‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ – In Pictures

Music history is rife with tales of artists whose star once shone bright only to fade into obscurity at the hands of the industry itself, whether through unfair circumstances, nefarious players or, simply, bad timing.

There are a few, however, whose fates are reversed, albeit years later. This is the story of Memphis singer-songwriter Van Duren, an artist once touted as “the next Paul McCartney” following the release of his 1978 debut Are You Serious? only for his public story to, seemingly, end there.

Or not. Fast forward forty years and here we are, with Van Duren touring Australia this month, thanks to the Australian-helmed documentary Waiting – The Van Duren Story.

The doco, which is also making its Aussie screen debut this month, is the work of Australian music industry players Greg Carey (manager of The Rubens, Urthboy) and Sydney-based musician Wade Jackson, who stumbled across the Memphis artist’s album and set out to discover more about the story of Van Duren.

To celebrate the screenings of their flick, Wade and Greg have shared with Music Feeds a photo diary of their unlikely expedition to meet Van Duren, one that took them across seas into the American south, meeting rockstars, fellow musos, Scientologists and a con man or two along the way.

Have a scroll through their diary below and catch remaining ‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ doco screenings and accompanying Van Duren tour dates below.

GALLERY: ‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ – In Pictures

‘Waiting: The Van Duren Story’ Screenings

Wednesday, 10th April

Event Cinemas, George Street, Sydney NSW

Tickets: Eventbrite

Thursday, 11th April

Cinema Nova, Melbourne VIC

Tickets: Eventbrite

Saturday, 13th April

Body Movement: Presented by High Tide, Central Coast, NSW

Tickets: Eventbrite

Wednesday, 17th April

Cinemona – Mona, Hobart, TAS

Tickets: Mona

Friday, 26th April

The Gum Ball Festival, Dashville (Hunter Valley) NSW

Tickets: Gum Ball

Van Duren Australian Shows

Thursday, 18th April

The Curtin, Melbourne VIC

Tickets: Music Glue

Sunday, 21st April

Boogie Festival, Tallarook VIC

Tickets: Boogie Fest

Tuesday, 23rd April

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW

Tickets: Moshtix

Thursday, 25th April

Baroque Room, Katoomba NSW

Tickets: Eventbrite

Friday, 26th April

The Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley NSW

Tickets: Gum Ball

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