Ian Alexander "
Molly"
Meldrum AM (born 29 January 1943) is an Australian
popular music critic, journalist, record producer and musical entrepreneur. He was the talent co-ordinator, on-air interviewer and music news presenter on the former popular music program
Countdown (1974–87) and is widely recognised for his trademark
Stetson hat, which he has regularly worn in public since the 1980s (it is commonly mistaken for an
Akubra). On 15 December 2011, Meldrum had a life-threatening fall from a ladder in the backyard of his Melbourne home. He was placed under intensive care in a critical condition at the
Alfred Hospital and had surgery for his head and spinal injuries. By April of the following year he had recovered enough to give interviews and resume work duties.