In the past 24 hours the music world has paid its respects to writer, author and lyricist Ed Nimmervoll who passed away on Friday after a battle with brain cancer.
Some of Ed’s lesser-known recognition was as an occasional lyricist. He wrote the words for the Little River Band’s ‘Red-Headed Wild Flower’ from 1978’s ‘Sleeper Catcher’ and ‘Eureka’ for Russell Morris’ recent ‘Sharkmouth’ album.
When the LRB album was sequenced, the Beeb Birtles/Ed Nimmervoll song was the third track on ‘Sleeper Catcher’ coming right after the massive global hits ‘Shut Down Turn Off’, then ‘Reminiscing’.
In remembering Ed, Beeb wrote on Facebook, “It is with great sadness that I hear about the passing of my friend, Ed Nimmervoll. He was by far one of the greatest rock music journalists Australia has ever known. He was the man who wrote the lyrics to “Red-headed Wildflower”, a song we wrote together in memory of Glenys Long who worked for Go-Set. Ed was selfless and always interested in other people’s welfare. I will miss our long and in depth conversations. Rest in peace, Eddie”.
Ed also wrote the words for ‘Eureka’ on Russell Morris’ ‘Van Diemen’s Land’.
“I was sitting with Ed and he asked what are you doing with the next album,” Russell tells Noise11.com. “I said ‘well I’ve just sort of started and played him the very beginnings of Van Diemen’s Land and he said ‘I’ve always wanted to write and I wrote two songs with Little River Band. So I said ‘well write me a song’ and he said ‘I will, I will, I will.’ And he doesn’t. So I ring him and said ‘Ed, where’s that song’ and he said ‘well, I’m thinking about doing Eureka’ and I said ‘so do it’. A couple weeks later, nothing! So I ring him again and tell him ‘Ed, I’ll come around there’. Finally, I cracked the whip and he came up with some lovely lyrics”.
Ed will be remembered as a founder of music journalism in Australia. He pioneered music writing in Australia’s very first music magazine ‘Go Set’ in the 60s with Ian Molly Meldrum (who he never once called Molly, he was always Ian).
Ed went on the drive Juke to a publishing success in the 70s and then turned his talents to radio as a creator of the nation’s biggest ever syndicated program ‘Take 40 Australia’.
Ed’s legacy has also been reported by Cameron Adams in the Herald-Sun and Martin Boulton in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Ed will be remember as a kind and gentle man who never spoke a cross word about anyone. He was an enormous talent and passionate supporter of Australian music. Ed was 67-years old.
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