Music of Australia facts for kids
The music of Australia is all about the sounds made in this amazing country, by its people, or about Australia itself! This includes the very old music from Indigenous Australians and the music from when Australia was first settled by people from other countries.
Contents
Ancient Sounds: Indigenous Music
Indigenous Australian music has a history that goes back 40,000 to 60,000 years! This is where the didgeridoo comes from. When Indigenous music styles mix with Western styles, it creates unique Australian additions to world music. Some famous artists who do this are Yothu Yindi, Christine Anu, and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.
From Colonies to Country: Early Western Music
In its early history, Australia was made up of many British colonies. Because of this, Australian folk music and bush ballads like the famous song Waltzing Matilda were greatly influenced by British and Irish culture. Classical music forms also came from Europe.
Modern Beats: Today's Australian Music
Today, Australian music covers many different styles. These styles are often similar to music found in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other similar countries. You can often hear these similarities in Australian rock and Australian country music.
Famous Australian Musicians
Australia has produced many talented musicians who are known around the world.
- Opera Stars: Dame Nellie Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland were incredible opera singers.
- Country Music Legends: Slim Dusty is Australia's best-selling local artist, and John Williamson is also a very popular country star.
- Pop and Rock Icons: John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John are famous solo artists. Kylie Minogue is known as a "pop princess."
- Global Bands: Many Australian rock and pop bands have become famous worldwide. These include The Seekers, Men at Work, The Easybeats, Bee Gees, Air Supply, Crowded House, AC/DC, INXS, Little River Band, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Midnight Oil, Dragon, Silverchair, You Am I, and Powderfinger.
- Other Popular Artists: Folk-rocker Paul Kelly, jazz guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, and pioneer rocker Johnny O'Keefe are also very well-known. Groups like The Avalanches (dance music), Pendulum (electronic music), Savage Garden (pop rock), John Butler Trio (alternative), and Xavier Rudd (alternative) have also made a big impact.
Other popular artists and groups include The Choirboys, Chantoozies, Cheetah, Sharon O'Neill, Marc Williams, Peter Andre, Goanna, Australian Crawl, Rose Tattoo, Colleen Hewett, Keith Urban, The Angels, Ted Mullry Gang, Hush, The Mixtures, Helen Reddy, and Diana Trask.
Images for kids
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Horace Watson recording the songs of Fanny Cochrane Smith, who was thought to be the last person to speak a Tasmanian language, in 1903.
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Cover to Banjo Paterson's important 1905 collection of bush ballads, called The Old Bush Songs.
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Joe Slater
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Country singer Melinda Schneider with folk-rocker Paul Kelly.
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Kasey Chambers
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The Wiggles' lineup in 2007, riding in the Big Red Car during a concert.
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Guy Sebastian and Jimmy Barnes on March 6, 2008, at the State Theatre.
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The Delltones with four radio awards.
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AC/DC performing at the Ulster Hall in August 1979.
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Nick Cave performing in 1986.
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Cosmic Psychos, one of several Australian bands that influenced the Seattle grunge music scene.
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Australian electronic music duo The Presets.
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Pendulum bassist Gareth McGrillen. The band mixes many different types of music, including electronic.
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James Morrison
