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Narrator

John Derum

John Derum has been acting, writing and directing for theatre and television since his teenage years. He has performed More Than a Sentimental Bloke, his tribute to C.J. Dennis, more than 500 times around Australia. He has recorded the audiobooks of the Joseph Furphy classic novels, Such Is Life, Rigby’s Romance and The Buln-Buln and the Brolga. In 2019, John was appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant contribution to the performing arts and the community.

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Title:

Down Under (MP3)

Written by:

Trevor Conomy 

Read by:

John Derum 

Format:

Unabridged MP3 CD Audio Book 

Number of CDs:

1 

Duration:

6 hours 26 minutes 

MP3 size:

285 MB 

Published:

January 28 2018 

Available Date:

January 28 2018 

Age Category:

Adult 

ISBN:

9781489425768 

Genres:

Non-fiction; Australian; Musician 

Publisher:

ABC Audio 

Qty

Format

Price

Bolinda price

AUD$ 39.95

AUD$ 39.95

**

 

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.