Jimmy Little launched his career as an entertainer
in the era of a hopeful land.
The 1950's was a time of growth and rejuvenation for Australia, and in the same
instant we struggled as a nation to identify those belief systems preventing
us from a truly free society.
During this decade our nation grew stronger and wiser. The Snowy Mountains Scheme
was conceived, we developed our sporting heritage to new heights and advanced
in communications with the arrival of television. Melbourne hosted the Olympic
Games, Jon Konrads set 6 world records in swimming over two days and Australia
defeated the US for the Davis Cup. Even the Government began to play better cricket,
expanding social security nets and moving away from policies of segregation.
Jimmy and compatriots of the time played to raise money for our sporting hopefuls,
and entertained them during the festivities of the flags. The Rainbow Nation
took on many more hues as we began to embrace new migrant spirits and cultures
from all over the world.
Before the age of 19, Jimmy had been part of many pioneering events. He had made
his radio debut on 'Australian Amateur Hour', played all over NSW with Pat Ware
in the Jimmy Little Trio, and released both his first single, Mysteries of Life
and his first EP. On August 11, 1956 Jimmy cut his first tracks on a '78 inch'
for Regal Zonophone and the following year, he toured with the Grande Ol' Opry
out of Nashville, Tennessee, which is today still The Gala Event of country and
western music.
His career began to rocket through the Australian charts. By the end of the decade,
his calm on-stage charisma was wooed by the silver screen and Jimmy was cast
in the break-though film Shadow of the Boomerang. The next decade would only
get better for our entertaining nation, although bringing many new challenges
to our beliefs and identity as a growing political power…
