Bottom post of the previous page:
Yeah, I think that was a bit of a political argument, wasn't it? Somebody from Oz told me this story, that there were in effect two Australian anthems at the time (old & new), and Master Jones didn't like the one that was played for political reasons. Something like, the new anthem was supported by a party Jonesy didn't like, and thus Mr. Grumpy was a little pissed off and said they played something stupid like Happy Birthday.Everso Biggyballies wrote: ↑3 years agoWell yes you are right it was a trumpet not a trombone. I realised when I wrote it but somehow forgot to edit it.Michael Ferner wrote: ↑3 years agoMain reason for posting is to bust this myth: when Jones won in Austria with the Shadow, the Australian national anthem WAS played, the spectator with the instrument played several tunes, but not Happy Birthday, he played a trumpet, not a trombone, and he was most likely not even tipsy. Still, this nonsense will probably still be posted in a hundred years, because people want to believe it.Everso Biggyballies wrote: ↑3 years ago As an aside this ruling also forbids the playing of the Russian national anthem at FIA events, meaning it will not be played ahead of the grand prix in Sochi, nor for any Russian victory during the podium ceremony. (Maybe they will find a drunk with a trombone to play Happy Birthday in its place..... as happened when Alan Jones won his first GP and there was no Australian Anthem available so a substitution Anthem happened
However, as to the truth or myth of the story, I have heard on many occasions Alan Jones himself relating the story in TV interviews. I recall him talking of there being many drunks with trumpets to chose from. So Jones himself is guilty of spreading false rumours and perpetuating the story.
In his own words regarding his first (unexpected) win and the lack of an Aussie Anthem.:“Well, certainly the organisers obviously didn’t expect it to happen because they didn’t have the Australian national anthem,”
“So a drunk played Happy Birthday on a trumpet — of which there were plenty in Austria.”