AustLit

Music publisher, songwriter, singer.

A prolific songwriter, Joe Slater initially established himself as a singer in Sydney during the early 1890s. In 1893 he set up his own publishing company and by January 1895 had been contracted by Harry Rickards to produce his Tivoli songsters. In addition to his publishing activities Slater also continued performing at special events and composing his own songs (sometimes in collaboration with lyricists). He found arguably his greatest success during World War I writing patriotic ballads. His songs were also published by other firms - notably Davis and Co., Dinsdale's, Tivoli Publishing, Albert's, Palings, and E. W. Cole. Slater died at his home in Manly (Sydney) after a lengthy illness.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]