Fed: Midnight Oil retires to history with Garrett's departure
By Lisa Davies
SYDNEY, Dec 3 AAP - Australian rock band Midnight Oil effectively retired today aspassionate frontman Peter Garrett announced he had quit the band after 25 years.
In a brief statement on the band's website, Garrett said the decision came becausehe wanted to pursue other challenges, but gave no hint about what lay ahead.
"The last 25 years have been incredibly fulfilling for me, and I leave with the greatestrespect for the whole of Midnight Oil," Garrett's statement said.
"The band has brought a lot of pleasure and meaning to people's lives, including myown. Who could ask for more?
"But it is time for me to move on and immerse myself in those things which are of deepconcern to me and which I have been unable to fully apply myself to up to now."
Also in the statement, the band wished Garrett all the best, but reaffirmed their commitmentto continue making music together "in another guise at some point down the track".
"We've had a unique relationship and special chemistry for many years, one too goodto lose," remaining band members Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie, Martin Rotsey, Gary Morris andBones Hillman said in the statement.
"We want to thank our families, all fans worldwide, our crew and the office team fortheir enormous support over the years.
"It's been a great ride together, many, many thanks."
Speculation is already rife that after feverishly supporting causes like indigenousrights and the environment through Midnight Oil's music, Garrett will carve out a careerin politics.
He tried once before in the early 1980s, but was narrowly defeated in his bid for asenate seat on the Nuclear Disarmament Party's ticket.
Instead, he added his voice to causes like the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF),of which he has had two stints as president.
Greens Senator Bob Brown said today Garrett was a wonderful Australian with a lot moreto give his country.
"Peter's a great and wonderful, warm-hearted Australian. I've had a long friendshipwith Peter and I really appreciate that," Senator Brown said.
"But everyone's been calling me about Peter except Peter."
When asked about Garrett's links with the Greens, Senator Brown said: "Peter's alreadyin the fold as far as I'm concerned, you know these things aren't determined by whetheryou're a member of this or that."
ACF executive director Don Henry today applauded Garrett's passion, integrity and commitmentbut said he wasn't sure where Garrett's resignation would lead him.
"It's up to Peter to consider his future and he'll cross any bridges he needs to crosswhen he thinks about that," Mr Henry told ABC radio.
Australian music guru Ian "Molly" Meldrum said the band's major quality was their musicmade Australians think.
"They were just a great rock and roll band and if you went to a concert, it was justso powerful to be there," he said.
Meldrum said it was possible Garrett's timing did have something to do with a potentialmove into politics.
Midnight Oil released a string of best-selling albums and singles to local and internationalacclaim since forming in 1977.
The band performed their land rights anthem Beds are Burning at the closing ceremonyof the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, wearing the word "sorry" printed on their shirtsand trousers.
In 1997, Garrett was included on the National Trust's list of Living Treasures andwas the 2000 recipient of the Australian Humanitarian Foundation Award in the Environmentalcategory.
AAP ld/arb/apm/bwl
KEYWORD: MIDNIGHTOIL NIGHTLEAD
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