Paul Kelly is an acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist whose work spans folk, rock, and country genres, celebrated for his poetic lyrics and storytelling.
Radio station Triple J presented a Kelly tribute concert marking his 30th anniversary as a solo artist.
Published Paul Kelly's memoir, 'How to Make Gravy'.
Released 'Before Too Long', a DVD and double CD recording of the Triple J tribute concert, with a bonus CD featuring original songs by Kelly.
Partnered with Paul Grabowsky for the album 'Please Leave Your Light On'.
Collaborated on the album 'And Every Day My Mother's Voice' in 2019, showcasing his consistently strong songwriting. Also featured on 'The Merri Soul Sessions'.
His manager and life partner, who has produced and directed some of Kelly's music videos including 'With the One I Love', 'Sleep Australia Sleep', and 'When We're Both Old and Mad'. Darling also produced the 2020 re-issue of Kev Carmody's album 'Cannot Buy My Soul'.
Paul Kelly and the Dots signed to Mushroom Records.
Issued a 15-song version of 'Gossip' in the United States.
The song 'Dumb Things' was included on the soundtrack for the 1988 film.
Paul Kelly performed for The Rock Party, a charity project initiated by The National Campaign Against Drug Abuse, which included other Australasian musicians.
Co-wrote 'From Little Things Big Things Grow' and collaborated on 'Treaty' with Yothu Yindi. Also involved in the soundtrack for 'One Night the Moon'.
Collaborated with members of the indigenous band Yothu Yindi to write 'Treaty'.
Paul Kelly was asked to compose songs for 'Funerals and Circuses', a play about racial tensions in small-town Australia.
Co-wrote 'Hey Boys' for the soundtrack of the 1992 Australian film 'Garbo'.
Paul Kelly composed music for the 1994 film 'Everynight ... Everynight', directed by Alkinos Tsilimidos.
Paul Kelly toured North America, appearing on several dates with Liz Phair.
Paul Kelly toured North America, appearing on several dates with Joe Jackson.
Released the album 'Smoke' with the Melbourne bluegrass band Uncle Bill, featuring a mix of old and new Kelly songs in a bluegrass style.
Paul Kelly performed a series of acoustic shows in Europe, supporting Ani DiFranco in France.
Paul Kelly was a support act for Bob Dylan's tour of Australia in March 2001 and made appearances as a special guest at Dylan’s concerts in Sydney and Melbourne in April 2011.
Funds raised from the 'Timor Leste – Freedom Rising' album went to Life, Love and Health and The Alola Foundation.
Funds raised from the 'Timor Leste – Freedom Rising' album went to The Alola Foundation.
Paul Kelly and the Boon Companions, Hoodoo Gurus, and Sime Nugent performed at the Athenaeum Theatre to raise funds for Life, Love and Health.
Paul Kelly toured North America, appearing together with The Waifs at clubs and festivals.
Duet with country singer Melinda Schneider on 'Still Here', which won 'Vocal Collaboration of the Year' at the 2009 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia.
Paul Kelly supported Leonard Cohen's tour of Australia. Following the Black Saturday Bushfires, Cohen and Kelly donated $200,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Sian Prior met Paul Kelly when she interviewed him for 'Sunday Arts' on ABC Radio.
Co-headlined a show at Red Hill Auditorium in Perth and undertook a collaborative tour of Australia, resulting in the live album 'Goin' Your Way'.
Recorded the studio album 'Spring and Fall' with J Walker of Machine Translations.
Featured on Paul Kelly's 'The Merri Soul Sessions' album and performed with him on tour.
Contributed to 'The Merri Soul Sessions' album.
Contributed to 'The Merri Soul Sessions' album.
Released a covers album 'Death's Dateless Night' with Charlie Owen. Also contributed to a tribute album for Maurice Frawley.
Toured with Paul Kelly as a supporting act.
Toured with Paul Kelly as a supporting act.
Toured with Paul Kelly as a supporting act.
Toured with Paul Kelly as a supporting act.
Released the album 'Thirteen Ways to Look at Birds' with James Ledger, Alice Keath, and Seraphim Trio.
Released the album 'Thirteen Ways to Look at Birds' with James Ledger, Alice Keath, and Seraphim Trio.
Released the album 'Thirteen Ways to Look at Birds' with James Ledger, Alice Keath, and Seraphim Trio.
Paul Maurice Kelly was born on January 13, 1955, in Adelaide, South Australia. He attended Rostrevor College, where he developed musical talents by playing trumpet and studying piano. After leaving Flinders University, Kelly worked various jobs and traveled before moving to Melbourne in 1976. He entered the pub rock scene and gained recognition as a songwriter, with his first public performance in 1974 in Hobart. His early career saw him form Paul Kelly and the Dots, releasing their debut single “Recognition” in 1979 and the charting single “Billy Baxter” in 1980.
Kelly’s career evolved significantly in the mid-1980s. After recording the self-funded album “Post” in 1985, which was critically acclaimed, he formed Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls. To avoid potential misinterpretations, the band was renamed Paul Kelly and the Messengers for international releases. This period produced hit singles like “Before Too Long” (1987) and “To Her Door” (1987), with the latter reaching No. 14 on the Australian singles chart. The band also toured the United States, and their song “Dumb Things” (1989) gained traction on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock chart. The Messengers disbanded in 1991, allowing Kelly to pursue a solo career and various collaborative projects.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Kelly continued to release albums, compose soundtracks for films and television, and undertake extensive tours. His compilation album “Songs from the South: Paul Kelly’s Greatest Hits” (1997) achieved significant commercial success and led to his induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame. He consistently explored diverse musical styles, from bluegrass with Uncle Bill to working with his nephew, Dan Kelly, in Stardust Five. Kelly’s memoir, “How to Make Gravy,” released in 2010, further cemented his status as a cultural figure, reflecting his unique storytelling ability.
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