Uncovered: Rare pictures of Melbourne music trailblazers

Never seen before pictures of Nick Cave, John Farham, AC/DC, Olivia Newton John are featuring in a new exhibition in Melbourne.

The Boys Next Door, with a young Nick Cave (centre) in David Parker's photographic exhibition, A Cool World

Australian film-maker David Parker has dusted off the negatives from his former life as a showbiz photographer to reveal never before seen pictures of AC/DC, Skyhooks, Nick Cave, Olivia Newton John and John Farnham.

The pictures, mostly from the 1970s and early 1980s, when Parker was hired as the official photographer on the ABC-TV music show Countdown, include:

SKYHOOKS in outlandish costumes, including one outfit with dangling breasts.

AC/DC with Angus Young in an early iteration of his iconic schoolboy outfit.

MICHAEL Gudinski signing an up and coming artist.

NICK Cave exuding intrigue and star power early in his career.

Parker, whose film credits include Malcolm, and The Big Steal, with directing partner Nadia Tass, is showing his photographs in an exhibition titled A Cool World, at the Brunswick Ballroom.

AC/DC in David Parker's photographic exhibition, A Cool World

Skyhooks in David Parker's photographic exhibition, A Cool World

The Boys Next Door, with Nick Cave (centre) in David Parker's photographic exhibition, A Cool World

Parker worked extensively with music legend Michael Gudinski, who passed away two weeks ago, and shot pictures for album artwork for Skyhooks, Split Enz, and many others.

Skyhooks, he said, had their image worked out.

“They worked on the costumes themselves; there was no formal stylist,” he said. “Skyhooks always had great concepts. It didn’t feel controversial, it was like glam rock; crazy and kooky.”

At the exhibition launch on Saturday, Skyhooks guitarist Red Symons said: “David didn’t ask you to do anything for the camera at a time when TV Week would — ‘Can you smile for the camera? No, f--k off!’”

Symons said the 1970s music scene was “the last gasp of vaudeville” with an element of “look at me, aren’t I special?”

He added: “Nowadays, it’s not like that. Everybody’s tediously authentic.”

Parker shot AC/DC in a courtyard in Fitzroy.

“They were pretty fresh,” Parker said. “(Guitarist) Angus was trying different looks. (Singer) Bon Scott asked my girlfriend at the time if she had a hairbrush, and he did his hair (in a 1950s quiff). He gave the hairbrush back covered in oil.

“They were good to photograph; most bands were, because they realised it was part of the deal.”

Michael Gudinski signing Christie Allen, who had a pop hit with Goosebumps in 1979, to Msuhroom Records. The pictures is featured in in David Parker's photographic exhibition, A Cool World

David Parker at his photographic exhibition, A Cool World, at the Brunswick Ballroom

Symons said: “I used to tease my children and announce (AC/DC) were our support act at the Chelsea Town Hall. They’ve gone on to do quite well.”

While doing a photo session with John Farnham, Parker mentioned a drainage problem at his studio. Farnham, a former plumber, sprung into action. “He rolled his sleeves up and said, ‘I reckon it’s this,’ and got back on the tools,” Parker said.

Parker rarely struck problems with his pictures. However, minders for the 1970s pop act Bay City Rollers chased him out of the Countdown studio for photographing the band. And Swedish superstars ABBA ejected Parker from a show because they were unhappy about being photographed.

“For me, it was always about the work than being involved in ‘the scene,’” Parker said. “I still love the feeling of being in a room with a band, with an appreciative audience, and capturing the magic.”