50 Years Of The Mushroom Group
This is not a post about funghi....
The celebration of 50 years of the Mushroom Group is as much a celebration of the organization as it is another congratulatory lap of the work of the one and only Michael Gudinski.
Being invited along as a plus 1 was enjoyable and thanks for the nibbles and drinks and chats before the part of the gig I could attend. It was sweet to see people mingle with ex-colleagues and some of the joy that was in the room.
I was seated in a faux VIP section with my gal and no one else until her ex-boyfriend and new partner sidled up, unknowingly, and sat right beside us. Yes, it was NOT awkward, it was just one of those synchronicities that life hands us. Don’t ya love when these things happen? They make you feel part of something….life….so enjoy them.
Rod Laver Arena was packed and ready to rock when we took our seats. The production crew filled the stage with one damn big video screen so the show could be seen by all.
Jimmy Barnes came out rocking and you would not expect anything else.
JIMMY!
The first political t-shirt was seen on guitarist Danny Spencer. “Reject Racism” it stated and I would say that is something at least 60% of Australia would get behind. OK, I know just because you voted “NO” does not make you a racist, but I am going to give you a sideway look until I am sure.
Really, it’s a democracy, but really, you voted “NO”?
I thought Vika and Linda Bull’s version of Living In The 70s by The Skyhooks was one of the best things I was in the room for. I loved their bright white suits and sparkles and they can wail.
Missy Higgins's version of Wide Open Road' and her hit Scar gave us the beauty of her pipes.
Christine Anu and her daughter Zipporah sounded gorgeous on My Island Home and I will cast my vote for it to be among the songs we can vote for to replace our dull national anthem.
How about another referendum?
Solid Rock by Goanna and you cannot get more political than this track.
“Well, they were standin' on the shore one day
Saw the white sails in the sun
Wasn't long before they felt the sting
White man, white law, white gun
Don't tell me that it's justified
'Cause somewhere, someone lied
Yeah, well someone lied
Someone lied
Genocide
Well, someone lied
And now you're standin' on solid rock
Standin' on sacred ground
Livin' on borrowed time
And the winds of change
Are blowin' down the line”-Shane Howard
Diesel, Ian Moss, and others continued with the Mushroom hits and the stage crew was doing a fabulous job keeping seamlessly rolling along.
It was not the start, it was just Almost The Beginning by Deborah Conway and her partner Willy Zygier. Dressed in white suits and blue t-shirts it was obvious some statement was being made.
What could it be?
With closer inspection, Willy was wearing a yarmulke and Conway had on a Star Of David and she commented that Michael hated what she wore in the video for the song she played but would have loved her outfit tonight.
We don’t know for sure what MG would think now, do we?
We don’t know if the outfit was blessed by The Mushroom Group. It was just rock and roll and if you want to take a stance you may as well do it on national TV.
Many have done it before, and many will do it again.
Facebook posts will continue this so feel free to tune into Deb and Willy’s page to follow the fun that will ensue. They are always up for a chat so join in!
Nothing to see here let’s move on to The Church’s Under The Milky Way covered by The Temper Trap. According to the word, Steve Kilbey was in Manila and unable to be there in person.
Next!
Paul Kelly did a couple of lively numbers which showed off his style and the strength of the backing band doing the chores tonight. Before Too Long was sweet and poppy as usual. The Sunnyboy’s Alone With You was a memorable cover and Richard Bergman from the Sunnyboy’s came out and made it three guitars on stage. The throng on stage seemed to be enjoying it as much as the Australian throng.
Yothu Yindi has been the soundtrack of my lifetime in Australia. Briggs introduced this Yolngu band to the stage and their performance brought tears to my eyes. This has been a difficult year for the First Nation people living with us and as an ally my heart has been torn open.
But we continue on and with the beauty of music and dance and culture, the Indigenous way of being will continue.
Survive and move forward. The next steps will be with strength and love.
Djapana and Treaty.
Music to heal and to empower.
Treaty.
Yeah.
With Yothu Yindi in my heart, soul, and ears, I left the building.
Michael would have loved the event. The sound was perfect, the planning and production were spot on, and watching the bits I missed on TV later it looked as good as a live music television event could be.
Bravo!
Another venue, The Corner Hotel called, and I am sure Gudinski would have approved of me missing the second half to see G Love and Special Sauce to dance out the night.
There was never a doubt of his love for live music.
Way to go Mushroom…..thanks for all the music.
