This photograph has significance as an illustration of John Williamson's career as a recording artist with Festival Records. Williamson had a successful recording career from the early 1970s. He was associated with Festival Records for many years, initially on the Festival label and later through his own Emusic label, releasing classic albums 'Mallee Boy', 'Warragul' and 'Boomerang Café'.

As an Australian record company, Festival Records was for over 50 years a significant force in the music recording industry. It financed, recorded, manufactured, promoted, marketed, distributed and published a huge range of local and overseas music, from classical to popular, under an equally vast number of labels. Although a major record company, it was independent of the five multinational companies that dominated the industry worldwide.

Festival Records manufactured vinyl discs in Sydney for 40 years. At the height of production in the 1980s Festival's factory was buzzing with 26 record presses pumping out 25,000 records per day. In addition there was a cassette duplicating plant, an art department, a printing department for album covers, plus a huge warehouse for packing and distribution.

Festival Records provided a home to a vast array of musical styles and many independent labels, not readily identified with the Festival brand. For over fifty years its existence as a major independent record company, competing with the multinationals, helped to create a healthy environment for Australian music.

Made for Festival Recods. Photographer unknown.

Festival Records kept publicity material and promotional items relating to its recording artists. This signed photograph remained in Festival Records' collection until donated to the Museum. It was displayed in the Museum's exhibition 'Spinning Around: 50 Years of Festival Records', from 2001 to 2003.

Photograph, framed, John Williamson, paper / metal / acrylic / string, made for and used by Festival Records, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1987

Frame is black metal with acrylic cover, masonite backing board, string on back for hanging, cream mount. Black and white photograph of John Williamson with his name at bottom and the text 'Management - Phil Matthews ...' and Festival Records logo. Written in pen on the photograph are the words 'I'm very proud to be with Festival, the all Australian co. You're the best!' signed 'John Williamson 87'.

Made: 1987

2007/50/95

1987

297 mm

273 mm

20 mm