At 89, Don Spencer is celebrating 65 extraordinary years in music and the 40th anniversary of Feathers, Fur or Fins. But the milestone also reflects a family legacy that has quietly travelled across generations. Now, Don has revealed how Danielle Spencer and Russell Crowe’s sons, Charles and Tennyson, are beginning to shape their own futures — and the two brothers appear to be heading in very different directions.
Don Spencer Marks 65 Years in Music — As a Surprising New Chapter Emerges for Danielle Spencer and Russell Crowe’s Sons
At 89, Don Spencer is celebrating an extraordinary milestone: 65 years in the music industry and four decades since the release of his much-loved album Feathers, Fur or Fins.
But as Don looks back on a career that has touched generations of Australian families, another story is quietly taking shape much closer to home — through his daughter Danielle Spencer and her two sons with Russell Crowe.
A remarkable milestone for Don Spencer
Don has released a special 40th anniversary edition of Feathers, Fur or Fins, featuring new interpretations of his songs by familiar Australian performers including The Wiggles, Rachael Beck and Danielle.
For Don, hearing other artists reinterpret his work has been particularly rewarding.
“It’s been really exciting to hear what other people have done with the music because they were given a free license to just do their own interpretation of the songs,” he said.
He even admitted that so many people wanted to be involved that a few friends were disappointed they had not been asked.
Danielle carries the musical tradition forward
Music has long been part of the Spencer family.
Danielle followed her father into the industry and has performed with Don many times over the years, including touring with him when she was younger.
For the anniversary album, she has once again joined her father’s musical world, recording her own version of “Black Swan (Shadow on the Water)”.
Don described Danielle as a “fabulous singer”, recalling the many concerts and recordings they have shared together.
The next generation is beginning to find its own way
The family’s creative story now appears to be moving into another generation through Danielle and Russell Crowe’s two sons, Charles and Tennyson.
But according to Don, the brothers are not following identical paths.
Charles, 22, has already shown a strong musical instinct and has written songs that have impressed his grandfather.
“He’s written some really good songs,” Don said.
Yet Charles does not appear interested in becoming a performer.
Charles may choose a very different future
While songwriting could remain part of Charles’ life, Don believes his grandson may ultimately be drawn more strongly toward academia.
“He’s absolutely brilliant,” Don said, adding that Charles has been receiving awards at university.
“I think he can be a professor by the look of the way he’s going.”
It is a direction that makes Charles’ story especially intriguing: despite growing up surrounded by music and film, his future may lie somewhere quite different.
Tennyson appears to be following Russell Crowe
Tennyson, 20, meanwhile, seems to be moving in another direction entirely.
Don revealed that his younger grandson has started acting and appears increasingly interested in following the path of his father, Russell Crowe.
“Tenny has just started acting and looks like he’s going to his father’s footsteps, definitely,” Don said.
Unlike Charles, Tennyson has shown little interest in pursuing music.
Don recalled offering to teach him guitar when he was younger, but said Tennyson simply was not particularly interested.
Don refuses to push either grandson into showbusiness
Despite his own six-and-a-half decades in entertainment, Don has no intention of pushing Charles or Tennyson toward a career in the industry.
“They’re both great kids,” he said, before acknowledging just how demanding showbusiness can be.
“I don’t encourage people to go on the show business, believe me, it’s tough.”
That perspective comes from someone whose own career began almost by accident.
Don taught himself guitar and piano, never had a singing lesson and initially sang his own songs simply so he could demonstrate them.
“Suddenly I was a singer,” he recalled.
A legacy that reaches beyond the stage
For Don, music has always carried a deeper meaning.
Growing up in Tamworth during difficult post-Depression years, he found comfort and purpose in music during a challenging childhood.
That experience later inspired his work with the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, which helps young people gain access to music education and instruments.
All proceeds from the anniversary edition of Feathers, Fur or Fins are supporting the foundation.
And while Don is celebrating an extraordinary career milestone, the wider story may now be about what happens next.
From Danielle continuing the family’s musical tradition to Charles exploring songwriting and academia, and Tennyson beginning to step toward acting, the next generation is already creating a legacy of its own.
Source: New Idea