AUSTRALIAN MUSIC
Australia possesses a rich musical environment despite its young age influenced both by its indigenous heritage and cultural diversity. This has resulted in enormous international recognition due to our unique and distinctive identity. Australian music covers a wide spectrum of styles - classical, opera, jazz, pop, rock, blues, country & western etc.
Australian bush or folk songs initiated the country’s emergence into music. They reflected the harsh conditions and isolation of colonial Australia greatly influenced by early British convicts and successive migrants from around the world. Thus country and western music was born based on Australian folklore with early performers like Tex Morton and Slim Dusty in 1920s & 30s. After a long period ‘in the desert’ a resurgence of interest in this genre occurred in 1980s & 90s with the likes of John Williamson & Lee Kernaghan and continues to gender enormous support.
Australian jazz originated from America (New Orleans) and thrived by 1920s. Renowned musicians such as Don Burrows and James Morrison played a huge role in the appreciation of Australian jazz and continue to do so. More recently, innovators such as Mike Nock and Dale Barlow have popularized the style even more.
Australian pop music surfaced in 1950s and 60s with simple yet catchy tunes and lyrics and gained great success very quickly. Early stars included Col Joye, the Bee Gees and Normie Rowe, followed by Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham and more recently, ‘indie’ performer, Missy Higgins.
Australian rock cleverly combines pop, country and R&B and emerged on the local scene during the Baby Boomer era of 1950s and 60s with rockers, Johnny O’Keefe and the Easybeats followed by Cold Chisel, AC/DC in 1970s and INXS, Midnight Oil a decade later. The genre continues to revolutionize itself with new generation bands like Powderfinger and Jet.

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