He toured extensively across the country from tents to the Sydney Opera House, delighting audiences with comedy stylings such as I’m My Own Grandpa and The Shotgun Wedding.
Dubbed the “clown prince of comedy” by country great Slim Dusty, Morgan released 18 studio albums with a number of greatest hits collections including Sheilas, Drongos, Dills & Other Geezers.
He achieved platinum and gold album sales as his influence on Australian culture grew.
Morgan appeared in films Newsfront and Dimboola in the late 1970s, becoming a regular on Reg Lindsay’s The Country & Western Hour national TV show.
His signature smile is believed to be the inspiration behind Barry Humphries’ brash “Australian cultural attache” Les Patterson character.
Morgan received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004 and was recognised with a lifetime achievement nod at the 2010 Country Music Association of Australia Awards.
A permanent exhibition honouring Morgan opened in August last year at Childers, near Bundaberg.
His son Chad Junior confirmed his father’s death to the ABC, prompting tributes from Australian country music royalty to former premiers.
“RIP Chad Morgan. What a legacy mate and he outlived them all just hanging in there and always being so funny,” country music star Troy Cassar-Daley tweeted.
“Chad Morgan was a country music icon,” ex-Queensland Premier Steven Miles said on social media.
AAP
