The word Tribute means a gift, testimonial or compliment given in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem. This seemed a fitting title for the collaborative efforts of some of Australia’s finest musicians, in aid of their ailing friends – Pete Wells of Rose Tattoo and Melbourne’s Lobby Loyde. The music industry lost Pete and Lobby in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Prior to their untimely deathes, industry friends put together two rock concerts across Sydney and Melbourne that blew everyone’s minds and hearts and ‘Tribute’ is the live recorded result. Artists featured on the record include: Billy Thorpe, Lobby Loyde, Rose Tattoo, Brian Cadd, Ian Moss, Diesel, Noiseworks, Richard Clapton, Ian Rilen, Spectrum and Russell Morris.

As a generation of much loved musicians reach ages many of them never thought they would see, sadly illness and hard times fall on many of them. Billy Thorpe was acutely aware of this and his determination to do something was heightened during the happy months he spent among his mutually-aging comrades on the ‘Long Way to the Top’ tour of 2002.

In 2005 and 2006 these two shows were put together by Billy and underwritten by Chugg Entertainment. Countless artists and roadcrew gave their time and energy to raise funds for Pete Wells and Lobby Loyde, as directed through Support Act Ltd.

Support Act Limited (SAL) was formed as a registered charity in 1997 by a group of concerned music industry veterans, including Michael Chugg, Meryl Gross and Jim White (ex Festival Records) and Lindy Morrison (Drummer for The Go Betweens) 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. Billy Thorpe became a Director of Support Act shortly before his death in 2007 and in his memory, the Billy Thorpe Foundation has now been setup. It’s specific purpose is to carry out Billy’s dream of creating purpose built spaces within existing retirement homes for music industry veterans.

This recording will benefit Support Act and the families of Pete Wells, Billy Thorpe and Lobby Loyde. All the artists on the recording have given their time and their royalties to the cause. Various industry organizations pitched in to pay for the production of this project and they need to be applauded for doing so –they include Bombora Records, Metropolitan Groove Merchants, Chugg Entertainment, Andrew McManus Presents, Acer Arena and Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Bob King and Serge Thomann Photography and Mushroom Music.

New Support Act Director Brian Cadd comments : “The tracks on this wonderful, uplifting and ultimately celebratory album have come from two extraordinary works of love. The benefit for Lobby Loyde and the benefit for Pete Wells. For our old friend and much-missed giant of Australian Rock, Billy Thorpe, it was a love for these two rock magicians that drove him to put these two concerts together. It was also a practical way to help these legendary musicians in need. And that is what lies at the heart of what Support Act stands for.”