),” released in November 1967 through the Columbia label, was the song that launched his career—but not without some reluctance from Farnham himself. At just 18, Farnham wasn’t thrilled about…
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