Molly Meldrum’s year… win ‘Countdown’ anniversary CDs

WIN! One of 5 copies of ‘Countdown 40th Anniversary’ on double-CD

At the rate the name ‘Molly Meldrum’ has been bandied about so far this year, you’d think it was the rock’n’roll cowboy’s last days on earth. But keep him off tiled roofs and we’re pretty certain he’ll be around for many years to come.

So far in 2014, Molly’s accomplishments have been well recognised as he became the first non-musician to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. A nice and timely gesture what with the release of his autobiography, the very wittily written ‘The Never, Um, Ever Ending Story’. Molly actually began writing the memoir some 35 years ago and, given his tendency to falter with words, we’ve got to hand it to him for finally finishing it!

His mother network, the ABC, is paying tribute to the halcyon days of his show Countdown, presenting the two-part series ‘Do Yourself A Favour’ – a behind-the-scenes study of the man of not-so-many-words, on November 16 and 23.

And now, the piece de resistance, a compilation has been released, Countdown 40th Anniversary, studded with so many hot tracks, your speakers might melt.

CD One features the likes of glam rockers Skyhooks, Sherbert, Elton John and KISS, with beaut classics, too, by ABBA, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac and Australian Crawl. CD Two sees rock morphing into New Romantic territory, shifting from the likes of Cold Chisel and Split Enz through The Swingers and the B-52s to Duran Duran, Culture Club, The Human League and The Style Council.

There are 42 tracks in total in this double-disc set, each CD kicking off with that very familiar Countdown theme.

So, in the words of the man himself: “Do yourself a favour, and go out and buy this”.

Or try winning a copy through the competition below.  Antonino Tati

‘Countdown 40th Anniversary’ is out through ABC Music / Universal. Cream has 5 copies to give away. To try winning one simply email your name, address and the Subject heading ‘Countdown’ to cream@pobox.com by 5pm AEST, Monday 17 November.