Like everyone who cares about music in this country, I’m reeling with the news of Ian “Molly” Meldrum’s accident. As I write he’s still lying in a coma in a Melbourne Hospital after falling from a ladder the day before. The idea that one misstep while hanging some Christmas lights can see you facing down death is a pretty scary one.
The thought of an Australian music industry without Molly Meldrum is also pretty hard to comprehend. Since I was tiny the Man with the Hat was there telling me to do myself a favour and listen to our local artists. He championed small acts and made them superstars. I wonder whether so many of our household names would have been recognised without his support.
If anyone can make it through a battle like this, it’s Molly. He’s got more spirit than most of us, and hopefully that will see him through. My thoughts are certainly with him and his nearest and dearest at this scary time.
Image source: Eva Rinaldi @ Wikimedia Commons