Bette Midler was not the first to record Wind Beneath My Wings, a huge hit for her in 1988. You’ll be amazed to discover which smooth-voiced Australian singer made the first commercial recording of it.
It was not a hit for him, but another Australian performer succeeded with it in 1983. Colleen Hewett had a hit in 1983, five years before Bette.
Colleen apparently hated the song when she first heard it, but was talked into recording it by John McDonald, who owned the Disc record shop in Melbourne and became a major figure in Australian music. He’d brought the song to Australia after hearing it while travelling in France.
Disc records was where future rock stars went after school in the 60s to hear hard-to-get music. Ross Wilson was a regular. Colin Hay worked there.
Around 1970, John started the Sparmac record company, with legendary radio DJ Ken Sparks.
They had hits right from the start, including Rick Springfield’s Speak To The Sky, and Eagle Rock, by Daddy Cool, one of the most important records made in Australia.
John died in December. He was 88.
Listen to the Sparmac Records story, and find out who made the first commercial recording of Wind Beneath My Wings.
John McDonald
