From a small backyard workshop on the outskirts of Melbourne, Maton Guitars has grown into a truly inspiring Australian success story, with musicians all over the world playing their finely crafted guitars. Last night in an inner-city Melbourne pub, Maton staff, family and selected music industry guests got together to celebrate Maton’s 70th anniversary at the launch of the company’s wonderful commemorative book, ‘The Music That Maton Made’. Much like Maton’s instruments, the book is a substantial (almost 400 pages), top quality production featuring the history of the guitar company and the players who have helped to make the brand famous. As company director Neville Kitchen said last night at the launch, “This book is not about serial numbers and specs. It’s about the people who play the guitars.” In attendance last night, helping Maton celebrate the occasion were; the great George Golla, Archie Roach, Murray Cook from The Wiggles, Dave Graney, Normie Rowe and Mike Brady among many others. Shane Howard, accompanied by Ewen Baker on fiddle played stripped back versions of Goanna classics, Razors Edge and Solid Rock, followed by Russell Morris on Mini Maton, performing Sweet, Sweet Love, the Real Thing and more recent tunes from his award-winning blues based albums. George Golla graced us with a performance and was joined by Normie Rowe. Mike Brady got up to have a sing too.
Written by respected Australian music scribes, Andrew McUtchen, Barry Divola and Jeff Jenkins, The Music That Maton Made is available now. It is not only a book for guitar lovers, it’s an intimate family history and an essential part of Australian music history. Compiling over ten years of research, and over two years in production, the book is as well-crafted and family-owned as Maton guitars themselves. Go behind-the-scenes to meet the artisan guitar makers. Read the stories behind the songs created with Maton guitars. And go backstage to meet the bands and musicians that have, with a Maton in hand, shaped our musical world. It also features rare photos of icons such as Elvis Presley and Keith Richards playing Maton guitars. Packed full of interviews with the greats, from jazz legend George Golla to guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel; from Archie Roach, and The Wiggles, to Daniel Johns, Paul Kelly, and Josh Homme, and many more.
Published to coincide with Maton’s 70th anniversary,The Music That Maton Made is a comprehensive, full-colour tribute to a home-grown guitar range that has been embraced by famous musicians and guitar enthusiasts around the world.
$75 AUD + Shipping. BUY IT HERE
More photos from the launch:
