Clyde Packer

Who was Clyde Packer?

Robert Clyde Packer, usually known as Clyde Packer, was the son of Australian newspaper magnate Frank Packer and the elder brother of media baron Kerry Packer. From 23 April 1964 to 22 April 1976 he was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council for the Liberal Party of Australia. Packer was originally intended to be his father's heir before a falling-out in 1972 resulted in Kerry inheriting the family business in 1974 upon Frank's death.

Among his many business activities, Packer founded the independent Spin Records label, which released many successful singles and albums from 1966 to 1972, including The Bee Gees' "Spicks and Specks" and the original Australian cast recording of the rock musical Hair. In 1976 Packer relocated to the United States, initially living in Los Angeles before moving to Santa Barbara. Robert Clyde Packer died of heart and lung failure on 8 April 2001, aged 65.