Redgum

This article is about an Australian music group. For other uses, see Red gum (disambiguation).

Redgum
OriginAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
GenresFolk, rock
Years active1975–1990
LabelsLarrikin, Epic, Columbia
Past membersMichael Atkinson
John Schumann
Verity Truman
Chris Timms
Gordon McLean
Tom Stehlik
Russell Coleman
Dave Flett
Hugh McDonald
Stephen Cooney
Brian Czempinski
Michael Spicer
James Spicer
Tim Hannaford
Bruce Barry

Redgum were an Australian folk and political music group formed in Adelaide in 1975 by singer-songwriters John Schumann and Michael Atkinson on guitars/vocals, and Verity Truman on flute/vocals; they were later joined by Hugh McDonald on fiddle and Chris Timms on violin.[1] All four had been students at Flinders University and together developed a strong political voice.[2] They are best known for their protest song exploring the impact of war in the 1980s "I Was Only 19", which peaked at No. 1 on the National singles charts.[2][3][4][5] The song is in the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) list of Top 30 of All Time Best Australian Songs created in 2001.[6][7]

Redgum also covered Australian consumer influences on surrounding nations in 1984's "I've Been to Bali Too",[2] both hit singles were written by Schumann.[8] "The Diamantina Drover", written by Timms' replacement, violinist/vocalist Hugh McDonald and "Poor Ned", written by Trevor Lucas of Fairport Convention, are examples of their bush songs.[2][8] Lucas produced their May 1983 live album Caught in the Act,[1][2] which peaked at No. 5 on the National albums chart.[2][3] Schumann left the band and pursued a solo career from 1986, Atkinson left in 1987 and Redgum finally disbanded in 1990.[1][2]

From 2005, Schumann and McDonald performed together as part of John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew.

  1. ^ a b c Magnus Holmgren (ed.). "Redgum discography". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Redgum'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Archived from the original on 15 May 2003.
  3. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
  4. ^ "Australian Charts portal". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  5. ^ "Best of 1983". Oz Net Music Chart. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  6. ^ "Dimensions Episode 20: John Schumann". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 18 June 2003. Archived from the original on 20 May 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  7. ^ Kruger, Debbie (2 May 2001). "The songs that resonate through the years" (PDF). APRA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  8. ^ a b "APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2008. Note: requires user to input song title, e.g. I WAS ONLY NINETEEN