Music fans are mourning the passing of music icon and well respected member of the community, Uncle Angus Rabbitt.
Rabbitt was a part of Indigenous rock band, Mop & The Dropouts who had the signature track, 'Brisbane Blacks'. The song talked about racial discrimination and police brutality toward Aboriginal people in the 1980s and became an Aboriginal anthem across Australia.
(Image: Facebook) Source: Facebook
Rabbitt was born and raised in Cherbourg, Queensland which is, as fellow bandmate and friend, Dennis "Mop" Conlon wryly puts it, "very well known for it's toughness". After growing up in missions and controlled settlement communities, Rabbitt spent his adult life in Brisbane or touring with bands across the country.
His most recent musical venture was 'Angus Rabitt and the T.A.B Band' (Travelling Aboriginal Band).
A famous photo is on display at The Ration Shed Museum which depicts Rabbitt as a young boy competing in a talent quest at Cherboug's Welfare Hall in 1960. Rabbitt and his junior band mates won first place and their performance was broadcast on Channel 10 television.
The winners received a Kodak Box Brownie camera and an ice cream cake.
Jackie Anderson, Angus Rabbitt (centre) and Freddie Douglas on stage at the Cherboug Welfare Hall, 1960 (Image: State Library of Queensland) Source: State Library of Queensland
Rabbitt and his friends took the title and ice cream cake away from another entry - 'The Gibb Brothers', who later found fame as the Bee Gees.
Interview with Angus Rabbitt recorded in 2013 as part of the “Deadly Brothers” exhibition at the State Library of Queensland
In a 2013 interview, Rabbitt reflected on the success of his music career saying,
"We know - we don't hope - but we know that people do notice and listen to the words and they identify with that."
His words and legacy that has inspired many people will carry on through generations.
This dedication has been approved by the Rabbit family. NITV has followed the advice and protocols requested by the family in the reporting of the story.
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