THE Australian music industry legend Molly Meldrum was last night gravely ill in hospital after falling from a ladder and hitting his head.
Meldrum, 65, is believed to have been putting up Christmas decorations for a party this Sunday when he fell, hitting his head on tiles next to the swimming pool at his inner-city Melbourne home in Richmond. He sustained swelling to the brain and a chest injury.
Paramedics were called to the house about 6.40pm. ''He was unconscious when we arrived,'' an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said. ''He has been placed in an induced coma and taken to The Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.''
Meldrum's manager, Mark Klemens, said the next 24 hours would be critical. Garry Spry, who said he had been friends with Meldrum for several decades, said Meldrum's brother Brian was by his side.
Russell Morris, whose 1969 hit The Real Thing was produced by Meldrum, was among friends and relatives who gathered at the hospital last night.
Collingwood president and friend Eddie McGuire found out about the accident at last night's launch of the Big Bash League side the Melbourne Stars.
''We are just stunned, and all praying and hoping that he will be OK,'' he said. ''So close to Christmas, it's just one of those ones that just really hits you hard. Molly is a wonderful person and a huge part of our lives … we desperately hope he is OK.''
A neighbour of Meldrum's, Cristina, said she arrived home and a friend told her that Meldrum had been taken away on a stretcher. An ambulance remained parked outside Meldrum's house about 9.30pm.
Meldrum is one of the most famous names in Australian music. He was the host of music program Countdown from 1974 to 1987, and helped launch the careers of some of the world's biggest acts, including Abba.
Meldrum traditionally hosts a Christmas night party but had moved it forward this year because he was due to fly to Thailand next week.
KYLIE Minogue, Boy George and Russell Crowe are among the friends and fans of critically ill music industry legend Molly Meldrum who have taken to Twitter with messages of support.
The much-loved Meldrum is fighting for his life after a fall in his Melbourne home on Thursday.
Meldrum was the second and third-highest trending topic in Australia on Friday morning, with two pages, Molly and Love you Molly, devoted to his recovery.
"Sending LOTS of love to Molly Meldrum. I love you," Australian singer Kylie Minogue tweeted, while her sister Dannii said, "Thinking of Molly Meldrum tonight".
Prime Minister Julia Gillard also had the 65-year-old TV veteran in her throughts.
''Australia's thoughts are with you, Molly,'' Ms Gillard tweeted on Friday morning. ''Keep fighting.''
British singer Boy George tweeted "Sending my prayers to Molly Meldrum in Australia!"
Australian actor Russell Crowe also sent his support, tweeting "Sending Ian Meldrum love. Thinking of you mate".
Several singers described how Meldrum was their musical inspiration when they were young.
"Growing up, Molly Meldrum delivered all my childhood musical hopes and dreams directly to my living room. Get Well soon," singer Darren Hayes tweeted.
Jessica Origliasso from The Veronicas wrote, "Sending healing love and light out this evening to a great Australian music industry icon icon & big part of my musical upbringing, Molly Meldrum."
Kim Wilde: Heard about this at breakfast today. Just terrible. Sending all my love.''
Actor Rhys Muldoon: ''Molly, you got through the Prince Charles interview. You got through the Iggy Pop interview. You can get through this. Keep rocking.''
Comedian Catherine Deveny: ''Molly Meldrum is in a coma. Do yourself a favour and take a moment to surround him with white light.''
Comedian Adam Hills: ''Sending every possible happy and healing thought to Molly Meldrum tonight. `Don't leave us this way.'''
Here are some of the many interviews Molly has done with Madonna throughout the years. Hopefully he will pull through!
Russell Morris, whose 1969 hit The Real Thing was produced by Meldrum, was among friends and relatives who gathered at the hospital last night.
Collingwood president and friend Eddie McGuire found out about the accident at last night's launch of the Big Bash League side the Melbourne Stars.
''We are just stunned, and all praying and hoping that he will be OK,'' he said. ''So close to Christmas, it's just one of those ones that just really hits you hard. Molly is a wonderful person and a huge part of our lives … we desperately hope he is OK.''
A neighbour of Meldrum's, Cristina, said she arrived home and a friend told her that Meldrum had been taken away on a stretcher. An ambulance remained parked outside Meldrum's house about 9.30pm.
Meldrum is one of the most famous names in Australian music. He was the host of music program Countdown from 1974 to 1987, and helped launch the careers of some of the world's biggest acts, including Abba.
Meldrum traditionally hosts a Christmas night party but had moved it forward this year because he was due to fly to Thailand next week.
KYLIE Minogue, Boy George and Russell Crowe are among the friends and fans of critically ill music industry legend Molly Meldrum who have taken to Twitter with messages of support.
The much-loved Meldrum is fighting for his life after a fall in his Melbourne home on Thursday.
Meldrum was the second and third-highest trending topic in Australia on Friday morning, with two pages, Molly and Love you Molly, devoted to his recovery.
"Sending LOTS of love to Molly Meldrum. I love you," Australian singer Kylie Minogue tweeted, while her sister Dannii said, "Thinking of Molly Meldrum tonight".
Prime Minister Julia Gillard also had the 65-year-old TV veteran in her throughts.
''Australia's thoughts are with you, Molly,'' Ms Gillard tweeted on Friday morning. ''Keep fighting.''
British singer Boy George tweeted "Sending my prayers to Molly Meldrum in Australia!"
Australian actor Russell Crowe also sent his support, tweeting "Sending Ian Meldrum love. Thinking of you mate".
Several singers described how Meldrum was their musical inspiration when they were young.
"Growing up, Molly Meldrum delivered all my childhood musical hopes and dreams directly to my living room. Get Well soon," singer Darren Hayes tweeted.
Jessica Origliasso from The Veronicas wrote, "Sending healing love and light out this evening to a great Australian music industry icon icon & big part of my musical upbringing, Molly Meldrum."
Kim Wilde: Heard about this at breakfast today. Just terrible. Sending all my love.''
Actor Rhys Muldoon: ''Molly, you got through the Prince Charles interview. You got through the Iggy Pop interview. You can get through this. Keep rocking.''
Comedian Catherine Deveny: ''Molly Meldrum is in a coma. Do yourself a favour and take a moment to surround him with white light.''
Comedian Adam Hills: ''Sending every possible happy and healing thought to Molly Meldrum tonight. `Don't leave us this way.'''
Here are some of the many interviews Molly has done with Madonna throughout the years. Hopefully he will pull through!
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