Vic Simms

William Victor Simms (29 January 1946 – 8 February 2025), known as Vic Simms, Vicky Simms, and Uncle Vic, was an Aboriginal Australian singer. He is known for his 1973 album The Loner, which was recorded in prison and has been described as "Australia's great lost classic album of black protest music", and a "cult classic".

Early life and education William Victor Simms was born on 29 January 1946 on La Perouse Mission in the south-east Sydney suburb of La Perouse, one of 10 children. He was a Bidjigal man.

Career Simms was talent-spotted by Col Joye at the age of 11, and toured with the newly-renamed Col Joye and The Joy Boys, along with rising star Johnny O'Keefe. His singing featured on TV commercials, then on music programs such as Bandstand and Six O'Clock Rock. It is described at one of the first Indigenous protest albums.

In 1996, he released a covers album titled From the Heart.

The masters of The Loner were lost, even to Simms. A friend tracked down a copy in Adelaide, costing him A$800, and he sent it as a Christmas gift to Simms.

Selections From the Loner was released by Painted Ladies on 6 June 2014. After Brisbane-based musician Luke Peacock initiated the project songs from the original album were re-recorded by artists including Peacock, Paul Kelly, Ed Kuepper, Roger Knox, Bunna Lawrie, The Medics, Rusty Hopkinson, and Vic Simms himself.

Other activities Simms began teaching at the University of New South Wales in 2009. Philip Noyce, as executive producer, travelled from Los Angeles, along with McKenzie, in August 2019 to meet the elders, and production began in 2021.

Recognition and honours At the Deadly Awards 2001, Simms was awarded Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal Music.

In 2009, The Loner was added to the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia registry.

In 2024, he was awarded an honorary degree from the University of New South Wales.

Discography Albums + List of albums, with selected details Title Details The Loner Released: 1973 Label: RCA Format: LP From the Heart Released: 1996 Label: Bunyip Format: CD

Extended plays + List of EPs, with selected details Title Details Yo Yo Heart Released: 1963 Label: Festival Records Format: LP