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Bill Berry interviewed by Alex and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection [sound recording]
Bib ID 3101883
Format AudioAudio [sound recording]
Author
Berry, Bill, 1934-, Interviewer
 
Access Conditions Access open for research & personal copies; written permission required for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee. 
Description 2004 
2 digital audio tapes (ca. 124 min.) 
Series

Alex Hood folklore collection.

Summary

Folkloric recording. Bill Berry born in Redcliffe, Qld. in 1934 talks about his family background and how his grandmother was half French and half African; his sister Marie who was a singer in National Opera Company for 15 years; his ability to sing at an early age; his schooling; Herb McClintock and his marriage to sister Marie; the Eureka Youth League; living in Sydney and working; joining the New Theatre and the Unity Singers; meeting Chris Kempster and John Meredith; living with John Meredith for a time, at Heathcote and Meredith's interest in Aboriginal rock art and reptiles; the singing sessions at Heathcote; Brian Loughlin and Jack Barry; the "Ballad of 1891" and songs about bushrangers; 'Reedy River', New Theatre Production; the formation of The West Sydney Singers, under Ken Hanson and their repertoire; forming the 'Granville Rouseabouts' with Jamie Carlin; Cecil Grivas; The Rambleers; Bush Music Club; leaving Sydney for Queensland; 'The Moreton Bay Bushwhackers'; the 'Cavalcade', protesting against the testing of atomic weapons.

Berry speaks about meeting Claire Rudkin, his future wife in the Eureka Youth League; Don Henderson and his inspiration for songs, 'Fivepence a Bottle"; his marriage, children and divorce; his later marriage to artist Hilary Burn; learning songs; Shayna Carlin; Stan Arthur; Roger Holmes; becoming a busker around the Blue Mountains; busking and its problems; meeting Charlie Batchelor at the Bush Music Festival in Sydney; Jacko Kevans; Dave De Hugard and Chris Sullivan; singing in authentic Australian style; Jodie Stecher (an American singer); Chris Kempster and his legacy; Mark Gregory; 'Partisans Song'; the Brisbane Folk Festival; Harry Robertson; Brian Mooney; recording at Albert's Music; Marion Henderson; Maleny Folk Festival; Alex Hood asks about "Beaudesert Train"; Gary Tooth; Evan and Lyn Matheson and their programme at the National Folk Festival; playing a tune in the film "Sirens" and this experience.

Partial contents
  • Bill Berry sings, plays songs and tunes on the harmonica and guitar: Tunes by Charlie Batchelor (unidentified)
  • Oratoba waltz
  • Waltz of Vienna
  • A hut in my own native land
  • Tomahawking Fred
  • All for me grog
  • One of the has beens
  • Brisbane ladies. Hilary Berry sings: Mustering day
  • Queensland Railway lines. Bill Berry plays an unidentified tune on the mouth organ and concertina: A Charlie Batchelor tune (unidentified)
  • Tell your Ma when you get home.
 
Biography/History

Bill Berry was an important figure in the folk song revival movement which began in the early 1950's. He was part of the Communist Party-led cultural movement and was an associate of John Meredith and the Heathcote Bushwhackers. He later joined New Theatre and sang with the 'Unity Singers' and other left-wing singing groups. After moving to Brisbane in the mid 1950's he helped to establish the folk song movement there, becoming a popular solo performer. He now lives with his artist wife, Hilary, in N.S.W.

Notes

Recorded on April 19, 2004 at Lithgow, N.S.W.

Index/Finding Aid Note Timed summary (10 p.) 
Subjects Berry, Bill, - 1934- - Interviews.  |  Folk singers - Australia - Interviews.  |  Musicians - Australia - Interviews.
Other authors/contributors Hood, Alex, 1935-, Interviewer  |  Hood, Annette, 1948-, Interviewer

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Members of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori communities are advised that this catalogue contains names and images of deceased people. All users of the catalogue should also be aware that certain words, terms or descriptions may be culturally sensitive and may be considered inappropriate today, but may have reflected the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written.