Legendary Australian record producer and engineer, Mark Opitz, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for 2020.
Opitz was made a Member of the Order of Australia yesterday for “significant service to the performing arts, particularly to music production”.
Mark Opitz has been active in the music industry since the early 1970s. He has worked on albums by many iconic Australian acts, including AC/DC, INXS, The Angels, Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel, Rose Tattoo and The Divinyls. He has also collaborated with international artists, including KISS, Ray Charles and The Beach Boys.
Opitz also produced John Paul Young’s 1978 track ‘Love Is In The Air’. The song went on to become a worldwide hit.
Opitz was head of A&R (artist and repertoire) for Warner Music for 17 years from 1980 to 1997. After leaving Warner, he was head of A&R at Mushroom Group from 1997 until 2001.
Opitz has enjoyed a decorated career behind the production desk. He was named the ARIA Producer of the Year in 1987 and 1988 and has received a fellowship from the Australian National University. Speaking to the Brisbane Times over the weekend, Opitz termed his latest accolade “a gift”.
“I’ve been blessed,” he said.
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“What’s really important to me is it’s a gift to my entire family and a gift for the nation that can never be taken away from them.”
“It’s a testament with people who I work with as well, including the engineers and filmmakers.”
The 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list featured more than 900 Australians. Chantoozies vocalist Tottie Goldsmith, country musician Keith Jamieson and singer & TV presenter Ray Burgess were among the other musicians honoured.
Other famous Australians lauded this long weekend included cricketer Michael Clarke and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Check out ‘Love Is In The Air’ by John Paul Young:
