Brian Cadd | Long Play Series

Over the past 50 years, Brian Cadd AM has played an important role in the Australian musical landscape as a singer, songwriter, mentor and producer. Best known for his iconic hit, ‘A Little Ray of Sunshine’, Cadd has also held board positions with the Music Industry Advisory Council (Australia), The Australian Music Foundation and Support Act.
Cadd began his career as a teenager winning a TV talent contest in Perth before moving to Melbourne in the early 1960s. In 1966, he joined The Groop accompanying the band to England as part of the prize for winning Hoadleys’ Battle of the Sounds before becoming a founding member of the band Axiom. During the 1970s and 1980s, Cadd pursued a solo career while also working as a producer with artists such as Broderick Smith, Ronnie Burns and Tina Arena. He has also composed music for a number of films, including the 1971 classic Australian surf film, Morning of the Earth before moving to Los Angeles in 1975.
Cadd was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018. Now based in Australia, he continues to regularly perform live alongside artists such as Russell Morris, Glenn Shorrock and Kate Ceberano.
In this interview with Brian Nankervis, Cadd talks about moving to England with Axiom, forming the Fable Records subsidiary label, Bootleg Records with Ron Tudor, and touring with the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Interviewer: Brian Nankervis
Location: Melbourne Room, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2017
For more Australian Music Vault stories and information visit www.australianmusicvault.com.au/
As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music as part of our Long Play Series.

[@seanmcwha9325]

Great interview of a great man! Brian Cadd….we love you! 👍🏼👍🏼✌🏼

[@marlenesullivan3113]

BRIAN IS ONE OF THE BEST EVER.❤🎼🎧

[@Andrewkafp]

Brian is a fantastic musician and songwriter responsible for some of the very best songs of the late 60's and early 70's Arkansas Grass was an absolute masterpiece.

[@leighchinnery4162]

Gonna look it up...

[@1mmickk]

Thanks Brian Thanks Brian. Love you both. Brian Cadd I have listened to for over 50 years at least once a day. His Music was imprinted into my Brain when I was 5. MY Mother said when he was on the Radio I would almost climb into it.

[@jenennegolden321]

Our Own Music Royale. The older I get the more I find out how important and prolific BC is . Early memories of favourite songs, and now still. Some I didn't even know they were B C. Maybe because he wrote for so many other people and shared so much of him self. He is AUSSIE ROCK ROYALETY. JUST WOWWWWW

[@klyvemurray]

He wrote this one for The Masters kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqGvdmyrr6p0oLMsi=Qax5dSbBOfK_CUbR

[@joereedsmith1531]

Brian Cadd is one of the two famous Aussies that will actually talk to their Fans and enjoy doing so. If Brian Cadd needed a Heart Transplant I would give him my Heart and gladly do so.

[@philmoore71]

in the 90s Tommy Emmanuel used to also, no idea since then

[@philmoore71]

i didn't know BC had such an international career- great for him

[@maureenelkner4552]

Excellent interview xx

[@peterf274]

Not Her Maj Theatre but His Maj Theatre in Perth.

[@tmnl8037]

He is Raymond J. Bartholemeuz. What’s the idea of this having Raymond pretending to be a serious interviewer. Can he please tell us who Brett Featherington is? Raymond needs to be wearing his hat in so he can look normal again.