Robert Stigwood to be inducted into SA Hall of Fame

Adelaide-born international music, film and theatrical entrepreneur Robert Stigwood will be inducted into the South Australian Hall of Fame this month in London.

The Hall’s previous inductions were conducted in Adelaide. But Stigwood, now aged 81 and wheelchair-bound could not make the trip to Australia.

The ceremony is held on May 14 at Australia House in The Strand where the medallion will be presented by Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Todd.

Stigwood will be joined by 20 friends and relatives, some of whom are journeying from Australia. Representing the SA Hall of Fame is drummer Mick Morena, who founded the Adelaide Music Collective.

Stigwood moved to England in 1954, and went on to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in showbiz. He set up RSO Records and managed the Bee Gees and Cream. He also found great success with theatrical productions as Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair, and movies including Saturday Night Fever, Tommy, Gallipoli and Grease.

In the ‘60s, he merged his company with The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s NEMS company and almost took over management of The Beatles. But the Fab Four refused because they disliked him. According to legend, Paul McCartney threatened Epstein that if the deal went through, the next ten Beatles singles would be versions of God Save The Queen sung off-tune.

Meantime, future inductees to the SA Hall of Fame this year will include Kasey and Bill Chambers, singer songwriter Eric Bogle, the Moonshine Jug & String Band (who evolved into The Angels) and, posthumously, Doc Neeson and Stars songwriter Andrew Durant who died in May 1980 from cancer at 25.

The South Australian Government’s Stigwood Fellowship is named in his honour.

Applications for the second Fellowship Program have opened until Monday June 8.

The program has two parts. The Industry Fellows component targets music managers and artist representatives and includes a mentorship with Stuart MacQueen with Sydney entertainment company Wonderlick.

The Artist Fellows intend to help rising artists with what their career needs, including song writing, production, business skills, marketing and public relations, and attendance at conferences and high-level industry meetings.

Two of the inaugural Fellowship’s recipients in 2014, rapper Tkay Maidza and rock band Bad//Dreems, went on to greater Australian and global profile.Some other recipients are showcasing at the Great Escape festival in England this month.

Arts Minister Jack Snelling said, “The Fellowship program has provided some of our talented musicians and industry entrepreneurs an invaluable leg up in international markets. The next round of recipients will no doubt benefit from the experiences of the alumni.”

The State Government runs the program through the Music Development Office and Arts SA. An information session on the fellowship is held at St Paul’s Creative Centre in Adelaide on Thursday May 7 at 6.30pm.