Reg Lindsay

Reg Lindsay

Reg Lindsay (right, with guitar) and Joan Clarke on the Hour of Song radio program, 2UW Radio Theatre, Sydney (1954)
Background information
Birth name Reginald John Lindsay
Born (1929-07-07)7 July 1929
Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died 5 August 2008(2008-08-05) (aged 79)
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Australian country music
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, producer
Instruments Vocals, Guitar
Years active 1951–2008
Labels Rodeo Records, Festival Records
Con Brio Records
Website www.reglindsay.com.au

Reginald John Lindsay OAM (7 July 1929 – 5 August 2008) was an Australian country music singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and radio and television personality. He won three Golden Guitar Awards and wrote more than five hundred songs in his fifty-year music career.

Early years

Born in the Sydney suburb of Waverley in 1929, Reg Lindsay was two years of age when his father gave him a harmonica which he quickly mastered. He then learned how to play the banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle. His career ambition was to become a stockman but in 1951 he won a Sydney radio talent quest which launched his career as a singer-songwriter.[1] In a music career of over 50 years he wrote more than 500 songs and hosted various TV shows including The Reg Lindsay Country Hour in 1964 which ran for eight years, followed by his own TV program, Country Homestead, which ran for four years and earned him four Logie Awards.[2]

Honours

He became the first Australian to appear at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry in 1974 and is officially recognised with a plaque on Nashville's Walkway of Stars. He was winner of three Golden Guitar Awards and was inducted into Australia's Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977.[2]

In 1989 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia[3] for his services to Australian music.

He was best known for his song Armstrong, a tribute to the historic 1969 moon landing by American astronauts, particularly Neil Armstrong, which is now included in a time capsule at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.[4][5] The song was written by John Stewart, a member of The Kingston Trio, and gave Reg his first major hit, reaching No. 8 on the Australian Singles Chart in 1971. Also well known for July You're A Woman, Silence on the Line and Empty Arms Hotel, he recorded over 60 albums, six of which went gold.

Reg was well known for his support of numerous charities and appeared on many TV telethons to help raise money for various community organisations. He died of pneumonia on 5 August 2008 at Newcastle, New South Wales.[6] Coincidentally, this date is also the birthday of the subject of his most famous song: Neil Armstrong.

Personal life

He was married twice. His first wife was Heather McKean, whose sister Joy McKean married Slim Dusty and was the mother of Anne Kirkpatrick. He was survived by his second wife Roslyn Winfield, first wife Heather Mckean and his three daughters, Dianne, Sandra, Joanne and his grandchildren. Dianne Lindsay has continued in her father's footsteps in the music industry.[7]

Discography

Charting Singles

Year Title AUS
1966 They Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dog Around No. 90
1971 Armstrong No. 8
1973 Close The Door Lightly No. 98
1973 July You're a Woman No. 86
1975 Takin' a Chance No. 95
1976 Give me Liberty No. 91

References

  1. ↑ Reg Lindsay, Scone, NSW, National Portrait Gallery (Australia).
  2. 1 2 Duncan, Jamie: Reg Lindsay, country great, takes final bow, The Canberra Times, 6 August 2008.
  3. ↑ LINDSAY, Reginald John, It's an Honour (Australian Government honours database).
  4. ↑ Country music star Reg Lindsay dies, The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 August 2008.
  5. ↑ Reg Lindsay, country great, takes final bow, The Canberra Times, 6 August 2008.
  6. ↑ Obituary in The Age, 8 August 2008
  7. ↑ Country music veteran Reg Lindsay dies at age 79, The Australian, 6 August 2008
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