Let’s Dance in Carinda

BACK in September last year, Weekender’s intrepid regional writer Lisa Minner visited Carinda for a story about the tiny town’s famous pub, which again made headlines around the world this week as the backdrop – along with the magnificent Warrumbungle Mountains – for David Bowie’s phenomenally popular Let’s Dance, which is arguably one of his most well-loved signature tunes. The Thin White Duke put the town on the musical map – and as Lisa wrote back in September, locals well remember the time fame came to town: This tiny outback town was once the set for mega-star David Bowie’s 1983 hit, Let’s Dance and the film clip is now firmly embedded in popular culture with its memorable racially focussed storyline. Let’s Dance was, at the time, Bowie’s biggest hit. The Carinda Hotel was chosen as the location for parts of the clip as were areas around the Coolah Tops and the Warrumbungles, as well as inner Sydney. When a tanned, 36 year old blonde haired version of Bowie arrived in the remote township, he’s said to have thought the place an alien landscape. The township folk were equally gobsmacked by him and his entourage – those who actually recognised who Bowie was. When his crew began hauling in cameras and lights, the town knew it was in for something very special. Bowie encouraged everyone to come and be part of the atmosphere and, as a thank you, paid for an open bar. Rumour has it that by the final take, the put was well and truly rocking, with everyone from farmers and labourers to shop owners, dancing around the bar to Bowie’s music. The film clip also featured two Aboriginal actors/dancers – Terry Roberts and Jolene King – who were sought out to play the lead characters in the clip. While Terry Roberts has since died, Jolene was interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald in 2013 at her home in Sydney’s western suburbs. Her memories of Bowie were very positive and she said she’d had no idea at the time that the film clip would be as big a deal as it actually was. Let’s Dance was shot with a message in mind. It made references to slavery,

racism and the stolen generation.

Bowie was quoted at the time as saying: “As much as I love this country, it’s probably one of the most racially intolerant in the world, well in line with South Africa.”

(Let’s Dance in Carinda – Lisa Minner, Dubbo Weekender 4/9/15)