Australia rocks remembering the music of the 1950s to 1990s

Review

"It’s an intriguing tour through the decades, looking at the musicians, bands and the aficionados who globally left an imprint on music and developed and created the soundtrack of our Australian lives."―PS News

Product Description

Australian rock music has a rich history of performers and bands that have created not just the soundtrack for Australian lives but have also shaped the international music scene. In the early days of the 1950s and ‘60s, Australian rock saw performers like Johnny O’Keefe and The Easybeats. The 1970s saw Cold Chisel and AC/DC, among others, performing to packed halls locally. AC/DC turned this into international success, blasting through three decades of touring and performing. However, it was only in the 1980s and 1990s that Australian rock truly made its mark on the international stage with iconic bands such as Men at Work, Midnight Oil and INXS. Australia Rocks brings the bands and the times to life through unique photographs and evocative text. Written by a rock musician, it also goes beyond the 'big names' to highlight the many independent, often lesser-known performers who played such an integral part in shaping the industry, and shines a light on how rock music was not only influenced by global events (the Vietnam War, for example) but also formed part of enormous cultural shifts (the Swinging Sixties, the protest movement, etc.). From the demure dance halls of the 1950s to the smoke-filled pubs of the 1970s and the packed concerts of the 1990s and beyond, Australia Rocks will have music lovers dusting off their vinyl collection and remembering the good times.

About the Author

Lucy Desoto is an internationally recognised rock and blues musician and no stranger to the creative process. Since 1975, Lucy has sung and played keyboards in bands with some of Australia’s leading rock musicians, building a reputation for great song writing and skilled performances. For 22 years, she was also the partner of Peter Wells, founding member of Rose Tattoo. In 2001, Lucy attained a first class honours degree in Media Arts. In 2008, her documentary film Rock ’n Roll Outlaw screened to sold-out shows at the Melbourne International Film Festival and later that year Lucy was awarded a Doctorate of Creative Arts. Now based in Alice Springs, Lucy continues to rock ’n’ roll.