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The Beginning of Australia Pop Music
This era of Australian music was heavily influenced by American and British music. Australia did not really have a music scene of its own yet, so bands and artists that were popular in Western culture at the time was also popular in Australia. Australia did produce some musicians. Some of the famous Australian based artists during this period included the Groop, the Easybeats, the Twilights, and more. -
Lee Gordon, Tour Manager and Businessman
Lee Gordon is the businessman who arrived in Australia in the early fifties. He brought American acts to Australia, which was their introduction to pop music. The artists that Gordon booked for Australia included big names such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly & the Crickets. He even brought Sinatra to Australia in the 1955! Gordon had paved the way for the Aussie music scene of the time and by the time of his death, had gotten almost 500 performers to tour in Australia. -
Cultural Change-- Ella Fitzgerald
During July of 1954, Lee Gordon booked an American Jazz trio to perform in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The artists were Ella Fitzgerald, Buddie Rich and Artie Shaw. Because of the previous ban on African American jazz performers in Australia, the fact that Fitzgerald had been included was a significant cultural event during that time period. That choice to include her symbolized a shift in attitudes and tolerance during the fifties. -
Johnny O'Keefe: Paving the Way
Johnny and his band "The Dee Jays" were the first rock 'n roll band from Australia. They formed in 1957 and gained national recognition by 1960. O'Keefe was known for his over the top stage presence and goofy character. His most popular songs include "She's My Baby", "I'm Counting on You" and "Move Baby Move". -
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Struggling to Find Success
Music acts from the early waves of Australian music had mostly declined in popularity. British and American music began to dominate once more. There was a major conflict between radio stations and record labels over new copyright laws. Radio stations were not playing Australian music from those labels because of the laws. During this time, bands like AC/DC and Sherbet still managed to flourish. -
AC/DC
Sydney based band AC/DC began finding international recognition in 1976 with the release of their debut album "High Voltage". In 1981, they reached the height of their fame. They toured Europe with Black Sabbath. For decades after their peak, their popularity fluctuated. Notable songs: "Back in Black", "Thunderstruck" and "You Shook Me All Night Long". -
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The 80s
Australian based musicians and groups begin to flourish. Types of experimental music and artists such as "Hunters & Collectors", "The Church" and more find success. The ARIA Music Awards are birthed in 1987, a cultural result of the surge in popularity of the Australian music scene. The ARIA awards are a smaller scale version of the Grammys, just for Australian artists. -
"Kylie" by Kylie Minogue
Melbourne native Kylie Minogue is an Australian pop star. Her first album "Kylie" stayed at the #1 spot on the UK charts for weeks after its release. This was the first time an Australian artist attained this sort of attention. -
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Australian rock band. Their albums "Let Love In" (1993) and "Murder Ballads" (1996) received positive reception and gave them international fame. Notable songs: "Red Right Hand", "Loverman". -
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Modern Australian Pop
Australian music continues to be relevant in mainstream pop culture to date. Artists such as Sia, Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer, Kylie Minogue and more continue to make music. -
Kylie Minogue: Entering Mainstream
After experiencing a decline in popularity since her debut, Minogue once again found success in the early 2000s. The commercial success of the album "Light Years" inspired the next album "Fever" which garnered millions of international sales and was commercially successful. Minogue's music is disco-y and eighties inspired. After the success of these albums, Minogue found mainstream fame in the U.S. and by 2003, she was nominated for a Grammy. -
"1000 Forms of Fear" by Sia
Adelaide born vocalist, Sia Furler, better known as Sia, releases her sixth album. The song "Chandelier" and "Elastic Heart" reaches the top of the charts and sells millions of copies. For the first time in her career, she was getting widespread recognition. Her album was #1 in Australia and she was nominated for four Grammys.
