Tributes flow for Jimmy Little

2 Apr 2012, 5:57 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Jimmy Little, the first Indigenous performer to top Australia's pop music charts, has died at the age of 75.

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Jimmy Little, the first Indigenous performer to top Australia's pop music charts, has died at the age of 75.

The musician and philanthropist had been ill for some time and passed away in his sleep on Monday morning. A sufferer of diabetes and a heart condition, Little was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2004 and underwent a life-saving transplant.

Tributes have been pouring in for the music industry legend on social networking sites. Manager Graham `Buzz' Bidstrup said the world has lost a unique talent. "His gentle approach and humanity in the way he cared about people was just wonderful," Bidstrup said. "Jimmy was dedicated to helping people all the time and it was never about him.

"Even when he got sick he was focused on talking to communities and helping others." James Oswald (Jimmy) Little - a member of the Yorta Yorta people - was born on March 1, 1937, at the Cummeragunja Mission in New South Wales.

Signed to Festival Records, he released his first single Mysteries Of Life/Heartbreak Waltz in 1956 but he did not break the top 10 until Danny Boy four years later.

Little initially faced discrimination for being a black singer but always turned the other cheek in keeping with his Christian faith. "He never seemed to let that bother him and as an entertainer he always won over every crowd anyway," said Bidstrup.

"He was sometimes criticised for not being black enough and his reply to that was that he always took the soft sell, the gentle approach." Influenced by Nat King Cole and Jim Reeves, Little's mellow country music earned him the nicknames The Balladeer, Gentleman Jim and the Honey Voice.

In 1964 Everybody's magazine named him Australian Pop Star of the Year in recognition of his number one hit Royal Telephone and the Barry Gibb-penned hit One Road. Also a keen actor, Little starred in the Wim Wenders' 1991 film Until the End of the World and Andrew Schultz's opera Black River.

His second foray into music saw the release of the 2001 album Resonate, featuring songs written by Paul Kelly, Don Walker and Bernard Fanning. After being struck by kidney failure a year later, he founded the Jimmy Little Foundation to bring healthier futures to indigenous Australians.

A statement released by his family praised Little for his contribution to music and his generosity of spirit. "Jimmy continued to improve the health conditions of indigenous Australians living in rural and remote Australia through the Jimmy Little Foundation," the statement read.

"Although he formally retired from the music industry in 2011 Jimmy's love for music never wavered, even taking up piano lessons at the age of 75 years old.

" Little was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 1999 and five years later appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list and named a National Living Treasure. His wife Marjorie Rose Little died in July last year.

He is survived by his daughter Frances Claire Peters-Little and his grandson James Henry Little.

Jimmy Little

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Your Comments

Sad that Jimmy has left us

Stephanie Brown - from Marrickville,NSW, 1 year

It is very sad this week,to loose such a gentle soul,wonderful singer and performerand spokeperson for the Aboriginal community.For the last few years I have a poster of him up on my wall.taerting the day,looking at his smie in the poster, made me feel more hopeful. I still find i hard to perceive that a man lke "Jimmy Little" despite the prejudice and oppressive treartnent to him ans the his aboriginal race was so loving rather thn bitter and twisted.What a inspiration.

Ms

Amanda - from Cumberland Park, 1 year

A wonderful musician and a wonderful ambassador for all Australians regardless of race. A gentle soul who did so much to bridge the divide between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Australians. He will live on in his lovely music. I will send a smile and a thought whenever I hear the Royal Telephone.

Mr

Alan Carmichael - from Para Vista, 1 year

I was 15 (1963) when The "Royal Telephone" became a hit. The lyrics "Telephone to Jesus he is on the line" have stayed with me for years and in prayers I often connect with that free call to a higher power all because of Jimmy's "Royal Telephone" . The song put me in touch with Christianity to this day. In my radio show Easter Saturday on 100,5 WOWFM (Semaphore) from 7.30 am-10.00am. I will be doing a compressed biography of Jimmy. He truly was a wonderful man always giving to others.

Uncle Jimmy was a legend

Margaret - from Belmore Sydney, 1 year

I spent one evening sitting across from Uncle Jimmy over dinner and felt his gentle caring generous spirit at first hand. That was what I felt when I heard his music or saw him perform. A Yorta Yorta man who lived a full life with a wonderful family and a belief in a strong future for Aboriginal people. His songs were timeless and will always resound with his spirit. May he rest in peace.

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