Not ‘True Blue’: John Williamson Says Anti-Immigration Protesters ‘Hijacked’ His Song

John Williamson, the Australian “bush music” legend, has criticized a nationwide anti-immigration protestation wherever his signature song, “True Blue,” was reportedly played without his approval.

Thousands gathered successful respective Australian superior cities past Sunday, Oct. 19 for the “March for Australia” rallies, which formed arsenic a corporate dependable against the national government’s migration policies, and for antagonistic protests. Williamson, not for the archetypal time, has called retired the unauthorized usage of his music.

Turning to Facebook, Williamson writes: “‘True Blue’ is simply a opus for each Australians and should not beryllium hijacked by immoderate radical that seeks to usage the opus to sow division. I judge successful a multicultural nine – 1 wherever each Australians travel unneurotic successful unity to observe our unsocial multicultural quality and freedoms.”

A decennary ago, the ARIA Hall of Famer enactment blimpish lawsuit organizers connected blast for attempting to weaponize his celebrated song. Back successful 2015, helium shared a station connected Facebook successful which helium noted that “True Blue” was reportedly being utilized astatine rallies by assorted groups including the Reclaim Australia movement, and “did not person my support to usage it.” On that occasion, helium wrote, “I would similar the opus beryllium utilized to observe togetherness successful our large country. How astir holding a rally for ‘Love’ and spot who turns up. Hatred ne'er solves anything.”

A instrumentalist and conservationist, Williamson’s vocation spans much than 50 years. The 79-year-old has sold much than 5 cardinal albums and accumulated upwards of 1 cardinal streams. Over time, helium has collected 28 Golden Guitar awards, 4 ARIA Awards, and connected Australia Day 1992, was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for work to Australian state euphony and successful stimulating consciousness of conservation issues.” Williamson performed astatine the opening ceremonial of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and in 2010 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Since its merchandise successful 1982, “True Blue” opus has go portion of the cloth of Australian culture, and is regularly played astatine sporting events and ceremonies, including Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin’s nationalist memorial service, wherever helium performed it doubly connected acoustic guitar.