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Rolf Harris for ARIA Hall of Fame

Legendary Australian Rolf Harris will be inducted into the 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame this week.

Harris, whose Star Portrait series aired on ABC, will join with Max Merritt, Russell Morris, Dragon and The Triffids on Tuesday. Harris will give a rare musical performance of Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport.

Others to appear at the event will include James Reyne, Ian Moss, Richard Wilkins, Glenn A.Baker, Col Joye and Kasey Chambers.

Julia Zemiro will host the ceremony which airs on VH1 9pm Saturday.

Press Release:
With the 2008 ARIA HALL OF FAME event only days away, organisers are delighted to announce a stellar line-up of musicians and presenters who will help induct RUSSELL MORRIS, DRAGON, THE TRIFFIDS, ROLF HARRIS and MAX MERRITT into the ARIA HALL OF FAME, proudly presented by Vodafone, at Melbourne Town Hall next TUESDAY, 1 JULY. Known for its magic musical moments, the 2008 ARIA HALL OF FAME will be broadcast exclusively by Vh1 (available on Channel 810 on subscription television Foxtel, Optus & Austar) on Saturday, 5 July at 9.00pm.

As a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Australian rock ‘n roll, THE LIVING END will kick off the show in their inimitable fashion by performing Johnny O’ Keefe’s classic hit The Wild One. The song was first released on the Shakin’ At The Stadium EP early in 1958 and has been widely acknowledged as the first great Oz Rock composition. The Wild One went on to be recorded (as Real Wild Child) by Jerry Lee Lewis and Iggy Pop, among others, and is guaranteed to show why it has stood the test of time when delivered by THE LIVING END.

Fellow Kiwi RICHARD WILKINS will induct DRAGON into the ARIA HALL OF FAME while very special guests JAMES REYNE and IAN MOSS will add some musical sparkle when they stand alongside the current DRAGON line-up (led by Todd Hunter) to perform April Sun in Cuba and Rain – two bona fide Australian classic hits.

The remarkable MAX MERRITT will be inducted into the ARIA HALL OF FAME by rock historian GLENN A. BAKER while KASEY CHAMBERS, BILL CHAMBERS and band will team up with MAX MERRITT himself to perform their rendition of his smash hit Slippin’ Away.

In a fitting tribute, music legend COL JOYE, A.M. will present his friend, former broadcast and country music aficionado JOHN LAWS, with his ARIA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988, COL JOYE is also celebrating an anniversary of his own in 2008 as he notches up a phenomenal 50 years as a performer in the Australian music industry.

From across the Atlantic, 2007 ARIA HALL OF FAME inductee NICK CAVE will pay tribute to his former UK touring mates THE TRIFFIDS. The BLACK EYED SUSAN’s golden voiced ROB SNARSKI and THE TRIFFIDS will perform Red Pony while STEVE KILBEY (THE CHURCH) will join THE TRIFFIDS on stage to perform the glorious Wide Open Road, arguably the band’s signature tune.

MIDNIGHT OIL and GHOSTWRITERS’ founding member, ROB HIRST, will take out induction honours for the incomparable RUSSELL MORRIS while a supergroup featuring special guest musicians including members of THE CHURCH (Steve Kilbey, Tim Powles), THE WHITLAMS (Jack Housden), JIMMY BARNES BAND / THE HANDS (Clayton Doley) and POWDERFINGER / THE HANDS (Lachlan Doley) will team up to perform The Real Thing, a song that was described by Cashbox Magazine at the time as a “Mind-boggling electronic blast, hypnotic spell caster … compelling at first listen and impossible to ignore”. How right they were!

And last, but definitely not least, the much loved ROLF HARRIS will make a rare musical appearance, along with some very special guests, to perform his hit Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport. TIM FREEDMAN (THE WHITLAMS) will also be taking to the Hall of Fame stage to pay tribute with his own unique and heart wrenching version of Two Little Boys. All together now!

For all final 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame updates and artist profiles please go to the brand new dedicated website (www.ariahalloffame.com.au) which features all the latest on the 2008 inductees and in-depth history of the ARIA Hall of Fame.

2008 ARIA Hall of Fame
proudly presented by Vodafone
Tuesday, 1 July, 2008 – Melbourne Town Hall

Featuring DRAGON, RUSSELL MORRIS, THE TRIFFIDS, MAX MERRITT and ROLF HARRIS and ARIA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient JOHN LAWS

Hosted by JULIA ZEMIRO.

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