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 (1966–1972); TV Week King of Pop Awards (1967–1978);[1][2][3] TV Week and Countdown Music Awards (1979–1980); the Countdown Awards (1981–1982) and Countdown Music and Video Awards (1983–1987).[4] Early awards were based on popular voting from readers of teenage pop music newspaper Go-Set and television program guide TV Week.[1][3] They were followed by responses from viewers of Countdown, a TV pop music series (1974–1987) on national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).[5][6] Some of the later award ceremonies incorporated listed nominees and peer-voted awards.[7] From 1987 the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) instituted its own peer-voted ARIA Music Awards.[8]
1966–1972:Go-Set pop poll results
| Go-Set Awards | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Presented by | Go-Set |
| First awarded | 1966 |
| Last awarded | 1972 |
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.[3][6] 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.[9]
1966
Printed in Go-Set on 5 October 1966, pages 12 & 13.[9]
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1967
Printed in Go-Set on 9 August 1967, pages 12 & 13.[9] Categories were renamed, e.g. Male Vocal became Top Male Singer.
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1968
Printed in Go-Set on 19 June 1968, pages 12 & 13.[9]
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1969
Printed in Go-Set on 28 June 1969, pages 10 & 12.[9] Categories back to original names, e.g. Top Male Singer returns to Male Vocal.
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1970
Printed in Go-Set on 11 July 1970, pages 6 & 7.[9] New categories introduced: Guitarist, Drummer, Composer.[9] Ceremony for the Australian acts was held at Dallas Brooks Hall, East Melbourne, and was broadcast on 30 June by Seven Network.[9]
| Position | Male | Girl | Group | Guitarist | Drummer | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Farnham | Allison Durbin | The Masters Apprentices | Doug Ford | Colin Burgess | Johnny Young |
| 2 | Russell Morris | Wendy Saddington | Axiom | Ricky Springfield | John Dien | Jim Keays, Doug Ford |
| 3 | Ronnie Burns | Colleen Hewett | New Dream | Billy Green | Rick Brewer | Hans Poulsen |
| 4 | Alex Kadell | Liv Maessen | Town Criers | Rod Harris | Stewie Speers | Russell Morris |
| 5 | Normie Rowe | Yvonne Barrett | Zoot | Glenn Wheatley | Chris Easterby | Ricky Springfield |
| Position | Male | Girl | Group | Guitarist | Drummer | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Jones | Mary Hopkin | The Beatles | Eric Clapton | Ringo Starr | Paul McCartney |
| 2 | Elvis Presley | Lulu | Led Zeppelin | Jimmy Page | Ginger Baker | John Lennon, Paul McCartney |
| 3 | Paul McCartney | Diana Ross | Creedence Clearwater Revival | Jose Feliciano | John Bonham | John Lennon |
| 4 | Donovan | Julie Driscoll | The Rolling Stones | George Harrison | Keith Moon | Bob Dylan |
| 5 | Glen Campbell | Cilla Black | The Hollies | Paul McCartney | Micky Dolenz | Jimmy Webb |
1971
Printed in Go-Set on 10 July 1971, pages 2 & 3.[9] New categories introduced: Best Album, Best Single, Best Bass Guitarist.[9]
| Position | Best Male Vocal | Best Girl Vocal | Best Group | Best Guitarist | Best Drummer | Best Songwriter / Composer | Best Album | Best Single | Best Bass Guitarist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Farnham | Allison Durbin | Daddy Cool | Ricky Springfield | Colin Burgess | Russell Morris | Choice Cuts – The Masters Apprentices | "Eleanor Rigby" – Zoot | Glenn Wheatley |
| 2 | Russell Morris | Liv Maessen | The Masters Apprentices | Doug Ford | Rick Brewer | Johnny Young | Natural High – Hans Poulsen | "Eagle Rock" – Daddy Cool | Beeb Birtles |
| 3 | Ronnie Burns | Colleen Hewett | Zoot | Phil Manning | Gary Young | Hans Poulsen | Virgo – Ronnie Burns | "Mr. America" – Russell Morris | Wayne Duncan |
| 4 | Ted Mulry | Wendy Saddington | Chain | Ross Hannaford | Mark Kennedy | Ricky Springfield | The Hoax Is Over – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs | "Black & Blue" – Chain | Barry Sullivan |
| 5 | Hans Poulsen | Jenny Johnson | Spectrum | Denis Wilson | Barry Harvey | Jim Keays, Doug Ford | Spectrum Part One – Spectrum | "I'll Be Gone" – Spectrum | Duncan McGuire |
| Position | Best Male Vocal | Best Girl Vocal | Best Group | Best Guitarist | Best Drummer | Best Songwriter / Composer | Best Album | Best Bass Guitarist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elvis Presley | Janis Joplin | Creedence Clearwater Revival | Eric Clapton | Ringo Starr | Paul McCartney | All Things Must Pass – George Harrison | Paul McCartney |
| 2 | Tom Jones | Melanie | The Rolling Stones | George Harrison | Ginger Baker | George Harrison | Mad Dogs and Englishmen – Joe Cocker | Stu Cook |
| 3 | Joe Cocker | Mary Hopkin | Patridge Family | Jimmy Page | Doug Clifford | John Lennon | Pendulum – Creedence Clearwater Revival | Andy Fraser |
| 4 | Elton John | Freda Payne | Deep Purple | John Fogerty | John Bonham | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | That's the Way It Is – Elvis Presley | John Paul Jones |
| 5 | George Harrison | Diana Ross | The Beatles | Ritchie Blackmore | Ian Paice | John Fogerty | Pearl – Janis Joplin | Roger Glover |
1972
Printed in Go-Set on 30 December 1972, pages 5 & 6.[9] New category introduced: Newcomer; with old categories retired: Best Guitarist, Best Drummer, Best Bass Guitarist.[9]
| Position | Male | Female | Group | Songwriter | Album | Single | Newcomer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Farnham | Colleen Hewett | Sherbet | Brian Cadd | Aztecs Live at Sunbury – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs | "Boppin' the Blues" – Blackfeather | Robin Jolley |
| 2 | Russell Morris | Allison Durbin | Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs | Rick Springfield | Beginnings – Rick Springfield | "You're All Woman" – Sherbet | Johnny Christie |
| 3 | Rick Springfield | Alison McCallum | Blackfeather | Russell Morris | Johnny Farnham Sings the Shows | "Most People I Know" – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs | Glen Cardier |
| 4 | Jeff Phillips | Wendy Saddington | Spectrum | Mike Rudd | Milesago – Spectrum | "Rock Me Baby" | Rick Springfield |
| 5 | Billy Thorpe | Jeannie Lewis | Daddy Cool | Johnny Young | Bloodstone – Russell Morris | "Walking the Floor on My Hands" – Johnny Farnham | Jamie Redfern |
| Position | Male | Female | Group | Songwriter | Album | Single |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cat Stevens | Carole King | The Rolling Stones | Cat Stevens | Teaser and the Firecat – Cat Stevens | "American Pie" – Don McLean |
| 2 | David Cassidy | Roberta Flack | The Bee Gees | Elton John | Thick As a Brick – Jethro Tull | "School's Out" – Alice Cooper |
| 3 | Elvis Presley | Melanie | Slade | Neil Diamond | Slade Alive! – Slade | "Take Me Bak 'Ome" – Slade |
| 4 | Joe Cocker | Janis Joplin | Creedence Clearwater Revival | Paul McCartney | Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden – Elvis Presley | "Puppy Love" – Donny Osmond |
| 5 | Rod Stewart | Karen Carpenter | Led Zeppelin | John Lennon | American 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.[3][6] 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'.[3][6] 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.[1] On the 0–10 Network, from 1972, it was run by Johnny Young's production company (Lewis-Young Productions) which also provided Young Talent Time.[10][11][12][13][14]
1967
- King of Pop — Normie Rowe[3][6]
1969
- King of Pop — Johnny Farnham[3][6][15]
- Best Female Artist[nb 1] — Allison Durbin[6][16]
Durbin is often referred to as the 'Queen of Pop',[nb 1] however:
I never in fact won a queen of pop award. the award was called The King of Pop awards, so that's when it was the Go Set [awards]. And it continued on to TV week.
1971
Guest presenter: Liberace[18]
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — Johnny Farnham[6][15]
- Best Female Artist[nb 1] — Allison Durbin[6]
- Best Album – Bloodstone (Russell Morris)
- Best Bass Guitarist – Beeb Birtles (Frieze)
- Best Dressed Female Performer – Allison Durbin
- Best Dressed Male Performer – Johnny Farnham
- Best Drummer – Gary Young (Daddy Cool)
- Best Group — Daddy Cool
- Best Lead Guitarist – Rick Springfield (Zoot)
- Best Organist – Jenny Johnson (New Dream)
- Best Songwriter – Russell Morris for "Mr America"[19]
- Outstanding Newcomer[nb 2] — Jamie Redfern[18][20]
1972
| TV Week King of Pop Awards | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Presented by | TV Week |
| First awarded | 1972 |
| Last awarded | 1978 |
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — Johnny Farnham[6][15]
- Queen of Pop[nb 1] — Colleen Hewett[6]
- Best Arranger – Geoff Hales
- Best Dressed Female – Judy Stone
- Best Dressed Male – Jeff Phillips
- Best New Talent – Robin Jolley
- Best Songwriter – Billy Thorpe (Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs)
- Biggest Selling L.P. – Teaser and the Firecat (Cat Stevens)[21]
- Biggest Selling Single – "The Rangers Waltz" (The Moms & Dads)[22]
- Contribution to Teenage Television – Brian Henderson
- Most Popular Australian Album – When You Wish Upon a Star (Jamie Redfern)
- Most Popular Australian Musician – Rick Springfield (solo)
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Walking the Floor" (Johnny Farnham)
- Most Popular Group — Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs
- Most Popular Overseas Group — The Bee Gees[23]
- Most Popular Overseas L.P. — American Pie (Don McLean)[24]
- Special Gold Award for '20 years service to the Industry' – Johnny O'Keefe
1973
Guest presenter: Davy Jones[1] (ex-The Monkees)
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — Johnny Farnham[6][15]
- Queen of Pop — Colleen Hewett[6]
- Best New Talent — Linda George
- Best Songwriter – Brian Cadd
- Contribution to Australian Pop Industry – Brian Cadd
- Most Popular Australian Album – Hits 1: Magic Rock 'N' Roll (Johnny Farnham)
- Most Popular Australian Group — Sherbet[25]
- Most Popular Australian Musician – Brian Cadd
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Venus" (Jamie Redfern)
1974
Shows winners trophy.
Ceremony details: Held on 25 October 1974, guest presenters: David Cassidy, Gary Glitter.[26][27] A compilation album titled King of Pop '74–'75 was released with tracks supplied by previous winners and guest presenters.[26] Next to the list of various artists, the cover depicts the trophy that was presented to award winners.[26]
Award winners:[3][27]
- King of Pop — Jamie Redfern[6]
- Queen of Pop — Debbie Byrne[6]
- Best New Talent – Benjamin Hugg
- Best Songwriter – Harry Vanda & George Young
- Contribution to Australian Pop Industry – Brian Cadd
- Most Popular Australian Album – My Name Means Horse (Ross Ryan)
- Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet[25]
- Most Popular Australian Musician – Brian Cadd
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Hitch a Ride" (Jamie Redfern)
1975
Ceremony details: Held October 1975, live performance: AC/DC "High Voltage"[28]
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — Daryl Braithwaite[6][25] (Sherbet)
- Queen of Pop – Debbie Byrne[6]
- Australian Record of the Year — "Horror Movie" (Skyhooks)[15]
- Best Australian Songwriter – Greg Macainsh[15] (Skyhooks)
- Best New Talent — Mark Holden
- Contribution to Australian Pop Industry – Countdown
- Most Popular Australian Album – Ego is not a Dirty Word (Skyhooks)[15]
- Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet[25]
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Summer Love" (Sherbet)[25]
1976
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — Daryl Braithwaite[6][25] (Sherbet)
- Queen of Pop — Marcia Hines[6]
- Best Australian International Performer – Olivia Newton-John
- Best Australian Record Producer – Richard Lush
- Best Australian Songwriter – Harry Vanda & George Young
- Best Australian TV Performer – Supernaut
- Best Cover Design – Straight in a Gay Gay World (Skyhooks)
- Contribution to Australian Pop Industry – Johnny O'Keefe
- Most Popular Australian Album – Howzat (Sherbet)[15][25]
- Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet[15][25]
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Howzat" (Sherbet)[15][25]
- Most Popular New Group – Supernaut
- Most Popular New Talent – Mark Holden
1977
Performer: Mark Holden[29]
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — Daryl Braithwaite[6][25] (Sherbet)
- Queen of Pop — Marcia Hines[6][29]
- Australian Record of the Year — "Help Is on Its Way" (Little River Band)[30]
- Best Australian International Performers – Little River Band[30]
- Best Australian Record Producer – Peter Dawkins
- Best Australian Songwriter – Glenn Shorrock
- Best Australian TV Performer – The Ferrets on Countdown
- Best Cover Design – Trees (Doug Ashdown)
- Most Popular Australian Album – Photoplay (Sherbet)[25]
- Most Popular Australian Country Musician – Slim Dusty
- Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet[25]
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Magazine Madonna" (Sherbet)[25]
- Most Popular New Group — Dragon
- Most Popular New Talent – John St Peeters
1978
Ceremony details: Held on 13 October 1978,[31][32] hosted by Glenn Shorrock, guest presenters: Kate Bush,[31] Leif Garrett[32]
Award winners:[3]
- King of Pop — John Paul Young[6][33]
- Queen of Pop – Marcia Hines[6][33]
- Australian Record of the Year — "Reminiscing" (Little River Band)
- Best Australian Record Producer – Harry Vanda & George Young
- Best Australian Songwriter – Harry Vanda & George Young
- Best Australian TV Performer – Skyhooks "Hotel Hell" on Nightmoves and Little River Band "Help Is on Its Way" on Paul Hogan Show
- Best Cover Design – Peter Ledger for the album cover of The Angels' Face to Face
- Most Popular Australian Album – Sleeper Catcher (Little River Band)
- Most Popular Australian Country Musician – Slim Dusty
- Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet[25]
- Most Popular Australian Single – "Love Is in the Air" (John Paul Young)
- Most Popular New Group — The Sports
- Most Popular New Talent – Paul O'Gorman
- Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music Industry – Nightmoves (Australian TV series)
- Outstanding Local Achievement – Dragon
1979–1980: TV Week/Countdown Music Awards
| TV Week / Countdown Music Awards | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Presented by | TV Week, Countdown |
| First awarded | 1980 (for 1979 works) |
| Last awarded | 1981 (for 1980 works) |
Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987,[5] it presented music awards from 1979–1987,[4] initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week which had sponsored the previously existing 'King of Pop' Awards.[1] The TV Week/Countdown Rock Music Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.[3]
The award year below relates to the year of achievement and not the year they were presented.[34]
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'.[1][35] 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".[35][36] Various music industry personalities explained the categories, announced nominees and presented the 1979 awards.[35][36] '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.[35] Industry awards were voted for by radio programme directors, rock magazine editors and journalists.[35] Presenters included Darryl Cotton, Richard Gower (Racey), John O'Keefe (son of Johnny O'Keefe), John Farnham, Colleen Hewett, Graeme Strachan, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, and Harry Casey (KC & the Sunshine Band).[35]
Award winners and nominees:[3][4][34][35][36]
- Best Australian Album
- Best Australian Single
- "Computer Games" – Mi-Sex
- "Lonesome Loser" – Little River Band
- "The Nips Are Getting Bigger" – Mental As Anything
- "Computer Games" – Mi-Sex
- Best New Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Memorial Award)
- Mi-Sex
- Christie Allen
- Mental As Anything
- Mi-Sex
- Best Recorded Songwriter
- Terry Britten – "He's My Number One" by Christie Allen
- Beeb Birtles & Graeham Goble – "I'm Coming Home" by Birtles & Goble
- Don Walker – "Choirgirl" by Cold Chisel
- Terry Britten – "He's My Number One" by Christie Allen
- Countdown Producers Award (for continued co-operation, enthusiasm and professionalism)[34]
- The Angels
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- Little River Band
- Mike Brady
- John English
- The Sports
- Little River Band
- Best Australian Producer
- Peter Dawkins – Graffiti Crimes for Mi-Sex
- Best Australian Record Cover Design
- Most Popular Album or Single
- "Computer Games" – Mi-Sex
- "Goosebumps" – Christie Allen
- "Up There Cazaly" – Two Man Band
- "Computer Games" – Mi-Sex
- Most Popular Female Performer
- Most Popular Group
- Most Popular Male Performer
- Best Disc Jockey (winners only, by State)
- Ian McCray 2SM Sydney, New South Wales
- Wayne Roberts 4BK Brisbane, Queensland
- Steve Curtis 5AD Adelaide, South Australia
- Jim Franklin 7HT Hobart, Tasmania
- Greg Evans 3XY Melbourne, Victoria
- Lionel Yorke 6 pm Perth, Western Australia
1980
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.[38] Presenters included: Lee Simons, Donnie Sutherland, Marc Hunter, James Freud, Graham Russell, Russell Hitchcock and David Tickle.[38] Performers were: Split Enz "History Never Repeats",[39] Flowers "Icehouse",[40] 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".[38] Cold Chisel performed the last live number, "My Turn to Cry", to close the show and then trashed their instruments and the set.[5][7][38] Sponsors TV Week withdrew their support for the awards and Countdown held its own awards ceremonies thereafter.[1] 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:[3][4][34][38]
- Best Australian Album
- Best Single Record
- "I Got You" – Split Enz
- "Downhearted" – Australian Crawl
- "State of the Heart" – Mondo Rock
- "I Got You" – Split Enz
- Best New Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Memorial Award)
- Flowers (later called Icehouse)
- Most Outstanding Achievement (for excellence in the presentation or production of Australian rock music by an individual performer, group or group member)[34]
- Cold Chisel
- Air Supply
- Split Enz
- Cold Chisel
- Best Recorded Song Writer
- Don Walker – Cold Chisel
- Iva Davies – Flowers/Icehouse
- Neil Finn – Split Enz
- Don Walker – Cold Chisel
- Best Australian Producer
- Mark Opitz – East by Cold Chisel
- Cameron Allan
- Peter Dawkins
- Mark Opitz – East by Cold Chisel
- Best Australian Record Cover Design
- East – Cold Chisel
- The Boys Light Up – Australian Crawl
- Icehouse – Flowers
- True Colours – Split Enz
- East – Cold Chisel
- Most Popular Female
- Christie Allen[37]
- Annalise Morrow (The Numbers)
- Lynda Nutter (The Dugites)
- Christie Allen[37]
- Most Popular Group
- Cold Chisel
- Australian Crawl
- Split Enz
- Cold Chisel
- Most Popular Male Performer
- James Reyne (Australian Crawl)[15]
- Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel)
- Jon English
- James Reyne (Australian Crawl)[15]
- Most Popular Record
- East – Cold Chisel
- The Boys Light Up – Australian Crawl
- True Colours – Split Enz
- East – Cold Chisel
- Best Disc Jockey (winners only, by State)
- Ian McCray 2SM Sydney, New South Wales
- Wayne Roberts 4BK Brisbane, Queensland
- Steve Curtis 5AD Adelaide, South Australia
- Jim Franklin 7HT Hobart, Tasmania
- Greg Evans 3XY Melbourne, Victoria
- Garry Shannon 6 pm Perth, West Australia
1981–1986: Countdown Australian Music Awards then latter and Video Awards
| Countdown Music and Video Awards | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Presented by | Countdown |
| First awarded | 1982 (for 1981 works) |
| Last awarded | 1987 (for 1986 works) |
Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987,[15] it presented music awards from 1979–1987,[4] initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week which had sponsored the previously existing 'King of Pop' Awards.[1] After Cold Chisel performed at the 1980 awards ceremony, and then trashed their instruments and the set,[38] sponsors TV Week withdrew their support and Countdown held its own awards ceremonies until the 1986 awards which were broadcast in 1987.[1] The awards ceremony was co-produced by Carolyn James (a.k.a. Carolyn Bailey) during 1981–1984 in collaboration with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA),[41][42][43] 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'.[44] From 1987 ARIA instituted its own entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards.[8]
The award year below relates to the year of achievement and not the year they were presented.[34]
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.[45] Performers were: Men at Work, Sharon O'Neill, Renée Geyer, Mental As Anything, Billy Field, Mondo Rock and the Divinyls.[45]
Award winners and nominees:[4][34][45][46]
- Best Australian Album
- Best Australian Single
- "If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?" – Mental As Anything[15]
- "Boys in Town" – The Divinyls
- "Cool World" – Mondo Rock
- "Down Under" – Men at Work
- "If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?" – Mental As Anything[15]
- Best Australian Songwriter
- Eric McCusker – Mondo Rock
- Billy Field
- Tim Finn – Split Enz
- Eric McCusker – Mondo Rock
- Best Debut Album
- Business as Usual – Men at Work[15]
- Bad Habits – Billy Field
- Business as Usual – Men at Work[15]
- Best Debut Single
- "Who Can It Be Now?" – Men at Work[15]
- "Boys in Town" – The Divinyls
- "Who Can It Be Now?" – Men at Work[15]
- Best New Talent
- Men at Work
- The Divinyls
- Moving Pictures
- Men at Work
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- Air Supply[15]
- Best Australian Producer
- Peter Dawkins[47]
- Peter McIan
- Mark Moffatt
- Peter Dawkins[47]
- Most Popular Female
- Sharon O'Neill
- Renee Geyer
- Marcia Hines
- Sharon O'Neill
- Most Popular Group
- Australian Crawl[15]
- Men at Work
- Split Enz
- Australian Crawl[15]
- Most Popular Male Performer
- James Reyne (Australian Crawl)[15]
- Billy Field (solo)
- Neil Finn (Split Enz)
- James Reyne (Australian Crawl)[15]
- Most Consistent Live Act
- Cold Chisel
- The Angels
- Mental As Anything
- Midnight Oil
- Mondo Rock
- Cold Chisel
1982
Ceremony details: Held on 19 April 1983.[48] 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:[4][34][48]
- Best Australian Album
- Best Australian Producer
- Best Debut Album
- Best Debut Single
- "Solid Rock" – Goanna
- Best Single Record
- Best Song Writer was presented by Tim Finn..
- Best New Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Memorial Award)
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- Men at Work
- Most Popular Female
- Most Popular Group
- Split Enz
- Most Popular International Act
- Most Popular Male Performer
Nominees included: The Angels, Moving Pictures, Goanna, Jo Kennedy, Divinyls, Eurogliders, Rose Tattoo, Split Enz, The Reels, Icehouse, Men at Work, Skyhooks.[48]
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.[50] 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".[50] 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!".[50]
Award winners and nominees:[4][34][50][51]
- Best Australian Album
- Escapade – Tim Finn
- Desperate – Divinyls
- Cargo – Men at Work
- Creatures of Leisure – Mental as Anything
- The Pleasure of Your Company – Models
- Escapade – Tim Finn
- Best Single
- "Power and the Passion" – Midnight Oil
- "Rain" – Dragon
- "Fraction too Much Friction" – Tim Finn
- "Original Sin" – INXS
- "I Hear Motion" – Models
- "Come Said the Boy" – Mondo Rock
- "Power and the Passion" – Midnight Oil
- Best Debut Album
- Heartland – Real Life
- The Expression – The Expression
- Live at the Wireless – JJJ
- Heartland – Real Life
- Best Debut Single
- "Bop Girl" – Pat Wilson
- "Australiana" – Austen Tayshus
- "Change in Mood" – Kids in the Kitchen
- "Listening" – Pseudo Echo
- "Send Me an Angel" – Real Life
- "Bop Girl" – Pat Wilson
- Best Promotional Video
- Tim Finn's "Fraction too Much Friction" – Richard Lowenstein
- The Expression's "With Closed Eyes"
- Mental as Anything's "Spirit Got Lost"
- Midnight Oil's "Power and the Passion"
- Pat Wilson's "Bop Girl"
- Tim Finn's "Fraction too Much Friction" – Richard Lowenstein
- Best Record Producer of the Year
- Mark Moffatt and Ricky Fataar for work with Tim Finn, Renée Geyer, Pat Wilson
- Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop for work with Machinations, Reels, and Mental as Anything
- Charles Fisher for work with Moving Pictures, Hoodoo Gurus, The Expression
- Mark Opitz for work with Australian Crawl, INXS, Divinyls
- Mark Moffatt and Ricky Fataar for work with Tim Finn, Renée Geyer, Pat Wilson
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- Most Promising New Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Award)
- Real Life
- Kids in the Kitchen
- Pseudo Echo
- Real Life
- Songwriter of the Year
- Tim Finn
- Colin Hay
- Eric McCusker
- Tim Finn
- Special Achievement
- Michael Jackson for services to entertainment
- Austen Tayshus for "Australiana"
- Most Popular Female
- Most Popular Group
- Australian Crawl
- INXS
- Men at Work
- Split Enz
- Australian Crawl
- Most Popular International Act
- Most Popular Male Performer
- Tim Finn (solo)
1984
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 (Eurogliders), Julian Lennon, Jenny Morris, Sean Kelly and James Freud (Models), Alan Johnson and Danny Simcic (Real Life), Suzanne Dowling (Rock Arena TV show host).[52] INXS won seven awards and closed with a live performance of "Burn for You", dressed in Akubras (hats) and Drizabones (outdoor coats/oilskin jackets).[6][52]
Award winners and nominees:[4]
- Best Album
- The Swing – INXS
- Best Debut Album
- Best Debut Single
- "Trust Me" – I'm Talking
- Best Female Performance in a Video
- Sharon O'Neill
- Best Group Performance in a Video
- "Burn for You" – INXS
- Best Male Performance in a Video
- Jimmy Barnes
- Best Producer
- Best Promotional Video
- Mental As Anything's "Apocalypso" – B Sharp Productions
- INXS's "Burn for You" – Richard Lowenstein
- Best Single
- Best Songwriter
- Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence (INXS)
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- INXS
- Most Popular Australian Group
- INXS
- Most Popular Female Performer
- Sharon O'Neill
- Most Popular International Act
- Duran Duran
- Most Popular Male Performer
- Michael Hutchence (INXS)
- Most Promising Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Memorial Award)
1985
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 (Eurogliders), Rick Mayall and Ben Elton (The Young Ones), 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.[53][54] 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?".[54] At the awards ceremony fans of INXS and Uncanny X-Men scuffled and as a result ARIA decided to hold their own awards,[43] which were the entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards first held in 1987.[8]
- Best Album
- Fundamentals – Mental As Anything
- Best Debut Album
- Domestic Harmony – Do-Ré-Mi
- Best Debut Single
- "Man Overboard" – Do-Ré-Mi
- Best Female Performance in a Video
- "Power" – Sharon O'Neill
- Best Group Performance in a Video
- "Live it Up" – Mental As Anything
- Best Male Performance in a Video
- "Working Class Man" – Jimmy Barnes
- Best Producer
- Mark Opitz
- Best Video
- INXS's "What You Need" – Richard Lowenstein and Lyn-Marie Milbourn
- Best Single
- "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" – Models
- "Live it Up" – Mental As Anything
- Best Songwriter
- Greedy Smith (Mental As Anything) – "Live it Up"
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- Bob Geldof – Oz for Africa
- INXS
- Most Popular Australian Group
- INXS
- Uncanny X-Men
- INXS
- Most Popular Female Performer
- Sharon O'Neill
- Most Popular International Act
- Duran Duran
- Madonna
- Duran Duran
- Most Popular Male Performer
- Tim Finn
- Brian Mannix
- Tim Finn
- Most Promising Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Memorial Award)
- Do-Ré-Mi
1986
Ceremony details: Held on 19 July 1987 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre; it followed the last regular Countdown show.[6][55] It was hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum who revealed his bald head in imitation of Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil.[5][6][55] Performers included: Icehouse "Crazy",[40] Angry Anderson "Suddenly",[56] Mental As Anything "He's Just No Good",[57] Boom Crash Opera "City Flat", John Farnham "You're the Voice" and English pop group, Swing Out Sister "Breakout".[58][59]
By the time of the last Countdown award ceremony, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) had already instituted its own entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards,[8] with its first ceremony held on 2 March 1987 at the Sheraton Wentworth Hotel in Sydney.[60] Elton John was the host but the ARIAs were not televised with presenters including Basia Bonkowski, Slim Dusty and Donnie Sutherland.[60]
- Best Album
- Best Debut Album
- Best Debut Single
- Best Female Performance in a Video
- Best Group Performance in a Video
- Best Male Performance in a Video
- "You're the Voice" – John Farnham[58]
- Best Producer
- Best Video
- Best Single
- "You're the Voice" – John Farnham[58]
- Best Songwriter
- Most Outstanding Achievement
- Whispering Jack – John Farnham[58]
- Most Popular Australian Group
- Most Popular Female Performer
- Most Popular International Act
- Most Popular Male Performer
- Most Promising Talent (Johnny O'Keefe Memorial Award)
Notes
- 'Best Female Artist' Allison Durbin was popularly called 'Queen of Pop',[1][3][10][16] however the first official 'Queen of Pop' was Colleen Hewett in 1972.
- 'Outstanding Newcomer' award was called 'Best New Talent' from 1972. Redfern won the TV Week Logie Award for 'Best New Talent' in 1972 for his performance at the 1971 King of Pop Awards and as an original member of Young Talent Time, Redfern signed a touring/recording contract with guest presenter Liberace.[18][20]
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- Jon Stratton -"Jews, Race and Popular Music " 1351561693 2017 "The King and Queen of Pop awards were voted by the readers of TV Week. The King of Pop award started in 1967 and the Queen in 1972. They ran through to 1978."
- Billboard - 13 Nov 1971 - Page 60 SYDNEY— Singer Johnny Farnham crowned Australia's "King of Pop" for his third successive year. His "coronation," which climaxed the V/i hour television spectacular, "T.V. Week — King of Pop Awards," was attended by Liberace, Elton John, Mark Wynter, Anna Neagle and Derek Nimmo. There were few surprises in the announcement of the other section winners, with Tempo's Daddy Cool winning awards for best group and best single, "Eagle Rock," and Russel Morris taking ...
- Billboard - 8 Feb 1975 - Page 62 JAMIE REDFERN Another former "Young Talent Time" regular, Jamie won this year's "King of Pop" award. Has toured America with Liberace and has been awarded platinum records for his first two L.P.'s with his latest "Hitch A Ride On A Smile" also headed for Gold.
- Parliamentary Papers - Page 92 Australia. Parliament - 1978 - The producer of Countdown, Paul Drane, won a TV Week "King of Pop" award for his direction of a studio segment involving the group Supernaught. The program was awarded four gold records by commercial recording companies in recognition of its contribution to the
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