‘Ground-breaking’ Artist and Pioneer Bart Willoughby Saluted Ahead of 2024 APRA Awards

“I’m very, very proud to accept this award,” says Bart Willoughby, ahead of the 2024 APRA Music Awards, where he will be presented with the Ted Albert Award for outstanding services to Australian music. “It’s been a long road.”

That road is not coming to an end anytime soon.

Willoughby, the trailblazing Indigenous artist and the driving force behind No Fixed Address, will receive the Ted Albert Award on Wednesday night, May 1, at the ICC Sydney, before a room stacked with music industry, friends and more than a few diehard fans.

“Can’t wait to play,” he enthuses in a pre-APRAs video posted to YouTube.

The group’s stirring protest song from 1981, “We Have Survived,” is enshrined in the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

Ahead of the APRAs, Variety Australia’s sister title The Music Network rounded up some of those diehards from the music community for thoughts and insights into the brilliance of this year’s Ted Albert Award recipient.

Dean Ormston

Dean Ormston, CEO, APRA AMCOS: Bart Willoughby has been and remains one of the most important and influential figures in the evolution of the Australian contemporary music industry.

Widely recognised as a ground-breaking artist and pioneer, Bart led a fusion of sounds and cultures, and the idea and opportunity of local and international touring for indigenous artists.

He has never shied away from telling his story and through his music, he has given us broader perspectives and personal insights into the experiences of indigenous people in this country.

He is enormously well respected and loved for his work, leadership and sheer generosity of spirit – Bart Willoughby is a national treasure.

Rob Hirst

Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil): Many First Nations artists today are strong, passionate, and political; without doubt, they’re making some of the finest new Australian music. All of them owe a massive debt to singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bart Willoughby.

Bart and his bandmates were there first: the first successful rock/reggae band, the first indigenous group to score a record deal, the first to tour overseas. An activist, teacher and whale-dreamer, Bart has been a key member of iconic bands including No Fixed Address, Coloured Stone, Mixed Relations, Yothu Yindi, Us Mob and Goanna, as well as groups under his own name. He also toured internationally with Midnight Oil.

Congratulations Bart from all of us Oils on this well-deserved award.

Deline Briscoe with Bart Willougby

Deline Briscoe: Uncle Bart Willoughby is still one of the most generous, progressive artists of our time.

Thank you Uncle Bart for sharing your time with me and the kids over the years, I have learnt so much from being in your presence, especially about listening deeply to music. I am so proud to see your body of work being recognised and celebrated.

Dan Sultan

Dan Sultan: Uncle Bart Willoughby has shown the way to many Artists from all different walks of life. His innate ability for rhythm and songwriting is something we’re very fortunate to share our short time here with.

My first time travelling overseas was with Uncle Bart and we’ve had many amazing adventures together. Thanks for everything, Uncle Bart.

Kutcha Edwards

Kutcha Edwards: Bart has been a beacon of light in times of darkness and deep sorrow. Bart is a legend and has taught us all you can’t change the rhythm of our souls.

In Bart receiving this prestigious award, it gives us hope that we too can achieve our goals & dreams and you can’t change that!!

Congratulations brother Bart. From your brother Kutcha.

Leah Flanagan

Leah Flanagan (director of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office): When I think of who I regard as the greatest musicians this country has ever produced, Bart is at the top of that list every time. 

His songs are the lived experience soundtrack to our people’s struggle for land and human rights. His dedication to his craft is constantly evolving and producing new works every year.

He is an artist in its most honest form. I can think of no one more deserving of this award.

Airi Ingram with Bart Willoughby

Airi Ingram: Congrats Bart from all of your Pacific Ocean friends and family… especially my mob in Papua New Guinea. It’s always an honour to be on the drum kit with you out the front! From London to Fitzroy, we have had some good times!

I grew up listening to everyone singing your anthems. They have become more than inspiration…  they have become a corner stone of identity…. that is something money cannot buy.

USA had Prince, Jamaica had Bob Marley, we have Bart Willoughby! And what a blessing that is.

One Love.