40 years of Jays – the celebrations begin

In 1975, the already venerable ABC launched a new youth oriented radio station called 2JJ in Sydney. Its aim was to bring music, culture, news and comedy to young people in a way that had never been heard before. 

The station’s irreverent style and forward thinking changed the face of Australian radio forever. Four decades later, and now a national network, triple j continues to be as passionate and provocative as ever. 

Throughout January and February, the j’s invite listeners new and old to help celebrate 40 years of multiple j’s – double and triple –  via a TV documentary, exhibition, live concert and some very special radio content.

Sounds Like Teen Spirit – 8.45pm Monday 19 January, ABC

This TV documentary explores the cultural icon that is triple j, from the station’s anarchic beginnings in 1975 as Sydney’s alternative radio station, to its controversial rebranding as it went national in the 90s, to its important role in unearthing new Australian music. The doc also looks back at the controversial employment of the country’s first female DJs, Gayle Austin and Keri Phillips, as well as Jen Oldershaw‘s disastrous interview with Nirvana and ‘Fuck the Police’ – the song that shut down the station due to its explicit lyrics. Told by a line-up of larger-than-life characters, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Roy & HG, Jono & Dano, Gotye, Missy Higgins, Daniel Johns, Wil Anderson, Adam Spencer, Myf Warhurst, Hilltop Hoods, Peter Garrett, Mikey Robins, Helen Razer, as Sounds Like Teen Spirit explores how one small radio station became the finger on the pulse of a burgeoning Australian youth culture and revolutionised the cultural landscape for a new generation.

Beat The Drum Exhibition: Celebrating 40 years of triple j – Opens Monday 19 January, ABC Ultimo Foyer, FREE

Housed in the ABC Ultimo foyer, the free exhibition will showcase the history and culture of triple j and Double J, from its beginnings as an ABC experiment in 1975 to the transition to FM and going national in the 90s, as well as iconic campaigns like the Hottest 100. It features plenty of photos, artwork, articles, video, audio and memorabilia from four decades of triple j music and mayhem. The exhibition is open to the public from 7am-7pm Monday to Friday, from Monday 19 January until mid April, ABC Foyer 700 Harris St Ultimo 2007.

Celebrating 40 years all day on triple j – 6am Monday 19 Jan, triple j

Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett joins triple j Breakfast’s Matt & Alex to kick off the day long celebrations, where listeners will hear songs and interview extracts from the vast 40 years of triple j archives. You’ll hear from special guests, ex-presenters and plenty of listeners whose lives have been impacted by triple j. And at 8pm, tune in to Live at the Wireless for the Beat the Drum concert highlights, recorded at Sydney’s The Domain that weekend.

Beat The Drum Again – 7am Monday 19 January, Double J

On the very day Double Jay started broadcasting 40 years ago, some of the biggest names the station has ever produced, will be back for a very special day of radio, capturing the music, personalities and the best bits of the time. 

Mikey Robins and Helen Razer, followed by Angela Catterns, Chris Winter, sports legends Roy & HG, Adam & Wil, Chris & Craig, Scott Dooley, World Music’s Jaslyn Hall and Tim Ritchie

Plus you’ll hear the iconic 1985 Oils on the Water concert, Midnight Oil on Goat Island in Sydney Harbour, as well as the first hour ever played on Double J in 1975. Listen on your mobile, online at doublej.net.au, on digital radio and on your digital TV.

The J Files: Celebrating 40 years of triple j – February, Double J

Ever wanted to know the story behind the most played song on triple j? Or why the station was almost shut down in the 70s? How grunge shaped the Australian music industry? How the Hottest 100 started? Why triple j presenters walked out of the station leaving one track on loop for 24 hours? Throughout February, the J Files dive deep into triple j history, decade by decade, investigating the people, parties and politics, through rare archives and interviews, all sound-tracked with the songs of each era. 

8pm Thursday 5 February: 1975 – 1985 presented by Mark Colvin 

8pm Thursday 12 February: 1985 – 1995 presented by Tracee Hutchison

8pm Thursday 19 February: 1995 – 2005 presented by Francis Leach

8pm Thursday 26 February: 2005 – 2015 presented by Zan Rowe

Beat The Drum – live coverage from 3pm AEST Friday 16 January, broadcast on triple j and triplej.net.au

On Friday 16 January, triple j, Sydney Festival and Fuzzy will take over Sydney’s Domain as part of the massive 40 years of triple j celebrations. The concert will showcase the incredible music we’ve championed over the last 40 years, with heaps of surprises along the way, including some acoustic arrangements, unexpected collaborations and covers of legendary Australian hits made famous over the years on triple j. 

A stellar line up of Aussie acts, including Hilltop Hoods, The Presets, The Cat Empire, You Am I, Vance Joy, Ball Park Music and The Preatures, as well as special guests Bernard Fanning, Briggs, Daniel Johns, Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus), Drapht, DZ Deathrays, Gotye, Hermitude, Horrorshow, Illy, Joelistics, Mark McEntee (Divinyls), Megan Washington, Paul Dempsey, Sarah Blasko, Seth Sentry, Thundamentals and Tom Iansek (Big Scary/#1 Dads) will be celebrating with us on the day, and you can too. Tune in from 3pm AEST Fri 16 Jan as the whole concert is broadcast live around the country (12pm WA, 1:30pm NT, 2pm QLD, 2:30pm SA).

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