Credit: Published in Capital News October 2002 Vol.27 No.10
CHAD MORGAN - 50 Years of the best
Written By: John Paten
One artist who is definitely a link with the past, and as close to the traditions of Henry Lawson
and A.B. Paterson as any of the early pioneers, is none other than Australia's first native
songster, Chad Morgan.Chadwick William Morgan was born at Wondai, Queensland, on February 11,
1933, to Dave and Ivy Morgan. At an early age he was raised by his grandparents, who had moved
from town to town in search of work. Morgan was so tormented by his obvious appearance - "those
teeth" - that he made an appointment to have his natural teeth removed. In Morgan's own words
"The old farm truck broke down and I missed the appointment". He never did get around to making
another. His teeth, now his trademark, have since became part of Australia's heritage.
At 16, Morgan penned a comical song which in later years would become his signature tune.
The Sheik of Scrubby Creek was intended to be a serious love ballad, to win the heart of a girl
who he had fallen for. Halfway through writing, he thought "I can get any sheila I want, I'm a
sheik" and so it was written.
At 19, Morgan was drafted for National Service Training, RAAF Base at Amberley. His colleagues
dared him to enter a talent quest; he took the dare and won the Brisbane heat. Being so successful,
he was flown down to Sydney to appear on Terry Dear's Amateur Hour, where he also won the semi
finals.
This prompted EMI to offer Chad a recording contract. The Sheik of Scrubby Creek backed with
You Can Have Your Women I'll Stick To My Booze was released on the Regal label on October
24, 1952. Later that year Morgan came second in the Amateur Hour grand final. In fair dealing
the "Sheik" was the biggest seller in Australia, outselling international entertainers Bing
Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
Morgan's only ambition was to record for the famous Regal Zonophone label, after which he
would then return to Scrubby Creek where life went back to normal. He went working the cane
fields of Childers, later heading to Rockhampton catching cattle. Returning home for the festive
season on his motorbike, he was pushed off the road and rammed into a tree. After spending 14
months in hospital, he returned to Sydney to embark on a career which would make him one of the
most popular entertainers of all time.
Throughout Sydney, Morgan made many guest appearances and gained a huge affectionate following.
His first country tour was with Slim Dusty in 1956, and he became the show’s ace card. In 1958,
Chad, Rick & Thel, Kevin King and Nev Nicholls took out the All Star Western Show which was
believed to be the greatest variety show ever staged in Australia. Unfortunately the show ended
after 14 months, later going out as "The Chad Morgan Show" featuring Rick & Thel. About this
time Morgan became the first Australian country music entertainer (main stream) to ever be
released on a 10-inch LP - a genuine collector's item. He instantly became
EMI's biggest record
selling artist. He certainly earned recognition in the entertainment world for his outstanding
comedy act and as a composer.
While touring Australia Morgan made sure he had fun. If he wasn't racing cars off the highway,
he was playing a modern game of William Tell with a .303. Morgan explains "Trevor Day & myself
were travelling outback Queensland, we stopped beside a billabong for lunch. Well I had me .303,
doing some roo shooting as we went. Trevor yells out "Hey Morgan, you reckon you're good, see if
you can take this can off me head at 50 yards."
I said "No, better not." Trevor said "You haven't got the guts, uh?"
"Well, it was 50 yards off the shoulder, I took that bloody can off his head."
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