The Australian Recording Industry Association has announced Dragon and Russell Morris will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on July 1.
The two acts are the first of five who will be inducted by ARIA for 2008.Russell Morris was one of Australia's biggest rock stars of the late 60's and early 70s. He is best known for the Ian 'Molly' Meldrum produced 'The Real Thing' as well as 'Sweet Sweet Love', 'Part 3 Into Paper Walls', 'Wings of an Eagle' and 'Live With Friends'.
He said, "When I first began the music path on which I eventually embarked - and walked the full distance - I thought it would be all over at the age of twenty five, and by thirty I would be back doing accounting! So to be here right now and receiving this wonderful award is not only amazing but a beautiful surprise".
New Zealand's Dragon gave is the classics 'April Sun In Cuba', 'Get That Jive', 'Are You Old Enough' and 'Still In Love With You'. Sadly, lead singer Marc Hunter is no longer with us. He died of cancer in 1998. His brother, bass player and founded member Todd, carries on the name of the band with singer Mark Williams.
In a statement, Todd said "It is an honour to be included in the Hall Of Fame and it has always been a privilege to be part of the Australian music industry even though we may have felt like outsiders for much of the time. It is great to be included with bands and musicians whose work we admire".
"It is fitting that this should happen exactly 10 years after Marc died. I wish he was here and I know he would be thrilled. There have been 35 members of Dragon since 1973, from the original members to the current band, and this induction is for all of them. The guys you will see on the night are myself, Robert Taylor, Kerry Jacobson and Alan Mansfield, but it's also for original member Ray Goodwin, for Paul Hewson, Neil Story, Doane Perry, Tommy Emmanuel, Terry Chambers and many others who all served their time, and the current members of Dragon, Mark Williams, Bruce Reid and Pete Drummond".
"As a member of a band that has been playing on and off for 35 years, I've got to say it's been a great pleasure and this is a great compliment for all involved."
The 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame will be held at Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday, July 1.
General public tickets are available for this year's event. They are on sale no for $87.70 from Ticketek.
