One of Australia's most colourful characters, Rolf Harris, and legendary broadcaster John Laws, will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in month.
Harris became a household name in Australia and the United Kingdom after scoring his first hit with the quirky 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport'.His run of hits went into the 70s, when 'Two Little Boys' hit number one.
He reinvented himself in the 90s after covering Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven'.
Harris has been honored by the Queen and is the recipient of the MBE, OBE, CBE and AM.
Rolf said from his home in the UK "I look up at the shelf in my office and see the ARIA pyramid obelisk which was sent to me back in 1994, on my 64th birthday actually. At that time I was just gearing myself up to do my first Glastonbury Festival, and I was knocked out to get this recognition from the 8th ARIA Awards. It commemorates my win for Best Comedy Release. I think it was my version of 'Stairway to Heaven', which changed my whole life by thrusting me back into the awareness of all the University aged youngsters. They suddenly realised they knew all my songs from their childhood, and what's more, remembered all the words. (Thanks again to Andrew Denton!) Now, 14 years later, I'm being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. I look at all the famous names and am thrilled to be with them, for basically, just enjoying myself through music for the whole of my life. Thank you so much."
Laws retired from his radio career last year. He was one of the most successful broadcasters on the planet, owning the airways in Sydney for some 40 years.
Laws will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from ARIA for his contribution to the Australian Music Industry. Previous recipients are Ted Albert, Daryl Somers, Stan Rofe, Ian Meldrum, Michael Gudinski, Ron Tudor, Bill Armstrong, Charles Fisher and last year's recipient John Woodruff.
The ARIA Hall of Fame will be held on Monday July 1 at the Melbourne Town Hall.
Russell Morris, The Triffids, Max Merrit and Dragon will also be inducted.
Industry Tickets:
On sale now - please contact:
Neha Potalia: neha@markpopemusic.com
or go to www.ariahalloffame.com.au > and follow the links
General Public Tickets:
On sale now from Ticketek
www.ticketek.com.au or Phone 132 849
Ticket Price: $87.70 including GST and booking fees
Exclusive Broadcast:
Vh1 will televise the 2008 ARIA HALL OF FAME event:
Premieres Saturday, 5 July, 2008 @ 9.00pm
Encore presentation Sunday, 6 July, 2008 @ 5.00pm
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