Vale Ted Egan: Australian Folk Legend & 'The Outback Song Man' Dies Aged 93

Australian folk music icon, author, and former Northern Territory Administrator Ted Egan has passed away at the age of 93. The legendary singer-songwriter died peacefully at his home in Alice Springs on the morning of December 4, surrounded by family.

In a statement confirming the news, his partner Nerys Evans and the Egan family expressed their deep loss.

“It is with sadness, but also great pride that Nerys Evans and the Egan family marks the passing of our beloved partner, Dad, grandfather, great grandfather and best mate Ted Egan,” the statement read.

“Ted passed peacefully at home this morning as was his wish. We shared Ted with Territorians, Australians and the wider world. He lived a big and very generous life, spanning 93 years.”

A true giant of the Australian music scene, Egan’s career was as vast as the outback he loved. He released 30 folk albums, starting with his debut in 1969, and penned 17 books. Beyond music, he was a familiar face on Australian television as a co-host of The Great Outdoors and creator of his own six-part series on Australia.

He cracked the ARIA Chart in 1973 with Willie The Whinging Pom, but was well known for many of his songs including Sayonara Nakamura, The Man from Humpty-Doo and The Drover's Boy.

Egan was also fiercely dedicated to social justice. He was a vocal advocate for Aboriginal land rights during the 1960s and 70s, a passion immortalised in his collaboration with former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu on the track Gurindji Blues.

His contributions to the industry were formally recognised in 1995 when he was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. He also held Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Golden Guitar Awards and the National Folk Festival.

Tributes have already begun flowing in from the country and folk community, with the Chief Minister of the NT confirming that Egan will be offered a state funeral.

Egan is survived by his partner Nerys, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.