Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup has enjoyed a long and successful career in the Australian music industry. He co-wrote and co-produced the chart-topping hit “No Secrets” while in The Angels from 1976-81 and has also been in demand as a record producer, session player and film music composer. Including Sweet and Sour for the ABC and the Quicksilver film Mad Wax He co-founded several other successful Australian bands including The Party Boys and The Stetsons as well as GANGgajang.
His career as an artist manager began with Nathan Cavaleri in 1995 and then Diana Anaid in 1997. In 1999 he became manager and music director for iconic Australian Indigenous entertainer Dr Jimmy Little AO. Buzz guided Jimmy’s career until Jimmy’s passing in April 2012 and helped establish The Jimmy Little Foundation in 2006 and Uncle Jimmy Thumbs up Ltd in 2008. Both are not for profit organisations working to bring better health outcomes to Indigenous Australians. Buzz remains an active CEO of Thumbs Up!
The Thumbs up! Program has been delivering arts based health and community education into many schools and communities across Australia since 2009 working in partnership with Federal, State and Territory Governments and other NGO’s. Buzz co developed the Good Tucker App in 2018 which is now in use in many communities across the top end of Australia.
Although his workload for Thumbs up! keeps him very busy, Buzz continues to be well connected with the music business that has been his life for over 40 years. Still performing with GANGgajang, he co wrote their 2016 single, “Circles in the Sand” and co produced their current single “Speak to Me”.
Buzz’s skill as a producer has him much in demand with young emerging artists and he continues to produce music for a range of artists. A regular judge for Australian Music Industry Awards including the Queensland Music Awards and NT Music Awards, Buzz was also a member of the panel for the Australia Council Live Touring grants and contributes to the industry by counselling artists and industry players across the country. Buzz was a board member of the Australian Association of Artist Managers for 10 years and is now a patron of that organisation.
With a home studio full of instruments and recording equipment Buzz has worked with long time GANGgajang friend and engineer David Nicholas to produce a series of recordings called “The Asquith Sessions” released on the SBD label through MGM distribution and Spotify. Buzz is writing a book about his musical and philanthropic journey which is set to be released in 2024.