One of Australian music’s most iconic names has now been immortalised in statue form, with Molly Meldrum receiving the honour in Melbourne today.
For over 50 years, the name of Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum has been synonymous with Australian music. Whether it be from his early days with Go-Set, to his time as the host of Countdown, or his status as one of the most recognisable faces in the entertainment industry, there’s no denying the fact that the man is a legend.
Now, as the ABC reports, Molly Meldrum’s iconic status has been given the statue treatment.
In a ceremony hosted by Eddie McGuire earlier today, a 1.8m metre statue of Meldrum was unveiled, right next to Richmond’s Corner Hotel in the Wangaratta Street Park.
“This statue celebrates the legacy of Molly Meldrum, who has been instrumental in promoting the career of young Australian artists,” explained Yarra Mayor Cr Daniel Nguyen. “The City of Yarra has a rich musical heritage, and Molly Meldrum and the Corner Hotel have both contributed enormously to that history.”
The statue itself shows Molly Meldrum decked out in his trademark Stetson hat, giving a thumbs up while clutching his dog Ziggy. Designed and created by Louis Laumen, the project was initiated by long-time friend Ralph Carr, who crowdsourced the funds needed to bring the tribute to fruition.
“The Victorian Government is proud to celebrate Melbourne music’s longtime champion, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and our live music culture with these new artworks, while investing in the careers of our local music talent,” said Martin Foley, the Minister for Creative Industries.
The statue of Meldrum joins a growing list of musical tributes around the country, with a statues of AC/DC’s Bon Scott already erected, and statues of INXS’ Michael Hutchence and world-beating producer Flume gaining positive responses from the Aussie public.
So if you’re keen on seeing a newly-erected piece of musical history, do yourself a favour and head on down to Melbourne’s Corner Hotel sometime soon.
Check out some of Molly Meldrum’s best moments:
