'I was only 19' in 1983 a political hit by John Schumann with folk group Redgum from Adelaide's Flinders Uni
The Redgum group group grew out of a radical politics-in-art project at Flinders University.
John Schumann’s chart-topping 1983 hit “I was only 19 (A walk in the light green)” with Redgum explored psychological and medical side effects of serving in the Australian forces during the Vietnam War.
The song's sales assisted Vietnam veterans during the royal commission into the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants used during the war.
In 1975, Schumann contributed to a radical politics-in-art project, convened by Professor Brian Medlin with fellow students Michael Atkinson and Verity Truman, while he was at Flinders University studying philosophy, English and drama. The three students formed political folk band Redgum, performing in local pubs and campuses. An “underground recording” of their music was made at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation studios in Adelaide by Darc Cassidy. The tapes became popular on campuses across Australia and on independent radio.
Chris Timms (also from Flinders University) joined the part-time group in 1976. By 1980, they decided to become a full-time band and Schumann wrote their biggest hits including “Long run”, “The last frontier”, “I was only 19” and “I've been to Bali too” (1984). In 1985, Redgum performing at major festivals across England and Europe including the Edinburgh Festival and in war-torn Belfast. The band had a strong following in Scandinavia.
In 1985, Schumann left Redgum but later started a solo career with CBS, releasing records, including Etched in blue (1987), and a children's record, Looby loo (1989). “Borrowed ground” from Etched in Blue won the Australian Performing Right Association most performed Australasian country work Award in 1988. A 1992 single for Sony, “Eyes on fire”, was followed by the True Believers album for Columbia Records.
In 2005, Schumann invited musicians (including ex-Redgum members Hugh McDoland and Michael Atkinson) as the Vagabond Crew to play and sing on Lawson, with songs Schumann wrote based on poems by Australian poet Henry Lawson.
