Closing Ceremony to Feature Symphony of Aussie Sounds

Artists performing in the closing ceremony, in addition to Midnight Oil, are INXS, Jon Stevens, Savage Garden, Jimmy Barnes and Men At Work, whose signature song “‘Down Under” will highlight the show.

They will be backed by Aussie performers Kylie Minogue, Yothu Yindi, Christine Anu, Vanessa Amorosi, Slim Dusty, opera singer Yvonne Kenny, John Paul Young and Tommy and Phil Emmanuel.

Bringing these sounds into your home is easy. Local music retailers carry most of these artists, and Web sites have hard-to-find releases.

Some of the more popular Aussie bands include:

* INXS, pop funk band started in the ‘70s that reached success in the late ‘80s. Leader Michael Hutchence’s 1997 death brought the band to an end.

* Yothu Yindi, multiracial band founded in 1986, the year of Australia’s bicentennial. They blend sounds as diverse as the didgeridoo and the electric guitar. Their music is reminiscent of Bob Marley and lyrics preach cultural harmony and Aboriginal pride.

* Men At Work, formed in 1979 and popular in the ‘80s New Wave era. With its offbeat sense of humor, the band’s first album “Business as Usual” became an international hit, breaking a U.S. record for most weeks (then 15) at No. 1.

* AC/DC, a rebellious hard-rock band famous for its deafening anthems. It came on the scene in the ‘70s and reached global commercial success in the ‘80s. Currently on U.S tour.

No Aussie music collection would be complete without Olivia Newton-John, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland and folk singer Rolf Harris, famous for “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport.”