APAC Insider- Australian Enterprise Awards 2024 | 125 During the pandemic, when everybody else was turning to the internet to find more ways of entertainment, Greg Allen-Pretty found a perfect way to amuse the fans of ’60s and ’70s music. Borrowing its name from Marc Bolan and T. Rex’s 1971 super hit song ‘Get in On, Bang a Gong’, Greg quickly launched his website to popularise his favourite era of music. Celebrating the ’60s and ’70s, Bang a Gong mainly focuses on the period between 1967 and 1974, as it is believed that this was when some of the most innovative music, artists, and styles emerged that still stand out today. Bang a Gong is a chartbased music website, meaning the songs selected for the site are based on official sales charts from the 1960s and 1970s. The chart statistics for this music were used with permission from the Australian Chart Book, including the authoritative Kent Music Report, that documents weekly and annual single and album sales. Music historian David Kent has the reputation of creating the most trusted music chart. “David has put decades of great work into researching and documenting the sales of records and songs in Australia. His charts are an accurate and trusted source of statistics that will stand forever,” says Greg. Greg has great knowledge of music as he has had a long media career working as a radio presenter, music director, journalist/newsreader, programme producer, voice artist, and writer. His love for music was developed during his high school years in the early ‘70s, and he apparently wanted to be the DJ on the radio playing them and make the whole of Australia listen to these iconic songs. His ambition turned into reality in 1976, when he joined radio, and through Bang a Gong, he continues to live his dream. Each page on the Bang a Gong website is devoted to a song. Included are single and album chart statistics, audio and details of the song, supporting bonus clips, like TV interviews, and a link to the Bang a Gong Spotify playlist that includes that song. Greg tells us, “The site includes many songs from Australia, and I love that some very talented local songwriters and artists from over the years are being given more exposure in other countries. Australia has always had a vibrant music and recording industry.” Additionally, the website holds a weekly song poll where a top 20 chart from a particular week is published, and fans can vote for their favourite songs. This poll has made the website very popular, with 604,000 views in 2023 and exponential growth every day. These weekly and monthly polls help the company research new songs, add them to its website, and its three curated Spotify playlists. Though the music from 1967 to 1974 is the strongest range of focus for Greg, he says, “I would also like to make a separate push into the earlier 1960s and even go back to the 1950s by running a second Facebook page with a ‘50s and ‘60s focus.” He is also planning to create more fan interaction by having them submit their personal top 30 favourites from that period. With global followers across its social media pages, this company is focused on promoting the most incredible music era among people across all ages, and we wish Bang a Gong the best for all its years to come. Contact: Greg Allen-Pretty Company: Bang a Gong Web Address: https:// bangagong.com.au/ Best Online ’60s & ’70s Music Resource 2024 Feb24152
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