Max Merritt and Dave Russell Sunbury Pop Music Festival 1972

In the early 1970s David Porter was a contributing photographer for some of the most influential Australian Rock music and underground publications (Go-Set, Daily/Planet, Rolling Stone (Australian Edition), The Digger. Porter was based in Melbourne, his subject the zeitgeist of its Rock/Pop music, underground theatre, and Counterculture scenes, sometimes working as ‘David Porter’, sometimes ‘Jacques L’Affrique’, sometimes ‘Jack Africa’. In 1973 he left Melbourne, stopped working in commercial photography, and pursued a teaching career.

This photograph was taken at SUNBURY POP FESTIVAL 1972 (28-30 January 1972)
‘Australian music on Australia Day’, the first Sunbury Pop Festival was held Australia Day weekend 1972. Presented on a 620-acre site north of Melbourne subsequently ran each Australia Day long-weekend until 1975. Inaugural festival organised in 1971 by Odessa Promotions (its principals from the Melbourne television scene). Sunbury ’72 filmed for TV and documentary broadcast, recorded live for commercial music release. A synergy of the Counterculture and commercialism.

Not the first outdoor music festival in Australia, but the first to use the basics of logistical planning, commercial discipline, efficient communication, and professional technical production. Most importantly, event organisers worked collaboratively with government officials, Police, and the Australian Army to mount the event, and successfully deliver food, water, toilets, security.

Sunbury ’72 featured Atlas, Blackfeather, Bushwackers, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Glenn Cardier, Carson, Chain, Company Caine, Friends, Healing Force, Highway, Indelible Murtceps, Island, La De Das, Langford Lever, Ida May Mack, Mackenzie Theory, Madder Lake, Phil Manning, Max Merritt & the Meteors, Barry McCaskill & Levi Smith Clefs, Mulga Bill’s Bicycle Band, Opus Big Band (with Linda George), Pilgrimage, Pirana, Greg Quill & Country Radio, Wendy Saddington, SCRA, Spectrum, Tamam Shud, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Total Fire Band, Michael Turner in Session, Wild Cherries. Jointly hosted by Gerry Humphrys and Adrian Rawlins. Attracted 40,000 patrons.

Sunbury ‘72 and ’73 showcased Australasian music only. Overseas acts played Sunbury ’74 & ‘75. This was unpopular. Sunbury ’75 lost money. The festival folded in late 1975.

Published: Max Merritt. Rock and Roll is What it Is! (detail). Planet, 9 March 1972 (p.14)