Almanac Music: Mike Rudd, Spectrum and the Enduring Power of ‘I’ll Be Gone’

MIKE RUDD, SPECTRUM AND THE ENDURING POWER OF ‘I’LL BE GONE’

A STIRRING TRIBUTE BY CHRIS FRANKLIN

 

 

 

 

On a cool Wednesday night at the Brunswick Ballroom, around 200 devoted fans gathered not simply to watch a documentary, but to pay tribute to a defining chapter of Australian music history. Chris Franklin’s Someday I’ll Have Money is far more than a nostalgic retelling of the rise of Spectrum and the immortal “I’ll Be Gone” it is a deeply affectionate, incisive and beautifully constructed portrait of creativity, survival and the uniquely Australian spirit that shaped the country’s progressive rock movement of the early 1970s.

 

Franklin captures the formation of Spectrum with warmth and remarkable attention to detail, tracing the chemistry between Mike Rudd, Bill Putt, Lee Neale and the astonishing young drumming prodigy Mark Kennedy. What emerges is not merely the story of a band, but of four musicians chasing originality during a transformative period in Australian culture. The film brilliantly contextualises the late ’60s and early ’70s music scene a world of pot filled music halls, relentless touring, experimental sounds and musicians learning their craft in real time as Australian rock searched for its own identity.

At the heart of the documentary lies “I’ll Be Gone,” released as a single in 1971 and destined to become one of Australia’s most recognisable songs. Franklin expertly charts the song’s evolution from a modest demo into a timeless anthem that still resonates more than five decades later. Hearing the isolated anecdotes and recollections behind its creation gives fresh emotional weight to a tune so embedded in the national consciousness that many Australians feel they’ve known it their entire lives.

The interviews are insightful and deeply human. Mike Rudd remains thoughtful, humble and quietly charismatic throughout, while the legendary Ross Wilson provides sharp perspective and humour reflecting both the camaraderie and competitiveness of the era, including his collaboration with Rudd in the Party Machine. Particularly moving are the reflections from Mark Kennedy captured prior to his passing offering a poignant reminder of the extraordinary musicianship that drove Spectrum’s sound. Contributions from recording engineer Howard Gable and the ever-entertaining rock historian Brian Nankervis enrich the film with technical insight, historical context and genuine reverence for the period.

Following the screening, the audience was treated to a fascinating on-stage Q&A hosted by Nankervis alongside Rudd, Wilson and Franklin. The discussion revealed the sheer challenges of navigating the Australian music industry during those formative decades the endless touring, primitive recording conditions, financial struggles and the determination required simply to survive as musicians pursuing ambitious and original music. It was storytelling at its finest funny, reflective, occasionally emotional and utterly authentic.

The evening then shifted from reflection to celebration as Mike Rudd’s band, The Indelibles launched into a masterful set drawn from Rudd’s remarkable catalogue. The performances were vibrant, tight and emotionally charged, reminding everyone present that these songs are not museum pieces they still breathe, pulse and connect. And when the unmistakable harmonic opening of “I’ll Be Gone” finally arrived, the room lifted collectively. It was less a performance than a communal moment of gratitude and homage.

Someday I’ll Have Money succeeds because it understands that great music documentaries are never solely about songs. They are about people, time, place and memory. Chris Franklin has delivered a loving and important film that honours Mike Rudd, Spectrum and an era that helped define Australian rock music. For those fortunate enough to attend Wednesday night’s launch, it felt like far more than a screening. It felt like witnessing Australian music history being properly celebrated by the very people who lived it

 

Read about the tour Richard has organised for Mike Rudd HERE.

 

Read more from Richard Griffiths HERE

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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