Tag: Hall of Fame

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rolf Harris and John Laws Join Hall of Fame

Rolf Harris and John Laws will join the ARIA Hall of Fame next month. The colorful characters will receive the honor at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Monday July 1.

“I look up at the shelf in my office and see the ARIA pyramid obelisk which was sent to me back in 1994, on my 64th birthday actually. At that time I was just gearing myself up to do my first Glastonbury Festival, and I was knocked out to get this recognition from the 8th ARIA Awards. It commemorates my win for Best Comedy Release. I think it was my version of ‘Stairway to Heaven’, which changed my whole life by thrusting me back into the awareness of all the University aged youngsters. They suddenly realised they knew all my songs from their childhood, and what’s more, remembered all the words,” Rolf reminisced from his UK home.

“Now, 14 years later, I’m being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. I look at all the famous names and am thrilled to be with them, for basically, just enjoying myself through music for the whole of my life. Thank you so much.”

John Laws will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Australian Music Industry. The retired radio DJ joins previous recipients Daryl Somers, Ian “Molly” Meldrum, Michael Gudinski, and John Woodruff.

Russell Morris, The Triffids, Max Merrit and Dragon will also be inducted this year.

Image source: Brian Minkoff @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Russell Morris and Dragon Honoured by ARIA Hall of Fame

Dragon and Russell Morris will be inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame this year. The two acts are the first of the five to be inducted by ARIA on July 1.

Russell Morris is best known for his epic “The Real Thing,” and his recent work with Jim Keays and Darryl Cotton.

“When I first began the music path on which I eventually embarked – and walked the full distance – I thought it would be all over at the age of twenty five, and by thirty I would be back doing accounting!” he exclaimed. “So to be here right now and receiving this wonderful award is not only amazing but a beautiful surprise.”

Dragon may be technically a New Zealand band, but that won’t stop us honoring them. Their classics “April Sun in Cuba,” “Get That Jive,” “Are You Old Enough,” and “Still in Love with You,” are favorites of easy-listening radio stations around the country. The band’s lead singer Marc Hunter sadly passed away ten years ago. His brother Todd carries on the band’s name with singer Mark Williams.

“It is an honour to be included in the Hall Of Fame and it has always been a privilege to be part of the Australian music industry even though we may have felt like outsiders for much of the time. It is great to be included with bands and musicians whose work we admire,” Todd said in a statement.

“It is fitting that this should happen exactly 10 years after Marc died. I wish he was here and I know he would be thrilled. There have been 35 members of Dragon since 1973, from the original members to the current band, and this induction is for all of them. As a member of a band that has been playing on and off for 35 years, I’ve got to say it’s been a great pleasure and this is a great compliment for all involved.”

The 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame awards will be held at Melbourne Town Hall on July 1. For the first time, members of the public can purchase tickets through Ticketek.

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hall of Fame Details Announced

Five more musical icons will enter the ARIA Hall of Fame on July 1, and you could be there. For the first time ever, a limited number of tickets will be available to the general public.

There’s no word yet on the inductees who will join previously honored stars like AC/DC, Cold Chisel, the Bee Gees and Nick Cave.

The ceremony will be held at Melbourne Town Hall. Rockwiz’s brilliant Julia Zemiro will host the awards, so they should be stacks of fun.

If you’d like to be there you can grab a ticket from Ticketek on May 12.