AO: Nicholas Edward CAVE

For distinguished service to the performing arts as a musician, songwriter, author and actor, nationally and internationally, and as a major contributor to Australian music culture and heritage.

NOT only is he Warracknabeal’s most successful export, Nick Cave is also one of Australia’s most internationally revered musicians.

Cave’s stellar career started in Melbourne’s nihilistic punk scene in the late 70s with the Boys Next Door, best known for the angst-anthem Shivers.

That band would morph into The Birthday Party, still one of the most name-checked bands in Australian history despite a short life-span.

Relocating to London, they were hailed for their music as much as their self-destructive streak. After imploding in 1984 the songwriter formed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, who have now released 16 studio albums including last year’s Skeleton Tree, which dealt with the tragic death of his son Arthur.

Songs including Red Right Hand, The Weeping Song, The Mercy Seat, Into My Arms (played at his friend Michael Hutchence’s funeral), Deanna, The Ship Song, Do You Love Me, Are You the One That I’ve Been Waiting For and Dig, Lazarus, Dig have steadily drip-fed his brilliance to the world over decades.

Indeed, Cave and his band can fill venues pretty much anywhere in the world.

Cave’s extra curricular work has included acting, screenwriting, soundtracks and two novels.

His musical vision has been broad enough to duet with both Kylie Minogue (on the unlikely hit Where the Wild Roses Grow) and Johnny Cash, while his string of awards include an induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame — at which time chairman Ed St John said “Nick Cave has enjoyed— and continues to enjoy—one of the most extraordinary careers in the annals of popular music. He is an Australian artist like Sidney Nolan is an Australian artist — beyond comparison, beyond genre, beyond dispute.”

Cave has left his indelible DNA on the culture of Australian music forever — a worthy and literate antidote to the stereotypical image of the Australian male.