Vale Rowland S Howard

Howard's band The Birthday Party changed my life. Their final show was the first gig I went to in Melbourne. As a street press hack, Howard was one of the first people I ever interviewed. I was starstruck. For me, his version of 'Some Velvet Morning' (with Lydia Lunch) is the greatest ever recorded. More recently, his album Pop Crimes was sensational. And his gig at last year's All Tomorrow's Parties was a festival highlight. And, of course, he wrote what is one of the all-time greatest Australian songs - 'Shivers'.

'Shivers' - The Boys Next Door: