Inside this issue:

Notes from the chair

What Lindy does

Brian Cadd joins the team

Joke time!

How to join SAL - $33 once-only fee

ARIA Hall of Fame

Bon Scott still making a difference!

Vale Lobby Loyde

Where to apply for assistance

The Board

SAL keeps growing!

As is now becoming more widely known, Support Act Limited (SAL) was formed as a national registered charity in 1997 by a group of concerned music industry veterans who could see that there was a definite need for an organisation to assist members of the industry who were in need or suffering hardship. The Board comprises up to 12 members, with four of the positions permanently available to representatives of music industry peak bodies AMCOS, APRA, ARIA, PPCA.

In February this year, the Board of Support Act Limited (SAL) was delighted to welcome two of Australia's most respected performers to fill two recent vacancies within the organisation... Brian Cadd and Billy Thorpe. The tragedy of Billy's subsequent unexpected death shocked all in the industry, as well as the public in general - the whole world robbed of a great musician, and a great character. Billy somehow made everyone feel he was their friend. Few will ever really appreciate, however, exactly how much of a friend was lost to SAL the day Billy died.

Billy Thorpe had joined the Board of Support Act Limited with an absolute passion for contributing to the organisation in a big way - Billy's usual way! With an ever-growing number of applicants seeking assistance and ongoing help, SAL's most important task is to raise funds. At a successful function held at NSW Parliament House late last year, Billy Thorpe had outlined his ambitious plans to help SAL raise substantial funds in the future to enable much broader ranges of long-term help. The plans involved a huge concert, the life-blood of which would have been Billy's huge enthusiasm.

Without Billy, the task falls to those who remain. Hope lies not just with his colleagues, but also his fans how have come out of the shadows to speak of the inspiration they received from the great man:

"I've read every article about Billy since he left us... Much of what I have read opened up the 'other' side of Thorpie to me; the caring & giving Billy the average person didn't know much about. And then I read about his passion for helping his mates who may be doing it tough & his involvement with Support Act. And that left me wondering what I can do to assist you to raise some much needed funds - in Billy's honour."
Fan: Kevin Lee

 

"As a younger man and prior to my military conscription for Vietnam, I toured West Australia with Billy Thorpe and Johnny Dick back in the late 60's as his opening act and have very fond memories of that time. I look forward to being able to assist with the propagation of the dream he shared with all of you at SAL [by donating $1 per copy sold of the recently released CD] Vietnam Dreamscape."
Colleague: Francis Edwards