The Fifth

Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a trade association representing the Australian recording industry which was established in the 1970s by six major record companies, EMI, Festival Records (Australia), Festival, Sony Music ...

Music Awards (generally known as the

ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...

or simply The ARIAs) was held on 25 March 1991 at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

. International host

Bob Geldof Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof (; born 5 October 1951) is an Irish singer-songwriter and political activist. He rose to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, who achieved popularity as part ...

was assisted by presenters to distribute 24 awards. There were live performances but the awards were not televised and the ceremony was noted for its three-hours plus length with Gary Morris,

manager Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a government bodies through business administration, nonprofit management, or the political science sub-field of public administra ...

Midnight Oil Midnight Oil (known informally as "The Oils") are an Australian rock band composed of Peter Garrett (vocals, harmonica), Rob Hirst (drums), Jim Moginie (guitar, keyboard) and Martin Rotsey (guitar). The group was formed in Sydney in 1972 by H ...

providing a 20-minute acceptance speech. In addition to previous categories, "Lifetime Achievement Award" was created and first awarded

posthumously Posthumous may refer to: * Posthumous award, an award, prize or medal granted after the recipient's death * Posthumous publication, publishing of creative work after the author's death * Posthumous (album), ''Posthumous'' (album), by Warne Marsh, 1 ...

record producer A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...

and

Albert Productions Albert Productions, a division of music publishing and recording company Albert Music, is one of Australia's longest established independent record labels to specialise in rock and roll music. The label was founded in 1963 by Ted Albert, wh ...

label owner, Ted Albert (who died in November 1990);Albert Productions, Milesago: Australasian Music & Popular Culture 1964–197
website
/ref> an "Outstanding Achievement Award" was presented to Midnight Oil. The

ARIA Hall of Fame Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has inducted artists into its annual ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone ceremo ...

inducted four artists:

Don Burrows Donald Vernon Burrows (8 August 1928 – 12 March 2020) was an Australian jazz and swing musician who played clarinet, saxophone and flute. Life and career Donald Vernon Burrows was born on 8 August 1928, the only child of Vernon and Beryl an ...

, Peter Dawson,

Glenn Shorrock Glenn Barrie Shorrock (born 30 June 1944) is an Australian singer and songwriter. He was a founding member of rock bands the Twilights, Axiom, Little River Band and post LRB spin-off trio Birtles Shorrock Goble, as well as being a solo perfo ...

and

Billy Thorpe William Richard Thorpe AM (29 March 1946 – 28 February 2007) was an English-born Australian singer-songwriter, and record producer. As lead singer of his band Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, he had success in the 1960s with "Blue Day", "Poison Iv ...

Ceremony details

Host

found the three-hour plus ceremony to be interminable and threatened to walk out.

's manager Gary Morris provided the longest acceptance speech of the night at 20 minutes. According to music journalist,

Anthony O'Grady Anthony Austin O'Grady (28 January 194719 December 2018) was an Australian writer, music journalist, editor and producer. He created and edited ''Rock Australia Magazine'' from 1975 to 1981. He wrote articles for '' The Bulletin''. In 1994 O'G ...

, " ecovered a gambit of topics including the downfall of Western Civilization." Morris later stated that as the ceremony was not televised he decided to speak his mind.

's speech on his

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

induction, "travelled almost as long ... eremembered friends and supporters throughout a 30-year career." According to ARIA spokesperson, Peter Rix, "It was my worst ARIA nightmare come true." Music commentator,

Molly Meldrum Ian Alexander "Molly" Meldrum AM (born 29 January 1943) is an Australian music critic, journalist, record producer and musical entrepreneur. He was the talent coordinator, on-air interviewer, and music news presenter on the former popular musi ...

, disapproved of Morris' speech length—they had already had a fracas at the ARIAs in

1988 1988 was a crucial year in the early history of the Internet—it was the year of the first well-known computer virus, the Morris worm, 1988 Internet worm. The first permanent intercontinental Internet link was made between the United State ...

—Meldrum provided an even longer acceptance speech in

1993 The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as: * International Year for the World's Indigenous People The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...

Presenters and performers

The ARIA Awards ceremony was hosted by Bob Geldof. Presenters and performers were:

Awards

The winners are listed in bold.

ARIA Awards

*Album of the Year **

– '' Blue Sky Mining'' ***

The Black Sorrows The Black Sorrows are an Australian blues rock band formed in 1983 by mainstay vocalist Joe Camilleri (ex-Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons), who also plays saxophone and guitar. Camilleri has used various line-ups to record 17 albums, with five reachin ...

– '' Harley and Rose'' ***

John Farnham John Peter Farnham (born 1 July 1949) is a British-born Australian singer. Farnham was a teen pop idol from 1967 until the mid-1970s, billed as Johnny Farnham. He has since forged a career as an adult contemporary singer.McFarlane (1999). Enc ...

– ''

Chain Reaction A chain reaction is a sequence of reactions where a reactive product or by-product causes additional reactions to take place. In a chain reaction, positive feedback leads to a self-amplifying chain of events. Chain reactions are one way that sys ...

'' ***

INXS INXS (a phonetic play on "in excess") were an Australian rock band, formed as the Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney. The founding members were bassist Garry Gary Beers, main composer and keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, gu ...

– '' X'' ***

Margaret Urlich Margaret Mary Urlich (24 January 1965 – 22 August 2022) was a New Zealand singer who lived in Australia for most of her career. Urlich's 1989 debut solo studio album, ''Safety in Numbers'', won " Breakthrough Artist – Album" at the 1991 A ...

– ''

Safety in Numbers Safety in numbers is the hypothesis that, by being part of a large physical group or mass, an individual is less likely to be the victim of a mishap, accident, attack, or other bad event. Some related theories also argue (and can show statistica ...

'' *Single of the Year ** Absent Friends – " I Don't Want to Be With Nobody But You" ***

Divinyls Divinyls () were an Australian rock band that were formed in Sydney in 1980. The band primarily consisted of vocalist Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. Amphlett garnered widespread attention for performing on stage in a school un ...

– " I Touch Myself" ***

– " That's Freedom" ***

Hunters and Collectors Hunters & Collectors are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, formed in 1981. Fronted by founding member, singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour, the band's other mainstays are John Archer on bass guitar and Doug Falconer on drums an ...

– " Throw Your Arms Around Me" ***

– " Blue Sky Mine" *Highest Selling Album **

– ''

'' *Highest Selling Single ** Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – " Mona" *Best Group **

– '' Blue Sky Mining'' ***

Boom Crash Opera Boom Crash Opera are an Australian pop rock band formed in late 1984. Initially based around the songwriting partnership of Richard Pleasance and Peter Farnan, the band was later joined by Dale Ryder (vocals), Peter 'Maz' Maslen (drums) and Greg ...

– '' Look! Listen!!'' ***

– '' Harley and Rose'' ***

– " Throw Your Arms Around Me" ***

– '' X'' *Best Female Artist **

Wendy Matthews Wendy Joan Matthews (born 13 January 1960) is a Canadian-born Australian singer-songwriter who has been a member of Models (band), Models and Absent Friends (band), Absent Friends and is a solo artist. She released Top 20 hit singles in th ...

– ''

Émigré An ''émigré'' () is a person who has emigrated, often with a connotation of political or social exile or self-exile. The word is the past participle of the French verb ''émigrer'' meaning "to emigrate". French Huguenots Many French Huguenot ...

'' ***

Kate Ceberano Catherine Yvette Ceberano ( or , born 17 November 1966) is an Australian singer and actress who performs in the rock, soul, jazz and pop genres, as well as in film and musicals such as '' Jesus Christ Superstar''. Her single " Bedroom Eyes" re ...

– '' Like Now'' ***

Grace Knight Grace Ethel Knight (born 23 December 1955) is an English-born Australian vocalist and songwriter. During the 1980s she was a mainstay of pop group Eurogliders which formed in Perth, Western Australia. Knight later became a solo jazz singer and ...

– '' Come In Spinner'' *** Jenny Morris – "

Piece of My Heart "Piece of My Heart" is a romantic soul song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns, originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. Franklin's single peaked in December 1967 at number 10 on the '' Billboard'' Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart ...

" ***

– ''

'' *Best Male Artist **

– ''

'' ***

Peter Blakeley Peter Blakeley is an Australian white soul/adult contemporary singer and songwriter. Blakeley was a lead singer of the Rockmelons in the mid-1980s. He launched a solo career in 1987 and had a massive hit single in Australia in 1989 with " C ...

– '' Harry's Café De Wheels'' ***

Jimmy Barnes James Dixon Barnes ( Swan; born 28 April 1956) is an Australian rock singer. His career, both as a solo performer and as the lead vocalist with the rock band Cold Chisel, has made him one of the most popular and best-selling Australian music a ...

– '' Two Fires'' ***

Daryl Braithwaite Daryl Braithwaite (born 11 January 1949) is an Australian singer. He was the lead vocalist of Sherbet (1970–1984 and many subsequent reunions). Braithwaite also has a solo career, placing 15 singles in the Australian top 40, including ...

– '' Rise'' ***

Stephen Cummings Stephen Donald Cummings (born 13 September 1954) is an Australian rock singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of Melbourne-based rock band the Sports from 1976 to 1981, followed by a solo career which has met with critical acclaim but h ...

– " Hell (You've Put Me Through)" *Best New Talent **

Archie Roach Archibald William Roach (8 January 1956 – 30 July 2022) was an Australian (Gunditjmara and Western Bundjalung people, Bundjalung) singer-songwriter and Aboriginal Australian, Aboriginal activist. Often referred to as "Uncle Archie", Roach wa ...

– '' Charcoal Lane'' *** Doug Anthony Allstars – ''

Icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...

'' *** Sea Stories – ''Miller's Pond'' *** Mary-Jo Starr – ''Too Many Movies'' ***

The Screaming Jets The Screaming Jets are an Australian hard rock band formed in Newcastle, New South Wales from the band Aspect formed in high school by Grant, Dave, Frank Manitta and Grant Wiltshire (deceased) in 1984 which Paul Woseen was also a later member o ...

– " C'mon" *Breakthrough Artist – Album **

– ''

'' *** Absent Friends – '' Here's Looking Up Your Address'' ***

– ''

'' ***

– '' Charcoal Lane'' ***

Southern Sons Southern Sons is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria in 1989 by members of The State (band), The State along with lead vocalist and guitarist Irwin Thomas, who was then using the stage name Jack Jones. T ...

– ''

'' *Breakthrough Artist – Single **

– "

Token Angels "Token Angels" is a song by Australian recording artist Wendy Matthews. It was released in September 1990 as the lead single from her debut solo studio album, ''Émigré (album), Émigré''. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1991, the song won the AR ...

" *** Absent Friends – " I Don't Want to Be With Nobody But You" ***

– " Took the Children Away" ***

Seven Stories Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books is a museum and visitor centre dedicated to children's literature and based in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, close to the city's regenerated Quayside. The renovated Victorian ...

– "Sleeping Through Another War" ***

– " Heart in Danger" *Best Country Album ** James Blundell – '' Hand It Down'' *** Luhrs & Crawford – ''Midnight In Paradise'' *** Norma Murphy – ''Closer Now'' ***

Slim Dusty Slim Dusty, AO MBE (born David Gordon Kirkpatrick; 13 June 1927 – 19 September 2003) was an Australian country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He was an Australian cultural icon, referred to universally as Australia's Ki ...

– ''Coming Home'' ***Various Artists – ''Breaking Ground – New Directions in Country Music'' *Best Independent Release ** The Killjoys – ''

Ruby Ruby is a pinkish-red-to-blood-red-colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapph ...

'' *** Blue Ruin – ''I'm Gonna Smile'' *** Girl Monstar – " Joe Cool" *** Roaring Jack – ''Through the Smoke of Innocence'' ***Various Artists – '' Rockin Bethlehem: The Second Coming'' *Best Indigenous Release **

– '' Charcoal Lane'' *** Coloured Stone – ''Crazy Mind'' ***Various Artists – ''Australia All Over Macca's No. 4'' ***Various Artists – '' From the Bush'' *** Wild Pumpkins At Midnight – ''Little Victories'' *Best Adult Contemporary Album **Vince Jones and Grace Knight – '' Come in Spinner'' *** Andrew Pendlebury – ''Zing... Went To The Strings'' *** Marc Hunter – ''Night & Day'' ***Original Cast Recording – ''

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

'' ***

Tommy Emmanuel William Thomas Emmanuel (born 31 May 1955) is an Australian guitarist. Originally a session player in many bands, he has released many award-winning recordings as a solo artist. In June 2010, Emmanuel was appointed a Member of the Order of Aus ...

– '' Dare to Be Different'' *Best Comedy Release ** John Clarke & Bryan Dawe – '' Great Interviews of the Twentieth Century'' *** The 12th Man – '' The 12th Man Again'' *** The D-Generation – ''The Breakfast Tapes'' *** Doug Anthony All Stars – ''

'' *** HG Nelson & Roy Slaven – ''Wicket to Wicket''

Fine Arts Awards

*Best Jazz Album ** Clarion Fracture Zone – '' Blue Shift'' ** The Last Straw – ''The Last Straw'' *** Dale Barlow – ''Horn'' ***

Paul Grabowsky Paul Atherstone Grabowsky , born 27 September 1958, is an Australian pianist and composer, founder of the Australian Art Orchestra. Biography Born in Lae, Papua New Guinea, Grabowsky is a pianist and composer of music for film, theatre and o ...

– ''The Moon and You'' *** James Morrison – ''Snappy Doo'' *Best Classical Album ** Stuart Challender,

Sydney Symphony Orchestra The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney. With roots going back to 1908, the orchestra was made a permanent professional orchestra on the formation of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1932. ...

– ''Sculthorpe: Orchestral Works'' *** David Helfgott – ''David Helfgott'' ***

Geoffrey Simon Geoffrey Philip Simon (born 3 July 1946) is an Australian conductor resident in London. Recordings Geoffrey Simon was born on 3 July 1946 in Adelaide. He was a student of Herbert von Karajan, Rudolf Kempe, Hans Swarowsky and Igor Markevit ...

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an Australian orchestra based in Melbourne. The MSO is resident at Hamer Hall. The MSO has its own choir, the MSO Chorus, following integration with the Melbourne Chorale in 2008. The MSO relies on fun ...

– ''Percy Grainger: Orchestral Works'' *** Hartley Newnham & Nicholas Routley – ''Hermit of Green Light'' ***The Choir of

Christ Church St Laurence Christ Church St Laurence is an Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican church (building), church located at 814 George Street, Sydney, George Street, near Central railway station, Sydney, Central railway station and Haymarket, in City of Sydney, ...

– ''Victoria: Missa Surge Propera'' *Best Children's Album **

Robyn Archer Robyn Archer, AO, CdOAL (born 1948) is an Australian singer, writer, stage director, artistic director, and public advocate of the arts, in Australia and internationally. Biography Archer was born Robyn Smith in Prospect, South Australi ...

– ''Mrs Bottle's Burp''The full title for this album is Mrs Bottle's Absolutely Blurtingly Beautiful World-Beating Burp. *** Agro – ''The Agro Album'' ***

Don Spencer Donald Richard Spencer (born 22 March 1937) is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and former children's television presenter. He had a long tenure as a host on ''Play School'' on both the Play School (Australian TV series), Australian ...

– ''Let's Have Fun'' *** Glynn Nicholas & The Funky Fossils – ''The Dinosaur Album'' *** John Williamson – '' JW's Family Album'' *Best Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show Recording **

Jon English Jonathan James English (26 March 1949 – 9 March 2016) was an English-born Australian singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He emigrated from England to Australia with his parents in 1961. He was an early vocalist and rhythm guitarist for S ...

and David Mackay – ''

'' ***

Brian May Sir Brian Harold May (born 19 July 1947) is an English musician, songwriter, record producer, animal welfare activist and astrophysics, astrophysicist. He achieved global fame as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the rock band Queen ...

– '' Bloodmoon'' *** Bruce Smeaton – '' Wendy Cracked a Walnut'' *** Michael Askill & Nigel Westlake – ''Road to Xanadu – The Genius That Was China'' *** Vince Jones &

– '' Come in Spinner''

Artisan Awards

*Song of the Year ** Phil Buckle,

, Ross Fraser – " Burn for You" (John Farnham) *** Joe Camilleri and Nick Smith – " Harley + Rose" (

) *** Roger Mason – "

" (

) ***

– " Blue Sky Mine" (Midnight Oil) ***

Mark Seymour Mark Jeremy Seymour (born 26 July 1956) is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. He was the frontman and songwriter of rock band Hunters & Collectors from 1981 until 1998. Seymour has carved a solo career, releasing his debut solo alb ...

– "Turn a Blind Eye" (

) *Producer of the Year Note: User may be required to access archived information by selecting 'The History', then 'By Award', 'Producer of the Year' and 'Option Show Nominations'. ** Ross Fraser – " That's Freedom" –

, " Heart in Danger" –

, "The Love We Make" – Girl Overboard, "

Jukebox in Siberia "Jukebox in Siberia" is a song by the Australian group, Skyhooks, released in October 1990 as the lead single from the group's compilation album, '' The Latest and Greatest'' (November). It was the group's first new recording in almost a decad ...

" and "Tall Timber" – Skyhooks *** Martin Armiger – " Sophisticated Lady", " The Man I Love"/" I've Got You Under My Skin"/" She's Not There"/"

Nature Boy "Nature Boy" is a song first recorded by American jazz singer Nat King Cole. It was released on March 29, 1948, as a single by Capitol Records, and later appeared on the 1961 album '' The Nat King Cole Story''. It was written by eden ahbez as ...

" –

/ Vince Jones/

Crowded House Crowded House are an Australian-New Zealand rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria (state), Victoria, Australia, in 1985. Its founding members were Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter) and Paul Hester (drums), who were both for ...

*** Ollie Olsen – "Monday Night by Satellite" – Max Q *** Jeffrey Burstin, Joe Camilleri, Peter Luscombe – " Harley + Rose", "Angel Street", " Never Let Me Go", "Hold It up to the Mirror" –

***

Ricky Fataar Ricky Fataar (born 5 September 1952) is a South African musician of Malay descent who has performed as both a drummer and a guitarist. He gained fame as an actor in ''The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash'', a spoof on the Beatles, in which he per ...

– "

", "

Woman's Gotta Have It ''Woman's Gotta Have It'' is the second album by Cornershop, released in 1995. Recording and release The song ''My Dancing Days Are Done'' is performed in French (''mes jours de bal perdus'') by the guest singers Parsley and Sasha Andres. The ...

" –

*Engineer of the Year ** David Nicholas – " Blue Sky Mine", " Forgotten Years", " King of the Mountain", "Bedlam Bridge" –

, " Suicide Blonde", " Disappear" –

, "

" – Jenny Morris *** "Only You" – Bang the Drum *** " Mona", "

Amanda Amanda is a Latin feminine gerundive (i.e. verbal adjective) name meaning, literally, "she who must (or is fit to) be loved". Other translations, with similar meaning, could be "deserving to be loved," "worthy of love," or "loved very much by ev ...

", "I Almost Felt Like Crying" – Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 *** Doug Brady – " Strong as Steel", " I Need Your Body", " The Machine's Breaking Down" –

Tina Arena Filippina Lydia "Tina" Arena (born 1 November 1967) is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, musical theatre actress and record producer. She is one of Australia's highest-selling artists and has sold over 10 million records worldwid ...

, "

" – Skyhooks, " Burn for You", " That's Freedom" –

, " Heart in Danger", "

Always and Ever ''Always and Ever'' () is a 2013 Hong Kong TVB television romance drama serial starring Bobby Au-yeung and Esther Kwan and produced by Chong Wai-kin. The drama follows a love story which spans three lifetimes, from Song dynasty in the 13th ce ...

" –

*** Tony Espie – "

" –

, "Somebody to Love" – Bughouse *Best Video ** Claudia Castle – " Blue Sky Mine" –

*** "Permanent Friend" – Girl Overboard *** " Suicide Blonde" –

*** " That's Freedom" –

*** "Dr Dynamite" – Mighty Big Crime *Best Cover Art **Livingstone Clarke,

–

– '' Blue Sky Mining'' ***Timothy Eames – '' Collected Works'' –

Hunters & Collectors Hunters & Collectors are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, formed in 1981. Fronted by founding member, singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour, the band's other mainstays are John Archer on bass guitar and Doug Falconer on drums an ...

***Iva Davies and David Barnes – '' Code Blue'' – Icehouse ***Jon Quinn – ''

'' –

***Capitol Art / Peter Blakeley – '' Harry's Café De Wheels'' –

Achievement awards

Lifetime Achievement Award

* Ted Albert

Outstanding Achievement Award

ARIA Hall of Fame inductees

The

Hall Of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

inductees were: *

* Peter Dawson *

Notes

References

External links

ARIA Awards official websiteList of 1991 winners
{{ARIA music awards ARIA Music Awards 1991 music awards 1991 in Australian music 1990s in Sydney Events in Sydney