Australian pop music awards


Australian pop music awards are a series of inter-related national awards that gave recognition to popular musical artists and have included the Go-Set pop poll ; TV Week King of Pop Awards ; TV Week and Countdown Music Awards ; the Countdown Awards and Countdown Music and Video Awards. Early awards were based on popular voting from readers of teenage pop music newspaper Go-Set and television program guide TV Week. They were followed by responses from viewers of Countdown, a TV pop music series on national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Some of the later award ceremonies incorporated listed nominees and peer-voted awards. From 1987 the Australian Recording Industry Association instituted its own peer-voted ARIA Music Awards.

1966–1972:''Go-Set'' pop poll results

Teen-oriented pop music newspaper, Go-Set was established in February 1966 and conducted an annual poll during 1966 to 1972 of its readers to determine the most popular personalities. Readers were provided with coupons to vote for their choice, with initial categories of 'Male Vocal', 'Female Vocal' and 'Group' for both Australian and International acts – in later years new categories were introduced and old categories renamed or retired.

1966

Printed in Go-Set on 5 October 1966, pages 12 & 13.
PositionMale VocalFemale VocalGroup
1Normie RoweLynne RandellThe Easybeats
2Ronnie BurnsDinah LeeThe Twilights
3Merv BentonDenise DrysdalePurple Hearts
4Mike FurberLittle PattieSteve & the Board
5Billy ThorpeDonna GayeThe Id

PositionMale VocalFemale VocalGroup
1Elvis PresleyCilla BlackThe Beatles
2Normie RowePetula ClarkThe Rolling Stones
3Roy OrbisonDusty SpringfieldThe Easybeats
4Tom JonesNancy SinatraHerman's Hermits
5P. J. ProbySandie ShawThe Troggs / The Jordanaires

1967

Printed in Go-Set on 9 August 1967, pages 12 & 13. Categories were renamed, e.g. Male Vocal became Top Male Singer.
PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Ronnie BurnsLynne RandellThe Easybeats
2Normie RoweBev HarrellThe Twilights
3Johnny YoungCheryl GrayThe Groop
4Phil JonesDinah LeeThe Loved Ones
5Mike FurberLittle PattieThe Masters Apprentices

PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Tom JonesPetula ClarkThe Beatles
2Elvis PresleySandie ShawThe Monkees
3Normie RoweNancy SinatraThe Rolling Stones
4Jimi HendrixDusty SpringfieldThe Easybeats
5Cliff RichardCilla BlackThe Who

1968

Printed in Go-Set on 19 June 1968, pages 12 & 13.
PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Normie RoweBev HarrellThe Twilights
2Johnny FarnhamLynne RandellThe Masters Apprentices
3Ronnie BurnsDinah LeeThe Groove
4Phil JonesLittle PattieSomebody's Image
5Cheryl GrayThe Easybeats

PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Tom JonesLuluThe Beatles
2Paul JonesSandie ShawThe Monkees
3Elvis PresleyPetula ClarkThe Bee Gees
4Cliff RichardAretha FranklinJimi Hendrix Experience
5Otis ReddingDusty SpringfieldCream

1969

Printed in Go-Set on 28 June 1969, pages 10 & 12. Categories back to original names, e.g. Top Male Singer returns to Male Vocal.
PositionMale VocalFemale VocalGroup
1Russell MorrisAllison DurbinZoot
2Johnny FarnhamAnne HawkerThe Masters Apprentices
3Ronnie BurnsBev HarrellBrisbane Avengers
4Normie RoweWendy SaddingtonDream
5Jeff PhillipsLynne RandellFlying Circus

PositionMale VocalGirl VocalGroup
1Tom JonesLuluThe Beatles
2Elvis PresleyMary HopkinThe Monkees
3DonovanAretha FranklinThe Bee Gees
4Davy JonesJulie DriscollThe Rolling Stones
5Barry RyanCilla BlackCream

1970

Printed in Go-Set on 11 July 1970, pages 6 & 7. New categories introduced: Guitarist, Drummer, Composer. Ceremony for the Australian acts was held at Dallas Brooks Hall, East Melbourne, and was broadcast on 30 June by Seven Network.
PositionMaleGirlGroupGuitaristDrummerComposer
1Johnny FarnhamAllison DurbinThe Masters ApprenticesDoug FordColin BurgessJohnny Young
2Russell MorrisWendy SaddingtonAxiomRicky SpringfieldJohn DienJim Keays, Doug Ford
3Ronnie BurnsColleen HewettNew DreamBilly GreenRick BrewerHans Poulsen
4Alex KadellLiv MaessenTown CriersRod HarrisStewie SpeersRussell Morris
5Normie RoweYvonne BarrettZootGlenn WheatleyChris EasterbyRicky Springfield

PositionMaleGirlGroupGuitaristDrummerComposer
1Tom JonesMary HopkinThe BeatlesEric ClaptonRingo StarrPaul McCartney
2Elvis PresleyLuluLed ZeppelinJimmy PageGinger BakerJohn Lennon, Paul McCartney
3Paul McCartneyDiana RossCreedence Clearwater RevivalJose FelicianoJohn BonhamJohn Lennon
4DonovanJulie DriscollThe Rolling StonesGeorge HarrisonKeith MoonBob Dylan
5Glen CampbellCilla BlackThe HolliesPaul McCartneyMicky DolenzJimmy Webb

1971

Printed in Go-Set on 10 July 1971, pages 2 & 3. New categories introduced: Best Album, Best Single, Best Bass Guitarist.
PositionBest Male VocalBest Girl VocalBest GroupBest GuitaristBest DrummerBest Songwriter / ComposerBest AlbumBest SingleBest Bass Guitarist
1Johnny FarnhamAllison DurbinDaddy CoolRicky SpringfieldColin BurgessRussell MorrisChoice Cuts – The Masters Apprentices"Eleanor Rigby" – ZootGlenn Wheatley
2Russell MorrisLiv MaessenThe Masters ApprenticesDoug FordRick BrewerJohnny YoungNatural High – Hans Poulsen"Eagle Rock" – Daddy CoolBeeb Birtles
3Ronnie BurnsColleen HewettZootPhil ManningGary YoungHans PoulsenVirgo – Ronnie Burns"Mr. America" – Russell MorrisWayne Duncan
4Ted MulryWendy SaddingtonChainRoss HannafordMark KennedyRicky SpringfieldThe Hoax Is Over – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs"Black & Blue" – ChainBarry Sullivan
5Hans PoulsenJenny JohnsonSpectrumDenis WilsonBarry HarveyJim Keays, Doug FordSpectrum Part One – Spectrum"I'll Be Gone" – SpectrumDuncan McGuire

PositionBest Male VocalBest Girl VocalBest GroupBest GuitaristBest DrummerBest Songwriter / ComposerBest AlbumBest Bass Guitarist
1Elvis PresleyJanis JoplinCreedence Clearwater RevivalEric ClaptonRingo StarrPaul McCartneyAll Things Must Pass – George HarrisonPaul McCartney
2Tom JonesMelanieThe Rolling StonesGeorge HarrisonGinger BakerGeorge HarrisonMad Dogs and Englishmen – Joe CockerStu Cook
3Joe CockerMary HopkinPatridge FamilyJimmy PageDoug CliffordJohn LennonPendulum – Creedence Clearwater RevivalAndy Fraser
4Elton JohnFreda PayneDeep PurpleJohn FogertyJohn BonhamElton John, Bernie TaupinThat's the Way It Is – Elvis PresleyJohn Paul Jones
5George HarrisonDiana RossThe BeatlesRitchie BlackmoreIan PaiceJohn FogertyPearl – Janis JoplinRoger Glover

1972

Printed in Go-Set on 30 December 1972, pages 5 & 6. New category introduced: Newcomer; with old categories retired: Best Guitarist, Best Drummer, Best Bass Guitarist.
PositionMaleFemaleGroupSongwriterAlbumSingleNewcomer
1Johnny FarnhamColleen HewettSherbetBrian CaddAztecs Live at Sunbury – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs"Boppin' the Blues" – BlackfeatherRobin Jolley
2Russell MorrisAllison DurbinBilly Thorpe & the AztecsRick SpringfieldBeginnings – Rick Springfield"You're All Woman" – SherbetJohnny Christie
3Rick SpringfieldAlison McCallumBlackfeatherRussell MorrisJohnny Farnham Sings the Shows"Most People I Know" – Billy Thorpe & the AztecsGlen Cardier
4Jeff PhillipsWendy SaddingtonSpectrumMike RuddMilesago – Spectrum"Rock Me Baby"Rick Springfield
5Billy ThorpeJeannie LewisDaddy CoolJohnny YoungBloodstone – Russell Morris"Walking the Floor on My Hands" – Johnny FarnhamJamie Redfern

PositionMaleFemaleGroupSongwriterAlbumSingle
1Cat StevensCarole KingThe Rolling StonesCat StevensTeaser and the Firecat – Cat Stevens"American Pie" – Don McLean
2David CassidyRoberta FlackThe Bee GeesElton JohnThick As a Brick – Jethro Tull"School's Out" – Alice Cooper
3Elvis PresleyMelanieSladeNeil DiamondSlade Alive! – Slade"Take Me Bak 'Ome" – Slade
4Joe CockerJanis JoplinCreedence Clearwater RevivalPaul McCartney – Elvis Presley"Puppy Love" – Donny Osmond
5Rod StewartKaren CarpenterLed ZeppelinJohn LennonAmerican Pie – Don McLean"Long Cool Woman" – The Hollies

1967–1978: King of Pop Awards

Teen-oriented pop music newspaper, Go-Set was established in February 1966 and conducted an annual poll of its readers to determine the most popular personalities. In 1967 the most popular performer was Normie Rowe and when the results were televised on the unrelated The Go!! Show there was a crowning of Rowe as 'King of Pop'. In the following years, TV Week provided coupons for readers to vote for their choice, a similar system had been in use for TV's Logie Awards since 1960. The 'King of Pop' awards ceremony was broadcast by the 0–10 Network from 1967 to 1975, and from 1976 to 1978 by the Nine Network. On the 0–10 Network, from 1972, it was run by Johnny Young's production company which also provided Young Talent Time.

1967

Durbin is often referred to as the 'Queen of Pop', however:

1970

Guest presenter: Liberace

Award winners:
Award winners:
Guest presenter: Davy Jones

Award winners:
Ceremony details: Held on 25 October 1974, guest presenters: David Cassidy, Gary Glitter. A compilation album titled King of Pop '74–'75 was released with tracks supplied by previous winners and guest presenters. Next to the list of various artists, the cover depicts the trophy that was presented to award winners.

Award winners:
Ceremony details: Held October 1975, live performance: AC/DC "High Voltage"

Award winners:
Award winners:
Performer: Mark Holden

Award winners:
Ceremony details: Held on 13 October 1978, hosted by Glenn Shorrock, guest presenters: Kate Bush, Leif Garrett

Award winners:
Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week which had sponsored the previously existing 'King of Pop' Awards. The TV Week/Countdown Rock Music Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.
The award year below relates to the year of achievement and not the year they were presented.

1979

Ceremony details: Held on 13 April 1980, broadcast on Countdown by ABC-TV, the TV Week Rock Music Awards for 1979 presented a revamped awards ceremony with 'King of Pop' title replaced by 'Most Popular Male' and 'Queen of Pop' replaced by 'Most Popular Female'. Hosted by Glenn Shorrock of Little River Band, there were three live performances: Christie Allen "He's My Number One", Australian Crawl "Beautiful People" and Split Enz "I Got You". Various music industry personalities explained the categories, announced nominees and presented the 1979 awards. 'Most Popular' awards were voted for by readers of TV Week sending in printed coupons, with the three highest reader responses read out as nominations. Industry awards were voted for by radio programme directors, rock magazine editors and journalists. Presenters included Darryl Cotton, Richard Gower, John O'Keefe, John Farnham, Colleen Hewett, Graeme Strachan, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, and Harry Casey.
Award winners and nominees:
Ceremony details: Held on 16 March 1981 at Regent Theatre Sydney, and broadcast live to air on the same night, it was hosted by Countdown host Ian "Molly" Meldrum and international guests Suzi Quatro and Jermaine Jackson. Presenters included: Lee Simons, Donnie Sutherland, Marc Hunter, James Freud, Graham Russell, Russell Hitchcock and David Tickle. Performers were: Split Enz "History Never Repeats", Flowers "Icehouse", The Swingers "Counting the Beat", Air Supply "Lost in Love", "Every Woman in the World" and "All Out of Love", Australian Crawl "The Boys Light Up". Cold Chisel performed the last live number, "My Turn to Cry", to close the show and then trashed their instruments and the set. Sponsors TV Week withdrew their support for the awards and Countdown held its own awards ceremonies thereafter. The awards were voted by music industry sectors including, record companies major and independent, publishers, booking agents, radio stations and specific 'most popular' awards voted by the public.
Award winners and nominees:
Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week which had sponsored the previously existing 'King of Pop' Awards. After Cold Chisel performed at the 1980 awards ceremony, and then trashed their instruments and the set, sponsors TV Week withdrew their support and Countdown held its own awards ceremonies until the 1986 awards which were broadcast in 1987. The awards ceremony was co-produced by Carolyn James during 1981–1984 in collaboration with the Australian Recording Industry Association, which provided peer/industry voting for all awards except for "most popular" awards voted by the public Countdown provided coupons in the related Countdown Magazine for viewers to vote for some awards including 'Most Popular Male Performer', 'Most Popular Female Performer', 'Most Popular Group' and 'Most Popular International Act'. From 1987 ARIA instituted its own entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards.
The award year below relates to the year of achievement and not the year they were presented.

1981

Ceremony details: Broadcast on 18 April 1982, hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum with presenters: Greedy Smith, Ross Wilson, Michael Hutchence, Duran Duran, Sharon O'Neill, Renée Geyer, John Swan, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite, Alex Smith and Angry Anderson. Performers were: Men at Work, Sharon O'Neill, Renée Geyer, Mental As Anything, Billy Field, Mondo Rock and the Divinyls.
Award winners and nominees:
Ceremony details: Held on 19 April 1983. The program opened with Goanna performing Solid Rock. Nomination required product to be released. As Co-producer of the event Carolyn James programmed The Reels to perform 'Quasimodo's Dream' to much objection from Ian Meldrum - The Reels had released a K-Tel album during the year and so qualified for nomination. Tim Finn as presenter of Best Songwriter award introduced their performance: "Countdown has done some questionable things over the years, but this redeems all..Ladies and Gentlemen Dave Mason and the Reels 'Quasimodo's Dream"
Award winners and nominees:
Nominees included: The Angels, Moving Pictures, Goanna, Jo Kennedy, Divinyls, Eurogliders, Rose Tattoo, Split Enz, The Reels, Icehouse, Men at Work, Skyhooks.

1983

Ceremony details: Held on 15 April 1984 at the Palais Theatre, presenters included: Ross Wilson, Glenn Shorrock, Pat Wilson, Graeme "Shirley" Strachan, Greg Ham, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, Jon Farriss, Michael Hutchence, Marc Hunter, Billy Idol. Live performers: Kids in the Kitchen "Bitter Desire", Models "I Hear Motion", Ross Wilson and Pat Wilson "Strong Love", Pseudo Echo "A Beat for You", Billy Idol "Rebel Yell", Tim Finn "In a Minor Key". The closing live performance was by an ensemble including Shorrock, Lynne Randell, Jim Keays, Darryl Cotton, Debbie Byrne, Strachan, Keith Lamb, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite, and Hunter to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Johnny O'Keefe's version of "Shout!".
Award winners and nominees:
Ceremony details: Held on 19 May 1985 at Sydney Entertainment Centre, and broadcast on 25 May, it was hosted by Greedy Smith, presenters included: Brian Mannix, Meat Loaf, Vicki O'Keefe, Sharon O'Neill, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, Nik Kershaw, Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch, Julian Lennon, Jenny Morris, Sean Kelly and James Freud, Alan Johnson and Danny Simcic, Suzanne Dowling. INXS won seven awards and closed with a live performance of "Burn for You", dressed in Akubras and Drizabones.
Award winners and nominees:
Ceremony details: Held on 14 April 1986 at Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, and broadcast on 20 April, it was hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum and presenters included: Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch, Rick Mayall and Ben Elton, Sting, Vince Sorrenti, Brad Robinson, Zan Abeyratne, Richard Page, Iva Davies, Brian Canham, Brian Mannix, Tim Finn, Dee C Lee, Suzanne Dowling and Bob Geldof. Performers were: Pseudo Echo "Living in a Dream", Eurogliders "Absolutely", Do-Ré-Mi "Theme from Jungle Jim", Kids in the Kitchen "Current Stand", Mr. Mister "Kyrie", Models "Let's Build it Up", I'm Talking "Do You Wanna Be?". At the awards ceremony fans of INXS and Uncanny X-Men scuffled and as a result ARIA decided to hold their own awards, which were the entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards first held in 1987.
Ceremony details: Held on 19 July 1987 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre; it followed the last regular Countdown show. It was hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum who revealed his bald head in imitation of Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil. Performers included: Icehouse "Crazy", Angry Anderson "Suddenly", Mental As Anything "He's Just No Good", Boom Crash Opera "City Flat", John Farnham "You're the Voice" and English pop group, Swing Out Sister "Breakout".
By the time of the last Countdown award ceremony, the Australian Recording Industry Association had already instituted its own entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards, with its first ceremony held on 2 March 1987 at the Sheraton Wentworth Hotel in Sydney. Elton John was the host but the ARIAs were not televised with presenters including Basia Bonkowski, Slim Dusty and Donnie Sutherland.