A look into Melbourne’s live music scene over 50 years – in pictures
From a young Paul Kelly and bop dancing in the streets to legends like Ray Charles, music fan and photographer Brian Carr has spent 50 years documenting the notable and not so well-known musos who make up Melbourne’s vibrant live music scene. He has now published a book, Music City, from his extensive archive
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Paul Kelly singing with Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons at the Central Club hotel in Richmond in November 1982.
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Stylus pose for a portrait in the Fitzroy Gardens in 1976. Stylus were the first Australian act to be released by Motown Records in the USA.
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Deborah Conway and Willy Zygler play on the Menzies lawn at Monash University in 1992.
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Gary Young drumming with Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons in 2004. He was also a founding member of Daddy Cool.
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Rocker Kevin Borich playing guitar at the Melbourne International Music and Blues festival in 2003.
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Jeff Green and Steven Maxwell von Braund formed Cybotron in 1975 as an experimental electronic band along the lines of Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. Cybotron pioneered Australian progressive electronic music in a time when the Melbourne music scene was under the influence of pub rock.
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American soul and funk singer Sharon Jones performs with her band the Dap-Kings in regional Victoria in 2013.
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The Dancehall Racketeers playing at the Royal Derby hotel, Fitzroy in 1986.
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Poisoned, who were a tribute band for the glam metal group Poison, pose for a studio portrait in 1990.
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The Cajun Aces outside Hound Dog’s Bop Shop, North Melbourne in 1994. L-R: lap steel player Mick Cameron, drummer Moira Hanrahan and the Le Blanc Brothers Andrew and Geoff on guitar and accordion.
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Tex Perkins and Matt Walker (obscured) at the Archie’s Creek hotel in 2022.
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Debra Byrne posing for a portrait in her backyard in Alphington in 1976.
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Dancing in the street to the band playing outside Hound Dog’s Bop Shop in North Melbourne in 1988.
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Ray Charles performing at the Melbourne international blues festival in 2003, which was the last time he toured Australia.
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Singer songwriter Stephen Cummings at his home in Elwood in 1988.
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The Paramount Trio at the Napier hotel Fitzroy in 1987. Paramount Trio’s guitarist Warren Rough’s girlfriend is on the right in the foreground, looking through the paper for a ‘proper job’ for Warren.
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Dave Bucholtz singing and playing harp with the Echo Vampers at the Royal Derby hotel Fitzroy in 1982.
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Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter singing during an open day at Monash University in 1991. The song was about Ruby’s country.
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Liz, Smear, and Vera from punk band Gash, photographed at Hardcore House in 1987.
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The Crackerjacks playing outside Hound Dog’s Bop Shop in 1989, with Rick O’Shea on vocals and guitar.
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Chrissie Hynde, founding member of the Pretenders. performing in 2004.
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Eclectic ensemble My Friend the Chocolate Cake at David Bridie’s place in March 1990. Bridie was the band’s vocalist and cofounded the band with cellist Helen Mountfort.
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American folksinger Willie Watson playing with his band Old Crow Medicine Show at Mossvale Park Leongatha in 2010.
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Dan Sultan appearing on the bill at Leongatha with Paul Kelly, Vika and Linda Bull, and Charlie Owen in 2015
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