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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-02-10 Daily Xml
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Matters of Interest

Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (16:00): I would like to take this opportunity to note the passing of Mr Robert Stigwood, an international music industry icon who was born in Adelaide and raised in Port Pirie, who moved to London in the 1960s to try his hand at artist management. He began with the band Cream and went on to manage its iconic guitarist Eric Clapton, kickstarting his solo career. He most famously steered the Bee Gees to disco superstardom with the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. He promoted iconic musicals, including Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, throughout Australia and produced films including Grease, Gallipoli and Evita.

Described by Andrew Lloyd Webber as a great showman, Stigwood certainly opened doors and shone the light on some of the world's leading musical talent. Music critic Bob Lefsetz, in his piece on Robert Stigwood, said:

It was easier back then, no-one knew anything, there were few music business attorneys and the hoi polloi had no access to Don Passman's book. You had to take it on faith, that this person unveiling this yarn could truly make you a star. Robert Stigwood could. And that's why who were there remember him.

In honour of the self-made entrepreneurial music giant and ex-South Australian, the Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program was launched in 2014. Proposed collaboratively by a team including Martin Elbourne, Thinker in Residence and author of The Elbourne Report, Becc Bates of the Music Development Office and Stu MacQueen of Wonderlick Entertainment, the program is run through the MDO and offers mentoring, tailored funding and invitations to industry conferences and workshops; it acts as a 'surrogate manager' for rising talent. The fellowships awarded annually provide personal and professional guidance and support in the development of musicians and industry entrepreneurs locally and globally.

There have been a number of successful Stigwood Artist Fellows to date, including emerging international star T-Kay Maidza who, along with Stigwood Fellow Timberwolf, scooped the South Australian Music Awards pool; punk legends in the making, The Grenadiers; festival favourite Jessie Davidson; and notable SA music award winners and nominees, Skies, Horror my Friend, L.K. McKay and Oisima.

In 2015, Robert Stigwood was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame and remembered for his incredible presence and achievements behind the scenes of those he promoted. In 2016, let's remember him by continuing to support the MDO in its tireless work by opening doors for young musicians and all those involved in the live music industry and acknowledge the magnitude to which South Australians can influence the world in business, music, art and vibrancy. In January 2014, Mr Stigwood wrote a letter to Premier Jay Weatherill which stated:

Dear Premier Weatherill, thank you for your letter regarding your plans for a Scholarship programme. It is very kind of you to think of me in such a prestigious way. When I first came to the UK I did not lose my heritage as a lad from Adelaide. I would be delighted if my name was used to support the initiative in line with your government's priorities. Adelaide in my youth we always regarded as a vibrant City even though I can't say that I complied with the 6pm closing laws in those days!

I would be delighted to give any co-operation you require and I am very happy to be able to do something for my home state. All good wishes, kind regards, Robert Stigwood.

I would like to acknowledge for their contribution to this piece Dan Crannitch, project manager, Robert Stigwood Fellowships; Jon Lemon, sound engineer extraordinaire; Karen Marsh and Becc Bates of the Music Development Office; and Bob Lefsetz. Vale Robert Stigwood.

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