Jackie Trent wants to be acknowledged as lyricist in four of the songs she did with Tony Hatch during their marriage. Picture: Adam Head Source: Herald Sun
IT'S the drama behind one of Australia's most popular soap operas.
Neighbours theme songwriters Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch are embroiled in a bitter legal dispute over work they did together during their 30-year marriage.
Their union ended acrimoniously: Trent claims Hatch walked out on her at her 55th birthday party in 1995, after declaring his love for a mutual friend.
"It was shocking," Trent claimed. "It was a joint party for my brother and me.
"I asked him why he was showing (this woman) so much attention, and he said, "Well, I have been in love with her ever since I met her", which was 17 years earlier.
"He said she was the love of his life and that he was leaving me for her.
"He wasn't just walking out on our marriage, he was walking out on our professional partnership, too."
Trent said that after the break-up she went to pieces.
Now she wants to set the record straight and have Hatch acknowledge her as lyricist on four of their songs.
Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch during their marriage.
She said the matter was in the hands of her lawyer.
Hatch's spokesman Jackie Gill said: "Mr Hatch's solicitors have heard from Jackie Trent's solicitors and are dealing with the matter accordingly."
Ms Gill refused to be drawn on details of the couple's split, saying only that "they were married for many years ... and have children and wonderful grandchildren together.
"They have both been re-married for some considerable time now."
Trent, who's worked with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Petula Clarke, is also unhappy Hatch is due to be inducted into the US Songwriters' Hall of Fame this year while she has been overlooked.
"It's not about money," she said. "This is about getting personal and professional credit for my work.
"When you are part of a writing partnership as well as a marriage of 30 years, you expect some respect from the other person."
Trent says her fans have started an online petition to support her bid for dual Hall of Fame recognition.
The couple wrote hits such as Don't Sleep in the Subway and Colour My World.
But of all the songs they wrote, Trent says it is the Neighbours theme - written in under a day - of which she is proudest.
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