Aussie Farewells

Australia’s first cowboy crooner, Smoky Dawson, died February 13 in a Sydney hospital.

Born Herbert Henry Dawson, Smoky, 94, became a household name with a radio show called "The Adventures Of Smoky Dawson" in the 1950s, which also starred his horse Flash.

He began cutting records in 1941. His last album, Homestead Of My Dreams, came out in 2005, making him the oldest recording artist in the world. Country singer Lee Kernaghan called Dawson "one of our icons, a mentor to us all."

Brisbane DJ Angus Galloway, aka. DJ Bribe, regarded as the first proper scratcher/tableist in the country, passed away aged 38.

Dennis De Pianto (aka DD Meanie of 1990s Melbourne guitar band The Meanies) died February 15, aged 45, after a battle with cancer.

The guitarist struggled with muscular dystrophy throughout his life, but still managed to tour nationally and internationally with The Meanies.