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.
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Slim Dusty Lyrics
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In Yarrawonga I'll linger longer
I'm goin' back again to Yarrawonga
Where the skies are always blue
And when I'm back again in Yarrawonga
I'll soon be stronger, then over hunger
You can have all your Tennessee and Caroline
I'm gonna get some lovin' from that mammy of mine
To the land of the kangaroo
These lyrics from Slim Dusty's song "I'm Going Back Again to Yarrawonga" depict a longing to return to a place called Yarrawonga. Yarrawonga holds a special significance to the singer, as they express a desire to linger longer in this place. The repetition of the phrase "I'm going back again to Yarrawonga" emphasizes their strong intention to return.
The lyrics convey a sense of comfort and happiness associated with Yarrawonga. The line "where the skies are always blue" suggests that this place brings joy and positivity to the singer's life. Yarrawonga is portrayed as a sanctuary, perhaps offering a respite from the challenges and difficulties faced elsewhere.
The lyrics also touch on the singer's anticipation of reconnecting with someone referred to as "that mammy of mine." This suggests a strong emotional bond or affection towards this person. The singer expresses excitement at the prospect of receiving love and care from this individual upon their return to Yarrawonga.
The mention of Tennessee and Caroline serves as a comparison to Yarrawonga. By stating "You can have all your Tennessee and Caroline," the lyricist suggests that no other place can rival the love and affection they will find in Yarrawonga. It implies that Yarrawonga holds unique qualities, perhaps in terms of relationships or a sense of belonging.
Overall, these lyrics capture the yearning to go back to a beloved place where the skies are always blue, and love and warmth are abundant. The repetition and comparisons help emphasize the singer's deep connection and longing for Yarrawonga, portraying it as a place of solace and emotional fulfillment.
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@sencrowe680
This was my Grandad's favourite song
And when it was his birthday coming up
I went and learnt this whole song and how to play it on guitar.
So me and my mum drove up to his house and we said happy birthday and asked him to sit on the couch
And I proceed to play this song
He cried with tears of joy and I'll never forget that
Usually it's the granddad trying to make the kids smile and have a good time
But he was very old and I loved hanging out with him and hearing his stories and eating some kangaroo Sausages together
Every year at the 7th of June I play this song again to remember him and wish him a happy birthday even if he isn't around anymore
I miss you GrandDad
I hope you and Max and Nanna are happy wherever you are
Really wish I could've met Nanna
@ahphodg260
I'm half Mexican half Australian m, my dad showed me this song when I was a kid. I remember him by listening to it.
Miss u dad.
@Daniel-cm4xb
YOUโRE GONE BUT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. RIP SLIM DUSTY TRUE AUSSIE
@drhkleinert3245
Now he is on the waltz for ever...But his Ghost may be heard as you passed by a billabong...
@stainlesssteelruler143
Lets we forget.
@tamika-taradimoulas6272
so sad
@SomeOrdinaryJanitor
@Mark Thompson You're Aren't
@baileygreen2324
He was true blue
@PontifexByzantinus
My great grandfather was a WWI Australian Digger who fought at Gallipoli. Proud of my Aussie heritage!
@N0lukc
Thanks for his service. If it weren't for Australian soldiers in the Far East and parts of the Pacific, we might have lost wwii, thank you to any aussie vet reading this.
@SH-lm6ek
Gallipoli was brutal, my Great Uncle was in the Scottish Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, they fought at Gallipoli along side the Aussies.
Sadly my Great Uncle died from his wounds at the Battle of Ypres, he was conscripted at age 24 and never made it home