Tweet
In the mid-80's Melbourne sort-of exploded with street performance of all types, there were no rules and some truly astounding acts and personalities emerged.
One of those acts was "The Swinging Sidewalks" and all of us who worked the streets in that era remember these guys with awe.
Between 5 and 10 musicians would assemble in the infamous Bourke St Mall about 5pm on Fri. night and bring the city to a standstill. In a post-punk era they played "Swing" and danced their way into the hearts of Melbourne. Crowds of thousands blocked the streets long before we saw our first juggler on a unicycle. These guys could move, the guy playing double bass was like a combination of acrobat/sexual partner to his instrument, there was always a brass section dancing like a twenties film clip and the singer crooned in the best tradition.
Doug Kelly was the drummer.
The street thing only lasted about 2 seasons but the "Sidewalks went on to become a Melb. institution via a live-to-air radio program that was broadcast for years out of the "Prince of Wales" hotel, one of the city's favorite alternative venues. Doug quietly (if possible for a drummer) played as a session muso for half of Melbourne's music scene whilst retaining a facination for street performance.
In 2001, he took over as director of the "Yarraville Festival" (my local festival and one I had sworn off 10 years ago) and the 2002 event was turned from a very ordinary waste of money into an event I was proud to be involved in.
In 2003 he put together an even better program with subtle effects that will echo for years.
On Saturday March 27, Doug Kelly died after a short battle with cancer. He left a loving partner, two young kids and hundreds of friends whose lives would have been poorer had they not crossed with his.
Called to a bigger stage.
One of those acts was "The Swinging Sidewalks" and all of us who worked the streets in that era remember these guys with awe.
Between 5 and 10 musicians would assemble in the infamous Bourke St Mall about 5pm on Fri. night and bring the city to a standstill. In a post-punk era they played "Swing" and danced their way into the hearts of Melbourne. Crowds of thousands blocked the streets long before we saw our first juggler on a unicycle. These guys could move, the guy playing double bass was like a combination of acrobat/sexual partner to his instrument, there was always a brass section dancing like a twenties film clip and the singer crooned in the best tradition.
Doug Kelly was the drummer.
The street thing only lasted about 2 seasons but the "Sidewalks went on to become a Melb. institution via a live-to-air radio program that was broadcast for years out of the "Prince of Wales" hotel, one of the city's favorite alternative venues. Doug quietly (if possible for a drummer) played as a session muso for half of Melbourne's music scene whilst retaining a facination for street performance.
In 2001, he took over as director of the "Yarraville Festival" (my local festival and one I had sworn off 10 years ago) and the 2002 event was turned from a very ordinary waste of money into an event I was proud to be involved in.
In 2003 he put together an even better program with subtle effects that will echo for years.
On Saturday March 27, Doug Kelly died after a short battle with cancer. He left a loving partner, two young kids and hundreds of friends whose lives would have been poorer had they not crossed with his.
Called to a bigger stage.
Comment