"Solid Rock, Sacred Ground 2022 calls for us to engage, build meaningful relationships and finish the promise of our generation to make those changes for a better future for the coming generations.”
40 years after Goanna first released Solid Rock, they’ve returned to the studio to create a new, stunning recording of their iconic song to honour the Anniversary; Solid Rock, Sacred Ground 2022.
“It’s been great to bookend the 40-year Goanna story with this exciting version of Solid Rock, Sacred Ground,” said Goanna frontman Shane Howard.
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The anniversary recording features vocal contributions from Emma Donovan, didjeridu playing from William Barton, and a brilliant string arrangement by Ruth Roshan, performed by members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
William Barton left the MCG after the band’s legendary performance at the AFL Grand Final and flew to Bremen, Germany, for a concert with the Bremer Philharmonika, where he also recorded the didjeridu performance for the Goanna recording.
“From the day of its first release in 1982, the Australian People loved and danced to this song, with its heartfelt cry for justice for First Nations People. They have kept that love and support alive for the past 40 years. The 2022 National Goanna Tour and the release of this 40th anniversary recording of Solid Rock, are our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for supporting the incredibly powerful message that the song has been broadcasting all these years.”
2022 has been the Year of the Goanna, with the band completing a sold-out National Tour as well as performances at the AFL Grand Final, Womadelaide, guest performances with Midnight Oil and an exhilarating farewell performance at Harvest Rock, in Adelaide.
“We’ve come a long way as a nation in the past 40 years, but there is more to be done to achieve meaningful justice for First Nations Peoples,” Shane said.
“Life is still too hard for most Aboriginal peoples in this country. The prosperity we enjoy in this nation comes on the back of unbearable sorrow and loss for our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. Back in 1982, Solid Rock called for meaningful change. Solid Rock, Sacred Ground 2022 calls for us to engage, build meaningful relationships and finish the promise of our generation to make those changes for a better future for the coming generations.”
Stream ‘Solid Rock, Sacred Ground 2022’ here.
