Redgum

Inducted 29 July 2018

Redgum was formed in 1975 when three Flinders University students, John Schumann (guitar & vocals), Michael Atkinson (guitar & vocals) and Verity Truman (flute & vocals) collaborated for a musical assessment piece. The trio quickly gained fame around the university community for their forthright songs, and by 1976 had been joined by violinist Chris Timms (violin) and Hugh McDonald (fiddle). On the first album, ‘If You Don’t Fight You Lose’ (1978), Redgum revealed its strong, enduring focus on social and political issues with songs such as ‘One More Boring Night in Adelaide’.

The group's national success grew with the release of each album - ‘Virgin Ground’ (1980), ‘Brown Rice And Kerosine’ (1981) and the Extended Play ‘Cut To The Quick’ (1982).  During this time the band experienced several line-up changes.  1983 brought the commercial high-point of Redgum’s career with the live album ‘Caught In The Act’ peaking at #5 nationally and the number one single ‘I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)’. The song is in the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) list of Top 30 All Time Best Australian Songs.

In June, 1984 the band released their fourth album, ‘Frontline’ containing the classic single ‘I've Been to Bali Too’, both reaching the Top Twenty.  The band toured folk venues in the UK and Europe. Late in 1985, Schumann left the band, having signed a solo contract with CBS Records. A final Redgum album, ‘Midnight Sun’, was released in 1986 and a single, ‘Roll It On Robbie’, in 1987. The remaining members continued performing until 1990, before disbanding.  Redgum are remembered as a quintessentially Australian group, whose original material has left an indelible mark on the national conscience.