Australian pop music awards


Australian pop music awards are a series of inter-related national awards that gave recognition to popular musical artists and have included the Go-Set pop poll ; TV Week King of Pop Awards ; TV Week and Countdown Music Awards ; the Countdown Awards and Countdown Music and Video Awards. Early awards were based on popular voting from readers of teenage pop music newspaper Go-Set and television program guide TV Week. They were followed by responses from viewers of Countdown, a TV pop music series on national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Some of the later award ceremonies incorporated listed nominees and peer-voted awards. From 1987 the Australian Recording Industry Association instituted its own peer-voted ARIA Music Awards.

1966–1972:''Go-Set'' pop poll results

Teen-oriented pop music newspaper, Go-Set was established in February 1966 and conducted an annual poll during 1966 to 1972 of its readers to determine the most popular personalities. Readers were provided with coupons to vote for their choice, with initial categories of 'Male Vocal', 'Female Vocal' and 'Group' for both Australian and International acts – in later years new categories were introduced and old categories renamed or retired.

1966

Printed in Go-Set on 5 October 1966, pages 12 & 13.
PositionMale VocalFemale VocalGroup
1Normie RoweLynne RandellThe Easybeats
2Ronnie BurnsDinah LeeThe Twilights
3Merv BentonDenise DrysdalePurple Hearts
4Mike FurberLittle PattieSteve & the Board
5Billy ThorpeDonna GayeThe Id
6Johnny YoungPat CarrollThe Aztecs
7Tony BarberYvonne BarrettMPD Ltd
8Jeff St JohnMarcia JonesThe Playboys
9Colin CookLaurel LeaThe Loved Ones
10Ray BrownJoy LemmonBobby & Laurie

PositionMale VocalFemale VocalGroup
1Elvis PresleyCilla BlackThe Beatles
2Normie RowePetula ClarkThe Rolling Stones
3Roy OrbisonDusty SpringfieldThe Easybeats
4Tom JonesNancy SinatraHerman's Hermits
5P. J. ProbySandie ShawThe Troggs / The Jordanaires
6Gene PitneyDinah LeeThe Troggs / The Jordanaires
7Crispian St. PetersDionne WarwickThe Animals
8Cliff RichardMarianne FaithfullThe Kinks
9Bob DylanCherThe Who
10DonovanBrenda LeeThe Lovin' Spoonful

1967

Printed in Go-Set on 9 August 1967, pages 12 & 13. Categories were renamed, e.g. Male Vocal became Top Male Singer.
PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Ronnie BurnsLynne RandellThe Easybeats
2Normie RoweBev HarrellThe Twilights
3Johnny YoungCheryl GrayThe Groop
4Phil JonesDinah LeeThe Loved Ones
5Mike FurberLittle PattieThe Masters Apprentices
6Robbie SnowdenYvonne BarrettThe Cherokees
7Marty RhoneDenise DrysdaleThe Vibrants
8Buddy EnglandMarcia JonesPhil Jones Unknown Blues Band
9Jeff St JohnDonna GayeJackson
10Billy ThorpeJudy StoneJames Taylor Move

PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Tom JonesPetula ClarkThe Beatles
2Elvis PresleySandie ShawThe Monkees
3Normie RoweNancy SinatraThe Rolling Stones
4Jimi HendrixDusty SpringfieldThe Easybeats
5Cliff RichardCilla BlackThe Who
6P.J. ProbyLynne RandellThe Jordanaires
7Eric BurdonSandy PoseyThe Mamas and the Papas
8Scott EngelMarianne FaithfullThe Animals
9Cat StevensAretha FranklinProcol Harum
10Gene PitneyTina TurnerHerman's Hermits

1968

Printed in Go-Set on 19 June 1968, pages 12 & 13.
PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Normie RoweBev HarrellThe Twilights
2Johnny FarnhamLynne RandellThe Masters Apprentices
3Ronnie BurnsDinah LeeThe Groove
4Phil JonesLittle PattieSomebody's Image
5Cheryl GrayThe Easybeats
6Marty RhoneMarcie JonesProcession
7Graeme WillingtonJanice SlaterDave Miller Set
8Peter DoyleJudy DurhamThe Groop
9Robbie SnowdenDenise DrysdaleBee Gees
10Jon BlanchfieldLaurel LeaHeart 'n' Soul

PositionTop Male SingerTop Female SingerTop Group
1Tom JonesLuluThe Beatles
2Paul JonesSandie ShawThe Monkees
3Elvis PresleyPetula ClarkThe Bee Gees
4Cliff RichardAretha FranklinJimi Hendrix Experience
5Otis ReddingDusty SpringfieldCream
6Jimi HendrixCilla BlackSmall Faces
7Normie RoweNancy SinatraThe Rolling Stones
8DonovanLynne RandellThe Who
9Engelbert HumperdinckBobbie GentryThe Jordanaires
10Scott EngelDionne WarwickThe Easybeats

1969

Printed in Go-Set on 28 June 1969, pages 10 & 12. Categories back to original names, e.g. Top Male Singer returns to Male Vocal.
PositionMale VocalFemale VocalGroup
1Russell MorrisAllison DurbinZoot
2Johnny FarnhamAnne HawkerThe Masters Apprentices
3Ronnie BurnsBev HarrellBrisbane Avengers
4Normie RoweWendy SaddingtonThe Dream
5Jeff PhillipsLynne RandellFlying Circus
6Dave MillerPattiTown Criers
7Jonne SandsYvonne BarrettDave Miller Set
8Ross D. WylliePat CarrollDoug Parkinson in Focus
9Doug ParkinsonMarcie JonesThe Valentines
10Alex KadellDinah LeeThe Groove

PositionMale VocalGirl VocalGroup
1Tom JonesLuluThe Beatles
2Elvis PresleyMary HopkinThe Monkees
3DonovanAretha FranklinThe Bee Gees
4Davy JonesJulie DriscollThe Rolling Stones
5Barry RyanCilla BlackCream
6Peter SarstedtDusty SpringfieldThe Hollies
7Jimi HendrixSandie ShawThe Jordanaires
8Paul JonesDionne WarwickThe Animals
9Jose FelicianoDiana RossUnion Gap
10Bob DylanPetula ClarkDiana Ross & The Supremes

1970

Printed in Go-Set on 11 July 1970, pages 6 & 7. New categories introduced: Guitarist, Drummer, Composer. Ceremony for the Australian acts was held at Dallas Brooks Hall, East Melbourne, and was broadcast on 30 June by Seven Network.
PositionMaleGirlGroupGuitaristDrummerComposer
1Johnny FarnhamAllison DurbinThe Masters ApprenticesDoug FordColin BurgessJohnny Young
2Russell MorrisWendy SaddingtonAxiomRicky SpringfieldJohn DienJim Keays, Doug Ford
3Ronnie BurnsColleen HewettNew DreamBilly GreenRick BrewerHans Poulsen
4Alex KadellLiv MaessenTown CriersRod HarrisStewie SpeersRussell Morris
5Normie RoweYvonne BarrettZootGlenn WheatleyChris EasterbyRicky Springfield
6Issi DyePat CarrollThe ValentinesJohn du BoisPeter ReedBilly Green
7Jeff St JohnBev HarrellThe SectJohn FarrarPaddy BeachJohn Brownrigg
8Doug ParkinsonLittle PattieDoug Parkinson in FocusSam DunninPaul DooSam Dunnin
9Ronnie CharlesKerrie BiddellThe Flying CircusPhil ManningDon LeblerLindsay Bjerre
10Ross D. WyllieBernadette CavanaghJeff St John & CopperwineDoug RoweColin WalkerDon Mudie & Brian Cadd

PositionMaleGirlGroupGuitaristDrummerComposer
1Tom JonesMary HopkinThe BeatlesEric ClaptonRingo StarrPaul McCartney
2Elvis PresleyLuluLed ZeppelinJimmy PageGinger BakerJohn Lennon, Paul McCartney
3Paul McCartneyDiana RossCreedence Clearwater RevivalJose FelicianoJohn BonhamJohn Lennon
4DonovanJulie DriscollThe Rolling StonesGeorge HarrisonKeith MoonBob Dylan
5Glen CampbellCilla BlackThe HolliesPaul McCartneyMicky DolenzJimmy Webb
6Neil DiamondJanis JoplinThe MonkeesJimi HendrixCharlie WattsBurt Bacharach
7Mick JaggerBobbie GentryShocking BlueHank B. MarvinDoug CliffordPaul Simon
8Bob DylanDionne WarwickBeach BoysJohn LennonDave ClarkJohn Fogerty
9Jose FelicianoDusty SpringfieldHerman's HermitsElvis PresleyDennis WilsonHarry Nilsson
10Robert PlantAretha FranklinThe Jackson 5Mick TaylorMitch MitchellDonovan

1971

Printed in Go-Set on 10 July 1971, pages 2 & 3. New categories introduced: Best Album, Best Single, Best Bass Guitarist.
PositionBest Male VocalBest Girl VocalBest GroupBest GuitaristBest DrummerBest Songwriter / ComposerBest AlbumBest SingleBest Bass Guitarist
1Johnny FarnhamAllison DurbinDaddy CoolRicky SpringfieldColin BurgessRussell MorrisChoice Cuts – The Masters Apprentices"Eleanor Rigby" – ZootGlenn Wheatley
2Russell MorrisLiv MaessenThe Masters ApprenticesDoug FordRick BrewerJohnny YoungNatural High – Hans Poulsen"Eagle Rock" – Daddy CoolBeeb Birtles
3Ronnie BurnsColleen HewettZootPhil ManningGary YoungHans PoulsenVirgo – Ronnie Burns"Mr. America" – Russell MorrisWayne Duncan
4Ted MulryWendy SaddingtonChainRoss HannafordMark KennedyRicky SpringfieldThe Hoax Is Over – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs"Black & Blue" – ChainBarry Sullivan
5Hans PoulsenJenny JohnstonSpectrumDenis WilsonBarry HarveyJim Keays, Doug FordSpectrum Part One – Spectrum"I'll Be Gone" – SpectrumDuncan McGuire
6Darryl CottonYvonne BarrettNew DreamJohn RobinsonDannie DavidsonRoss WilsonKamahl – Kamahl"Because I Love You" – The Masters ApprenticesJohn du Bois
7Jim KeaysOlivia Newton-JohnAutumnRoss WilsonChris EasterbyMike RuddLooking Through a Tear – Johnny Farnham"Soft Delight" – New DreamMark Demajo
8Ross D. WyllieLittle PattieThe MixturesLobby LoydePeter ReedMatt TaylorWide Open – Kahvas Jute"Falling in Love Again" – Ted MulryBill Putt
9Matt TaylorDawn DixonTown CriersBilly ThorpeStewie SpeersTed MulryAt the Mountains of Madness – Blackfeather"Acapulco Sun" – Johnny FarnhamRick Graham
10Doug ParkinsonMarian HendersonBlackfeatherBilly GreenJim YongeJohn RobinsonPirana – Pirana"The Freak" – ZootPaul Wheeler

PositionBest Male VocalBest Girl VocalBest GroupBest GuitaristBest DrummerBest Songwriter / ComposerBest AlbumBest Bass Guitarist
1Elvis PresleyJanis JoplinCreedence Clearwater RevivalEric ClaptonRingo StarrPaul McCartneyAll Things Must Pass – George HarrisonPaul McCartney
2Tom JonesMelanieThe Rolling StonesGeorge HarrisonGinger BakerGeorge HarrisonMad Dogs and Englishmen – Joe CockerStu Cook
3Joe CockerMary HopkinThe Partridge FamilyJimmy PageDoug CliffordJohn LennonPendulum – Creedence Clearwater RevivalAndy Fraser
4Elton JohnFreda PayneDeep PurpleJohn FogertyJohn BonhamElton John, Bernie TaupinThat's the Way It Is – Elvis PresleyJohn Paul Jones
5George HarrisonDiana RossThe BeatlesRitchie BlackmoreIan PaiceJohn FogertyPearl – Janis JoplinRoger Glover
6David CassidyLynn AndersonLed ZeppelinPeter TownshendSimon KirkeNeil DiamondDeep Purple in Rock – Deep PurpleJack Bruce
7Paul McCartneyAretha FranklinJackson FivePaul KossoffCharlie WattsBob DylanJohn Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – John LennonBill Wyman
8Neil DiamondLuluFreeJimi HendrixKeith MoonJames TaylorThe Partridge Family Album – The Partridge FamilyKlaus Voormann
9James TaylorOlivia Newton-JohnThe HolliesAlvin LeeMick AvoryCat StevensTumbleweed Connection – Elton JohnJohn Entwistle
10Mick JaggerCilla BlackThe WhoPaul McCartneyMichael ShrieveBurt BacharachElton John – Elton JohnNoel Redding

1972

Printed in Go-Set on 30 December 1972, pages 5 & 6. New category introduced: Newcomer ; with old categories retired: Best Guitarist, Best Drummer, Best Bass Guitarist.
PositionMaleFemaleGroupSongwriterAlbumSingleNewcomer
1Johnny FarnhamColleen HewettSherbetBrian CaddAztecs Live at Sunbury – Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs"Boppin' the Blues" – BlackfeatherRobin Jolley
2Russell MorrisAllison DurbinBilly Thorpe & the AztecsRick SpringfieldBeginnings – Rick Springfield"You're All Woman" – SherbetJohnny Christie
3Rick SpringfieldAlison McCallumBlackfeatherRussell MorrisJohnny Farnham Sings the Shows"Most People I Know" – Billy Thorpe & the AztecsGlen Cardier
4Jeff PhillipsWendy SaddingtonSpectrumMike RuddMilesago – Spectrum"Rock Me Baby" – Johnny FarnhamRick Springfield
5Billy ThorpeJeannie LewisDaddy CoolJohnny YoungBloodstone – Russell Morris"Walking the Floor on My Hands" – Johnny FarnhamJamie Redfern
6Jeff St JohnYvonne BarrettJigsawJeff St JohnColleen Hewett – Colleen Hewett"Esmerelda" – Indelible MurtcepsGreg Quill
7Johnny ChristieLittle PattieCountry RadioTed MulryMississippi – Mississippi"Day by Day" – Colleen HewettJohnny Young
8Brian CaddJenny RyleMurtcepsBilly ThorpeSex, Dope, Rock'n'Roll: Teenage Heaven – Daddy Cool"Gypsy Queen" – Country RadioJon English
9Jamie RedfernMaryMississippiHans PoulsenLive with Friends"When You Wish Upon a Star" – Jamie RedfernG. Wayne Thomas
10Johnny O'KeefeLiv Maessen/JudyNew DreamKevin Borich/Phil KeysTogether (John Farnham and [Allison Durbin album)|Together] – Johnny Farnham and Allison Durbin"Hooky Jo" – Rick SpringfieldSlim Newton

PositionMaleFemaleGroupSongwriterAlbumSingle
1Cat StevensCarole KingThe Rolling StonesCat StevensTeaser and the Firecat – Cat Stevens"American Pie" – Don McLean
2David CassidyRoberta FlackThe Bee GeesElton JohnThick As a Brick – Jethro Tull"School's Out" – Alice Cooper
3Elvis PresleyMelanieSladeNeil DiamondSlade Alive! – Slade"Take Me Bak 'Ome" – Slade
4Joe CockerJanis JoplinCreedence Clearwater RevivalPaul McCartneyElvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden – Elvis Presley"Puppy Love" – Donny Osmond
5Rod StewartKaren CarpenterLed ZeppelinJohn LennonAmerican Pie – Don McLean"Long Cool Woman" – The Hollies
6Elton JohnCilla BlackT. RexRod StewartCherish – David Cassidy"Metal Guru" – T. Rex
/"Run to Me" – Bee Gees
7Mick JaggerAretha FranklinDeep PurpleDon McLeanHonky Chateau – Elton John"Metal Guru" – T. Rex
/"Run to Me" – Bee Gees
8Neil DiamondSonja KristinaThe CarpentersJohn FogertyMachine Head – Deep Purple"Morning Has Broken" – Cat Stevens
9Marc BolanOlivia Newton-JohnJethro TullBob DylanExile on Mainstreet – The Rolling Stones"Maggie Mae" – Rod Stewart
/"Peace Train" – Cat Stevens
/"Cherish" – David Cassidy
10Leon RussellDonna FargoThe Partridge FamilyMarc Bolan"Maggie Mae" – Rod Stewart
/"Peace Train" – Cat Stevens
/"Cherish" – David Cassidy

1967–1978: King of Pop Awards

Teen-oriented pop music newspaper, Go-Set was established in February 1966 and conducted an annual poll of its readers to determine the most popular personalities. In 1967 the most popular performer was Normie Rowe and when the results were televised on the unrelated The Go!! Show there was a crowning of Rowe as 'King of Pop'. In the following years, TV Week provided coupons for readers to vote for their choice, a similar system had been in use for TV's Logie Awards since 1960. The 'King of Pop' awards ceremony was broadcast by the 0–10 Network from 1967 to 1975, and from 1976 to 1978 by the Nine Network. On the 0–10 Network, from 1972, it was run by Johnny Young's production company which also provided Young Talent Time.

1967

1968

1969

Durbin is often referred to as the 'Queen of Pop', however:

1970

  • King of Pop – Johnny Farnham
  • Best Female Artist – Allison Durbin

1971

Ceremony details: Held on 22 October 1971 at ATV-0, Melbourne. Hosted by Johnny Young, Dal Myles, Ross D Wyllie, Jeff Phillips. Guest presenter: Liberace, Elton John

Award winners:

1972

Award winners:

1973

Guest presenter: Davy Jones

Award winners:
  • King of Pop – Johnny Farnham
  • Queen of Pop – Colleen Hewett
  • Best New Talent – Linda George
  • Best Songwriter – Brian Cadd
  • Contribution to Australian Pop Industry – Brian Cadd
  • Most Popular Australian Album – Hits 1: Magic Rock 'N' Roll
  • Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet
  • Most Popular Australian Musician – Brian Cadd
  • Most Popular Australian Single – "Venus"

1974

Ceremony details: Held on 25 October 1974, guest presenters: David Cassidy, Gary Glitter. A compilation album titled King of Pop '74–'75 was released with tracks supplied by previous winners and guest presenters. Next to the list of various artists, the cover depicts the trophy that was presented to award winners.

Award winners:

1975

Ceremony details: Held October 1975, live performance: AC/DC "High Voltage"

Award winners:

1976

Award winners:

1977

Performer: Mark Holden

Award winners:
  • King of Pop – Daryl Braithwaite
  • Queen of Pop – Marcia Hines
  • Australian Record of the Year – "Help Is on Its Way"
  • Best Australian International Performers – Little River Band
  • Best Australian Record Producer – Peter Dawkins
  • Best Australian Songwriter – Glenn Shorrock
  • Best Australian TV Performer – The Ferrets on Countdown
  • Best Cover Design – Trees
  • Most Popular Australian Album – Photoplay
  • Most Popular Australian Country Musician – Slim Dusty
  • Most Popular Australian Group – Sherbet
  • Most Popular Australian Single – "Magazine Madonna"
  • Most Popular New Group – Dragon
  • Most Popular New Talent – John St Peeters

1978

Ceremony details: Held on 13 October 1978, hosted by Glenn Shorrock, guest presenters: Kate Bush, Leif Garrett

Award winners:

1979–1980: ''TV Week''/''Countdown'' Music Awards

Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week which had sponsored the previously existing 'King of Pop' Awards. The TV Week/''Countdown Rock Music Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.
The award year below relates to the year of achievement and not the year they were presented.''

1979

Ceremony details: Held on 13 April 1980, broadcast on Countdown by ABC-TV, the TV Week Rock Music Awards for 1979 presented a revamped awards ceremony with 'King of Pop' title replaced by 'Most Popular Male' and 'Queen of Pop' replaced by 'Most Popular Female'. Hosted by Glenn Shorrock of Little River Band, there were three live performances: Christie Allen "He's My Number One", Australian Crawl "Beautiful People" and Split Enz "I Got You". Various music industry personalities explained the categories, announced nominees and presented the 1979 awards. 'Most Popular' awards were voted for by readers of TV Week sending in printed coupons, with the three highest reader responses read out as nominations. Industry awards were voted for by radio programme directors, rock magazine editors and journalists. Presenters included Darryl Cotton, Richard Gower, John O'Keefe, John Farnham, Colleen Hewett, Graeme Strachan, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, and Harry Casey.
Award winners and nominees:

1980

Ceremony details: Held on 16 March 1981 at Regent Theatre Sydney, and broadcast live to air on the same night, it was hosted by Countdown host Ian "Molly" Meldrum and international guests Suzi Quatro and Jermaine Jackson. Presenters included: Lee Simon, Donnie Sutherland, Marc Hunter, James Freud, Graham Russell, Russell Hitchcock and David Tickle. Performers were: Split Enz "History Never Repeats", Flowers "Icehouse", The Swingers "Counting the Beat", Air Supply "Lost in Love", "Every Woman in the World" and "All Out of Love", Australian Crawl "The [Boys Light Up (song)|The Boys Light Up]". Cold Chisel performed the last live number, "My Turn to Cry", to close the show and then trashed their instruments and the set. Sponsors TV Week withdrew their support for the awards and Countdown held its own awards ceremonies thereafter. The awards were voted by music industry sectors including, record companies major and independent, publishers, booking agents, radio stations and specific 'most popular' awards voted by the public.
Award winners and nominees:

1981–1986: ''Countdown'' Australian Music Awards

Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week which had sponsored the previously existing 'King of Pop' Awards. After Cold Chisel performed at the 1980 awards ceremony, and then trashed their instruments and the set, sponsors TV Week withdrew their support and Countdown held its own awards ceremonies until the 1986 awards which were broadcast in 1987. The awards ceremony was co-produced by Carolyn James during 1981–1984 in collaboration with the Australian Recording Industry Association, which provided peer/industry voting for all awards except for "most popular" awards voted by the public Countdown provided coupons in the related Countdown Magazine for viewers to vote for some awards including 'Most Popular Male Performer', 'Most Popular Female Performer', 'Most Popular Group' and 'Most Popular International Act'. From 1987 ARIA instituted its own entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards.
''The award year below relates to the year of achievement and not the year they were presented.''

1981

Ceremony details: Broadcast on 18 April 1982, hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum with presenters: Greedy Smith, Ross Wilson, Michael Hutchence, Duran Duran, Sharon O'Neill, Renée Geyer, John Swan, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite, Alex Smith and Angry Anderson. Performers were: Men at Work, Sharon O'Neill, Renée Geyer, Mental As Anything, Billy Field, Mondo Rock and the Divinyls.
Award winners and nominees:

1982

Ceremony details: Held on 19 April 1983. The program opened with Goanna performing "Solid Rock". Nomination required product to be released. As Co-producer of the event, Carolyn James programmed The Reels to perform "Quasimodo's Dream" to much objection from Ian Meldrum. Tim Finn as presenter of Best Songwriter award introduced their performance: "Countdown has done some questionable things over the years, but this redeems all..Ladies and Gentlemen Dave Mason and the Reels 'Quasimodo's Dream"
Award winners and nominees:

1983

Ceremony details: Held in Melbourne on the 15th of April 1984 at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda. Presenters included: Ross Wilson, Glenn Shorrock, Pat Wilson, Graeme "Shirley" Strachan, Greg Ham, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, Jon Farriss, Michael Hutchence, Marc Hunter, Billy Idol. Live performers: Kids in the Kitchen "Bitter Desire", Models "I Hear Motion", Ross Wilson and Pat Wilson "Strong Love", Pseudo Echo "A Beat for You", Billy Idol "Rebel Yell", Tim Finn "In a Minor Key". The closing live performance was by an ensemble including Shorrock, Lynne Randell, Jim Keays, Darryl Cotton, Debbie Byrne, Strachan, Keith Lamb, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite, and Hunter to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Johnny O'Keefe's version of "Shout!".
Award winners and nominees:

1984

Ceremony details: Held on 19 May 1985 at Sydney Entertainment Centre, and broadcast on 25 May, it was hosted by Greedy Smith, presenters included: Brian Mannix, Meat Loaf, Vicki O'Keefe, Sharon O'Neill, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, Nik Kershaw, Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch, Julian Lennon, Jenny Morris, Sean Kelly and James Freud, Alan Johnson and Danny Simcic, Suzanne Dowling. INXS won seven awards and closed with a live performance of "Burn for You", dressed in Akubras and Drizabones.
Award winners and nominees:

1985

Ceremony details: Held on 14 April 1986 at Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, and broadcast on 20 April, it was hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum and presenters included: Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch, Rick Mayall and Ben Elton, Sting, Vince Sorrenti, Brad Robinson, Zan Abeyratne, Richard Page, Iva Davies, Brian Canham, Brian Mannix, Tim Finn, Dee C Lee and Suzanne Dowling. Performers were: Pseudo Echo "Living in a Dream", Eurogliders "Absolutely", Do-Ré-Mi "Theme from Jungle Jim", Kids in the Kitchen "Current Stand", Mr. Mister "Kyrie", Models "Let's Build it Up", I'm Talking "Do You Wanna Be?". At the awards ceremony fans of INXS and Uncanny X-Men scuffled and as a result ARIA decided to hold their own awards, which were the entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards first held in 1987.
  • Best Album
  • *Fundamentals – Mental As Anything
  • **Working Class Man – Jimmy Barnes
  • **What a Life! – Divinyls
  • **Absolutely – Eurogliders
  • **Mars Needs Guitars – Hoodoo Gurus
  • **Listen Like Thieves – INXS
  • **Out of Mind, Out of Sight – Models
  • Best Debut Album
  • *Domestic Harmony – Do-Ré-Mi
  • **Gang Gajang – Gang Gajang
  • **Shine – Kids in the Kitchen
  • Best Debut Single
  • *"Man Overboard" – Do-Ré-Mi
  • **"Too Young for Promises" – Koo De Tah
  • Best Female Performance in a Video
  • *"Pleasure and Pain" – Chrissy Amphlett
  • **"Love Don't Live Here Anymore" – Kate Ceberano
  • **"Man Overboard" – Deborah Conway
  • Best Group Performance in a Video
  • *"Live it Up" – Mental As Anything
  • **"Pleasure and Pain" – Divinyls
  • **"What You Need" – INXS
  • **"Barbados" – Models
  • **"Out of Mind, Out of Sight" – Models
  • Best Male Performance in a Video
  • *"Working Class Man" – Jimmy Barnes
  • **"I'd Die to Be with You Tonight" – Jimmy Barnes
  • **"World's Away" – Mark Edwards
  • **"My Heart's on Fire" – Fred Lonegan
  • **"Live It Up" – Greedy Smith
  • Best Producer
  • *Mark Opitz for his work with Jimmy Barnes, the Venetians, Models
  • Best Video
  • *INXS's "What You Need" – Richard Lowenstein and Lyn-Marie Milbourn
  • Best Single
  • *"Out of Mind, Out of Sight" – Models
  • *"Live it Up" – Mental As Anything
  • **"Pleasure and Pain" – Divinyls
  • **"What You Need" – INXS
  • Best Songwriter
  • *Greedy Smith – "Live it Up"
  • Most Outstanding Achievement
  • *Bob Geldof – Oz for Africa
  • *INXS
  • Most Popular Australian Group
  • *INXS
  • **Kids in the Kitchen
  • **Models
  • **Pseudo Echo
  • **Uncanny X-Men
  • Most Popular Female Performer
  • *Kate Ceberano
  • **Chrissy Amphlett
  • **Lin Buckfield
  • **Tina Cross
  • **Grace Knight
  • Most Popular International Act
  • *Duran Duran
  • **A-ha
  • **Dire Straits
  • **Madonna
  • **Wham!
  • Most Popular Male Performer
  • *Michael Hutchence
  • **Jimmy Barnes
  • **Brian Canham
  • **Scott Carne
  • **Brian Mannix
  • Most Promising New Talent
  • *Do-Ré-Mi
  • **Rockmelons
  • **Koo De Tah

1986

Ceremony details: Held on 19 July 1987 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre; it followed the last regular Countdown show. It was hosted by Ian "Molly" Meldrum who revealed his bald head in imitation of Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil. Performers included: Icehouse "Crazy", Angry Anderson "Suddenly", Mental As Anything "He's Just No Good", Boom Crash Opera "City Flat", John Farnham "You're the Voice" and English pop group, Swing Out Sister "Breakout".
By the time of the last Countdown award ceremony, the Australian Recording Industry Association had already instituted its own entirely peer-voted ARIA Music Awards, with its first ceremony held on 2 March 1987 at the Sheraton Wentworth Hotel in Sydney. Elton John was the host but the ARIAs were not televised with presenters including Basia Bonkowski, Slim Dusty and Donnie Sutherland.