Stevie Plunder

"He was a crooked-toothed, jocular drunk, distinguished by cutoff sleeves, crowned with a
beanie and built like a whippet. If he didn't know your name you were addressed as 'buddy'. I thought
it was the speed that made him so friendly, but he was like that in the morning so i had to
suppose he was just friendly." ~ Tim Freedman

Stevie Plunder was a musician who gave more to the music scene of Australia then any other musician in their life. Born in Canberra, Stevie was involved with many bands. Forming The Plunderers in the early '80s with Nic Dalton and Pete Velzen, followed closely by Hippy Dribble and Captain Denim, Stevie offered the world numerous vinyl recordings and gained many devoted fans.

It wasn't until 1992 that he teamed up with Tim Freedman to form The Whitlams. Together, with Andy Lewis, they created a band, not only dedicated to their favourite PM, but a band who were able to combine a little bit of country with a little bit of rock.

Australia Day 1996 was an extremely tragic day in Australian music and many peoples hearts. Four years to the day after the Whitlams had been created, Stevie Plunder was found dead at the bottom of Wentworth Falls in NSW. He was only 32. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. His recordings dearly treasured by those who love him. "It's so quiet here, it's like a country town..."

"He was a human jukebox, the type that could entertain a party for
hours with an acoustic guitar, and you can hear the classics in the songs he wrote.
Both his ballads and his rockers are full of what seem like effortless hooks,
never overblown or overstated." ~ Tim Freedman

INDELIBLE
By Bernie Hayes and The Shouties*
That reputation took some maintaining
so many counted on his ability to breath life into every curtain call
But he was someone who could be trusted,
born with his father's stubborn dignity.
His only weakness, his only weakness - that he answered every call
and he never asked reward, well he never asked reward, or put you in his debt
but he wanted to retire and he wanted no regrets, well he should have no regrets
always the centre of attention, like a christmas tree in a room full of children,
sometimes he was blinding and always lightening fast
and if ever help was needed he was the first to grace your doorstep
when i was weak or inattentive - he did my share.
So as long as there's a light
well as long as there's a light shines a upon my face
and the sun comes up each day
he will never fade away
he will never fade away......
They're on a train up to the falls
and there's been at least a thousand calls
and i can't believe it
i can't believe it
i can't believe it at all

Top photo of Stevie taken from the album cover for Indelible by The Shouties. Thanks Louis.
*Taken from the Indelible album by The Shouties. Copyright 1996 Troy Horse Records.

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