Shane Howard | Long Play Series

Singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer and author Shane Howard is one of Australia’s most influential musicians, both as a solo artist and as the founding member and mainstay of folk-rock band, Goanna.
Formed in 1977 in Geelong, Goanna captivated audiences across the country with songs that that displayed a passion for Indigenous rights and environmental protection. Their 1982 hit song, ‘Solid Rock’, opened up a national conversation about the continuing injustices inflicted on First Nations peoples since colonisation which continues to resonate to this day.
As a solo artist Howard has released 14 albums and worked as a music producer for numerous artists including Archie Roach and Irish folk singer Mary Black. He was a founding member of national arts ensemble for Indigenous music, Black Arm Band, and in 2016 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts.
In this interview, Shane Howard discusses his life-changing trip to Uluru and how it inspired the song ‘Solid Rock’, the pressures associated with a rapid rise to fame, and his return to solo work both in Australia and overseas.
Interviewer: Brian Nankervis
Location: Bakehouse Studios, Richmond, 2022

[@jenniferedge1259]

What a story. The depth of time and place as only Shane Howard can do.

[@lexthomson]

Shane a musical genius, and with the biggest heart and social conscience,,,we love you Shane (and fellow Goanna members)

[@kirsteneklund2509]

Been listening to Shane Howard since I was a teenager and Solid Rock was a hit. Opened my eyes to the value & precious resource of the Ancient First People that is this great country.
Cant help but think if we had more Australians like SHHANE HOWARD we would be an even RICHER COUNTRY

[@fnqoz]

Shane is an Australian icon, such an underrated magnificent artist and philanthropist who’s contributions to Australia has shown us a pathway to understanding and feeling spirit of place through his music. ‘Heart of My Country’ would be my choice of a national anthem.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Beautifully said, Zim 👏

[@drf163]

Shane played last night, Jan 7, at the Gulgong Folk Festival. Sensational.

[@irelana2650]

"Utopia" the song itself, is a brilliant piece.

[@MyOwnWayMusic]

Great Interview.. Thank you 👍

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@peternezovic5408]

86 minutes of Australian music history telling. The story of Goanna Band Shane Howard and so much more. I was a good friend of the late M.O'C. The Reverend maestro of the Hammond. Saw Gonna live Perth early eighties. Was and remain a huge fan of the music. All old fellows now Haha. Bless 'em all. Shine on.

[@videohistorysnippets8963]

Legend.

[@videohistorysnippets8963]

Saw the launch of the ‘Dark Matter’ album at Port Fairy just days before Covid arrived in town, a great album, one of his best.

[@mangoes7453]

such an authentic person. great interview. thanks

[@allymayful]

Thanks so much for getting this awesome Australian (fellow Western Districter) story on Film.
What a worthwhile, courageous, entertaining life Shane has had. ❤

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for watching.

[@geoffreybruce8371]

Great interview.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for tuning in, Geoffrey.

[@deborahcurtis1385]

Now I understand why that song Solid Rock always gives me chills.
Always.
I had the experience of standing alone in Mildura street in my rubber thongs and my little shift dress, the sun made my skin brown and I've got thick tightly curled hair. I'm just a kid about 7 years old and this car goes by and they yell out to me:
LOOK AT THE ABBO!
Years later I'm back from an overseas trip to India, and applying for a job doing ships lading clerical work in Sydney. Again my skin had gone very brown from my trip. And this guy refuses to take me seriously, he made me stand up the whole time and kept going on about how Aboriginal people cannot be relied on they go walkabout. He told me: come back in a week.
I came back the next week and he was stunned. He thought he'd got rid of me. Of course, no job.
These experiences gave me my first insights into the world of what is is to be an Aboriginal person in this country. And I'm white origin and heritage.

[@kirsteneklund2509]

I wish the rest of us WHITEFELLAS had YOUR insight into what BLACKFELLAS experience every day !

[@videohistorysnippets8963]

I could feel Shane’s pain on the ending of Goanna.

[@jackblake808]

Such a beautiful man, we just love our Aussie treasure

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Well put, Jack.

[@JosieHodl]

What a besutiful man

[@stevedanko2422]

shame, shame-how sad that we discovered we weren't quite on the cusp of change. we need something else.

[@KevNev-u5e]

Go Dogtown,

[@twelveytwelve]

The Aboriginals actually came here from Asia, but don't let the truth stand in the way of a BS story.