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Australia Ian 'Molly' Meldrum is an acclaimed Australian music critic, journalist, record producer, and musical entrepreneur, recognized for his significant contributions to the Australian music industry.
Ian 'Molly' Meldrum was a journalist and music critic for the weekly teen newspaper 'Go-Set' from 1966 to 1974, where he penned a weekly gossip column and feature stories, building significant industry connections.
Molly Meldrum served as the talent coordinator, on-air interviewer, and music news presenter for the popular music program 'Countdown' from 1974 to 1987. His role was crucial in making the show a success and a significant platform for Australian and international music.
Molly Meldrum produced Russell Morris's first solo single, 'The Real Thing,' released in March 1969, which became a national number-one hit. He also produced Morris's second number-one hit, 'Part Three into Paper Walls.'
Molly Meldrum produced Ronnie Burns's top ten single, 'Smiley,' in December 1969.
Molly Meldrum produced the hit single 'Day by Day' for Colleen Hewett in 1972, which was part of the 'Godspell – Original Australian Cast' soundtrack.
Molly Meldrum produced the debut self-titled album for Supernaut in May 1976 and its related hit single, 'I Like It Both Ways.'
Molly Meldrum promoted The Ferrets and initiated production of their debut album, 'Dreams of a Love,' and the hit single 'Don't Fall in Love' in 1977.
Molly Meldrum compèred the 1985 'Oz for Africa' concert, the Australian segment of the global Live Aid program.
Molly Meldrum and Amanda Pelman formed the Body Beat label and later Melodian Records under the Mushroom umbrella. They signed artists like Indecent Obsession, Roxus, Jo Beth Taylor, and Peter Andre.
From 1988, Molly Meldrum presented a regular music segment, 'Molly's Melodrama,' on the TV variety show 'Hey Hey It's Saturday,' interviewing numerous musical artists.
Molly Meldrum acted as a judge on 'New Faces' in July 1990 and subsequently signed Peter Andre to his Melodian Records label.
Molly Meldrum is a prominent and passionate supporter of the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Molly Meldrum is an ardent supporter of the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Ian Alexander Meldrum was born on January 29, 1943, in Orbost, Victoria, Australia. His early life involved moving frequently and residing with his grandmother in Quambatook, where he attended primary school. He developed an early interest in music, particularly Gilbert & Sullivan and Verdi. Meldrum briefly attended Taylors College in Melbourne with initial aspirations of becoming a disc jockey, studying at a radio school. His entry into the music scene began in the mid-1960s as a roadie for a band called The Groop, which provided his first exposure to the music industry and recording processes at Armstrong Studios.
Meldrum’s career significantly progressed with his writing for the weekly teen newspaper Go-Set from 1966 to 1974. During this period, he solidified his reputation, building a network of industry contacts and covering various aspects of the local music scene through his gossip columns and feature stories. It was during his tenure at Go-Set that he earned his enduring nickname, ‘Molly.’ He also began his work as a record producer, achieving early success with Russell Morris’s number-one hit “The Real Thing” in 1969 and Ronnie Burns’s top ten single “Smiley” in 1970. His production work continued through the early 1970s with artists such as Colleen Hewett.
The defining chapter of Meldrum’s career began in 1974 when he became the talent coordinator, on-air interviewer, and music news presenter for the popular music program Countdown. Initially not appearing on screen, he quickly became the show’s face with his weekly ‘Humdrum’ segment. Countdown became a dominant force in Australian popular music, providing crucial exposure for both local and international artists and profoundly influencing the industry throughout its run until 1987. Post-Countdown, Meldrum continued his involvement in music through record labels and media roles.
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