Iconic Aussie music royalty, Harry Vanda and the late George Young, were honoured with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the MPEG Awards in Sydney on 26 February. Hosted by the Music Producer and Engineers’ Guild of Australia (MPEG), the awards recognise excellence in music production and sound engineering.
The honour was accepted on behalf of the late George Young by David Albert, CEO at Alberts, and by Harry’s son Daniel Vandenberg.
“One of the great privileges of my time at Alberts has been the opportunity to get to know and to work with Harry Vanda and George Young – two of Australia’s and arguably the world’s greatest songwriters, producers, engineers and performers,” said David.
He noted that he recently spoke to George’s wife, Sandra Young, who wanted him to express her deep appreciation to the Music Producer and Engineers’ Guild for bestowing this honour.
Albert CEO, David Albert (Image: Jess Macc Photography).
“I know that if George was still with us today, he would have been very uncomfortable being up on this stage (unless of course he had his trusty Maton guitar in hand),” added David, “but he would have had a cheeky smile on his face knowing that he and his long-time friend, bandmate and co-conspirator were being recognised in this way.”
Echoing this sentiment, the night’s master of ceremonies, chair of MPEG Anna Laverty, highlighted the duo’s profound impact on the soundscape of pop and rock: “As we honour them tonight with the Lifetime Achievement Award, we acknowledge not just their past achievements, but also the lasting imprint they’ve left on the global music landscape.”
Powerhouse duo, the late George Young (left) and Harry Vanda.
It all started at the Villawood Migrant Hostel in Sydney in 1964, where Dutch-born Harry Vanda and Scottish-born George Young first crossed paths. This serendipitous encounter led to the formation of The Easybeats, a band that would soon become Australia’s most celebrated rock group of the 1960s.
With Vanda on lead guitar and Young on rhythm guitar, joined by English drummer Gordon ‘Snowy’ Fleet, bass guitarist and Dutchman Dick Diamonde, and the band’s charismatic frontman and lead singer, Stevie Wright, they crafted a series of hits that captured the spirit of the 60s. Their iconic song “Friday on My Mind” topped charts globally, becoming a defining anthem of the era.
(From left): George Young, Harry Vanda and Ted Albert.
The Easybeats’ journey to stardom is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Alberts. Signed to Albert Productions within months of forming in 1964, the quartet quickly became a cornerstone of the Australian pop and rock scene. Their determination to write their own lyrics and music, influenced by the emerging UK beat sound, set them apart from their contemporaries and caught the attention of independent record producer Ted Albert, founder of Albert Productions.
Recognising the significance of an Australian band creating original material, he guided them to a string of hits, including their first No. 1, “She’s So Fine,” in May 1965. The hits kept coming: “Women,” “Come and See Her,” “I’ll Make You Happy,” and “Sorry” among them. This early support reflects our belief in the power of music, storytelling, and championing pioneers.
This momentum carried The Easybeats beyond Australian shores, with their first UK release, “Friday on My Mind” (1966), becoming another No. 1 hit locally – and an international hit – earning The Easybeats their title as Australia’s first rock band to achieve international success.
“Friday on My Mind” was voted best Australian song of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) in 2001.
The Easybeats (from left): Stevie Wright, Dick Diamonde, Harry Vanda, Snowy Fleet, and George Young.
The Easybeats left an indelible mark on Sydney’s music scene and beyond, embarking on tours in London and the US. Although they disbanded in 1969, they briefly reunited for an Australian tour in late 1986.
Over the years, their profound influence on rock and pop music reverberated both at home and across the globe.
The post-Easybeats era saw Vanda and Young become prolific songwriters and producers at Albert Productions under the guidance of Ted Albert. They played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous artists, including as mentors to George’s younger brothers, Malcolm and Angus Young who would of course go on to form AC/DC.
Recognising their potential, Vanda and Young produced AC/DC’s early albums, including High Voltage and T.N.T. The duo’s guidance and production expertise helped unlock AC/DC’s raw sound, transforming it into the powerhouse we know today.
(From left): A gathering of longtime colleagues and past & present Alberts team members—Wayne Connolly, Damian Rinaldi, Viola Riccobono, Fifa Riccobono, Rachel Kelly, Sam Horsburgh, and Alberts’ CEO David Albert—joined by Daniel Vandenberg, son of Harry Vanda, at the MPEG Awards in Sydney.
“The impact of Vanda and Young on the music industry is immeasurable,” noted Anna Laverty, adding that Vanda & Young’s 1988 induction into the inaugural class of the ARIA Hall of Fame was a testament to their enduring influence and contribution.
“Their songs have been covered by international artists, and their production techniques have inspired countless musicians and producers,” she added.
Though George Young passed away in 2017, his legacy, alongside that of Harry Vanda, continues to inspire.
Their Lifetime Achievement accolade comes in the wake of the news of the sad passing of Snowy Fleet earlier this month and Dick Diamonde in September 2024.
“Their story is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering passion for music.”
