Jill Birt

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jill Birt

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Img_capt =
Img_size = 150
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jillian Birt
Alias = Jill Birt
Born = flagicon|AUS Tambellup, Western Australia
Died =
Origin =
Instrument =
Voice_type =
Genre = Rock Music
Occupation = musician, keyboardist, singer
Years_active = 1983–present
Label =
Associated_acts = The Triffids
URL =
Notable_instruments =

Jill Birt is an Australian rock musician and architect, best known as the keyboard player of the 1980s band The Triffids.

Biography

Early years

She was born in Tambellup, where she attended Tambellup Primary School. She attended Methodist Ladies College in Perth, as a boarder. She then went on to study fine art and formed an all-girl punk band, What Are Little Boys Made Of.

The Triffids 1983–1989

In mid 1983 she replaced The Triffids' original keyboardist, Margaret Gillard.

The band's first 12-inch vinyl album, "Treeless Plain", was released in 1983. The band's line-up stabilised to David McComb (vocals, guitar), his brother Robert McComb (guitar,violin), Jill Birt (keyboards), Alsy MacDonald (drums), Martyn P. Casey (bass)

In August 1984 the band flew to London, where they recorded the critically acclaimed album, "Born Sandy Devotional", they toured Europe and returned to Western Australia in 1986 to record "In The Pines" on the McComb's family property in Ravensthorpe, south east of Perth. The Triffids line-up was finalised with the addition of 'Evil' Graham Lee on pedal steel and guitar. Lee having recorded the mini-album, "Lawson Square Infirmary" with the band members in 1984.

In 1987 the band signed a three record deal with Island Records, which saw the release of "Calenture" and "The Black Swan". Bird's vocals were highlighted on the band's single "Goodbye Little Boy", which reached No. 81 on the Australian Singles Charts in April 1989.

In August, 1989 tired from the constant travelling and touring, the band dissolved.

Post-Triffids

Birt who had fallen in love with the band's drummer, Alsy MacDonald, got married and they have three children (Connor, Oscar and Ebony). They currently live in Glyde Street, East Fremantle.

"I remember one night at the Burswood Casino, it must have been in about 1990," recalled Steve Gordon, a WA music notable. "The Western Australia Music Industry had this big event at the showroom and someone announced the winner of the most outstanding WA contribution to the national and international music scene. It was The Triffids.

"There was a young woman who was working at the show serving drinks. All of a sudden, she put down her tray, walked up on stage in her Burswood uniform and collected the prize. It was Jill Birt, the keyboardist. While the rest of the music industry was sitting around in black ties and tuxes, the only person from the band who was there to accept the award was serving them drinks. It was very telling." [ [http://somethingold-somethingnew.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html 1990 West Australian Music Industry Awards] ]

Birt commenced studies in architecture at UWA in 1993 and is now a qualified architect, whilst her husband Alsy MacDonald is a lawyer for the Equal Opportunity Commission in Perth.

References

* The Australian - Tony Barass (April 17, 1999)
* NME - Gavin Martin ( April 15, 1989)

External links

* [http://www.thetriffids.com/ The Triffid's official website]