Tana Douglas is an Australian author who is best known as the first female rock and roll roadie.[1]
Career
editDouglas began her career at 15 as a roadie after assisting French high-wire artist Philippe Petit when he walked between pylons on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1973.[2] She was part of the ground crew who made sure the film documenting the walk wasn't confiscated. After she assisted a Melbourne band Fox when they toured Sydney, she was invited to join their crew when they returned to Sydney. Through these connections, she next worked with AC/DC in 1974.[3]
Although she had to learn everything on the job, with no training provided,[4] over the next several years Douglas worked as roadie on international tours for Neil Diamond, Iggy Pop, Status Quo, and Carlos Santana.[2] In 1978 she was interviewed by Record Mirror Magazine and revealed she was the only woman roadie on the tours she worked on.[5] When The Who played Wembley Stadium in 1979, the band specifically requested her for the show.[4]
In 2021, Douglas' memoir LOUD was published by ABC Books.[2]
Awards
editAustralian Women in Music Awards
editThe Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tana Douglas | Lifetime Achievement Award | Pending | [6] |
| Live Production Touring Award | Pending |
References
edit- ^ Stuart, Coupe (2018). Roadies: The Secret History of Australian Rock'n'Roll. Hachette UK. ISBN 9780733638756.
- ^ a b c Valentish, Jenny (2021-01-31). "From sharehousing with AC/DC to comforting Sharon Osbourne: life as the world's first female roadie". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ Coupe, Stuart (2018-09-24). "Read an excerpt from Stuart Coupe's book 'Roadies – the Secret History of Australian Rock'n'Roll'". The Music Network. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ a b Keyes, Karrie (2020-03-02). "Ground Breaker Tana Douglas". SoundGirls.org. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ "This lady keeps Quo staisfied" (PDF). Record Mirror: 14. 22 April 1978.
- ^ "2024 Finalists". Australian Women in Music. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2024.