Shane Howard

Shane Michael Howard (born 26 January 1955) is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist, he was the mainstay of folk rock group Goanna (1977–85, 1998) which had hit singles with "Solid Rock" (September 1982, No. 3) and "Let the Franklin Flow" (May 1983, No. 12) on the Kent Music Report and their album, Spirit of Place (November 1982, No. 2). After their disbandment he pursued a solo career.

Biography 1955–1975: Early life Howard was born on 26 January 1955 and raised in the Victorian coastal town of Dennington north-west of Warrnambool. Howard returned the favour when he and Black performed together with Liam O'Maonlai at the 1994 Port Fairy Folk Festival introducing her to Australian audiences. Songs from this show are included on Howard's live album, "Live in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand" (1994).

In 2010 Howard released a new album Goanna Dreaming and toured nationally his band, featuring his daughter Myra Howard, Ruben Shannon (bass), Rory McDougall (Black Arm Band) (drums), John Hudson (guitar), and Amy Saunders, formerly of Tiddas. Howard's solo album, Deeper South, was released on 6 March 2015.

In 2017, Howard and John Schumann (ex Redgum) wrote, recorded and released a single together, titled "Times Like These".

Discography Studio albums + List of albums, with Australian chart positions Title Album details Peak chartpositions AUS Back to the Track Released: December 1988 Label: Uluru Music/ RCA Victor (VPCD 0762) Format: CD, LP, Cassette 111 River Released: October 1990 Label: Uluru Music/ RCA Victor (VPCD 0827) Format: CD, LP, Cassette 68 Time Will Tell Released: September 1993 Label: BMG (74321162432) Format: CD, Cassette 115 Clan Released: 13 November 1996 Label: EMI Music (4895712) Format: CD — Beyond Hope's Bridge Released: 5 August 2002 Label: Shane Howard (CDBH0101) Format: CD — Another Country Released: 16 August 2004 Label: Goanna Arts (GA040406) Format: CD, digital download — Songs of Love and Resistance Released: 4 November 2006 Label: Goanna Arts (GA010606) Format: CD, digital download — Goanna Dreaming Released: 9 July 2010 Label: Goanna Arts (GA100101) Format: CD, digital download — ...Other Side of the Rock Released: October 2012 Label: Goanna Arts (GA120101) Format: CD, digital download 169 Deeper South Released: 6 March 2015 Label: Goanna Arts (GA140101) Format: CD, digital download — Dark Matter Released: 14 March 2020 Label: Goanna Arts (GA200101) Format: CD, digital download —

Live albums + List of live albums, with Australian chart positions Title Album details Peak chartpositions AUS 1988 "Back to the Track 148 Back to the Track 1989 "Just a Feeling" —1990 "Walk on Fire" 48 River "If the Well Runs Dry" 851991 "Here and Now" 132 "Escape from Reality" 40 1993 "I Shall Be Released" 152 Time Will Tell "Flesh & Blood" — 2017 "Times Like These" (with John Schumann) — Dark Matter 2018 "Try" (with Denis Ginnivan) —

Awards In 2000 Howard was awarded a Fellowship by the Music Fund of the Australia Council in acknowledgement of his contribution to Australian musical life over many years.

In January 2016, Howard was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as a singer, songwriter and guitarist, to the recording industry, and to Indigenous musicians. In October 2023, he returned his medal in the wake of the Voice to Parliament referendum being defeated.

On 7 February 2023, the honorary degree of Deakin Honorary Doctorate was conferred upon Howard for his distinguished career in the Australian music industry through production, songwriting and performance and for continued advocacy for Australia’s Indigenous community and the environment through his music.

In November 2025, Shane Howard AM (singer-songwriter and Goanna frontman) was awarded the Melbourne Prize for Music ($60,000) for his body of work and outstanding contribution to Australian music and cultural life. The Melbourne Prize for Music is a biennial or triennial award run by the Melbourne Prize Trust that celebrates Victorian musicians, composers, and performers across all genres. The main prize awards $60,000, making it one of Australia's most valuable music development awards. This award is supported by Major Patron The Vera Moore Foundation and The Tallis Foundation..

Music Victoria Awards The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006. 2013 Other Side of the Rock Best Folk Roots Album