Lionel Long

Lionel Joaquin Paul Long, OAM (1939 – 1 January 1998) was an Australian country and folk singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor and artist.

Long became one of Australia's most successful and popular country and folk artists in the 1960s, releasing over a dozen albums for EMI. He was also well known for his acting appearances on television programs such as Homicide.

Lionel Long was born in Burwood, a Sydney suburb, and grew up in Bondi with his mother Aileen and father Ernest who was an accomplished violinist.

After briefly working as a jackaroo in the Hunter Valley, Long returned with his family to Sydney, where he attended Hawkesbury Agricultural College, studying commercial art. He learnt to play the guitar with his long-time friend Gary Shearston. Both young men had a fondness for country and folk music and shared song verses at the Long family home at Rose Bay.

While studying at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Long's musical talent was recognised by Ron Wills of EMI Columbia and he was signed to the music label. Wills had previously produced the breakthrough Australian country hit "Pub With No Beer" by Slim Dusty and had also signed Frank Ifield to the label. Long's friend Gary Shearston also went on to fame, recording on the CBS label.

The 1950s and early 1960s saw folk music become popular in Australia with the success of American folk revivalists such as the Weavers and the Kingston Trio and, later, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter Paul and Mary. The Australian folk music scene's popularity was aided by the international success of Australian group the Seekers. Australian musicians and producers started to research and rediscover Australian folk music from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as "Botany Bay", "Bound For South Australia" and the most famous of all Australian folk songs, "Waltzing Matilda". It was this folk music revival that made EMI Columbia insist that Long move away from his love of country music and record folk music.

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