Bill Armstrong, Australian music industry pioneer, dies at 97

Bill Armstrong, a central figure in the development of the Australian recording industry, has died at the age of 97. His career spanned over seven decades, beginning in post-war Melbourne where he used primitive wire recording equipment to capture live jazz and civil ceremonies.

Armstrong founded Bill Armstrong Sound in 1949 and later established Armstrong Studios in 1965 alongside engineer Roger Savage. The studio became a cornerstone of Australian music, at its peak responsible for recording approximately 80 percent of the music on the Australian charts, including artists such as John Farnham, Skyhooks, and Daddy Cool.

Beyond studio production, Armstrong played a significant role in broadcasting. He worked for ABC Radio and served as the managing director for EON FM, Australia's first commercial FM radio station. His contributions to the industry earned him numerous accolades, including being named a Member of the Order of Australia and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Audio Engineering Society.