2016 Obit: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: Andrez
Date: 25 Nov 16 - 12:25 AM

Just back from the memorial service for Hugh McDonald. The service was attended by at least 300 or so people plus extended musical and natural families. Speeches given by Hugh's wife Rebecca and children: Jeremy, Katherine, Rachel and Alice were heartfelt and very moving, talking about a side of Hugh that many of us may not have known or been very aware of. Michael Atkinson from Redgum also spoke of shared experiences with depth and insight.

It may be that some of these will 'presentations' will be posted onto Hugh's Facebook page for wider sharing with all the folks who for one reason or another couldn't be there on the day, so if there is some interest on the part of folks out there re what was said and shared at this sad occasion, maybe keep a lookout there.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Nov 16 - 03:21 AM

Hugh McDonald obit

Jason Roweth's tribute Diamantina Drover 'Route 66' is a show of 1950s and 1960s pop and rock music from parts further afield. But mid-show last night we received the awful - and very very sad news - of the passing of Hugh McDonald. Well into our encores - when we felt we could step aside from the show - we had our best impromptu run at one of Hugh's songs... In great admiration and respect for Hugh's talents and great strength of character, and in great sadness. Ian Large caught the performance on a hand-held camera. The band is Chloe Roweth, Jason Roweth, Baz Cooper, Jon Wilby, Rosie McDonald and William Browne.

Vale Hugh McDonald

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 21 Nov 16 - 10:06 PM

Tribute to Hugh McDonald by Chloe & Jason Roweth [thanks, Sandra]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5VmKR4j8Ag&feature=em-subs_digest

Subject: RE: 2016 Obit: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 21 Nov 16 - 10:03 PM

Hugh McDonald obit at
http://www.noise11.com/news/r-i-p-hugh-mcdonald-of-redgum-1954-2016-20161119

[Thanks, Sandra, for posting to FFNSW list]

R.I.P. Hugh McDonald of Redgum 1954-2016
by PAUL CASHMERE on NOVEMBER 19, 2016
in NEWS
Hugh McDonald, a member of Australian band Redgum, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 62.


Hugh was the violinist co-vocalist for the politically charged Redgum with John Schumann, Michael Atkinson and Verity Truman. The original band formed with Michael Timms when they were all students of Flinders University in Adelaide. Hugh replaced Timms for the second album.

As a songwriter Hugh wrote 'The Diamantina Drover1' from the band's 1982 EP 'Cut To The Quick'.



Redgum stood alongside Midnight oil with songs of biting political commentary in the 80s. The band's best-known song was 'I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)'. It was a first-hand account of the horrors of the war in Vietnam from the perspective of a returned soldier, scarred by the psychological affect of the war and lack of support from the Australian government.



'I Was Only 19' had resurgence by Australian hip-hop group The Herd in 2005.



Hugh took over as lead singer for Redgum in 1986 when John Schumann left the band until the band disbanded in 1990. After Redgum he opened his own studio in Melbourne and worked with the Geelong Music College Orchestra.

Hugh remained a life-long friend with John Schumann and in 2005 the two collaborated with John on the Vagabond Crew and the albums 'Lawson' and 'Behind The Lines'.

In a statement John Schumann said, "Most people will know by now that my dear dear mate, music accomplice, wingman and backstop for more than half my life, Hugh McDonald, died last night after a long, courageous and inspirational battle with cancer. It's all too hard right now – but my unfathomable grief will be nothing alongside that of Bullet's family. You get a mate like Hugh once in a lifetime – if you're lucky. I was blessed – we all were. More later when my screen doesn't look like a fish shop window from the 1950″s.



Hugh McDonald also released four solo albums. The Most recent was The Land in 2014.

Hugh leaves behind seven children, six grandchildren, two step-children and wife Rebecca.

Subject: RE: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 06:16 PM

He recorded 14 original musical settings of Henry Lawson poems on The Lawson Album in 1994. Included an upbeat version of Past Carin', which seems like an odd idea, but I recall some of the settings as being quite good.

Subject: RE: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 07:38 AM

I'm sorry to hear this news. He has been added to the "In Memoriam" thread. My condolences.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: Andrez
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 06:41 AM

Tragic! Lost track of Hugh over the years through my own wonderings around this country but always felt connected after I bought my Epihone Eldorado guitar from him in the mid seventies. A great guy and musician, who could fail to remember him playing around the folk clubs and pubs in Melbourne either as a solo performer or in various bands. I hope you didn't suffer too much on your journey with cancer and at its tragic end mate.

RIP Hugh

Andrez

Subject: RE: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: Felipa
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 05:25 AM

wasn't guitarist and sometime didgeridoo player Steve Cooney a member of Redgum band before he emigrated to Ireland?

Subject: RE: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 05:14 AM

Redgum's album "Caught in the Act" has to be one of my all-time favourites. When I firat heard it -being played in West Africa of all places - I was completely knocked out. I bought a CD version when I was last in Australia and still love to hear the tracks, especially "The Diamantine Drover", "Poor Ned" and the anti-war song "I Was Only Nineteen".

Subject: RIP Hugh McDonald (Redgum)
From: SqueezeMe
Date: 20 Nov 16 - 02:51 AM

Hugh McDonald, singer, songwriter, musician and a member of Australian band Redgum, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 62, passing away yesterday, 19th November.

Hugh was the co-vocalist and violinist for the politically charged band, with John Schumann, Michael Atkinson and Verity Truman.

As a songwriter Hugh is probably best known for the song "The Diamantina Drover", which has become an Australian classic among folk singers here and overseas (e.g. Christy Moore)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_McDonald_(Australian_musician)

RIP, Hugh.