'I interviewed Peter Garrett for four hours and he answered every question'
Of all the opinions I read researching Peter Garrett, it was a comment posted at the bottom of an old interview he did with Donny Sutherland that stayed with me the most: “I liked the old Peter Garrett better than the new Peter Garrett”.
On stage as lead singer of Midnight Oil he was a formidable performer; an intense front man who sang about power, passion, nuclear war and indigenous rights with such fervour he sometimes required an oxygen tank at the end of a set.
He was the sweaty angry voice of a generation.
Then he would spend four hours driving home after a gig to wake up with his wife and three daughters.
I doubt there are many who divided opinion in quite the way Peter Garrett has.
He is a rock star, an environmentalist, a former politician and a family man.
But it was trading the Midnight Oil stage for a new audience at Parliament House that caused more outrage than any of his gigs.
Sitting down with Peter for Seven’s Sunday Night, I get the impression he’s spent a lot of time reflecting.
It’s clear that he’s ready to talk and set the record straight on a few issues and not just because he’s written a book that needs selling.
Peter Garrett is tall. He shaved his head for effect forty years ago when he first joined the band and has kept it that way ever since.
He lost his mother when fire destroyed their family home and it was once speculated that tragedy is the reason for his “extreme stage performances and take-no-prisoners approach to life in general”.
At 62 years of age, he has had three distinct and equally powerful careers.
But although he’s been in the public eye for 40 years he actually hasn’t shared a lot about himself.
I found him warm, engaging, interesting and willing to answer everything I asked.
He speaks about his band with respect, admiration and describes them as his musical heroes.
He says the decision to come home after “Blue Sky Mining” and not capitalise on their success overseas was a big decision but the best one they made.
Their inspiration came from Australia. “…the pumping history and the heartbeat of Australia. That’s our thing”.
But ending Midnight Oil after 23 years and entering politics broke a lot of Australian hearts.
He acknowledges he disappointed people, but doesn’t regret the move.
He does however have some pretty strong words to say about Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his thirst for power.
Our interview lasted nearly four hours.
There was so much to cover.
So much we know about him, but so much we don’t.
And he was frank in answering every question.
Was he a better politician as a musician than a politician?
Did he sell out?
Why join Labor and not the Greens?
Can music force change?
It always comes back to the music, and I get the impression he’s missed life as a muso.
He gets slightly emotional when he talks about his band.
So of course I finish the interview by asking him when Midnight Oil will get back together…
Wait until you hear his answer.
Melissa’s exclusive interview with Peter Garrett airs on Sunday Night October 11 at 7pm on Seven.
