Harry Robertson | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Harry_Robertson_(singer)_from_1971_album_cover.jpg) Harry Robertson, from front cover art to his album "Whale Chasing Men" (MFP, Sydney, 1971) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Henry Robertson |
| Born | 1923 Barrhead, Scotland |
| Died | 15 May 1995 (aged 71–72) Brisbane, Australia |
| Genres | Australian folk music |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant seaman, whaler, engineer, songwriter, performer |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1950s–1980s |
| Labels | Music for Pleasure (Sydney, Australia) |
Henry Robertson (1923 – 15 May 1995) was a Scottish-born Australian seaman, engineer, folk-singer/songwriter, poet and activist, who became a key figure in the development of the Australian folk music tradition. During the 1950s he served in commercial whaling fleets in both sub-antarctic and sub-tropical regions, and wrote a number of songs about his experiences which formed the basis of his 1971 LP release Whale Chasing Men: Songs of Whaling in Ice and Sun, a unique record of life in the whaling industry in the 20th century. He also composed and performed songs on a range of other subjects, including compositions for historical documentaries commissioned by Australian television, a number of which have since been recorded posthumously by musicians interested in perpetuating his musical legacy.