Down Under

(Paperback)

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Description

This is the biography not of a person, but of one of the most loved and controversial songs in the history of Australian music.Originally released as a B-side in 1980, 'Down Under' made Men at Work the biggest band on the planet. The song became an alternative Australian anthem and its video (recorded on the sand dunes of Cronulla) became an image of Australia recognised the world over. Even when Men at Work suddenly disappeared, 'Down Under' remained in the national psyche.Nearly three decades later, Spicks and Specks innocently revealed a link between the song and the tune of the old Kookaburra nursery rhyme, and the American owners of the lullaby decided to sue for plagiarism. After the legal battle raged, the flautist forever linked with that unforgettable and contentious flute riff, Greg Ham, died due to ill health caused by stress and anxiety brought on by the court case.

Author Bio

Trevor Conomy was a musician, working the pubs and writing songs around the same time as Men at Work. He followed the Down Under case and has always believed that the story behind it is a great tragedy. Born in 1958 he played in rock bands during the 1980s and later taught English in Sydney. He now lives in central western NSW where he is building a house in the bush.