Slim Dusty Dead

[RustyGT]

Slim Dusty died this morning. Sep 19.

Acknowledged as the father of Australian Country music.

Slim recorded over 100 Albums in his 50 year career.

Toured and recorded up until, struck ill with cancer some 2 years ago.

Seen as somewhat a living legend in his life time.
His influence was not only in CM, but to Australian culture.
He was a man who was proud to sing Australian poetry in an Australian accent.

His tireless touring and support of rural and indigenous people won him many plaudits.

He will be remembered by generations of Australian performers.
As the man they wanted to be.

Born David Gordon Kirkpatrick in NSW.
His first hit was a song that almost epitomises Australia "The Pub with no Beer" Released in 1957.

He passed away today at his Sydney home at age 76.

Vale Slim Dusty.

R.

Edit: Had to put in some lines.

There is nothing so lonesome.
So morbid or drear.
Than to stand at the bar.
Of a pub with no beer.

Waltsing Matilda, Waltsing Matilda.
Who'll come a Waltsing Matilda with me?
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled.
Who'll come a Waltsing Matilda with me?

[TheBurningCat]

It is indeed a sad day. The phones at my house have been going off all day for interviews with my father who is a big country music guy.

To the father of country music.

[Mickwish]

Very sad. Slim was not only a musician, but an Australian icon in his own right.

Official Website Bio.

May he rest in peace.

Mick

[RustyGT]

Gday Toby.

Long time, no hear, bloke.
Gonna be a long weekend for Stewi and your dad. Eh?
I dont like Macca at all. But he will be beside himself. Come Sunday.

You know the best thing Slim did?
Stood up and said 'Well this is how it is' in an Australian voice.

Not all our current CM musos can say that.

John Williamson is clearly his heir.
Blokes like Adam Harvey have the knock about Aussie humour too.
Lee Kernagan has done a good job with it. But then his dad showed him how.

What bugs me about the current Aussie CM crew.
Is the Nashville sound.
Twang me, Dang me, you oughta take a rope, and Hang me!

Overproduced records. Lots of steel and dobro fills.
Double tracking vocals. Nameless sweet voices on harmony.

Or the faux country up tempo muzak the likes of Keith Urban deliver.

Even our own Graeme Connors is guilty of making it US style in the past.

But Slim was Slim. Humble to a fault. Passionate but restrained.

Did you know his wife Joy wrote a lot of the poetry he put to music?

Slim carried on touring, when country was only fashionable to those in the country.

The tough days were recognised later in his life.
When so many came to thank the man that made it possible.

He'll not be forgotten.
Especially for some of his hits.
Let's face it.
Some of them were bluddy dreadful!

The windscreen wipers are a-beatin' in time
The song they sing is a part of my mind
And I can't believe it's a-really happenin' to me

Oh, but I'm over the edge and down the mountain side
I know they'll tell about the night I died
In the rain when the lights on the hill were a-blindin' me

Yeah?

Cheers Rusty.

Btw: Say Gday to your dad for me.

Edited for clarity

[TheBurningCat]

With a speach like that rusty you should say g'day to my dad in person! PM your phone number. If we are doing the talk about country segment tonight i could give you a call. I should be in. i don't know if i'll be needed tonight tho. We have had the slim dusty tribute done for a fair while.

As for the american sound. i don't like it either. My dad will be releasing a new cd soon so i'll tell ya if its anygood. it should be aussie.

[RustyGT]

Thanks for the invite Toby.

I'm just a music fan.
Your Dad is well recognised as Australias leading CM authority.
I doubt he needs any help from me.

[Although I'd like to meet him one day. Stewi too.
Must drop into the ABC next time i'm in T'Ville]

Will try to tune in tonite.
Even though the Lions Swans game will be on.

Cheers bloke. R.

Btw: TBCs dad is John Nutting
I'm sure Toby won't mind me putting up the link. T himself has done so before.

Bbtw: Slim Dustys picture was on the front page of every major Australian newspaper this morning.

He means a lot to this country. Vale Slim.

[desmocat]

Sorry to hear of his passing.
Saw quite a bit of Slim when we were down in OZ in 2002.

Seemed to be an honest and straightforward bloke to me.

I guess you can kind of compare him to Johnny Cash, no electronic gizmos to make him sound something he isn't, no electronic stuff going in the background, not the greatest voice,just the man, his guitar, and his music.

RIP Slim & Johnny...