Music history is rife with tales of artists whose star once shone bright only to fade into obscurity at the hands of the industry itself, whether through unfair circumstances, nefarious players or, simply, bad timing.
There are a few, however, whose fates are reversed, albeit years later. This is the story of Memphis singer-songwriter Van Duren, an artist once touted as “the next Paul McCartney” following the release of his 1978 debut Are You Serious? only for his public story to, seemingly, end there.
Or not. Fast forward forty years and here we are, with Van Duren touring Australia this month, thanks to the Australian-helmed documentary Waiting – The Van Duren Story.
The doco, which is also making its Aussie screen debut this month, is the work of Australian music industry players Greg Carey (manager of The Rubens, Urthboy) and Sydney-based musician Wade Jackson, who stumbled across the Memphis artist’s album and set out to discover more about the story of Van Duren.
To celebrate the screenings of their flick, Wade and Greg have shared with Music Feeds a photo diary of their unlikely expedition to meet Van Duren, one that took them across seas into the American south, meeting rockstars, fellow musos, Scientologists and a con man or two along the way.
Have a scroll through their diary below and catch remaining ‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ doco screenings and accompanying Van Duren tour dates below.
GALLERY: ‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ – In Pictures
‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ Screenings
Wednesday, 10th April
Event Cinemas, George Street, Sydney NSW
Tickets: Eventbrite
Thursday, 11th April
Cinema Nova, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: Eventbrite
Saturday, 13th April
Body Movement: Presented by High Tide, Central Coast, NSW
Tickets: Eventbrite
Wednesday, 17th April
Cinemona – Mona, Hobart, TAS
Tickets: Mona
Friday, 26th April
The Gum Ball Festival, Dashville (Hunter Valley) NSW
Tickets: Gum Ball
Van Duren Australian Shows
Thursday, 18th April
The Curtin, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: Music Glue
Sunday, 21st April
Boogie Festival, Tallarook VIC
Tickets: Boogie Fest
Tuesday, 23rd April
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
Tickets: Moshtix
Thursday, 25th April
Baroque Room, Katoomba NSW
Tickets: Eventbrite
Friday, 26th April
The Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley NSW
Tickets: Gum Ball
Waiting: The Van Duren Story
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