ARIA award for Johnny Young

WA musician, television and radio personality Johnny Young is to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on October 27th.  Prior to his well-known stint as host on Young Talent Time, Johnny hosted TVW-7 Perth pop music show Teen Seventeen, recorded with local label Clarion Records and formed Johnny Young & Kompany. He wrote the hit The Real Thing  for Russell Morris among other hits. The State Library is looking for any early Johnny Young recordings, so get into your vinyl collections and see whether you can contribute to the State’s collection. We also collect posters, tickets to concerts, programs and photos so if you have any memorabilia, we would love to hear from you.

Johnny Young, c.1967 (Battye Image: 345682PD)

WA artists rock the ARIA Hall of Fame

WA proved yet again that there is something in the water over here, when two of the state’s greatest musical exports were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on July 1at the Melbourne Town Hall. Rolf Harris, the “Boy from Bassendean”  has had many strings to his bow since leaving our state over forty years ago.  Painter, children’s entertainer, television presenter, music has been part of Rolf’s life since a child. His hit Tie me kangaroo down, sport became the first of many. Iconic West Aussie band The Triffids, part of the fabric of comtemporary musical life in Perth in 70s, also got a guernsey, with special tribute paid to original member, the late David McComb. The State Library holds a pretty complete catalogue of both these artist’s recordings but if you find you have something at home that you would like to donate to our WA sound recording archive, please just give us a call. More information about both artists can be found at  http://www.ariahalloffame.com.au/