Kylie Minogue’s gold hotpants, Angus Young’s school uniform and one of Molly Meldrum’s cowboy hats are among exhibits at a new museum showcasing Australian music history.
Also in the collection are a school tunic worn by Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett, a notebook used by rocker Nick Cave and posters for iconic local acts including AC/DC, Split Enz and Skyhooks.
The Australian Music Vault, which opens on Tuesday, is a permanent exhibition celebrating local contemporary music at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Entry is free.
One of AC/DC guitarist Angus Young’s mid 1970s school uniforms at the Australian Music Vault
AC/DC guitarist Angus Young pictured in one of his school uniforms in California in 2016
Singer Kylie Minogue in her gold hotpants filming the Spinning Around video in 2000
Kylie Minogue’s gold hotpants from her Spinning Around video at the Australian Music Vault
Likened to a music hall of fame, the vault has Minogue, Meldrum, singer Archie Roach and entrepreneur Michael Gudinksi among its founding patrons.
Much of the memorabilia on show has been donated by the artists themselves.
The vault features items from Cold Chisel, Men At Work, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, John Farnham, The Go-Betweens, Yothu Yindi, Silverchair and The Saints.
Also represented are Tina Arena, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny O’Keefe, The Seekers, Daddy Cool, Jessica Mauboy, Dami Im, Radio Birdman, Spiderbait, Urthboy, Missy Higgins and Courtney Barnett.
Rather than items being grouped chronologically or by genre, the vault will feature rotating themed content profiling the contributions of as many performers as possible.
Chrissy Amphlett of the Divinyls performs at Subiaco Oval in 1987; photograph by Bob King
A schoolgirl’s tunic worn by lead singer Chrissy Amphlett of the Divinyls in the late 1980s
Australian music legend Molly Meldrum pictured in one of his trademark felt hats in 1984
One of music guru Molly Meldrum’s signed hats at the Australian Music Vault in Melbourne
One of the themes has been dubbed The Real Thing and will explore the ‘Australian voice’ by ‘looking at musical influences, lyric composition and the impact of performance venues on the Australian “sound”.’
One display will explore Punk/New Wave, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of punk, focusing on Australian performers, venues, recording, distribution and music publishing from 1977 to 1985.
The collection is part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Australian Performing Arts Collection, which documents the nation’s music, dance, theatre, opera and circus heritage.
Established in 1975, the collection consists of more than 600,000 items including costumes, designs, programs, photographs, posters, personal memorabilia and archival material.
Costume worn by singer Kylie Minogue for In Your Eyes video, 2002; picture by Jeremy Dillon
A notebook used by Australian rocker Nick Cave from 1984-85 at the Australian Music Vault
A playlist singlet worn by Paul Stewart, frontman of Painters and Dockers, about 1987
Minogue said she was honoured to be one of the vault’s inaugural patrons along with Meldrum, Gudinski and Roach and was thrilled it was in her home town.
‘Music has been and continues to be a huge part of my life,’ Minogue said. ‘Music allows us to tell our stories, to share experiences, shape who we are and form memories that stay with us forever.
‘Being from Melbourne, I know how integral and ingrained music is when looking at what makes up the fabric of Melbourne.
‘It’s a fundamental part of what makes Melbourne tick and is one of the essential ingredients as to why we have such a fantastic city.
‘The Australian Music Vault is a wonderful way to celebrate all that is great about Australian music and I’m sure it will not only be a trip down memory lane but also a way to introduce the rich history of music in this country to a whole new generation.’
A poster for AC/DC’s Lock up Your Daughters Summer Vacation Tour from 1976
A poster for Sunbury Festival in 1972 designed by John Retska in the Australian Music Vault
A poster for the Split Enz album Corroboree from 1981 at the Australian Music Vault
Gudinski, who founded Mushroom Records in 1972 and has signed acts including Minogue, Skyhooks, Split Enz and Eskimo Joe, said the vault was long overdue.
‘Australian music has created and underpinned some of the great moments in our nation’s history,’ he said.
‘From the political to the celebratory, the power and influence of music on our culture is undeniable.
‘Creating a permanent home to honour our rich and diverse music landscape has been a passion of mine for many years and I’m so proud that the Australian Music Vault will be housed in Australia’s undisputed music capital, Melbourne.’
The Victorian Government has put $8.3 million towards the vault, according to the state’s Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley.
Johnny O’Keefe on stage at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1964; picture by Laurie Richards
Acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly on stage; picture by Kathleen O’Brien
Melbourne trio The Living End performing at the Public Bar in 1996; picture by Shellie Tonkin
‘Australia has a proud contemporary music history and a proud live music culture, especially here in Victoria,’ Mr Foley said. ‘This is an important part of who we are and it’s something to celebrate.
‘Whether it’s Paul Kelly or Kylie Minogue, The Seekers or [guitarist and songwriter] Rowland S Howard, musicians are our storytellers and provide the narrative and soundtrack to our lives and collective experience.’
‘The Australian Music Vault will bring all this to life, telling the stories of Australian music through the people and events who have shaped it and drawing on Arts Centre Melbourne’s extraordinary, internationally significant collection of music treasures.
‘This project has been a long time coming, championed by many in our music industry, and we are pleased to be bringing it to life.’
Split Enz pictured backstage during the New Zealand band’s Courting The Act tour in 1976
You Am I’s frontman Tim Rogers on stage at The Forum in 1999; picture by Shellie Tonkin
The Angels frontman Doc Neeson in the Australian Music Vault; picture by Kathleen O’Brien
Among the most popular items in the collection will no doubt be the gold hotpants Minogue wore in the video for her 2000 hit Spinning Around.
One of Angus Young’s school uniforms – a fashion he first adopted on stage in 1974 – is also set to be a hit with visitors, as is I Touch Myself singer Chrissy Amphlett’s navy school tunic, which she wore with suspenders and stockings.
Other highlights in the vault are Peter Allen’s maracas, Dami Im’s Eurovision dress, Paul Kelly’s handwritten lyrics for To Her Door and Harry Vanda of The Easybeats’ guitar.
The vault will be launched on Monday, the day before it opens to the public, at a function to be attended by Minogue, Meldrum and Gudinski.
Other artists due at the launch include Tina Arena, Courtney Barnett, Kram, Mark Holden, Bliss n Eso, Rebecca Barnard and Normie Rowe.
A poster for Australian folk rock group Goanna’s classic 1982 album Spirit of Place