Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum

Ian Meldrum was born on a ship outside the port of Aden, South Yemen.

During 1966 and 1967, Meldrum worked as a mimer on the Australian television programme Kommotion.

He then worked as a journalist for Aussie rock magazine Go-Set.

It was Melbourne radio announcer Stan Rofe who coined Ian Meldrum’s nickname of ‘Molly’ in 1970.

Molly Meldrum hosted a children’s television show on the Seven Network called Do It (later changed to Anything Can Happen) in 1973. The program’s main claim to fame was that it featured Skyhooks‘ debut television appearance, in 1974.

Molly was associated with Australia’s premier TV music show Countdown right from its inception in October 1974 until it was finally axed in July 1987.

Initially, he worked behind-the-scenes as talent coordinator, first appearing on camera in June 1975 with his Humdrum report.

Meldrum also successfully produced several hit singles, including The Real Thing (1969) by Russell Morris, Don’t Fall In Love (1977) by The Ferrets, and several singles by 70s Aussie duo, Cheetah.

Molly was elected King Of Moomba for Melbourne’s 1985 Moomba Festival.

On 15 December 2011, Meldrum was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being found unconscious in the backyard of his home. He is believed to have fallen off a ladder from a height of around three metres. He was placed under intensive care in a sedated state and had surgery for his head injuries.

On 19 January Meldrum was taken out of hospital and moved into a rehabilitation centre.