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Slim Dusty

Birth and Nationality

Slim Dusty, or David Gordon Kirkpatrick, whose career as a country singer, songwriter, and producer spanned seven decades, is no doubt Australia’s King of Country. He was born on June 13, 1927 in Kempsey, at Nulla Nulla Creek in New South Wales. Gordon was the last child of David and Mary Kirkpatrick. At a tender age, his liking for music already surfaced. When he reached eleven years old, he used Slim Dusty as his stage name.

Personal Life

In 1951, Slim Dusty married fellow country singer-songwriter Joy McKean. They were blessed with two children: Anne and David Kirkpatrick. In 1954, the couple popularized the Slim Dusty Travelling Show. For over fifty years, Slim Dusty’s wife served as his manager. Their children were also successful in the music industry.

Career and Recognitions

Slim Dusty wrote and recorded “When the Rain Tumbles Down in July” in 1945 at the age of 18. The following year, he signed a contract with Columbia Graphophone for the Regal Zonophone label. His song "A Pub with No Beer" was a hit in 1957, and turned to be the biggest selling record by an Australian. The same song was the first Australian song to go gold, and the one and only 78 rpm song to be given a gold disc.

Slim Dusty recorded more than a hundred of albums. It was in 2000 when he recorded and released his 100th album entitled “Looking Forward, Looking Back”. Further, he sold over seven million records and received more than seventy gold and platinum album recognitions. In 1999, he received the title of Australia’s Father of the Year. He was also voted by the public as an Australian Living Treasure.

Top Albums

The following Slim Dusty albums made it to Australia’s top 100 charts:

1958: A Pub With No Beer

� � � � � �The Answer To a Pub With No Beer

� � � � � � Sequel To a Pub With No Beer

1961: �Boomerang

1971: �Darwin (Big Heart of the North)

1974: �Lights on the Hill

� � � � � � The Biggest Disappointment

1975: The Melbourne Cup

1980: Duncan

1981: Country Revival

1983: The Pub That Doesn't Sell Beer

1987: �We've Done Us Proud

1988: �G'day G'day

Death

Slim Dusty battled with cancer and died at the age of 76 on September 19, 2003. A state funeral was held on September 26, 2003 at the Saint Andrew Cathedral.