Molly Meldrum celebrates 80th birthday in St Kilda, Melbourne

Big names celebrate iconic music guru who has been called “a true friend” and “champion” of Australian artists.

Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, the undisputed king of music lovers, took his rightful place on the throne as friends and family celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday night.

Meldrum, a broadcaster and beloved music guru across five decades, marked the occasion at an invitation-only gathering at The Prince in St Kilda.

“I’m very happy,” Meldrum said. “I feel good about turning 80. It’s been an amazing ride with all my friends.”

His wish for an early gift in the form of Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler winning at the Australian Open also came true.

Molly shot to national fame hosting the ABC-TV music show Countdown on which he delivered exclusive interviews with ABBA, Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart and Elton John. The show also broke acts like Madonna, Blondie, and Duran Duran, and championed local stars such as Skyhooks, Sherbet and John Paul Young.

Meldrum celebrates his birthday at The Prince Hotel in St Kilda. Picture: Tony Gough

Meldrum turned 80 on Sunday. Picture: Tony Gough

He aimed to make a low key entrance to the party on Sunday night. But arriving in a red Rolls Royce quickly undid that plan.

The party, hosted by Jayco owner and Global Creatures chairman Gerry Ryan and his wife Val, featured musical entertainment by rising singer Abbey Stone.

Meldrum’s Countdown co-host Gavin Wood also served as master of ceremonies.

“Happy 80th Birthday Ian,” Wood said on social media on Sunday. “How did we both survive the madness? The best of times.”

Guests included Molly’s son Morgan Scholes, his wife Crystal, and their son Jason, philanthropists Paula Fox and Heloise Pratt, Mushroom Group matriarch Sue Gudinski, singers Jon Stevens and Russell Morris, Meldrum’s Hey Hey It’s Saturday collaborators Wilbur Wilde, Red Symons and John Blackman, radio legend Barry Bissell, NRL stars Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, and AFL great Sam Newman.

Mushroom, the music empire founded by one of Molly’s closest friends, the late Michael Gudinski, also posted birthday wishes. “We wouldn’t be the company we are today without the support of Molly over the last 50 years,” the company said. “A true friend and a champion for Australian artists.”

Meldrum’s Countdown and EON-FM co-host, Gavin Wood, was master of ceremonies at the private party, with the 100-or-so guests hand picked by Molly.

Gerry Ryan, Billy Slater and Russell Morris gave speeches at the event.

Meldrum enjoying his 80th birthday in St Kilda. Picture: Tony Gough

Meldrum produced Morris’ classic 1969 hit, The Real Thing. He said Molly was the “greatest manager and record producer,” but things got “chaotic.”

“We got over to England and (Meldrum) faints at John Lennon’s feet, and Prince Charles comes in and (Molly) says, ‘How’s your mum?’” Morris said, laughing.

“Then (Molly) punches Boz Scaggs in the face, and spills a whole carafe of wine over David Jones from The Monkees. I left the country after that.”

Morris added: “Molly we’re all here because we love you. You’ve been a great inspiration to me, and to everyone in this country.”

John Blackman revived his famous Hey Hey character Dickie Knee for Molly’s birthday.

“Congratulations on joining the OBE club,” Dickie Knee said. “The Over Bloody Eighty Club.”

Pop star Peter Andre, who was first signed to Molly’s record label Melodian, paid tribute to his mentor via video message.

“I know you don’t take compliments very well, but it’s really important for you to know, if it wasn’t for you I would never ever have the chances I’ve had. Your belief in me was unreal.

You are a very, very important part of my life. Love you lots, mate.”

The Australian Music Vault marked Molly Meldrum's 80th Birthday. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Meldrum also celebrated his 80th birthday early on Friday with flowers from pop princess Kylie Minogue and a special cake adorned with figurines of Australian music royalty.

The beloved music guru appeared at the Australian Music Vault, where he is a founding patron, for a media call marking his birthday milestone.

“I’m very happy,” Meldrum previously told the Herald Sun. “I feel good about turning 80. It’s been an amazing ride with all my friends.”

Meldrum delivered exclusive interviews with ABBA, Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart and Elton John during his time as host of the hit ABC-TV music show Countdown where he also broke acts like Madonna, Blondie, and Duran Duran, and championed local stars like Skyhooks, Sherbet and John Paul Young.

He later moved to Hey Hey It’s Saturday where the scoops continued with Michael Jackson and his good mate, Madonna.

Molly Meldrum celebrates his 80th birthday with a private party at the The Prince Hotel in St Kilda. Picture: Tony Gough

Superstars warmed to his relaxed often chaotic interrogation style.

Countdown’s late producer, Michael Shrimpton, famously described Molly’s interview technique “a collection of nouns searching for a verb.”

On Friday, Meldrum acknowledged Shrimpton, and music producers Roger Savage and Bill Armstrong, as “believers” who had helped make his 80 years “magical and adventurous.”

He added: “They backed me. And I’m so grateful to them.”

Meldrum also paid tribute to his grandmother, who raised him as a child, as his “first believer.”

Asked for his mantra in life, Meldrum said there were no words, only fond memories of the grandmother who said he could anything.

“The biggest thing in my life was the way she guided me. Without a doubt, I owe her a lot.”

Victoria’s Creative Industries Minister Steve Dimopoulos said with the simple catchphrase “Do yourself a favour,” Meldrum shaped the music tastes of Australia.

The music industry legend turns 80 on Sunday. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“There are a few people known by one name only — Cher, Madonna, Jesus, Molly,” Mr Dimopoulos said, laughing.

“I’m not saying you’re necessarily in that group of people, but they’re the ones that came to mind.

He added: “You’re an Australian icon, but you’re uniquely Melburnian and Victorian. We love you for everything you’ve done, for the wildcard you are, and the immeasurable contributions you’ve made.”

Arts Centre Melbourne chief executive Karen Quinlan presented Molly with a birthday cake adorned with figurines of other Australian Music Vault patrons Minogue, Tina Arena, and the late Michael Gudinski and Archie Roach. Minogue also sent flowers to Molly.

Beyond music, Molly is a sports nut.

He barracks for the Saints and the Storm, and is watching the Australian Open like a hawk.

He says Australians Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler winning the men’s doubles final would be a great birthday present.

“That would make me very happy because they are bloody fantastic,” Molly said.