Debra Anne Byrne (born 30 March 1957), formerly billed as Debbie Byrne, is an Australian pop singer, variety entertainer, theatre and TV actress and writer, director and choreographer of cabaret. From April 1971 to March 1975 she was a founding cast member of ''

Young Talent Time ''Young Talent Time'' is an Australian television variety program produced by Lewis-Young Productions and screened on Network Ten. The original series ran from 1971 until 1988 and was hosted by singer-songwriter and record producer Johnny You ...

''. She started her solo singing career with a cover version of " He's a Rebel" (March 1974), which peaked at No. 25 on the ''

Go-Set ''Go-Set'' was the first Australian pop music newspaper, published weekly from 2 February 1966 to 24 August 1974, and was founded in Melbourne by Phillip Frazer, Peter Raphael and Tony Schauble. NOTE: This PDF is 282 pages. Widely described as ...

'' Australian Singles chart. At the Logie Awards of 1974 she won Best Teenage Personality and followed with the Queen of Pop Award in October – both ceremonies were sponsored by ''

TV Week ''TV Week'' is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news. Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particu ...

''. She repeated both wins in the following year. As a stage actress Byrne appeared in the Australian musical theatre versions of ''

Cats The cat (''Felis catus''), also referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the ...

'' (July 1985 to mid-1987), ''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' (, ) is a 19th-century French literature, French Epic (genre), epic historical fiction, historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published on 31 March 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. '' ...

'' (November 1987 to May 1988, December 1989 to June 1990) and ''

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, United States, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway (California), Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisad ...

'' (October 1996 to June 1997). Her solo album, '' Caught in the Act'' (April 1991), peaked at No. 2 on the

ARIA Albums Chart The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...

and was certified

gold Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...

. In 2006 Byrne published her autobiography, ''Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir''.

Career

Early career as pop singer

In 1969 Debra "Debbie" Byrne made her television debut on '' Brian and the Juniors'', a children's variety and talent quest, which was hosted by newsreader Brian Naylor. She stayed with the show for 12 months until it finished late in 1970. In April 1971 she became an original cast member on ''

'', another children's talent quest, which was hosted by

Johnny Young Johnny Young (born Johnny Benjamin de Jong, 12 March 1947, Rotterdam, Netherlands) is an Australian singer, composer, record producer, disc jockey, television producer and host. He had a number-one hit with the double-A-sided single, "Step Bac ...

. Byrne proved to be a popular cast member: in March 1974 she won the

Logie Award The TV Week Logie Awards (known colloquially as The Logies) is an annual ceremony celebrating and honouring the best shows and stars in Television in Australia, Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine ''TV Week''. The eve ...

for Best Teenage Personality and the ''

'' Queen of Pop Award in October. In March 1974, before leaving the ''Young Talent Time'' regular cast, Byrne released her first solo single, " He's a Rebel", a cover version of the Phil Spector-produced 1962 hit by

the Crystals The Crystals are an American vocal group that originated in New York City. Considered one of the defining acts of the girl group era in the first half of the 1960s, their 1961–1964 chart hits – including " There's No Other (Like My Baby)", ...

. It peaked at No. 25 on the ''

'' Top 40 Australian Singles chart, and reached No. 1 on the Melbourne charts. Her debut album, '' She's a Rebel'' (1974), was produced by Young, with session musicians including

Russell Dunlop Russell James Dunlop (21 October 194516 May 2009) was an Australian musician, singer-songwriter and record producer-engineer. From the late 1970s he collaborated with Bruce Brown in a production company for albums and singles by Australian perfo ...

on drums (ex-Aesops Fables, SCRA, Renée Geyer and Mother Earth, Johnny Rocco Band), Tim Partridge on bass guitar ( Company Caine, Mighty Kong, Kevin Borich Express), Mark Punch on guitar (Johnny Rocco Band, Renée Geyer Band) and Terry Walker on guitar and backing vocals ( the Strangers, Pastoral Symphony). Byrne's follow-up single was a second Crystals cover, "

Da Doo Ron Ron "Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. It first became a popular top five hit single for the American girl group the Crystals in 1963. American teen idol Shaun Cassidy r ...

" (January 1975), backed by the track, "Boogie Man". In that year she won both the Logie Award for Best Teenage Personality and the ''TV Week'' Queen of Pop Award for a second time. In September 1975 Byrne travelled to London to record at

Abbey Road Studios Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a music recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, London, Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of ...

with

Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is a British singer and actor. He has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the United Kingdom and, as of 2012, was the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart histo ...

producing. While in London, she made public and TV appearances, including on ''The Cliff Richard Show''. Byrne's first Australian television guest appearance as a featured solo artist was on ''

The Graham Kennedy Show ''The Graham Kennedy Show'' was an Australian variety and comedy tonight show which debuted on 19 September 1972 on the Nine Network. On 23 December 1969, host Graham Kennedy quit as host of '' In Melbourne Tonight'' (IMT) due to exhaustion an ...

'' at the age of fifteen. Since then she has made a guest appearance on every major Australian ''Tonight'' show and was a regular performer on the

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...

(ABC) series, ''The Saturday Show''. In 1979 she merged singing with acting for the first time on the ABC's '' TV Follies'' series. From August 1980 Byrne co-starred alongside

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 ...

in their own series, ''Farnham and Byrne''. Craig Walsh of ''

The Australian Women's Weekly ''The Australian Women's Weekly'', sometimes known simply as ''The Weekly'', is an Australian monthly women's magazine published by Are Media in Sydney and founded in 1933. For many years it was the number one magazine in Australia before bein ...

'' previewed a segment for a rock 'n' roll themed episode, " tsstaging promises to make the series the smash hit of 1980, say the producers" with Byrne declaring "I've just discovered I can dance better than I thought." Byrne's career stalled between 1980 and 1985 due to her heroin

addiction Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior that produces natural reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use can ...

, for which she undertook rehab at Odyssey House. A further stumbling block occurred when a sex tape of her and a former partner was stolen and leaked to the media. In mid-1985, Byrne recorded her second solo album, '' The Persuader'', which was produced by Peter Dawkins. She issued the single "The Persuader" in August, but neither single or album charted. She made a successful and highly publicised career comeback in 1985 with the starring role as Kathy McLeod, opposite

Matt Dillon Matthew Raymond Dillon (born February 18, 1964) is an American actor. He has received various accolades, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Independent Spirit Awards alongside nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, ...

, in the feature film, '' Rebel''. She was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for the performance. Byrne sang lead vocals on nine of ten tracks on '' Rebel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' (1985).

Cabaret and concert performances

Byrne's live cabaret, ''Caught in the Act Again'', commenced during mid-1999, it included both show tunes and some original material. The first half was "a little too low-key, mostly because the songs all have a similar, slow, acid-jazzy tempo" according to Fiona Scott-Norman of ''The Age''. She was backed by John McAll on piano and Don Hirini as backing vocalist; she also co-wrote some material, including "I Don't Make the Rules", with Hirini. ''Caught in the Act Again'' earned a Green Room Award nomination for Best Cabaret Performance and Best Musical Arrangement. Her cabaret work includes writing, directing, choreographing and starring in ''Girls, Girls, Girls'' from May to June 2002. The show also starred Wendy Stapleton and Lisa Edwards (replaced by Nikki Nicholls) as a tribute to

the Supremes The Supremes were an American girl group formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 as the Primettes. A premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful Amer ...

Cilla Black Priscilla Maria Veronica White (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), better known as Cilla Black, was an English singer and television presenter. Championed by her friends the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her singles "A ...

Dusty Springfield Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), better known by her stage name Dusty Springfield, was a British singer. With her distinctive mezzo-soprano voice, she was a popular singer of blue-eyed soul, Pop mus ...

Patsy Cline Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American singer. One of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, she was known as one of the first country music artists to successfully Cross ...

and

Lulu Lulu may refer to: Companies * LuLu, an early automobile manufacturer * Lulu.com, an online e-books and print self-publishing platform, distributor, and retailer * Lulu Hypermarket, a retail chain in Asia * Lululemon Athletica or simply Lulu, a C ...

. In 2002 it won the ''

Herald Sun The ''Herald Sun'' is a Conservatism, conservative daily tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia, published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Corp Australia, itself a subsidiary of the American Rupert Murdoch, Murd ...

'' Best Cabaret Award. The shows had sold out before they opened. In subsequent years Byrne, Stapleton and Nicholls periodically resumed ''Girls, Girls, Girls''. Since 1972 Byrne has been a regular performer at the Christmas Eve ''

Carols by Candlelight Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was popularised in Melbourne in 1938. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by candlel ...

'' concert at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl. At the 2005 concert she performed a duet of ''

Silent Night "Silent Night" () is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO The United Nations Educati ...

'' with her five-year-old daughter, Lucille, who was making her professional stage and television debut. In late 2006 her autobiography, ''Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir'', was published on Pan Macmillan. She described how the book took her four years to write, "On and off. I wrote and I didn't write." Byrne reprised her role of Grizabella in the ''ExitLeft'' production of ''Cats'', which was staged at the

Derwent Entertainment Centre The Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC), known Naming rights, commercially as MyState Bank Arena since 2021, is Tasmania's largest indoor arena, serving as Hobart's primary location for large indoor sporting events, functions and live entertainm ...

Hobart Hobart ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly hal ...

in late-October 2007.

2009–present: stage and television roles

In April 2009 Byrne played the role of Sue Barnes in '' Metro Street'' at its world premiere in Adelaide and its subsequent tour to South Korea, with an appearance at the Daegu International Musical Festival (see

Daegu Daegu (; ), formerly spelled Taegu and officially Daegu Metropolitan City (), is a city in southeastern South Korea. It is the third-largest urban agglomeration in South Korea after Seoul and Busan; the fourth-largest List of provincial-level ci ...

) in June. From 29 July 2010 to April 2011 she played the role of the Bird Woman in the original Australian production of the stage musical, ''

Mary Poppins Mary Poppins may refer to: * Mary Poppins (character), a nanny with magical powers * Mary Poppins (franchise), based on the fictional nanny ** Mary Poppins (book series), ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fanta ...

'' at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre. She reprised the role in its Sydney run at the Capitol Theatre. From May to June 2012 Byrne played the role of Claire Christie in the Nine Network's '' Tricky Business''. From February to March 2014 she appeared on a dramatised crime biography, '' Fat Tony & Co.'', portraying Judy Moran, wife of Lewis Moran who was part of the Carlton Crew which were involved in the

Melbourne gangland killings The Melbourne gangland killings were the murders of 36 underworld figures in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, between January 1998 and August 2010. The murders were retributive killings involving underworld groups. The deaths caused a power vac ...

. ''Fat Tony & Co.'' focused on the rise and fall of convicted drug mastermind, Tony Mokbel, and is an offshoot to the first series of '' Underbelly'' (February–May 2008). Byrne described her portrayal of Moran "You'd be surprised what I wear as Judy that's from my own wardrobe ..There's a definite air of the theatrical about her and a lot of what I saw Judy wearing ... I thought she wore some really nice clothes. Everything she wore was so over the top." In 2016 she took the role of Carlotta Campion in a concert version of ''

Follies ''Follies'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The plot centers on a crumbling Broadway theater, now scheduled for demolition, previously home to a musical revue (based on the ''Ziegfeld Follies ...

'' at the Melbourne Recital Hall for a limited run of three performances in May. In August she worked with Vika Bull in their Carole King tribute show, ''Tapestry''. In late 2016, Byrne appeared on the third series of ABC comedy, '' Upper Middle Bogan''. From 2017 through to 2019, she toured with '' Vika Bull'' in their ''

Carole King Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter and musician renowned for her extensive contributions to popular music. She wrote or co-wrote 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billbo ...

'' tribute show 'Tapestry'. In mid 2019, she is set to play the Beggar Woman in a production of '' Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'' opposite '' Anthony Warlow'' and ''

Gina Riley Gina Riley (born 6 May 1961) is a retired Australian actress, writer, singer and comedian, known for portraying Kim Craig in the television series '' Kath & Kim'', and for her work in musical theatre. Career Television and film Riley became a ...

''.

Filmography

Film

Television

Television (as self)

Stage

Theatre

Cabaret

Personal life

Debra Anne Byrne was born on 30 March 1957 in Fitzroy to Norman Owen Byrne (born ca. 19282014) and Verna Alice née Reid (ca. 19301980). She was the fifth of six children, her siblings are Lynda (died 2002), Cheryl, Sandra (died 1970), Peter and Robyn. She also has a younger half sister, Rebecca. Norman worked as an engineering foreman; he became violent when drunk. According to Byrne she was sexually abused by her maternal grandfather, Ken Reid, from a young age until 13. In 1993 Byrne dropped the usage of "Debbie" as her first name. During her stint in ''Young Talent Time'' Byrne had a sexual relationship with "Michael", an on-set boom-camera operator: she was under-age and he was more than ten years older. She later recalled, "I didn't feel protected at all. The attitude was, 'It's over now, it's finished', but this was personal and embarrassing and humiliating and distressing ... Parents need to be aware that even now, with the best protections in place, there's going to be someone who cares more for the product than the child. No law can change that." In February 1975 she was hospitalised due to "a nervous collapse brought on by a strenuous touring campaign." Her support slot on a tour for United States singer,

Gene Pitney Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006) was an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician. Pitney charted 16 top-40 hits in the United States, four in the top ten. In the United Kingdom, he had 22 top-40 h ...

, was taken up by

Samantha Sang Cheryl Lau Sang (born 5 August 1951), known professionally as Samantha Sang, is an Australian singer. She had an earlier career as a teenage singer under the stage name Cheryl Gray, before adopting the stage name she is more widely known as in ...

. Byrne described how "I was drinking, smoking, barely eating, and spending a lot of time in hotel rooms fighting anxiety and depression." By October 1978 Byrne was married to David John Dudley (born ca. 1956) and the couple lived in Elwood. In that month the pair were cleared of drugs charges; Byrne declared that "she knew of some entertainers who had 'come to grief' by being associated with drugs. She had been to one or two parties where drugs were being used but she did not mix with that section of the entertainment industry." Later she recalled meeting Dudley at a party where her "latest boyfriend was an everyday dope smoker and I loved the freedom the drug gave me." They had a daughter together, Arja. Her marriage to Dudley broke-up in 1980 and her mother died in that year. Debra gave birth to her second daughter, Lauren, who was fathered by director Chris Webb. During 1987 while rehearsing for her role of

Fantine Fantine (French pronunciation: ) is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. She is a young ''Grisette (person), grisette'' in Paris who is impregnated by a rich student. After he abandons her, she is forced to look ...

in the Australian theatre production of ''

'', Byrne met fellow actor, Neil Melville. By June 1989 the couple were planning their wedding. Byrne and Melville separated in November 1996 and later divorced. Byrne's performances as Norma Desmond on ''Sunset Boulevard'' from October 1996 to June 1997 were interrupted by "her frequent and sudden absences from the show

hich Ij () is a village in Golabar Rural District of the Central District in Ijrud County, Zanjan province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq ...

were partially blamed for the show's lack of success" despite "great critical notices." She had attempted suicide late in 1997 and was being treated by a psychiatrist to feel "more focused and driven than ever before." She was diagnosed with

clinical depression Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as clinical depression, is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of pervasive low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Intro ...

and undertook a course of prescription medication. In March 1998 she told Peter Ford of ''Playbill'' that "Nobody ever bothered to investigate if that was my major problem, when finally I had a label for my troubles it was a great relief." Byrne was the domestic partner of French musician, Ced Le Meledo, with whom she collaborated on the live show, ''Paris-Melbourne''. They had one daughter together, Lucille Le Meledo (b. 12 July 2000). The couple separated in 2006. Her daughter eventually made her theatrical debut in 2011 as the title role in Annie. In that same year her autobiography, ''Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir'', was released and described by her publisher as "the real story of her gritty, sometimes perilous existence as she chased her career, became addicted to heroin and finally rehabilitated herself". As of 2019, she lives in Melbourne with her daughter Lucille and two of her grandsons whom she has custody of.

Discography

Studio albums

* '' She's a Rebel'' (1974) * '' The Persuader'' (1985) * '' Caught in the Act'' (1991) * '' Sleeping Child'' (1994) * '' New Ways to Dream'' (1997)

Cast Recording and Soundtrack Appearances

* ''Cats - Original Australian Cast Recording'' (1985) * ''Rebel - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' (1985) * ''Les Miserables - The World Symphonic Recording'' (1988) * ''Mary Poppins - Original Australian Cast Recording'' (2010)

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

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 ...

is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of

Australian music The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions o ...

. They commenced in 1987. , - ,

1992 1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General. * January 6 ** The Republ ...

, ''Caught in the Act'' , Best Adult Contemporary Album ,

King of Pop Awards

The King of Pop Awards were voted by the readers of

. The King of Pop award started in 1967 and ran through to 1978. , - , 1974 , herself , Queen of Pop , , - , 1975 , herself , Queen of Pop , , -

Logie Awards

The

Logie Awards The TV Week Logie Awards (known colloquially as The Logies) is an annual ceremony celebrating and honouring the best shows and stars in Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine ''TV Week''. The event is telecast live and ...

(officially the TV Week Logie Awards) is an annual gathering to celebrate Australian television, sponsored and organised by magazine TV Week, with the first ceremony in 1959. The awards represent both public and industry voted awards. , - ,

1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; ...

, herself , Best Teenage Personality , , - ,

1975 It was also declared the ''International Women's Year'' by the United Nations and the European Architectural Heritage Year by the Council of Europe. Events January * January 1 – Watergate scandal (United States): John N. Mitchell, H. R. ...

, herself , Best Teenage Personality ,

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the

Mo Awards The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known as the Mo Awards) were an annual Australian entertainment industry award, established in 1975, to recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia. They were last awarded in 2016. ...

), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Byrne won three awards in that time. (wins only) , - , 1985 , Debbie Byrne , Female Vocal Entertainer of the Year , , - , 1988 , Debbie Byrne , Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year , , - , 1989 , Debbie Byrne , Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year , , -

Other awards

* 1985 AFI Award nomination for Best Actress in a Lead Role for ''Rebel'' * 1991

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...

for Best Theatre Musical Soundtrack, shared with cast of ''The World Symphonic Recording of Les Misérables,'' * 2002 ''

'' Best Cabaret Award for ''Girls, Girls, Girls,'' * Green Room Award nomination for Best Cabaret Performance and Best Musical Arrangement for ''Caught in the Act Again'', * 2009 Daegu Musical Award for Best Actress for ''Metro Street''.

Bibliography

References

* Turner, G., Cunningham, S., ''The Australian TV Book'', Allen and Unwin, NSW, 2000.
Young terror time

Sunset Boulevard press release

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Byrne, Debra 1957 births Living people Actresses from Melbourne Australian child actresses Australian women pop singers Australian women songwriters Australian television actresses Australian women writers Australian autobiographers Logie Award winners Singers from Melbourne Australian women autobiographers