Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DUSTY, Slim

(b David Gordon Kirkpatrick, 13 June '27, Kempsey, New South Wales; d 19 Sep. 2003, Sydney) Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist who sold more discs there than anybody else, with some 70 gold and platinum records. Raised on farm, renamed himself at age 11, played guitar at twelve, appeared on Kempsey radio. First records for Regal Zonophone '46; first big hit 'A Pub With No Beer' '57 reached no. 3 in the UK. He was awarded an MBE for services to entertainment '70; signed with EMI Australia '76 for the highest fee ever paid to an Australian artist; had another Australian no. 1 '80 with 'Duncan'. His daughter Anne Kirkpatrick has become one of Australia's biggest female country stars. An obit said that he died of cancer while he was recording his 106th album.