Jane Clifton | Long Play Series

Actor, musician and writer Jane Clifton has enjoyed a long and varied career since her start in the 1970s as the vocalist in Melbourne post-punk femme band, Stiletto.

Born in Gibraltar, Clifton moved to Perth at the age of twelve. She began her career in radio before joining Stiletto, now considered Melbourne’s first feminist new wave band. Formed in 1976, the band quickly became regulars in the inner-city pub scene. In 1978, they released Licence to Rage, which featured two singles: ‘Goodbye Johnny’ and ‘Bluebirds.’

After Stiletto disbanded in 1979, Clifton continued performing. In 1982, she sang on the Jo Jo Zep single ’Taxi Mary’ with Joe Camilleri. The song charted at No. 11 and Clifton went on to record another two singles with Mushroom Records, including ‘Girl on the Wall’ in 1984 which hit the Top 20. She also recorded a song for the Dancing Daze soundtrack, which also featured Wendy Matthews and Jenny Morris.

As an actor, Clifton has appeared in many television programs, including Division 4, Homicide and Bluey. However, it was her role as Margo Gaffney in Prisoner which made her a household name. Clifton has also written six books, performed in various stage plays, is a qualified marriage celebrant and continues to perform as a jazz singer.

In this interview, Clifton talks about her birthplace of Gibraltar, the success of Prisoner and finding her feet as a successful crime writer and all-rounder in showbiz.

Interviewer: Jane Gazzo
Location: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2023