Richard Clapton told the Illawarra Mercury the next 12 months are going to “get a bit sad” in that respect.

Clapton discovered through a former record label executive that a major Australian company would be stopping CD production in the next year and would shut down some of their entertainment divisions.

Though the “Girls on the Avenue” singer is not fazed as he’s been an independent artist for several years. His latest album, The House of Orange, was released via donations from fans.

“There’s virtually no record companies left and I’m not a big fan of corporate record companies anymore,” he said.

“My fans range from about 16 to 66 … but the bulk of my audience, the baby boomers, really want CD’s.”

Clapton’s last three albums have been released from his own back, but he’s happy and feels “liberated” after being jaded by the music industry’s dark side.

“I found out the hard way that all those corporate contracts I signed when I was young  what that means is you’re signing your copyrights to a corporation,” he said.

“If you want to be liberated that’s what you’ve got to do.”

The one-time INXS producer admitted doing it on your own is a lot of hard work but he still gets a “buzz” from performing.

“I’ve got no superannuation and no life insurance, and I speak on behalf of all Australian musicians, so I’ll bop ‘til I drop,” Clapton laughed.

He assured he is genuinely excited about playing at Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul again, as the Illawarra was where it all began for him.

After living in Europe for six years he returned in 1973 and was given a gig at a theatre-restaurant in Corrimal.

“I did that for a few months and it was great … I’d do the gig, drink a lot, then drive up Bulli Pass at two o’clock in the morning.”

His recording career kicked off a year later.

One of his favourite memories of Wollongong gigs was when good mate Ian Moss jumped up on stage for a jam.

“Mossy got up to do the last few songs with us and plugged in my amp, turned it right up, blew it up. We had a spare amp so plugged into that, blew that one up.

“I think we had a local support band on with us and they were loading their gear out, and my roadies went over to these kids ‘give us your amp, give us your amp, quick’ and just snatched it. [Mossy] blew that up as well.”