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Australia’s Role in Rock ’n’ Roll
The land down under has produced its share of rockers
Australia, like Great Britain, had already developed a love for American rock ’n’ roll in the 1950s and early 1960s.
When the Beatles invaded the United States in 1964, it was just one country in the Fab Four’s conquest of the entire world of popular music. In fact, the Beatles toured Australia exactly two months prior to arriving in the U.S., so Beatlemania struck the Aussies before the Americans.
Before the Beatles, Australia had its share of homegrown rockers, but Australian rock ’n’ roll (referred to as “Oz rock” or “Aussie rock”) really took off in the mid to late 1960s. As a result, Australia spawned musical performers who eventually made a name for themselves well beyond the land down under.
With respect for the many performers who primarily achieved popularity within their own country, here, in alphabetical order, are some of Australia’s rockers who have become internationally known.
AC/DC
AC/DC was formed in Sydney in late 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. The name originated from “Alternating Current/Direct Current” electricity and was intended to relate to the raw energy and electric performances the band would become known for. In Australia, the…
