TheFifthAustralian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as theARIA Music Awards or simplyThe ARIAs) was held on 25 March 1991 at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre inSydney.[1][2] International hostBob Geldof was assisted by presenters to distribute 24 awards.[1][3] There were live performances but the awards were not televised and the ceremony was noted for its three-hours plus length with Gary Morris,manager ofMidnight Oil providing a 20-minute acceptance speech.[1][4]
HostBob Geldof found the three-hour plus ceremony to be interminable and threatened to walk out.[4]Midnight Oil's manager Gary Morris provided the longest acceptance speech of the night at 20 minutes.[4][6] According to music journalist,Anthony O'Grady, "[he] covered a gambit [sic] of topics including the downfall of Western Civilization."[6] Morris later stated that as the ceremony was not televised he decided to speak his mind.[4]Billy Thorpe's speech on hisHall of Fame induction, "travelled almost as long ... [he] remembered friends and supporters throughout a 30-year career."[6] According to ARIA spokesperson, Peter Rix, "It was my worst ARIA nightmare come true."[6] Music commentator,Molly Meldrum, disapproved of Morris' speech length—they had already had a fracas at the ARIAs in1988—Meldrum provided an even longer acceptance speech in1993.[4]
^"JAZZ".The Canberra Times. 14 March 1991. p. 16. Retrieved20 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
^abDate, Margot (26 March 1991), "Oils LP scoops record awards",The Sydney Morning Herald
^"17th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived fromthe original on 22 February 2004. Retrieved6 December 2013. Note: User may be required to access archived information by selecting 'The History', then 'By Award', 'Producer of the Year' and 'Option Show Nominations'.
