Australian and Canadian music fans alike are mourning the
passing of respected singer-songwriter and journalist Greg Quill.
Quill enjoyed minor success in 1972 as the lead singer for
Australian roots band Country Radio; their single “Gypsy Queen” [written by
Quill and the equally-respected Kerryn Tolhurst] continues to identify with the
greater music audience by way of radio airplay and movie soundtracks. Country
Radio disbanded soon after, and Quill’s 1974 debut solo album earned him a travel
grant from the Australian Arts Council and a destination of Toronto , Canada
Whilst critical acclaim for his music was always at hand,
commercial solo success eluded Quill thus he returned to Australia in
the late 1970’s to form the country-rock band Southern Flyer. Quill bounced
between Australia and Canada as he sought an accepting audience for
his music however Toronto
became his permanent home for the most unexpected reason.
Quill’s musical talent extended to journalistic writing.
During his early days as a musician in Australia , Quill also wrote for the
popular local music magazine “Go-Set”. The desire to write never disappeared,
and Quill’s ad hoc contributions to Canadian music publications saw him land
the coveted role as Entertainment Reporter for the Toronto Star, of which he
held until his passing.
A “musician’s musician” rather than a bone fide star, Quill
leaves behind a unique legacy with his dual artist talents. His colleagues
remember him as a man of humility who rarely spoke about his “time in the sun”;
not because he held any resentment about his music career, rather he was
comfortable with his place in the industry.
