Six years ago last week, Peter Garrett and his band, Midnight Oil, decided to call it quits for good. Peter had been active in Australian politics since the late 80’s, but he’d always managed to set aside time for the socially & environmentally conscious Oils. But in December 2002, Peter decided to devote all of his time to government.

These days, Peter is Australia’s Minister for the Environment, Heritage, and the Arts, appointed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

I had a chance to see the band live at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix the year before they disbanded. It was a treat to be able to see Peter Garrett, the performer: his commanding presence (six and a half feet tall), the  passion and ferocity with which he approached his songs, the signature singing voice… the ultimate front man.

Here’s a great intimate 1993 performance from Beach Studios in Calgary – an “unplugged” show, if you will. But an unplugged show that’ll rock your socks off. Peter also throws in a little “Locomotive Breath” – the song he sang when he auditioned for Midnight Oil in 1976.

Midnight Oil
Beach Studios,
Calgary, Alberta
August 10th, 1993

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Feeding Frenzy
Truganini
Sell My Soul
The Dead Heart
Locomotive Breath
Earth And Sun And Moon
Beds Are Burning
One Country
Now Or Never Land
Warakurna
My Country

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I’ve always admired Peter Garrett. Other than his great first name, he’s balanced an innovative and consistently strong music career with Midnight Oil, while staying heavily involved in the political and social issues of his native Australia. He ended up leaving Midnight Oil to focus on politics, and is currently a member of the Australian Parliament, serving the federal electorate of Kingsford Smith. At seven feet tall, Peter is a commanding presence on stage and I’m sure on the floor of Parliament. I had the good fortune to see Midnight Oil in 2001. My brother and I sat just a few rows back from the stage. An amazing experience…

So here’s two selections from Midnight Oil, one of my favorites from 1993’s ‘Earth and Sun and Moon’, and the other a more familiar track from 1987’s ‘Diesel and Dust’.

Midnight Oil: In the Valley (from Earth and Sun and Moon

Midnight Oil: The Dead Heart from Diesel and Dust