Bart Willoughby

Bartholomew Edwin Willoughby (born 1960) is an Aboriginal Australian musician, noted for his pioneering fusion of reggae with Indigenous Australian musical influences, and for his contribution to growth of Indigenous music in Australia. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and singer, he is known as a founder member and leader of the No Fixed Address, which was the first Aboriginal rock band in Australia, and the first Aboriginal band to travel overseas.

In 2024, Willoughby received the Ted Albert Award For Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the APRA Music Awards of 2024.

Early life and education Bartholomew Edwin Willoughby He is Pitjantjatjara on his mother's side (Southern right whale dreaming) and Kokatha on his father's side (wedge-tailed eagle dreaming). His father is from the Simpson Desert, and was raised traditionally, with Warlpiri as his first language, and artist Clifford Possum his best friend. His mother's family connections go as far as Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. However he discovered music at a young age in the children's home, as there were pianos and organs available. He formed his first band, also Australia's first Indigenous rock band, No Fixed Address, in 1978, ), who played saxophone. All of the members are related.

In 1979, No Fixed Address played its first large concert at the National Aboriginal Day event held in Taperoo, South Australia, and over the years played at numerous concerts for Aboriginal causes, including Rock Against Racism, the Artists Newsletter Association, the Campaign Against Racial Exploitation, and the National Aboriginal Country Music Festival. They toured with Cold Chisel (December 1980), Ian Dury and the Blockheads (November 1981), The Clash (February 1982),

Their 1982 single "We Have Survived", written by Willoughby when he was just 18, became an instant classic of protest music. During 1982, Willoughby also played drums with Shane Howard and Goanna. and appeared at a concert for striking miners. A documentary of this tour No Fixed Address on Tour UK 1984 was produced and screened on SBS TV

Returning to Australia, Willoughby joined his cousin Bunna Lawrie, and his band Coloured Stone, founded in 1977. He played drums for them between 1985 and 1986, including on their Scottish tour where they appeared with k.d. lang at the 1986 Edinburgh Festival. Coloured Stone then returned to Australia, where Coloured Stone were awarded Best Indigenous Album at the 1986 Australian Music Awards for their debut album Human Love.

Late in 1988, Willoughby was asked to play drums for Yothu Yindi and native American author and activist John Trudell, supporting Midnight Oil on their 1989 US and Canada Diesel & Dust tour.

Following work in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, and Surfers Paradise, Queensland, on the film Until the End of the World, Willoughby toured Australia with Shane Howard and his band. He then continued working with Mixed Relations, representing Australia at the 1990 and 1992 South Pacific Music Festival and the 1990 and 1992 Asian Music Festival. In November 2008, Willoughby played with the band at the Tarerer Festival at Killarney, and a week later at the Australasian World Music Expo in Melbourne. touring Australia at the Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide, and Brisbane arts festivals.

In 2016, Willoughby headlined the Yabun Festival at Victoria Park, Camperdown, Sydney. in October 1982, which was guest hosted by Tina Turner.

Teaching During 1995 Willoughby took time out to work with his Pitjantjantjara community as music instructor to secondary school students at Yalata Anangu School, Yalata, South Australia, where he taught drums, guitar, and songwriting.

Recognition, awards, and honours British punk band The Clash were fans of No Fixed Address.

The APRA Awards have been presented annually since 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". Willoughby was honoured in the APRA Music Awards of 2024 with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.

In May 2024, an exhibition celebrating his work went on display at the Australian Music Vault in Arts Centre Melbourne. Label: Formats: CD

Released: 2000 Label: Speaking Image (SW20017) Formats: CD

Released: 2012 Label: Rize of the Morning Star Formats: CD

Released: 2013 Label: Regency Recordings (143206.1) Formats: CD