Bands rally round threatened Cranker amid Hall of Fame welcome
UPDATED: Musicians and bands from Adelaide and across Australia have joined the campaign to protect the Crown & Anchor hotel from being shut down for a student housing development, as the SA Music Hall of Fame prepares to induct the longstanding live venue. See who’s supporting
Musicians including Kellie Lloyd from Brisbane's Screamfeeder, Ray Ahn from Sydney's Hard-Ons and Dave Gray from Melbourne's Rocket Science have all played at the Crown & Anchor hotel and have joined a campaign to save it from development. Photos: Facebook
The “Cranker’s” pending introduction to the SA Music Hall of Fame was announced by organisers the Adelaide Music Collective at the weekend.
“The hotel will be inducted as a ‘venue’ for its decades of commitment to original live music, becoming a hub for generations for Adelaide and South Australian artists and musicians,” it said.
“Established in 1853, the Crown & Anchor has become part of Adelaide’s east-end folklore and a hallmark of the city’s music culture. Long may this legacy continue, giving a voice to the creative expression of South Australia’s nascent musicians.”
The Crown & Anchor leaseholders said they honoured by the recognition, which comes after the historic pub’s future was threatened by a proposed student housing tower on the site, which is zoned to 15-storeys.
“We have been honoured to have been inducted alongside other incredible venues,” the pub leaseholders said on their website.
“We love live music and hope to continue our legacy for many decades to come (SAVE THE CRANKER!)”
It comes amid a grassroots rebellion against the development, with alternative bands and musicians posting photographs of themselves holding “Save the Cranker” signs on Facebook groups.
John Scott from Adelaide’s The Mark of Cain, which has played many gigs at the Crown & Anchor. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
The Mark of Cain bassist Kim Scott. Photo: Save the Cranker/Facebook
Guitarist Jeff Stephens from Exploding White Mice, Cull The Band, Price of Silence and Where’s The Pope? Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Singer Mark Fenech from Clowns of Decadence. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Former Adelaide bassist Dave Gray from Rocket Science has played many gigs at the Crown & Anchor. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Australian band Beasts of Bourbon after their gig at The Gov on Friday. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Kellie Lloyd from Brisbane’s Screamfeeder, which often played at the Crown & Anchor. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Singer Johnny Kannis from Sydney’s The Hitmen. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Chris “Klondike” Masuak from bands including Radio Birdman and The Hitmen joined the campaign from Spain. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Peter Black from Sydney’s Hard-Ons. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Romana Ashton from Adelaide’s Romana Ashton and The Reeds. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Nicki Gartlan from Adelaide band Electric Sex Pants. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
LInk MacLennan from Melbourne’s The Meanies. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
Dick Richards from Queensland’s Hits. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
John “Macka” McKeering from the Cosmic Psychos. Photo: Save The Cranker/Facebook
