John Williamson, the Australian “bush music” legend, has criticized a nationwide anti-immigration protest where his signature song, “True Blue,” was reportedly played without his approval.
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Thousands gathered in several Australian capital cities last Sunday, Oct. 19 for the “March for Australia” rallies, which formed as a collective voice against the federal government’s immigration policies, and for counter protests. Williamson, not for the first time, has called out the unauthorized use of his music.
Turning to Facebook, Williamson writes: “‘True Blue’ is a song for all Australians and should not be hijacked by any group that seeks to use the song to sow division. I believe in a multicultural society – one where all Australians come together in unity to celebrate our unique multicultural nature and freedoms.”
A decade ago, the ARIA Hall of Famer put conservative event organizers on blast for attempting to weaponize his famous song. Back in 2015, he shared a post on Facebook in which he noted that “True Blue” was reportedly being used at rallies by various groups including the Reclaim Australia movement, and “did not have my approval to use it.” On that occasion, he wrote, “I would prefer the song be used to celebrate togetherness in our great country. How about holding a rally for ‘Love’ and see who turns up. Hatred never solves anything.”
A musician and conservationist, Williamson’s career spans more than 50 years. The 79-year-old has sold more than 5 million albums and accumulated upwards of one billion streams. Over time, he has collected 28 Golden Guitar awards, four ARIA Awards, and on Australia Day 1992, was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues.” Williamson performed at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and in 2010 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Since its release in 1982, “True Blue” song has become part of the fabric of Australian culture, and is regularly played at sporting events and ceremonies, including Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin’s public memorial service, where he performed it twice on acoustic guitar.
