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Lionel Long was an Australian country and folk singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor and artist. He 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 Crawford Production's Homicide.
Lionel Joaquin Paul Long was born in 1939 at Burwood, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of Ernest Long who was an accomplished violinist, and his wife, Aileen Ellis-Lynch. His father committed suicide in 1940, following which Lionel and his mother moved to Rose Bay, in Sydney's eastern harbour-side, often spending time at Bondi. After completing his formal education at Christian Brothers School, Lionel worked as a jackaroo in the Hunter Valley and the expansive outback of Queensland, where he also honed his skills in singing and playing guitar. Returning home, he attended Hawkesbury Agricultural College, studying commercial art and marine biology. [1]
Lionel married Carole Sue Newgrosh in 1964 at Chatswood, New South Wales. [2] They have two children, one of whom is daughter, Amberwren Eryn Hillcoat Gorrick Long, who was the title subject of Lionel's 1966 album. Amberwren married Darren Giles and had two children. [3]
While at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Lionel's musical talent was noted by Ron Wills of EMI Columbia and he was signed to the music label; being encouraged to move from his preferred country genre to the growing folk genre. He moved to RCA in the 1970s, releasing four albums, before returning to EMI for one final album. His albums were: [1]
In the late 1980s, Lionel appeared at the Sydney Opera House, before travelling to Nashville, Tennessee. His illustrations of the era graced several books and guides. [1]
During the 1960s Lionel's profile was boosted by appearances on several television shows, including the hit Channel 9 music program,
He also performed on several other television shows:
Lionel's best-known television appearance was on the police series Homicide as Detective Bert Costello. His character was planned for only a few episodes, but Lionel's popularity was such that he appeared in 49 episodes between 1968 and 1969. Other series included: [4]
Lionel dabbled in films in Hollywood, where he was even selected to be on the voting panel for the Academy Awards: [4]
From the early 1980s, he operated an acting school at Bankstown, New South Wales, moving it to the inner city of Sydney in 1984. [4]
Medal of the Order of Australia |
Lionel was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 1993 Australia Day honours, for 'service to the performing and visual arts'. [5]
Aged 58 years, Lionel passed away on 1st January 1998 at Sacred Heart Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales and his ashes are placed in the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, Matraville. [1]
Featured Eurovision connections: Lionel is 34 degrees from Agnetha Fältskog, 25 degrees from Anni-Frid Synni Reuß, 29 degrees from Corry Brokken, 25 degrees from Céline Dion, 24 degrees from Françoise Dorin, 25 degrees from France Gall, 30 degrees from Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, 26 degrees from Lill-Babs Svensson, 17 degrees from Olivia Newton-John, 33 degrees from Henriette Nanette Paërl, 34 degrees from Annie Schmidt and 19 degrees from Moira Kennedy on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
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Categories: Australia, Featured Connections | Matraville, New South Wales | Medal of the Order of Australia | Australia, Actors | Australia, Singers | Songwriters | Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, Matraville, New South Wales | Folk Musicians | Featured Connections Archive 2021 | Australia, Notables in the Music Industries | Notables