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 of the time. Released on Picture Records (PRS 012), it tied into the ABC’s The Aunty Jack Show, a comedy series that shocked as much as it entertained. Let’s peel back the layers of this Aussie anthem and see how it mirrored a nation ready to roar.
A Revolution in Sound and Screen
The early ’70s were a turning point Down Under. After 23 years of coalition rule, Gough Whitlam’s Labor government swept in with a promise of change. Censorship eased, and the airwaves opened up to bolder voices. The Aunty Jack Show—first aired in ’72—was one of those voices, a brainchild of Bond and O’Donoghue, who’d honed their craft in Sydney Uni revues alongside future stars like Peter Weir. Bond played Aunty Jack, a moustachioed terror on a Harley, while O’Donoghue’s Thin Arthur brought a softer foil. Their closing theme, Farewell Aunty Jack, was a fan favourite from the start—so much so that they pressed it as a single in late ’73.
That single, Australia’s first picture disc, hit shelves and airwaves with force. Charting on January 7th, 1974, it climbed to No. 1 by February 18th and stayed for 26 weeks. It wasn’t just a novelty—it outsold glam imports and sat at No. 7 in the year’s Top 100. The song’s success wasn’t a fluke; it rode the wave of a show that dared to lampoon everything from TV tropes to authority figures, all while Aussies were hungry for something homegrown and unapologetic.
Behind the Scenes: Chaos and Chemistry
The track’s creation was as anarchic as the show. Rory O’Donoghue, a multi-talented muso who’d played in Jesus Christ Superstar and later scored hits like Kevin Johnson’s Rock ‘n’ Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life), wrote the melody and sang as Thin Arthur. Bond layered in his gravelly Aunty Jack asides—think threats and wisecracks delivered with a wrestler’s swagger. Recorded quickly to match the show’s DIY ethos, it’s got a rough charm that polished pop of the era lacked. The video, shot on Wollongong’s rugged coast, shows Bond tearing around on a bike with O’Donoghue in tow—pure ’70s grit meets vaudeville flair.
Their partnership was electric but tested. Post-Aunty Jack, tensions with the ABC—especially after a scrapped ’77 series, The Off Show—saw them drift from the network. Yet their bond endured, sparking reunions like a 2005 DVD tour. Rory’s death in 2017 hit Bond hard; he’s said he hasn’t picked up a guitar since.
Today’s Echoes
Farewell Aunty Jack remains a snapshot of a time when Australia found its voice—loud, brash, and a bit bonkers. It’s not streamed as much as modern hits, but its spirit lives in our love for irreverent humour and underdog stories. Next time you’re at a pub trivia night and this gem comes up, you’ll know the tale: a song that punched its way to the top and never said sorry. What’s your favourite ’70s Aussie memory? Share it below—I’d love to hear!