Ian 'Molly' Meldrum AM (b. 1946) has a long history of involvement and influence in the Australian rock music industry. Although he is a music journalist and producer, he is best known as the host of the ABC television program Countdown, which ran from 1974 to 1987, and for his more recent regular segment on the Melbourne based national television program Hey Hey it's Saturday. In his Countdown years Meldrum was able to persuade the biggest stars of the international music scene to appear with him on set, with some memorable interlocutors including Prince Charles, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Madonna. During this period it was difficult for any act, local or international, to achieve a major commercial hit without his exhorting viewers to 'do themselves a favour' by purchasing it. He is rumoured to be writing a multi-volume autobiography.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2004
© Robin Sellick
The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the
Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
Reproduction request. For further information please contact
NPG Copyright.