A Birthday Tribute To Harry Vanda

Happy 58th Birthday to my most favourite person yet, Harry Vanda.

I don't even think you've aged in the slightest ;-)

You're probably wondering what sort of nutcase I am to admire you so much but...ehhehe. Obsession is good.

And slightly funny when you're a lazy 16 year old high school student living in the middle of nowhere.

So now that's answered, you're probably wondering why the heck I like you.

Well. You do play guitar, remember??

And you had a sort of brooding attitude that I find appealing ^_^

But you liked to goof off as well.

You had awesome dress sense =D

And you were, naturally, a fantastic songwriting and producing talent, while with the Easybeats and while working with George Young.

But underneath all that, you were a courageous man.

Not many people know that when you first came to Australia, you got beaten up by a bully terrorising the migrant hostel you were living at.

Of course, no-one just suddenly says they want to be beaten up by a bully. But you figured it had to be you. Enough was enough.

Being the only person brave enough to face him made a huge impression on me.

Then your first wife died, leaving you with your young son.

You barely had time to grieve because the Easybeats' career was taking off. But you carried on gallantly and succeeded despite it all, and despite all the other obstacles you faced over the years. And although I'll probably never know how much it hurt you, I'll always know the magnitude of your inner strength.

There's not many people these days who set an example like that.

I know you're not perfect. I definently know I'm not perfect.

But you're a strong, decent person who made wonderful music and that's good enough for me.

It may seem crazy to say all this, but I'm just a kooky fan of yours who just wants to say how fantastic you are.

Oh. And your smile lights up the room =D

Happy birthday, Harry. Have a good one.