Adelaide-born singer-songwriter Paul Kelly to be inducted into SA Music Hall of Fame

From writing his first song in a flat in North Adelaide to playing his debut gig at The Wellington Hotel, Adelaide-born Paul Kelly is preparing for a homecoming top gong.

Paul Kelly’s legendary five-decade career will be recognised with a spot in the SA Music Hall of Fame.

The beloved Adelaide-born singer-songwriter said the honour, which will be presented at the SA Music Awards on November 8, was like coming full circle.

“All my earliest musical memories are from Adelaide,” said Kelly, 68, who performed at the weekend’s Harvest Rock festival.

“Piano lessons as a child, then trumpet in high school. My older siblings bringing new records onto the house, Beatles, Stones, Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, and so on. Learning to play guitar from a rag tag group of friends I’d met at Flinders Uni.

“Writing my first song in a flat in North Adelaide, my first band The Debutantes playing our first show at The Wellington Hotel, and so on. A lot of good memories.

“Getting this award feels like bringing it all back home.”

Paul Kelly will be honoured with a spot in the SA Music Hall of Fame. Picture: Lucinda Goodwin

Kelly, who attended Rostrevor College before moving to Melbourne in 1976, will attend the ceremony at the Woodville Town Hall. He will also take to the stage to perform a yet-to-be-announced song.

Kelly will join other members of the SA Music Hall of Fame including artists Peter Combe, Mark Holden, Orianthi, John Schumann and bands such as Cold Chisel, The Angels and Masters Apprentices.

The Before Too Long singer has received several honours over the years, including an Order of Australia Medal in 2017, and induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1997.

Kelly has secured 17 ARIA, and five APRA awards from his 28 studio albums, film and TV scores and soundtracks.

The Before Too Long singer has received several honours over the years. Picture: Supplied

In 2001, his songs, To Her Door, solely written by Kelly, and Treaty, written with members of Yothu Yindi, were named among the Top 30 best Australian songs of all time.

Kelly also received an honorary doctorate from Adelaide University in 2014 for his “exceptionally distinguished service to society” through his contribution to Australian music and creative writing.

The SA Music Awards is part of Good Music Month, a festival featuring a host of events around the state in November, and designed to showcase the power of live music.

MusicSA chief executive Christine Schloithe said the awards continue to grow each year.

“Importantly, they recognise the hard work, talent and achievement right across the South Australian music industry,” she said.

Visit: goodmusicmonth.com.au