Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. Over time the costs of maintaining this website have risen substantially (in fact they are probably larger than those of many companies who exist for profit). In the past we have borne all the costs associated with maintaining the website but we are now having difficulties in paying the monthly expenses.
If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Home » Themes » People » Indigenous
Jimmy Little Print Page 
From 1951 he had a career as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, which spanned six decades. For many years he was the main Aboriginal star on the Australian music scene. His music was influenced by Nat King Cole and American country music artist Jim Reeves. His gospel song "Royal Telephone" (1963) sold over 75,000 copies and his most popular album, Messenger, peaked at No. 26 in 1999 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 1999, Little was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and won an ARIA Award for 'Best Adult Contemporary Album'. On Australia Day (26 January) 2004, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.
As an actor he appeared in the films Shadow of the Boomerang (1960) and Until the end of the World (1991), in the theatre production Black Cockatoos and in the opera Black River. As a teacher, from 1985, he worked at the Eora Centre in Redfern and from 2000 was a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney's Koori Centre.
Location
| Address: | Kable Avenue, Bicentennial Park , Tamworth, 2340 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -31.093247 Long: 150.929159 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Sculpture |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Indigenous |
| Artist: | Kate French |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Friday 15th January, 2016 |
|---|
Jimmy Little AO 1 / 3 / 1937 - 2 / 4 / 2012
A proud Yorta Yorta man, Dr James Oswald Little overcame many barriers, paving the way for Indigenous performers.
He was Australia's first Aboriginal country star with his huge hits Royal Telephone and Baby Blue.
He continued to record and perform into his senior years, with that marvellous, melodious voice, also appearing in a number of films.
Sculpted by Kate French
A gift from the country music fraternity to Tamworth and all who visit.
15. 1. 2016
