"Rockumentary" pays homage to life of Helen Reddy

Published 4:00pm 31 May 2022

A musical performance that pays tribute to Helen Reddy, also known as the International Queen of 70’s pop, is coming to the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre this week.

Audiences will have the chance to hear some of Helen’s biggest hits, including I am Woman, during Friday night’s performance of Invincible – The Helen Reddy Story.

Taking to the stage for Friday’s performance is Australian singer Nikki Bennett, who also wrote the show.

Speaking to Moreton Daily, Nikki said she had long been a fan of Helen Reddy.

“I grew up listening to Helen Reddy. I knew her music but back then I didn’t realise how much of a massive trailblazer she was for not only for Australian women, but for women all over the world,” Nikki said.

“Her song I am Woman, Hear Me Roar is a household phrase, and really was an anthem for the feminist movement.

“Her story is so inspiring. I saw her on David Letterman in 2010 and I was fascinated by her life, so that’s when I started looking into her biography.

“I then started writing this show in 2012.

“There are not many people that can hold a candle to her life story. It’s the most extraordinary life story I have ever read.”

In 1973, that iconic song became the unforgettable anthem of the women's liberation movement and made her the very first Australian to ever win a Grammy Award.

During Helen’s remarkable career, she also placed three number one hits on the US Billboard charts and six more in the US top 10.

She sold more than 25 million albums and played to sellout concert houses right around the world.

Helen even hosted her very own prime time series on U.S. television.

Not your regular run-of-the-mill tribute show

When talking about the show, Nikki said it was one-of-a-kind.

“This is not just a tribute show where I stand up and sing the songs of Helen Reddy,” Nikki said.

“It’s like a mini musical where I take the audience on a journey through her life.

“It’s much more of a “rockumentary”, where there is a song for every single part of her life.

“What I really love about this show is that it attracts women of all ages. I love seeing their faces reacting to the music and the stories.

“I see women and men dancing in their seats, and many of them often come up to me after the show and tell me how they had no idea that Helen sang so many songs, or didn’t know how much of a star she really was.

“This show is very special, and the one thing I would say is, you won’t see another show like this.

“It’s a real privilege to go on stage and share her story, because nobody else in the world is doing it.

“It’s also pretty amazing to have this show endorsed globally by the worldwide official Helen Reddy Fan Club.”