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Legendary Australian music producer behind hits by Keith Urban and Slim Dusty dies aged 74

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Mark Moffatt (pictured) has died aged 74. Nicknamed

Mark Moffatt has passed away at the age of 74.

Dubbed “an unsung hero of Australian music,” the Queensland-born producer died on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Well known in the music industry as a skilled guitarist and producer, Moffatt has worked with some of Australia’s biggest pop and rock stars.

His credits include The Saints’ hits (I’m) Stranded and No Time, as well as Yothu Yindi’s hit single Treaty.

“This really changed my life,” Moffat said. The music to work on the track.

“I spent time with the band and learned their tribal beliefs. The didge player, Milkay, was amazing. He was like a teacher,” he explained.

‘I remember when Treaty came out and we were still working on the album, I was with the band at Tullamarine Airport and these white schoolchildren came running up to these Aboriginal kids to ask for their autographs.

“It was a very special moment.”

Mark Moffatt (pictured) has died aged 74. Dubbed “an unsung hero of Australian music”, the Queensland-born producer passed away on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

He also produced Slim Dusty’s Fiddler Man and Tim Finn’s Fraction Too Much Friction.

The Australian moved to Nashville in 1996 and forged a successful career in the US, working with artists such as Keith Urban and Richard Clapton.

While in Nashville, she received the CMA Global Achievement Award.

Moffat has “more all-time APRA Top 30 songs than any other producer”, according to The Music, and has worked with 15 ARIA Hall of Fame nominees.

Moffatt has worked with some of Australia's biggest pop and rock stars. His credits include Yothu Yindi's hit single Treaty, which he says changed his life. Yothu Yindi is pictured

Moffatt has worked with some of Australia’s biggest pop and rock stars. His credits include Yothu Yindi’s hit single Treaty, which he says changed his life. Yothu Yindi is pictured

He also produced Slim Dusty's Fiddler Man and Tim Finn's Fraction Too Much Friction. Slim Dusty is pictured

He also produced Slim Dusty’s Fiddler Man and Tim Finn’s Fraction Too Much Friction. Slim Dusty is pictured

The Australian moved to Nashville in 1996 and forged a successful career in the US, working with artists including Keith Urban (pictured) and Richard Clapton.

The Australian moved to Nashville in 1996 and forged a successful career in the US, working with artists including Keith Urban (pictured) and Richard Clapton.

Among those paying tribute was Australian country music star Troy Cassar-Daley.

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Mark Moffat this morning. He was originally from Maryborough, Queensland and did so much for so many as a producer, guitarist and mentor,” he wrote in a post on X.

“I met him in Sydney. He had just produced one of my favourite Shane Howard records, The River,” Tory began.

‘He ended up in Nashville doing a wonderful job bridging the great divide between the Australian and American country music industries and bringing a lot of people together on a lot of levels,’ he continued.

Moffat is survived by his wife, Lindsey, son Geordie, stepdaughter Dana and two granddaughters.

Moffat is survived by his wife, Lindsey, son Geordie, stepdaughter Dana and two granddaughters.

‘We always met up when he went to Nashville and I will miss his stories and his wonderful guitar playing.

‘We wrote a song together called Long Way Home, which was the theme song years ago.

“Just another good human being gone too soon, who I will miss. A great variety of artists he has produced and helped. I will miss you in Nashville, Moff.”

Moffat is survived by his wife, Lindsey, son Geordie, stepdaughter Dana and two granddaughters.

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