Chad Morgan, Australian country music star, dies aged 91
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Known for his comedy songs such as The Sheik of Scrubby Creek and his toothy smile, Morgan died on 1 January. Australian country music singer Chad Morgan, known as the “Sheik of Scrubby Creek” after one of his most famous songs, has died aged 91. Known for his humorous country songs and toothy smile – which inspired Barry Humphries’ design for his character Sir Les Patterson – Morgan’s music career spanned more than 70 years, releasing his first album in 1952. He was dubbed the “clown prince of comedy” by country music legend Slim Dusty.
Morgan died in a hospital at Gin Gin in Queensland on Wednesday, his son Chad Junior confirmed to the ABC. Country music star Troy Cassar-Daley remembered Morgan as “so funny and whip smart”. “He always surprised me when he hit the stage at how many generations loved him,” he wrote on Instagram. “Rest easy old mate, the show is over and the curtains are closed now.”.
Morgan was born in Wondai, Queensland in 1933 and was working in the Royal Australian air force when he was went on talent quest radio program Australia’s Amateur Hour, having been dared to enter by his friends in his unit. “Never dare me to do anything,” he told the State Library of Queensland in 2018. “I got into the semi-finals and I had to go to Sydney for that … when I did the show down there, someone from the record company heard me and they offered to record me … all my life that was my one ambition, was to record for [country label] Regal Zonophone.”.
