Celebrating Jimmy Little

Today’s Doodle illustrated by guest artist Dixon Patten—a traditional descendant from the Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Dhuduroa people—celebrates Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and advocate Dr. James “Jimmy” Oswald Little. Over an illustrious 60-year career, Little championed the music, health, and education of Indigenous Australian communities as a cultural ambassador and musical sensation. On this day in 2003, Little was awarded the Red Ochre Award for his lifelong contribution to the recognition of Indigenous arts in Australia and around the world.

James Oswald Little was born to a Yorta Yorta mother and Yuin Monaro Father in 1937, on the Cummeragunja Mission Station, an Indigenous Australian reserve located in New South Wales. in 1955, Little left home to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician in Sydney. His recording career began the following year, and his breakout hit song “Royal Telephone” became the first song by an Indigenous Australian to hit number one on the pop music charts in 1963.   

“Royal Telephone” sold over 75,000 copies—a platinum achievement by today’s standards that earned him the title of Australian Pop Star of the Year in 1964. Little also began acting during this era and became a household name through national tours, radio playtime, and TV appearances into the 1970s. By the 1980s, Little began to use his influence to mentor Indigenous youth and advocate for literacy and health programs throughout the rest of his career. 

Little’s reinterpretations of contemporary hits released on over 29 albums earned him the title of one of the founding fathers of Australian country music, an achievement honored by his induction into Tamworth’s Country Music Roll of Renown. For his lifetime of advocacy for Indigenous peoples in Australia, he earned three honorary doctorates and was named a National Living Treasure. Today, his legacy lives on through the work of the Jimmy Little Foundation, an organisation he founded in 2006 with the aim of promoting health, education, and access to opportunity in Indigenous Australian communities. 
 

Special thanks to the family of Jimmy Little for their partnership on this project. Below, his family reflects on Little’s life, legacy, and today’s Doodle: 

Jimmy was a celebrated and beloved Australian Aboriginal musician, actor and advocate whose career spanned six decades. A Yorta Yorta man, he was born on Cummeragunja Mission but grew up on the south coast of NSW, from Nowra to Wallaga Lake. Jimmy recorded his first single in 1956 and rose to prominence as an Aboriginal entertainer throughout the 1960s, topped the charts and became a household name with “Royal Telephone” in 1963. In 1999, Jimmy received an ARIA award for Adult Contemporary album with Messenger, which reached the top 10 of the alternative music charts, introducing Jimmy to a new, younger audience. That same year, Jimmy was inducted into the ARIA Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Throughout his illustrious career Jimmy received every major Australian music industry award, plus  three honorary doctorates. Jimmy was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Day of Observance Committee’s 'Aboriginal of the Year' award in 1989, was named NSW Senior Australian of the Year in 2002, and received the Australia Council’s Red Ochre Award in 2004. He was awarded an AO (Order of Australia) for his continued work with Indigenous Health and Education programs, and in 2004, a public vote named him “a living Australian treasure.” Jimmy was the patron of The Indigenous Doctors Association of Australia, an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation and Kidney Health Australia. Dr. Little was also an ambassador for literacy and numeracy with the Federal Department of Education Science and Training In 2006 Jimmy founded the Jimmy Little Foundation to improve renal health across Indigenous communities in regional and remote Australia.

—Frances Peters-Little (daughter)

"I just want people to remember me as a nice person who was fair-minded and had a bit of talent that put it to good use."  

—Jimmy Little

Jimmy Little at his first recording at EMI Records in 1956
Courtesy of the Jimmy Little Foundation

Jimmy Little drinking water while completing work for the Jimmy Little Foundation 
Courtesy of the Jimmy Little’s Family

Guest Artist Q&A with Dixon Patten

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Melbourne, Australia based guest artist Dixon Patten Jnr (Bitja), a proud Yorta Yorta, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Yuin, Aboriginal man. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

 A: I personally have a connection to Uncle Jimmy, through both our Yorta Yorta and Yuin tribes. As I was growing up, his music was a constant among my families and my playlists.

Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle?

A: I was amazed and humbled at the opportunity to characterise him, of course being twice my Countryman, I probably am on a small list of people that would be a perfect candidate to represent him culturally and respectfully.

Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?  

A: Definitely his connection to Country, he sang about the land where his people come from, where I also am from. I listened to his music as I created this art, and I believe his harmonies influenced the outcome. The art acknowledges his connection to Yuin Country, coastal – salt water people and also Yorta Yorta Country – fresh water people. Umbarra (the Pacific Black Duck) is featured and is a tribal totem for the Yuin Nation. Bayaderra (Eastern Long-necked Turtle) is also featured and is a tribal totem for the Yorta Yorta Nation. The colour palette honours the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, in particular Wallaga Lake and also the Murray River, in particular Cummeragunja – both sites are significant to Uncle Jimmy, his families and ancestors.

Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? 

A: That Uncle Jimmy had a career in music that spanned 6 decades, hence him being represented in black & white as his younger version and colour as an older gentleman. That people take time to learn about his music and how his presence served as a bridge between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. He spoke and sang about his people often and gave a glimpse into Aboriginal culture and how important our connection to each other and the land is. He helped ‘humanise’ us at a time we were fighting for equal rights and self-determination. I also would like people to realise him as a true trailblazer and pioneer in music, being the primary Aboriginal entertainer in mainstream music for years and who I am sure inspired the many talented musicians within our communities, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. We all know the healing power of music. His storytelling was always capturing, and his influence will live on. I encourage people to play his music and hear his messages, history, and experiences. The world needs more Uncle Jimmy’s.