Australians generally love and appreciate their music, especially rock. It’s sometimes referred to as OZ rock or Aussie rock. It started in the 50s, attracting talented men and women with strong, powerful melodious voices into the scene.
It has since grown and been embraced by people of all ages. So, if you’re a fan of Australian rock, it helps to have more information on its current standing. Below are six eye-opening insights:
It Still Attracts Concerts
Rock music attracted many people who turned up to watch their favourite musicians in those days. Surprisingly, the thrill hasn’t dwindled, Australians still flock to rock music concerts. Nowadays, many concerts are organised by young rock musicians and veterans. Some may not be from Australia like Bruce Springsteen, but they perform legendary rock music with a blend of rock, folk, and RnB.
So, considering you’re an Aussie rock fan, you wouldn’t want to miss such performances, especially when they’re in your city or a nearby one. It would be best if you began by looking into reputable websites where you could get your tickets, such as The Ticket Merchant or comparable ones. Checking in regularly will keep you up to date on the events’ exact schedules and when ticket sales are set to be launched.
It Has a Rich History
To emphasize, Australian rock music began decades ago. There were three significant waves in the Australian rock music scene between 1955 and 1975. The outline is as follows:
- The first wave: This one occurred from 1955 – 1963 and was characterised by the American and British styles and native adaptations given by artists, such as Johnney O’Keefe, who performed the song Wild One in July 1958.
- The second wave: It lasted from 1964 through 1969 and was inspired by the Beatles’ June 1958 tour of the United States. Two notable acts from that period are The Easy beats and the Bee Gees. There was also a weekly magazine issued between 1966 and 1974 called Go Set – which focused on teenagers and those in their 20s and became the most prominent music-related publication of the era.
- The third wave: This happened from 1970-1975, influenced by the arrival of a pub rock band in Australia in November 1973. AC/DC became a prevalent rock band group in Australia, with over 71 million sales in the United States by 2014.
Australia was a haven for the most brilliant players in the 1970s, who provided a good taste of Australian brass. And towards the 80s, the rock music industry started to pick up internationally. Rock musicians even started touring other places, such as the USA and other countries.
Young Bands Have Found a Voice Through the Internet
With the help of the internet, young Australian rock bands are finding a platform where they can share their music. Back then, most rock musicians had to rely on selling albums and live events to make their music known. Today, a band can find an audience regardless of their location, thanks to social media. It enables them to grow their label and make their rock brands popular.
Political Connections
Australian rock music has often had political connections. Some songs were aimed at exposing political and controversial issues at the time. These are examples of the most political songs:
- Warumpi Band’s Blackfella, Whitefella (1985): The lands rights movement and the formation of the Embassy in 1972 was the most talked about topic in rock culture. It became a dusty, bouncy anthem that was both artistic and political.
- Goanna’s Solid Rock: Both the composer and band vocalist doubted the potential this hit could achieve at the time. It was never released as a single, but it attained number two on the local charts, stayed top, and got into the US Billboard Top 40.
- Archie Roach’s Took the Children Away (1990): His song has sparked debates in the past over aspects of Australian history. And a definite cultural influence eminent to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s (HREOC) report of 1977.
- Midnight Oil’s US Forces (1982): It’s Australia’s most successful political rock art. Its central theme was foreign intervention in Australia’s domestic space.
Some political songs led to major impacts. However, over time, the absence of internal recognition has made the political rock fade away.
Top Rock Singers
Australia has had many phenomenal game-changing female and male singers. Below are some of the top rock singers of all time:
- Nic Cester (Jet): One of the greatest rock singers with an incredible voice. He and his band have also been the most significant rock exports Australia has ever had.
- Chrissy Amphlett (Divinyls): In the 1980s, she dominated the Australian rock scene. She was such a great musician who gave electrifying performances. After her death, a street in Melbourne was named after her.
- Sarah McLeod (The Superjesus): She came into the Australian rock scene in the 90s. She had a mighty voice and weighty guitar skills.
- Bon Scott (AC/DC): He didn’t start as a frontman, but since he took over for Dave Evans, he’s been appreciated for his primal vocal and captivating style, making him a sex icon for Australian music.
- Tex Perkins (Beasts of Bourbon | The Cruel Sea): He had a mighty nice voice that made him fit in the Australian rock scene.
Even though some of these musicians have passed, their music still lives on.
Conclusion
Australian rock music has a rich history, thanks to the singers and instrumentalists who gave their all to uphold the rock culture. The thrill lives to this day, and you’d want to attend rock concerts once in a while to relive the olden days. Get your tickets from reliable sites and enjoy the thrill.
Image: A band performs on stage at a rock music concert (supplied)