Vale Big Ian Sutherland

The PBS staff and volunteer community are deeply saddened by the passing of Ian Sutherland, who passed away on Friday July 5, 2024.
 

Ian Sutherland custom-built CD shelves lining his hall to house his Beach Music collection.
Here he stands with the Carolina Beach Music Industry Appreciation Award in view.
Photo supplied by Amanda Blohm

Longtime PBS volunteer, most recently Ian hosted bi-weekly Shaggin' the Night Away; a 4-hour program sharing the best of Carolina Beach Music every 2nd Wednesday morning, airing from 2006 until 2022.
 

“We have lost a wonderfully knowledgeable radio presenter. Ian's show was well respected in the Carolina Beach Music scene and it was a show I always listened back to. He was a thoughtful and generous person with a rye wit, he will be missed. Rest easy Soul Brother.” – Miss Goldie, Boss Action

“Passionate about his genre with an encyclopaedic knowledge of music and funny as heck. He will be greatly missed.” – Matt Frederick, The Juke Joint
 

Born in London 1948, Ian always enjoyed music and by age 12, he carried a transistor tuned into Radio Luxembourg. He developed a love for American music, and was gifted 78s and 45s by the next-door neighbour who introduced him to Jackie Wilson and the Platters singing 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'. After school, he'd sit in with the live studio audience at Ready Steady Go!. As a young mod in London, he immersed himself in the music scene, attending local venues including the likes of The Flamingo Club, a melting pot where he said that:

"American GIs from the airforce bases, young West Indians, African students, and mods hung out at the nightclub.  The American GIs brought their 45s with the latest American releases with them when they came to the Flamingo and played them on the club’s sound system."

When he arrived in Australia in 1965 with his parents and his two sisters under the assisted passenger scheme, he found Melbourne a "music wilderness". While living in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, Ian's friend invited him to join the ALP. He got involved with the East Timor Association, which led him to 3CR at Cromwell Street.

At 3CR, he was part of a Gang of Four who presented the New Wave Show, alongside Bill Smale, David James and Jeff Rule. From the late 70's to early '80s, he also presented Rudy's Sound System. The program featured music from the 1950s onwards and Ian tried to expand listeners understanding of the roots of reggae music and the broad spectrum of reggae performers.  On 8-track cart, Peter Tosh described the program as “the best reggae show in Australia”.

Whilst at 3CR, he managed 3ST – the student radio station based at RMIT, transmitting to the students on campus.  The station supported equal rights for women, gay rights, and racial equality, and was a training ground for young RMIT broadcasters, some of whom became 3CR presenters.  At the time the station was nominated for a prestigious radio award known as PATERS award including Best Community Station in Australasia. Ian was personally nominated for Best Technical Production in a field including well-resourced commercial and state broadcasters. Ian felt was an honour considering the year's winner in that category was the ABC for their 1982 coverage of the Commonwealth Games. 

 

Years later, his old 3CR friend Jeff Rule was hosting two programs at PBS and was facing on and off-air challenges. As a good friend, Ian helped by providing sage advice, a lift from Balaclava to Collingwood, behind-the-scenes on-air supervision, and companionship in the studio. This was a true test of friendship, as Ian was not a metal person and that's what Jeff was playing.

 

Then, when the time was right, Ian returned to the airwaves. In his own words: "When I was putting together a program proposal for air time on PBS-FM I thought that Carolina Beach music was a genre of music that I liked and which no one in Australia knew about........ Put simply beach music is history you can dance to".

Shaggin' The Night Away originally aired in an Insomnia slot, then moved to Saturday nights. Later in an unusual move, found a new home on Wednesday's between 2am-6am. Whilst most might find presenting a show in the middle of the night as a barrier to reach a listening audience, Ian saw it differently. In his mind, somewhere in the world that was PRIME TIME. Streaming opened up a new audience as Ian exposed Carolina Beach Music locally and globally.

In 2014 he was the first person outside of the US to be awarded CBMA Industry Appreciation Award - AKA CAMMY - a testament to his dedication to his work. His program was even syndicated on an internet radio station.

Ian's partner, Amanda says he was proud to be a PBS announcer. As well as a music lover and broadcaster, he is remembered as a kind, intelligent, generous, and funny person who enjoyed life. Ian's PBS show page read: "A cold drink, a warm night & a hot date (+ the right music). That’s what life is all about."

Vale Ian Sutherland.

 

Tributes 

Ian was one of a kind. The Beach Music and Shag world were so impressed with his music and his program and honored that he would play our music in Australia. We were so honored and impressed the Carolina Beach music Academy gave Ian a Carolina Beach music award for his work in preserving our music, his knowledge of the history of the music, and the artist was amazing Rest in peace dear man you will be missed - Harriett Grady Thomas 

 

Incredibly intelligent & perceptive human. Cared about the world & others. But never lost his sense of humour & the aburd. Still recall late night parties laughing at Monty Python & solving the problems of the universe. He was a genuine asset to the Croydon ALP - Alistair McInnes

 

I listened back nearly every week. I loved the music, and he clearly knew his stuff. Though I never met him, I feel quite sad to hear he’s gone - Fiona

 

Waking up in the wee small hours, rolling over and turning on the radio to 106.7 Ian's soothing voice and tunes would keep me company, 'till sleep returned - Greg Van Meeuwen

 

Loved sharing both your music and knowledge, rest easy Ian - Paul Van der Zant

 

Proud to have known Ian as a friend and mentor for forty-five years. It was Ian who got me into broadcasting and introduced me to many styles of music. Sadly missed - Peter A.D. Fogarty

 

I got to know Ian in the 80’s when I was managing the Pater Awards. A kind and gentle soul, his music knowledge was on a par with Ed Nimmervoll, the two greatest musical men I knew. I remember when Stevie Wonder was in Oz on tour and at one point refused all interviews EXCEPT Ian. Lost touch in recent years but loved the guy. Sending love to Amanda! - Charles Collins

 

My first personal connection with Ian was Saturday Night when 8-10pm Shagging The Night Away and I Followed With Roll Back The Carpet 10- Midnight during which my knowledge expanded that a subgenre of soul had Carolina Beach Music And Ian Being a passionate collector had multi versions of tracks so I was a recipient CD’s which he passed on much appreciated by me and enabled me to fill in when his health issues happened. Miss you greatly Big Hugs Ron - Ron Dickinson

 

Ian gave me so much pleasure. Sadly missed, as is his music - Denzil Griffiths

 

Ian Sutherland had many great programs on Melbourne public radio. Phenomenal knowledge of his music specialties was always in evidence and his presentation and program prep were exceptional. Topping it off was his memorably smooth South London voice, singularly preserved in this southern land. He always had a wide loyal listenership and was respected by many musicians. I will miss him for this, but also for his friendship initially forged through public radio and which lasted nearly 40 years. Condolences to Amanda and all his fans. Rest in Peace Ian - Jim Szymanski

 

Our thoughts are with you Amanda at the passing of Ian - Garry Sutton

 

My condolences to you Amanda on the passing of Ian - Wendy Davies

 

I feel so sad to learn of Ian's passing. My sincere thoughts are with Amanda and all of those who were close to Ian. His PBS program Shaggin' the Night Away was something truly unique on Australian airwaves, and his contribution to our station has been incredibly significant. Through the challenges of COVID lockdowns and his own health issues, Ian remained upbeat and never lost his cheeky sense of humour. Ian was incredibly proud of this community radio station, and in turn I feel extremely fortunate to have had Ian here as part of the PBS family for so many years. May he rest in peace - Owen McKern (PBS Program Manager)

 

I was Ian & Amanda's, next door neighbour for 22 years at the old Bohemian Carlton Fire Station Flats, on Swanston St. Ian, constantly played Bob Marley, and I could never open my front door without hearing this music coming from Amanda's, & Ian's. I met people such as Colleen Hartland, Dave James, Bill Smale, and Peter Fogerty at parties over the years that Ian & Amanda held. I always had a cat, and found out over the course of my friendship with Ian, that he like me adored "cats"! A kind, and generous man. Condolences to Amanda. Vale Ian - Angela Raphael

 

Ian was my oldest and very best friend in Australia. We met at radio 3CR in the late seventies and with Bill Smale and Jeff Rule we produced a Friday night program of New Wave music. We were known as the gang of four. From my first years in Australia the kindness, generosity and support that Ian and his partner gave me and throughout the years will never be forgotten. Ian was generous in giving of himself, a very kind man, an intelligent clever man with a terrible sharp wit who enjoyed life. A gentle man, a sensitive man and I suspect sometimes a shy person. I never had a bad word with Ian or him with me. I will miss him lots. The gang of Four is down to one, but the music plays on since from my first years in Australia- David James

 

Ian was one of the great presenters on PBS who produced a fantastic show and it was always a pleasure to listen back to his music - Tom Sianidis

 

Ian was bigger than life and a hidden gem in his beloved overnight fortnightly position. Ian just didn't rest on his laurels as his collection grew alongside his boundless knowledge so the accolades appeared and deservedly so.  Syndication of this masterpiece of specialist music show also his awards from the music he so loved - What an achievement as he conquered all that came around him. Ian never changed who he was and continued to put everything into his show and it was obvious it was from his big heart. Always moving to the beat of a different drum Ian did it his way or no way. As the years rolled by we, (he and l that is), made friends with many of the artists performing his beloved music such as the late "Calabash Flash, Willie Cobb, William Dell & The Wee Dells, and of course their number one radio man Willie C Of The Beach Music Cafe". This cross-pollination helped us both and music travelled back and forth between us.   I like so many people he met over the years am so proud to say yeah l know "Big Ian" and yes he was my friend. Rest easy big guy as you deserve it and l have no doubt you are now the featured act at the biggest Beach Club of all. Shag on dear friend and rest in a much-deserved eternal peace. Much respect, to Amanda, plus all of his family and friends - Peter Merrett AKA Mr. Doo Wop