Legendary singer/songwriter, Richard Clapton continues to celebrate his career with his 50th Anniversary concerts around Australia (even though it’s now 52 years!). This weekend Richard rocks into Melbourne at the Crown Palms on Friday night, before heading down the coast to Barwon Heads and back to NSW to prepare for his 16th annual celebration of song, The Best Years of Our Lives, at the State Theatre in Sydney on Saturday, 6 September.
Speaking about the State Theatre gig, Richard says,“I can’t believe it’s 50 years since “Prussian Blue”. I had one foot in Southern Germany and another foot in Chippendale, and life was so good in the Lucky Country. Gough Whitlam was our Prime Minister and the Sydney Opera House was officially opened. I had been away for several years, but when I returned in 1973 there was an amazing embryonic contemporary music scene busting to get out of its shell and take the world by the tail. The explosion of original Australian creativity, that seemed to happen all of a sudden, was awe inspiring and kick started me into a burst of creative energy.“Since then, I have released over 20 albums and I couldn’t possibly guess at how many gigs I’ve played, but I think I’ve played every square inch of this wide brown land.“Fast forward to 2008 when Marc Christowski first presented me at The State Theatre in Sydney. This has become an annual pilgrimage for the fans who come from all over Australia and in fact, the world to be part of Richard Clapton at The State.“And what a great ride it’s been! So … welcome to the party that never ends!”
Ralph, as he’s affectionately known, is celebrating 50+ years as one of Australia’s foremost singer / songwriters. With a songbook featured in the soundtrack to almost three generations of Australians, including Trust Somebody, I Am an Island, Girls on the Avenue, Goodbye Tiger, Capricorn Dancer, Down in the Lucky Country, Deep Water, High Society, Blue Bay Blues, Glory Road and Angelou, he really is responsible for some of The Best Years of our Lives.
Richard said, “On 6th September 2025 I will playing my 16th State Theatre. What a great ride this has been – and still is.
“This year we will be performing a retrospective and playing as many songs from my catalogue as will fit into the 3 hour show. This will of course include all my hits from the past 50 years or so (oh OK, 52 years if you insist!)
He added, “We have called this year’s gig “The Best Years of Our Lives” as this is probably the most eponymous of all my songs. It is also the title of the live concert back in the day which became one of my most successful albums.
“So please join us for this annual pilgrimage and celebrate “The Best Years of Our Lives”.”
Richard Clapton and his red hot band will play the whole show (two sets).
RICHARD CLAPTON TOUR DATES
August 1st – The Palms Melbourne
August 2nd – Barwon Heads hotel
August 9th & 10th – Avoca Beach Theatre
September 6th – The State Theatre Sydney
September 13th – Anitas Theatre – Thirroul
September 19th – Karralyka Centre – Melbourne
September 20th – Mitchell Creek Queensland
September 26th – Mansfield Tavern Queensland
September 27th Kingscliff Beach Hotel NSW
October 4th Shoal Bay Country Club NSW
October 11th Entrance Leagues Bateau Bay NSW