Harley Medcalf, Promoter

Abstract

This chapter is an interview with Harley Medcalfe. Harley’s credits include managing every Elton John tour ever brought to Australia; Barry Humphries’ (Dame Edna Everage) producer for over two decades; touring Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, and Queen to Australia; globally tour-managing Formula One racing; and starting (against all advice and music industry ridicule) the globally successful Burn The Floor series of shows after developing an enthusiasm for Ballroom Dancing. Harley is an innovator and an eternal pioneer. Harley’s method involves minute attention to detail. It is a lesson learned from costly mistakes, including one small mistake with limousines and airline schedules that unfolded into the spectacular 1974 debacle involving Frank Sinatra, the Australian Journalists Association, some indiscriminate security guards, a national union black ban, and a consequent worldwide media scandal.