Australian Influence on US Pop-Culture in the '80s
Jun 22, 2017 19:16:22 GMT 10
Post by SharksFan99 on Jun 22, 2017 19:16:22 GMT 10
I never really gave this a second thought before, but Australia had quite a significant influence on US culture during the 1980s. You could argue that it almost had the same influence on US Culture as the UK had. Here are a few reasons why;
Music
Several Australian bands/artists achieved success on the US Hot 100 Billboard chart during the '80s. AC/DC had two singles which peaked within the Top 40, and several others which had great success on the Modern Rock chart. Men At Work released the Billboard #1 singles, "Who Can it Be Now?" and "Down Under" in 1981, with the latter being certified gold in the US. They also had Top 10 chart success with "Overkill" and "It's a Mistake" in 1983. Icehouse had two Top 20 Billboard singles with "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" in 1987.
Despite not achieving as great chart success in the US, Midnight Oil became hugely successful in the Late 80s, with the release of their 1987 single, "Beds are Burning". Rick Springfield was very successful in the US and released several Billboard Hot 100 singles during the Early 80s. In fact, he was actually more successful in the US then he was in Australia!
Olivia Newton-John also released several US Billboard Hot 100 singles in the Late 70s and Early 80s.
Movies
The Crocodile Dundee franchise was hugely successful in the US and Paul Hogan instantly became a recognisable figure in pop culture. In fact, the franchise was so successful, that it even resulted in the "put a shrimp on the barbie" campaign (although, "shrimps" are known as "prawns" in Australia
).
The 1980s also saw the rise of Mel Gibson's career, who despite being born in New York, grew up in Australia and started his career in the country. Many people tend to forget that his successful Hollywood career started as a result of him having lead roles in Australian movies such as "Galipoli" and "Mad Max". When he started to become internationally successful in the Early 80s, people in the US were convinced that he was actually Australian. He personally considers himself to be both Australian and American. This is from a 2008 interview; "Well, I am what I am: hybrid boy. I've been bouncing across there like a ping pong ball my whole life, so I don't make that distinction".
1983 American Cup
Australia won the 1983 American Cup. Up until that point, America had successfully defended the cup for 132 years. Australia's victory in 1983 really put the country on the world stage and it also resulted in the American public becoming intrigued by Australia and its culture.
Music
Several Australian bands/artists achieved success on the US Hot 100 Billboard chart during the '80s. AC/DC had two singles which peaked within the Top 40, and several others which had great success on the Modern Rock chart. Men At Work released the Billboard #1 singles, "Who Can it Be Now?" and "Down Under" in 1981, with the latter being certified gold in the US. They also had Top 10 chart success with "Overkill" and "It's a Mistake" in 1983. Icehouse had two Top 20 Billboard singles with "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" in 1987.
Despite not achieving as great chart success in the US, Midnight Oil became hugely successful in the Late 80s, with the release of their 1987 single, "Beds are Burning". Rick Springfield was very successful in the US and released several Billboard Hot 100 singles during the Early 80s. In fact, he was actually more successful in the US then he was in Australia!
Olivia Newton-John also released several US Billboard Hot 100 singles in the Late 70s and Early 80s.Movies
The Crocodile Dundee franchise was hugely successful in the US and Paul Hogan instantly became a recognisable figure in pop culture. In fact, the franchise was so successful, that it even resulted in the "put a shrimp on the barbie" campaign (although, "shrimps" are known as "prawns" in Australia
). The 1980s also saw the rise of Mel Gibson's career, who despite being born in New York, grew up in Australia and started his career in the country. Many people tend to forget that his successful Hollywood career started as a result of him having lead roles in Australian movies such as "Galipoli" and "Mad Max". When he started to become internationally successful in the Early 80s, people in the US were convinced that he was actually Australian. He personally considers himself to be both Australian and American. This is from a 2008 interview; "Well, I am what I am: hybrid boy. I've been bouncing across there like a ping pong ball my whole life, so I don't make that distinction".
1983 American Cup
Australia won the 1983 American Cup. Up until that point, America had successfully defended the cup for 132 years. Australia's victory in 1983 really put the country on the world stage and it also resulted in the American public becoming intrigued by Australia and its culture.
