Over the course of his career, he collected more gold and platinum albums than any other Australian artist.
Dusty not only recorded songs written by himself and other fellow Australian performers, but also recorded classic Australian poems by Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson with new tunes, to call attention to the old 'Bush Ballads.' An example is The Man from Snowy River by Paterson.
In 1970, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music. In 1971 he won Best Single at the Australian Country Music Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival (Slim's wife Joy McKean won Song of the Year as writer of the song for which he won best single). In all, he won a record 35 "Golden Guitars" over the years.
He died at home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 after a protracted battle with cancer, at age 76.
The Slim Dusty Story started back in the 1940s on a remote dairy farm in the hills behind Kempsey, NSW, when a 10-year-old boy dreamed of being a country music singer. His name was David Gordon Kirkpatrick... he called himself "Slim Dusty" and began to live that dream.
But even the most optimistic farm boy would never have imagined the life that was to unfold... a life that would establish Slim as the voice of the nation, the chronicler of Australian history in song.
Slim managed to hold on to those early visions of writing and singing about the bush because during his lengthy career, he always stayed in touch with his audience. And he did this in a very real and meaningful way, so much so that his fans would feel that Slim was one of their mates and his songs "just a good yarn you might hear from a mate at the pub, around a campfire in the bush or at a back yard barbie".
He described his music as "songs about real Australians... "I have to be fair dinkum with my audience. I can't see any other way of doing it," he said. "You have to believe in what you are singing about."
Slim Dusty was the first Australian to have a number one hit record and the only Australian to ever receive a 78rpm Gold Record (for A Pub With No Beer in 1958)...
He was the first Australian to have an international record hit and the first singer in the world to have his voice beamed to earth from space (astronauts Bob Crippen and John Young played Slim's recording of Waltzing Matilda from the space shuttle "Columbia" as it passed over Australia back in 1983).
During an amazingly successful career spanning over six decades, Slims' continued popularity saw him rewarded with more Gold and Platinum Awards for sales of his singles, eight-tracks, cassettes, CD's, videos and DVDs... more than any other Australian artist!
He received an unequaled 37 Golden Guitar Awards, two ARIA's (Australian Recording Industry Association awards), inductions into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown.
Slim was recognized for his long time services to Australian entertainment with an MBE and an Order of Australia. In 1999, Prime Minister John Howard named Slim Dusty Australia's Father of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year. There were many other awards and honors... too many to name here!
Dusty died at his home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 at the age of 76, after a protracted battle with cancer.
Answer to the Pub With No Beer
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the campfire at night, where the wild dingoes call
But there's nothing so lonesome, so morbid or drear
Than to stand in a bar, of a pub with no beer
Now the publicans anxious, for the quota to come
There's a faraway look, on the face of the bum
The maids gone all cranky , and the cooks acting queer
What a terrible place, is a pub with no beer
He breasts up to the bar, pulls a wad from his coat
But the smile on has face, quickly turns to a sneer
When the barman said sadly, the pubs got no beer
There's a dog on the v'randah, for his master he waits
But the boss is inside, drinking wine with his mates
He hurries for cover, and cringes with fear
Its no place for a dog, round a pub with no beer
Old Billy the blacksmith, first time in his life
Has gone home cold sober, to his darling wife
He walks in the kitchen, she says your early my dear
But he breaks down and tells her, the pubs got no beer
The lyrics to Slim Dusty's song Pub With No Beer tell a story of despair and disappointment that can be found in the absence of a beloved social gathering place. The first verse sets the scene of being away from family and in the outback, where the only companion is the sound of wild dingoes. The following verse accentuates the aforementioned despair and shows the anxiety of the publican who awaits the alcohol quota's delivery to the pub. The impersonation of the staff, with the maids going cranky and the cook acting strange, adds to the general climate of unease. The song continues to demonstrate how even the stockman, who comes to the pub with a wad of cash in his pocket and a dry, dusty throat, is left with disappointment when the pub has no beer to offer. The dog waiting outside the pub for his master and the disappointed blacksmith, who had decided to visit the pub sober and had to face the reality of not being able to enjoy his usual drink, round off a powerful story of how one missing ingredient can ruin an experience completely.
The song's lyrics conjure up feelings of isolation and desperation that come with the absence of something many believe to be an essential feature of Australian social life. The song's melancholic tone and Dusty's powerful voice make for a powerful and emotive story. The song was first recorded by Slim Dusty in August 1957 and remains his most popular and most famous song. Pub With No Beer has become an iconic song in the Australian pub culture, and it resonates with many Aussies who have experienced a similar situation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's lonesome away, from your kindred and all
Being away from family and loved ones can be lonely.
By the campfire at night, where the wild dingoes call
Being in the Australian outback can be peaceful and beautiful.
But there's nothing so lonesome, so morbid or drear
However, it's even worse to be in a bar with no beer.
Than to stand in a bar, of a pub with no beer
Not having any beer at a bar is a terrible experience.
Now the publicans anxious, for the quota to come
The pub owner is eagerly awaiting a delivery of beer.
There's a faraway look, on the face of the bum
The homeless man at the bar looks longingly at the empty glasses.
The maids gone all cranky , and the cooks acting queer
The staff are becoming irritable and strange without any alcohol.
What a terrible place, is a pub with no beer
The pub is a miserable place when there's no beer to be had.
Then the stockman rides up, with his dry dusty throat
A cattle rancher comes in with a parched mouth, looking for a beer.
He breasts up to the bar, pulls a wad from his coat
He gets excited to order a drink and pulls out a wad of cash.
But the smile on has face, quickly turns to a sneer
However, his excitement turns to disappointment when told there's no beer.
When the barman said sadly, the pubs got no beer
The bartender tells the cattle rancher there's no beer, but with sadness.
There's a dog on the v'randah, for his master he waits
A loyal dog waits outside for his owner.
But the boss is inside, drinking wine with his mates
But the owner is inside drinking wine with his friends, ignoring the dog.
He hurries for cover, and cringes with fear
The dog gets scared and tries to find a safe spot to hide.
Its no place for a dog, round a pub with no beer
The pub is not a place for anyone, especially a dog, when there's no beer available.
Old Billy the blacksmith, first time in his life
Billy the blacksmith is at the bar, and for the first time, he's not drunk.
Has gone home cold sober, to his darling wife
He goes back home sober to his loving wife.
He walks in the kitchen, she says your early my dear
His wife is surprised he's home early.
But he breaks down and tells her, the pubs got no beer
But he's upset because the bar had no beer, ruining his evening.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gordon Noel Parsons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SixtiesBobbie288
I first heard this and the others that go with it (Sequel and original) on 78's and still have the 78's. Loved them then and still do. I'm not a drinker but these songs show the real outback spirit that is missing from the cities.
@Jisil98
best singer songwriter and im a kid most kids listen to hip hop not me country boy I am
@martineharmsworth1092
One of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
@CammieInOz
Slim was a great artist and true gentleman, saw him at a concert at the opening of Olympic Park in 2000. Shame his wife was such a nasty thing. A group of fans were gathered at the gates when Slim was leaving the grounds. Joy pulled up in the 4 wheel drive and proceeded to angrily shout at the fans: "go away! He isn't signing autographs or coming to talk to any of you. Just go!" Beyond shocking
@Sawgrass68
Same for me. The old 78 speed in about 1975 or even a few years before that. Bloody Ripper. Gotta luv Slim.
@Ausmedjugorje
Bloody great song. RIP Slim. Enjoying music is like enjoying Chocolate. First get rid of the rappers.
@thomaslauffenberger5795
AMEN TO THAT!!!!
@karlcolt
A happy ending. A hero alwas saves the day. My tears have dryed now. SLIM, GOD BLESS YA MATE. Hope there ant any pubs with no beer in heaven, cus if there is i ant goin!
@thomaslauffenberger5795
Surely you've heard the song "In Heaven There Is No Beer"; don't try to find out too quickly, though! Besides, I'm sure there's something better...
@TOPEND75
YEP I'll second that!!