Cold Chisel: Difference between revisions
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| label = {{flatlist| | | label = {{flatlist| | ||
* Atlantic | * [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] | ||
* Elektra | * [[Elektra Records|Elektra]] | ||
* [[Warner Music Australasia|WEA]] | * [[Warner Music Australasia|WEA]] | ||
* [[East West Records|East West]] | * [[East West Records|East West]] | ||
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* [[Universal Music Australia]] | * [[Universal Music Australia]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| website = {{URL|coldchisel.com.au}} | | website = {{URL|coldchisel.com.au}} | ||
| current_members = * [[Ian Moss]] | | current_members = * [[Ian Moss]] | ||
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'''Cold Chisel''' are<!-- This article is written is Australian English, which commonly treats collective nouns as plural. Please do not change "are" to "is". Thank you. --> an Australian [[Pub rock (Australia)|pub rock]] band, which formed in [[Adelaide]] in 1973 by mainstay members [[Ian Moss]] on guitar and vocals, [[Steve Prestwich]] on drums, Les Kaczmarek on bass and [[Don Walker (musician)|Don Walker]] on piano and keyboards. They were soon joined by [[Jimmy Barnes]] on lead vocals and, in 1975, [[Phil Small]] became their bass guitarist. The group disbanded in late 1983 but subsequently re-formed several times. Musicologist [[Ian McFarlane]] wrote that they became "one of Australia's best-loved groups" as well as "one of the best live bands", fusing "a combination of [[rockabilly]], [[hard rock]] and rough-house soul'n'blues that was defiantly Australian in outlook." | '''Cold Chisel''' are<!-- This article is written is Australian English, which commonly treats collective nouns as plural. Please do not change "are" to "is". Thank you. --> an Australian [[Pub rock (Australia)|pub rock]] band, which formed in [[Adelaide]] in 1973 by mainstay members [[Ian Moss]] on guitar and vocals, [[Steve Prestwich]] on drums, Les Kaczmarek on bass and [[Don Walker (musician)|Don Walker]] on piano and keyboards. They were soon joined by [[Jimmy Barnes]] on lead vocals and, in 1975, [[Phil Small]] became their bass guitarist. The group disbanded in late 1983 but subsequently re-formed several times. Musicologist [[Ian McFarlane]] wrote that they became "one of Australia's best-loved groups" as well as "one of the best live bands", fusing "a combination of [[rockabilly]], [[hard rock]] and rough-house soul'n'blues that was defiantly Australian in outlook." | ||
Eight of their studio albums have reached the Australian top five | Eight of their studio albums have reached the Australian top five; ''[[Breakfast at Sweethearts]]'' (February 1979), ''[[East (Cold Chisel album)|East]]'' (June 1980), ''[[Circus Animals]]'' (March 1982, No. 1), ''[[Twentieth Century (Cold Chisel album)|Twentieth Century]]'' (April 1984, No. 1), ''[[The Last Wave of Summer]]'' (October 1998, No. 1), ''[[No Plans]]'' (April 2012), ''[[The Perfect Crime (Cold Chisel album)|The Perfect Crime]]'' (October 2015) and ''[[Blood Moon (Cold Chisel album)|Blood Moon]]'' (December 2019, No. 1). They have achieved six number-one albums on the [[ARIA Charts]], the latest being their 2024 compilation ''50 Years – The Best Of''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/cold-gold|title= Cold Gold|website=ARIA|date=23 August 2024|access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref> Their top-10 singles are "[[Cheap Wine (song)|Cheap Wine]]" (1980), "[[Forever Now (Cold Chisel song)|Forever Now]]" (1982), "[[Hands Out of My Pocket]]" (1994) and "[[The Things I Love in You]]" (1998). | ||
At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993]] they were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]. In 2001 [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) listed their single "[[Khe Sanh (song)|Khe Sanh]]" (May 1978) at No. 8 of the all-time best [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Australian song]]s. ''Circus Animals'' was listed at No. 4 in the book ''[[100 Best Australian Albums]]'' (October 2010), while ''East'' appeared at No. 53. They won [[APRA Awards (Australia)#The Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music|The Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music]] at the [[APRA Music Awards of 2016]]. Cold Chisel's popularity is almost entirely confined to Australia and New Zealand, with their songs and musicianship highlighting [[working class]] life. Their early bass guitarist (1973–75), Les Kaczmarek, died in December 2008; Steve Prestwich died of a [[brain tumour]] in January 2011. | At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993]] they were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]. In 2001 [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) listed their single "[[Khe Sanh (song)|Khe Sanh]]" (May 1978) at No. 8 of the all-time best [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Australian song]]s. ''Circus Animals'' was listed at No. 4 in the book ''[[100 Best Australian Albums]]'' (October 2010), while ''East'' appeared at No. 53. They won [[APRA Awards (Australia)#The Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music|The Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music]] at the [[APRA Music Awards of 2016]]. Cold Chisel's popularity is almost entirely confined to Australia and New Zealand, with their songs and musicianship highlighting [[working class]] life. Their early bass guitarist (1973–75), Les Kaczmarek, died in December 2008; Steve Prestwich died of a [[brain tumour]] in January 2011. | ||
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"Merry Go Round" was re-recorded for their second studio album, ''[[Breakfast at Sweethearts]]'' (February 1979). This was recorded between July 1978 and January 1979 with producer [[Richard Batchens]], who had previously worked with [[Richard Clapton]], [[Sherbet (band)|Sherbet]] and Blackfeather.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Batchens smoothed out the band's rough edges and attempted to give their songs a sophisticated sound.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> With regards to this approach, the band were unsatisfied with the finished product.<ref name=rstone>{{cite magazine | title = Meeting of the Minds|issue=768| author=Dan Lander |magazine= [[Rolling Stone Australia]]|pages=52–57| date = November 2015| publisher = Paper Riot Pty Ltd}}</ref> It peaked at No. 4 and was the top-selling album in Australia by a locally based artist for that year;<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> it was certified platinum.<ref name="aus81"/> The majority of its tracks were written by Walker, with Barnes and Walker on the lead single, "Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye)" (September 1978), and Moss contributed to "Dresden". "Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye)" became a live favourite, and was covered by [[U2]] during Australian tours in the 1980s. | "Merry Go Round" was re-recorded for their second studio album, ''[[Breakfast at Sweethearts]]'' (February 1979). This was recorded between July 1978 and January 1979 with producer [[Richard Batchens]], who had previously worked with [[Richard Clapton]], [[Sherbet (band)|Sherbet]] and Blackfeather.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Batchens smoothed out the band's rough edges and attempted to give their songs a sophisticated sound.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> With regards to this approach, the band were unsatisfied with the finished product.<ref name=rstone>{{cite magazine | title = Meeting of the Minds|issue=768| author=Dan Lander |magazine= [[Rolling Stone Australia]]|pages=52–57| date = November 2015| publisher = Paper Riot Pty Ltd}}</ref> It peaked at No. 4 and was the top-selling album in Australia by a locally based artist for that year;<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> it was certified platinum.<ref name="aus81"/> The majority of its tracks were written by Walker, with Barnes and Walker on the lead single, "Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye)" (September 1978), and Moss contributed to "Dresden". "Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye)" became a live favourite, and was covered by [[U2]] during Australian tours in the 1980s. | ||
=== | ===1979–1980: ''East''=== | ||
Cold Chisel had gained national chart success and increased popularity of their fans without significant commercial radio airplay. The members developed reputations for wild behaviour, particularly Barnes, who claimed to have had sex with over 1000 women and who consumed more than a bottle of [[vodka]] each night while performing.<ref name = "Creswell"/> In late 1979, severing their relationship with Batchens, Cold Chisel chose [[Mark Opitz]] to produce the next single, "[[Choirgirl (song)|Choirgirl]]" (November).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> It is a Walker composition dealing with a young woman's experience with [[abortion]]. Despite the subject matter it reached No. 14.<ref name="Kent"/> | Cold Chisel had gained national chart success and increased popularity of their fans without significant commercial radio airplay. The members developed reputations for wild behaviour, particularly Barnes, who claimed to have had sex with over 1000 women and who consumed more than a bottle of [[vodka]] each night while performing.<ref name = "Creswell"/> In late 1979, severing their relationship with Batchens, Cold Chisel chose [[Mark Opitz]] to produce the next single, "[[Choirgirl (song)|Choirgirl]]" (November).<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kent"/> It is a Walker composition dealing with a young woman's experience with [[abortion]]. Despite the subject matter it reached No. 14.<ref name="Kent"/> | ||
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In late 1980, the [[Aboriginal Australian|Aboriginal]] rock reggae band [[No Fixed Address (band)|No Fixed Address]] supported the band on its Summer Offensive tour to the east coast, with the final concert on 20 December at the [[University of Adelaide]].<ref name=alpacalane>{{cite web | title=No Fixed Address Lane |series= City of Music Laneways | website=Alpaca Travel | url=https://maps.cityofadelaide.com.au/journey/f2104481-59df-11eb-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/default/journeymapfeature:9fa2a08e-59e0-11eb-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/info | access-date=22 April 2021|format= Includes map}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Gig History 1980's | website=Cold Chisel | date=31 October 2019 | url=http://www.coldchisel.com/gig-history-1980s/ | access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> | In late 1980, the [[Aboriginal Australian|Aboriginal]] rock reggae band [[No Fixed Address (band)|No Fixed Address]] supported the band on its Summer Offensive tour to the east coast, with the final concert on 20 December at the [[University of Adelaide]].<ref name=alpacalane>{{cite web | title=No Fixed Address Lane |series= City of Music Laneways | website=Alpaca Travel | url=https://maps.cityofadelaide.com.au/journey/f2104481-59df-11eb-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/default/journeymapfeature:9fa2a08e-59e0-11eb-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/info | access-date=22 April 2021|format= Includes map}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Gig History 1980's | website=Cold Chisel | date=31 October 2019 | url=http://www.coldchisel.com/gig-history-1980s/ | access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> | ||
=== | ===1981–1982: ''Swingshift'' to ''Circus Animals''=== | ||
The Youth in Asia Tour performances were used for Cold Chisel's double live album, ''[[Swingshift]]'' (March 1981).<ref name="McFarlane"/> Nimmervoll declared, "[the group] rammed what they were all about with [this album]."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> In March 1981 the band won seven categories: Best Australian Album, Most Outstanding Achievement, Best Recorded Song Writer, Best Australian Producer, Best Australian Record Cover Design, Most Popular Group and Most Popular Record, at the ''Countdown''/''[[TV Week]]'' [[Australian pop music awards#1980|pop music awards for 1980]].<ref name="Warner"/><ref name="Kimball Count"/><ref name="Count1980"/> They attended the ceremony at the [[Sydney Entertainment Centre]] and were due to perform: however, as a protest against a TV magazine's involvement, they refused to accept any trophy and finished the night with "My Turn to Cry".<ref name="Warner"/><ref name="Kimball Count"/><ref name="Count1980"/> After one verse and chorus, they smashed up the set and left the stage.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> | The Youth in Asia Tour performances were used for Cold Chisel's double live album, ''[[Swingshift]]'' (March 1981).<ref name="McFarlane"/> Nimmervoll declared, "[the group] rammed what they were all about with [this album]."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> In March 1981 the band won seven categories: Best Australian Album, Most Outstanding Achievement, Best Recorded Song Writer, Best Australian Producer, Best Australian Record Cover Design, Most Popular Group and Most Popular Record, at the ''Countdown''/''[[TV Week]]'' [[Australian pop music awards#1980|pop music awards for 1980]].<ref name="Warner"/><ref name="Kimball Count"/><ref name="Count1980"/> They attended the ceremony at the [[Sydney Entertainment Centre]] and were due to perform: however, as a protest against a TV magazine's involvement, they refused to accept any trophy and finished the night with "My Turn to Cry".<ref name="Warner"/><ref name="Kimball Count"/><ref name="Count1980"/> After one verse and chorus, they smashed up the set and left the stage.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> | ||
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===1983: Break-up=== | ===1983: Break-up=== | ||
Success outside Australasia continued to elude Cold Chisel and friction occurred between the members. According to McFarlane, "[the] failed attempts to break into the American market represented a major blow... [their] earthy, high-energy rock was overlooked."<ref name="McFarlane"/> In early 1983 they toured Germany but the shows went so badly that in the middle of the tour Walker up-ended his keyboard and stormed off stage during | Success outside Australasia continued to elude Cold Chisel and friction occurred between the members. According to McFarlane, "[the] failed attempts to break into the American market represented a major blow... [their] earthy, high-energy rock was overlooked."<ref name="McFarlane"/> In early 1983 they toured Germany but the shows went so badly that in the middle of the tour Walker up-ended his keyboard and stormed off stage during a show. After returning to Australia, Prestwich was fired and replaced by [[Ray Arnott]], formerly of the 1970s [[progressive rock]]ers [[Spectrum (band)|Spectrum]] and [[country rock]]ers [[the Dingoes]].<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="wild colonial"/> | ||
After this, Barnes requested a large advance from management. Now married with a young child, reckless spending had left him almost broke. His request was refused as there was a standing arrangement that any advance to one band member had to be paid to all the others. After a meeting on 17 August during which Barnes quit the band it was decided that the group would split up.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> A farewell concert series, The Last Stand, was planned and a final studio album, ''[[Twentieth Century (Cold Chisel album)|Twentieth Century]]'' (February 1984), was recorded.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> Prestwich returned for that tour, which began in October.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> Before the last four scheduled shows in Sydney, Barnes lost his voice and those dates were postponed to mid-December.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/><ref name="Perry"/> | After this, Barnes requested a large advance from management. Now married with a young child, reckless spending had left him almost broke. His request was refused as there was a standing arrangement that any advance to one band member had to be paid to all the others. After a meeting on 17 August during which Barnes quit the band, it was decided that the group would split up.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> A farewell concert series, The Last Stand, was planned and a final studio album, ''[[Twentieth Century (Cold Chisel album)|Twentieth Century]]'' (February 1984), was recorded.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> Prestwich returned for that tour, which began in October.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/> Before the last four scheduled shows in Sydney, Barnes lost his voice and those dates were postponed to mid-December.<ref name="Creswell Fabinyi"/><ref name="Perry"/> | ||
[[File:IMG 6448 - Flickr - jeaneeem.jpg|thumb|right|Barnes, 2011]] | [[File:IMG 6448 - Flickr - jeaneeem.jpg|thumb|right|Barnes, 2011]] | ||
The band's final performances were at the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 12 to 15 December 1983<ref name="Perry"/> – ten years since their first live appearance as Cold Chisel in Adelaide – and the group then disbanded.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The Sydney shows formed the basis of a concert film, ''[[The Last Stand (1984 film)|The Last Stand]]'' (July 1984), which became the biggest-selling cinema-released concert documentary by an Australian band to that time. Other recordings from the tour were used on a live album, ''[[The Barking Spiders Live: 1983]]'' (1984); the title is a reference to the pseudonym the group occasionally used when playing warm-up shows before tours. Some were also used as [[B-side]]s for a three-CD singles package, ''Three Big XXX Hits'', issued ahead of the release of their 1994 compilation album, ''[[Teenage Love (album)|Teenage Love]]''. | The band's final performances were at the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 12 to 15 December 1983<ref name="Perry"/> – ten years since their first live appearance as Cold Chisel in Adelaide – and the group then disbanded.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The Sydney shows formed the basis of a concert film, ''[[The Last Stand (1984 film)|The Last Stand]]'' (July 1984), which became the biggest-selling cinema-released concert documentary by an Australian band to that time. Other recordings from the tour were used on a live album, ''[[The Barking Spiders Live: 1983]]'' (1984); the title is a reference to the pseudonym the group occasionally used when playing warm-up shows before tours. Some were also used as [[B-side]]s for a three-CD singles package, ''Three Big XXX Hits'', issued ahead of the release of their 1994 compilation album, ''[[Teenage Love (album)|Teenage Love]]''. | ||
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During breaks in the tour, ''Twentieth Century'' was recorded. It was a fragmentary process, spread across various studios and sessions as the individual members often refused to work together – both Arnott (on ten tracks) and Prestwich (on three tracks) are recorded as drummers. The album reached No. 1 and provided the singles "[[Saturday Night (Cold Chisel song)|Saturday Night]]" (March 1984) and "[[Flame Trees]]" (August), both of which remain radio staples. "Flame Trees", co-written by Prestwich and Walker, took its title from the BBC series ''[[The Flame Trees of Thika]]'', although it was lyrically inspired by Walker's hometown of [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]]. Barnes later recorded an acoustic version for his 1993 solo album, ''[[Flesh and Wood]]'', and it was also covered by [[Sarah Blasko]] in 2006. | During breaks in the tour, ''Twentieth Century'' was recorded. It was a fragmentary process, spread across various studios and sessions as the individual members often refused to work together – both Arnott (on ten tracks) and Prestwich (on three tracks) are recorded as drummers. The album reached No. 1 and provided the singles "[[Saturday Night (Cold Chisel song)|Saturday Night]]" (March 1984) and "[[Flame Trees]]" (August), both of which remain radio staples. "Flame Trees", co-written by Prestwich and Walker, took its title from the BBC series ''[[The Flame Trees of Thika]]'', although it was lyrically inspired by Walker's hometown of [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]]. Barnes later recorded an acoustic version for his 1993 solo album, ''[[Flesh and Wood]]'', and it was also covered by [[Sarah Blasko]] in 2006. | ||
=== | ===1984–1996: Aftermath and ARIA Hall of Fame=== | ||
Barnes launched his solo career in January 1984, which has provided nine Australian number-one studio albums and an array of hit singles, including "[[Too Much Ain't Enough Love]]", which peaked at No. 1. He has recorded with [[INXS]], [[Tina Turner]], [[Joe Cocker]] and John Farnham to become one of the country's most popular male rock singers. Prestwich joined [[Little River Band]] in 1984 and appeared on the albums ''[[Playing to Win (Little River Band album)|Playing to Win]]'' and ''[[No Reins]]'', before departing in 1986 to join Farnham's touring band. Moss, Small and Walker took extended breaks from music. | Barnes launched his solo career in January 1984, which has provided nine Australian number-one studio albums and an array of hit singles, including "[[Too Much Ain't Enough Love]]", which peaked at No. 1. He has recorded with [[INXS]], [[Tina Turner]], [[Joe Cocker]] and John Farnham to become one of the country's most popular male rock singers. Prestwich joined [[Little River Band]] in 1984 and appeared on the albums ''[[Playing to Win (Little River Band album)|Playing to Win]]'' and ''[[No Reins]]'', before departing in 1986 to join Farnham's touring band. Moss, Small and Walker took extended breaks from music. | ||
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Throughout the 1980s and most of the 1990s, Cold Chisel were courted to re-form but refused, at one point reportedly turning down a $5 million offer to play a sole show in each of the major Australian state capitals. Moss and Walker often collaborated on projects; neither worked with Barnes until Walker wrote "Stone Cold" for the singer's sixth studio album, ''[[Heat (Jimmy Barnes album)|Heat]]'' (October 1993). The pair recorded an acoustic version for ''Flesh and Wood'' (December). Thanks primarily to continued radio airplay and Barnes' solo success, Cold Chisel's legacy remained solidly intact.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="McFarlane JB"/> By the early 1990s the group had surpassed 3 million album sales, most sold since 1983.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The 1991 compilation album, ''[[Chisel (album)|Chisel]]'', was re-issued and re-packaged several times, once with the long-deleted 1978 EP as a bonus disc and a second time in 2001 as a double album. The ''Last Stand'' soundtrack album was finally released in 1992. In 1994 a complete album of previously unreleased demo and rare live recordings, ''[[Teenage Love (album)|Teenage Love]]'', was released, which provided three singles. | Throughout the 1980s and most of the 1990s, Cold Chisel were courted to re-form but refused, at one point reportedly turning down a $5 million offer to play a sole show in each of the major Australian state capitals. Moss and Walker often collaborated on projects; neither worked with Barnes until Walker wrote "Stone Cold" for the singer's sixth studio album, ''[[Heat (Jimmy Barnes album)|Heat]]'' (October 1993). The pair recorded an acoustic version for ''Flesh and Wood'' (December). Thanks primarily to continued radio airplay and Barnes' solo success, Cold Chisel's legacy remained solidly intact.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="McFarlane JB"/> By the early 1990s the group had surpassed 3 million album sales, most sold since 1983.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The 1991 compilation album, ''[[Chisel (album)|Chisel]]'', was re-issued and re-packaged several times, once with the long-deleted 1978 EP as a bonus disc and a second time in 2001 as a double album. The ''Last Stand'' soundtrack album was finally released in 1992. In 1994 a complete album of previously unreleased demo and rare live recordings, ''[[Teenage Love (album)|Teenage Love]]'', was released, which provided three singles. | ||
===1997–2010: | ===1997–2010: Reunion=== | ||
Cold Chisel reunited in October 1997, with the line-up of Barnes, Moss, Prestwich, Small and Walker.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> They recorded their sixth studio album, ''[[The Last Wave of Summer]]'' (October 1998), from February to July with the band members co-producing.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> They supported it with a national tour. The album debuted at No. 1 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]].<ref name="AUS Charts"/> In 2003 they re-grouped for the Ringside Tour and in 2005 again to perform at a benefit for the victims of the [[Boxing Day tsunami]] at the [[Sidney Myer Music Bowl|Myer Music Bowl]] in Melbourne. Founding bass guitarist, Les Kaczmarek, died of liver failure on 5 December 2008, aged 53.<ref name="Cashmere"/> Walker described him as "a wonderful and beguiling man in every respect."<ref name="Walker"/> | Cold Chisel reunited in October 1997, with the line-up of Barnes, Moss, Prestwich, Small and Walker.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/> They recorded their sixth studio album, ''[[The Last Wave of Summer]]'' (October 1998), from February to July with the band members co-producing.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Holmgren"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> They supported it with a national tour. The album debuted at No. 1 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]].<ref name="AUS Charts"/> In 2003 they re-grouped for the Ringside Tour and in 2005 again to perform at a benefit for the victims of the [[Boxing Day tsunami]] at the [[Sidney Myer Music Bowl|Myer Music Bowl]] in Melbourne. Founding bass guitarist, Les Kaczmarek, died of liver failure on 5 December 2008, aged 53.<ref name="Cashmere"/> Walker described him as "a wonderful and beguiling man in every respect."<ref name="Walker"/> | ||
On 10 September 2009 Cold Chisel announced they would re-form for a one-off performance at the [[Sydney 500]] [[Supercars Championship|V8 Supercars]] event on 5 December.<ref name="McCabe Reform"/> The band performed at [[Stadium Australia]] to the largest crowd of its career, with more than 45,000 fans in attendance.<ref name="ANZ Stade"/> They played a single live show in 2010: at the [[Deniliquin]] [[ute muster]] in October. In December Moss confirmed that Cold Chisel were working on new material for an album. | On 10 September 2009 Cold Chisel announced they would re-form for a one-off performance at the [[Sydney 500]] [[Supercars Championship|V8 Supercars]] event on 5 December.<ref name="McCabe Reform"/> The band performed at [[Stadium Australia]] to the largest crowd of its career, with more than 45,000 fans in attendance.<ref name="ANZ Stade"/> They played a single live show in 2010: at the [[Deniliquin]] [[ute muster]] in October. In December Moss confirmed that Cold Chisel were working on new material for an album. | ||
===2011–2019: Death of Steve Prestwich | ===2011–2019: Death of Steve Prestwich and ''The Perfect Crime''=== | ||
[[File:IMG 6416 - Flickr - jeaneeem.jpg|thumb|right|Ian Moss, 2011. Don Walker in the background.]] | [[File:IMG 6416 - Flickr - jeaneeem.jpg|thumb|right|Ian Moss, 2011. Don Walker in the background.]] | ||
In January 2011 Steve Prestwich was diagnosed with a [[brain tumour]]; he underwent surgery on 14 January but never regained consciousness and died two days later, aged 56.<ref name="Levy"/> All six of Cold Chisel's studio albums were re-released in digital and CD formats in mid-2011. Three digital-only albums were released – ''[[Never Before (Cold Chisel album)|Never Before]]'', ''[[Besides (Cold Chisel album)|Besides]]'' and ''[[Covered (Cold Chisel album)|Covered]]'' – as well as a new compilation album, ''[[The Best of Cold Chisel|The Best of Cold Chisel: All for You]]'', which peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Charts.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> The thirty-date Light the Nitro Tour was announced in July along with the news that former [[Divinyls]] and Catfish drummer [[Charley Drayton]] had replaced Prestwich. Most shows on the tour sold out within days and new dates were later announced for early 2012. | In January 2011 Steve Prestwich was diagnosed with a [[brain tumour]]; he underwent surgery on 14 January but never regained consciousness and died two days later, aged 56.<ref name="Levy"/> All six of Cold Chisel's studio albums were re-released in digital and CD formats in mid-2011. Three digital-only albums were released – ''[[Never Before (Cold Chisel album)|Never Before]]'', ''[[Besides (Cold Chisel album)|Besides]]'' and ''[[Covered (Cold Chisel album)|Covered]]'' – as well as a new compilation album, ''[[The Best of Cold Chisel|The Best of Cold Chisel: All for You]]'', which peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Charts.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> The thirty-date Light the Nitro Tour was announced in July along with the news that former [[Divinyls]] and Catfish drummer [[Charley Drayton]] had replaced Prestwich. Most shows on the tour sold out within days and new dates were later announced for early 2012. | ||
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The band's latest album, ''[[Blood Moon (Cold Chisel album)|Blood Moon]]'', was released in December 2019. The album debuted at No. 1 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Album Chart]], the band's fifth to reach the top.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/cold-chisel-blood-moon-is-no-1-38-years-after-swingshift-in-1981-20191214|title=Cold Chisel Blood Moon Is No 1 38 Years After Swingshift In 1981 |website=noise11|date=14 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|author-last1=Cashmere|author-first1=Paul}}</ref> Half of the songs had lyrics written by Barnes and music by Walker,<ref name=stack>{{cite web| work= Stack | title=Blood brothers: An interview with Cold Chisel | date=5 December 2019 | url=https://stack.com.au/music/music-interview/blood-brothers-an-interview-with-cold-chisel/}}</ref> a new combination for Cold Chisel, with Barnes noting his increased confidence after writing two autobiographies.<ref name=amp>{{cite web| work= Amnplify | title=Cold Chisel| date=6 December 2019| url=https://amnplify.com.au/cold-chisel-blood-moon-out-now-blood-moon-tour-2020-shows-in-mt-cotton-geelong-yarra-valley-and-orange-sold-out/}}</ref> | The band's latest album, ''[[Blood Moon (Cold Chisel album)|Blood Moon]]'', was released in December 2019. The album debuted at No. 1 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Album Chart]], the band's fifth to reach the top.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/cold-chisel-blood-moon-is-no-1-38-years-after-swingshift-in-1981-20191214|title=Cold Chisel Blood Moon Is No 1 38 Years After Swingshift In 1981 |website=noise11|date=14 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|author-last1=Cashmere|author-first1=Paul}}</ref> Half of the songs had lyrics written by Barnes and music by Walker,<ref name=stack>{{cite web| work= Stack | title=Blood brothers: An interview with Cold Chisel | date=5 December 2019 | url=https://stack.com.au/music/music-interview/blood-brothers-an-interview-with-cold-chisel/}}</ref> a new combination for Cold Chisel, with Barnes noting his increased confidence after writing two autobiographies.<ref name=amp>{{cite web| work= Amnplify | title=Cold Chisel| date=6 December 2019| url=https://amnplify.com.au/cold-chisel-blood-moon-out-now-blood-moon-tour-2020-shows-in-mt-cotton-geelong-yarra-valley-and-orange-sold-out/}}</ref> | ||
===2024: 50th | ===2024: 50th anniversary tour=== | ||
On 29 May 2024, Cold Chisel announced ''[[The Big Five-O Live]]'' tour, celebrating their fiftieth anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coldchisel.com/cold-chisel-announce-50th-anniversary-tour-the-big-five-0/|title=COLD CHISEL announce 50th Anniversary Tour|website=coldchisel.com.au|date=29 May 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> The tour began in [[Armidale]] on 5 October 2024 and ending in New Zealand in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/jane13barnes/status/1795567187018870901|title=Jane Barnes|website=x.com|date=29 May 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> It | On 29 May 2024, Cold Chisel announced ''[[The Big Five-O Live]]'' tour, celebrating their fiftieth anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coldchisel.com/cold-chisel-announce-50th-anniversary-tour-the-big-five-0/|title=COLD CHISEL announce 50th Anniversary Tour|website=coldchisel.com.au|date=29 May 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> The tour began in [[Armidale]] on 5 October 2024 and ending in New Zealand in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/jane13barnes/status/1795567187018870901|title=Jane Barnes|website=x.com|date=29 May 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> It was released on various formats on 8 August 2025. | ||
==Musical style and lyrical themes== | ==Musical style and lyrical themes== | ||
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Influences from blues and early rock n' roll was broadly apparent, fostered by the love of those styles by Moss, Barnes and Walker. Small and Prestwich contributed strong pop sensibilities. This allowed volatile rock songs like "You Got Nothing I Want" and "Merry-Go-Round" to stand beside thoughtful ballads like "Choirgirl", pop-flavoured love songs like "My Baby" and caustic political statements like "Star Hotel", an attack on the late-1970s government of [[Malcolm Fraser]], inspired by the [[Star Hotel riot]] in [[Newcastle, Australia|Newcastle]]. | Influences from blues and early rock n' roll was broadly apparent, fostered by the love of those styles by Moss, Barnes and Walker. Small and Prestwich contributed strong pop sensibilities. This allowed volatile rock songs like "You Got Nothing I Want" and "Merry-Go-Round" to stand beside thoughtful ballads like "Choirgirl", pop-flavoured love songs like "My Baby" and caustic political statements like "Star Hotel", an attack on the late-1970s government of [[Malcolm Fraser]], inspired by the [[Star Hotel riot]] in [[Newcastle, Australia|Newcastle]]. | ||
The songs were not overtly political but rather observations of everyday life within Australian society and culture, in which the members with their various backgrounds (Moss was from [[ | The songs were not overtly political but rather observations of everyday life within Australian society and culture, in which the members with their various backgrounds (Moss was from [[Alice Springs]], Walker grew up in rural New South Wales, Barnes and Prestwich were working-class immigrants from the UK) were quite well able to provide.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} | ||
Cold Chisel's songs were about distinctly Australian experiences, a factor often cited as a major reason for the band's lack of international appeal. "Saturday Night" and "Breakfast at Sweethearts" were observations of the urban experience of Sydney's [[Kings Cross, New South Wales|Kings Cross]] district where Walker lived for many years. "Misfits", which featured on the B-side to "My Baby", was about homeless kids in the suburbs surrounding Sydney. Songs like "Shipping Steel" and "Standing on The Outside" were working-class anthems and many others featured characters trapped in mundane, everyday existences, yearning for the good times of the past ("Flame Trees") or for something better from life ("Bow River"). | Cold Chisel's songs were about distinctly Australian experiences, a factor often cited as a major reason for the band's lack of international appeal. "Saturday Night" and "Breakfast at Sweethearts" were observations of the urban experience of Sydney's [[Kings Cross, New South Wales|Kings Cross]] district where Walker lived for many years. "Misfits", which featured on the B-side to "My Baby", was about homeless kids in the suburbs surrounding Sydney. Songs like "Shipping Steel" and "Standing on The Outside" were working-class anthems and many others featured characters trapped in mundane, everyday existences, yearning for the good times of the past ("Flame Trees") or for something better from life ("Bow River"). | ||
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<ref name="Levy">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/australian-music-industry-in-mourning-over-chisel-sherbet-deaths-20110117-19t4h.html|title=Australian music industry in mourning over Chisel, Sherbet deaths|last=Levy|first=Megan|date=18 January 2011|newspaper=[[The Age]]|access-date=18 January 2011}}</ref> | <ref name="Levy">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/australian-music-industry-in-mourning-over-chisel-sherbet-deaths-20110117-19t4h.html|title=Australian music industry in mourning over Chisel, Sherbet deaths|last=Levy|first=Megan|date=18 January 2011|newspaper=[[The Age]]|access-date=18 January 2011}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="Condon">{{cite web| work = themusic.com.au | title = Cold Chisel – ''No Plans'' | first = Dan | last = Condon | url = http://themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2012/05/01/cold-chisel-no-plans-dan-condon/ | date = 1 May 2012 | access-date = 9 May 2018 }}</ref> | <ref name="Condon">{{cite web | work = themusic.com.au | title = Cold Chisel – ''No Plans'' | first = Dan | last = Condon | url = http://themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2012/05/01/cold-chisel-no-plans-dan-condon/ | date = 1 May 2012 | access-date = 9 May 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="Fitzpatrick">{{cite news | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/no-plans-cold-chisel/news-story/8883afc3b94ee23e798fc94bfd1a9e01 | title = ''No Plans'' (Cold Chisel) | last = Fitzpatrick | first = Stephen | work = [[The Australian]] | date = 7 April 2012 | access-date = 9 May 2018 }}</ref> | <ref name="Fitzpatrick">{{cite news | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/no-plans-cold-chisel/news-story/8883afc3b94ee23e798fc94bfd1a9e01 | title = ''No Plans'' (Cold Chisel) | last = Fitzpatrick | first = Stephen | work = [[The Australian]] | date = 7 April 2012 | access-date = 9 May 2018 }}</ref> | ||
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<ref name="Aus TimeMar12">{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120510035045/http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/entertainment/music/australian-music/cold-chisel-to-play-londons-hyde-park-for-hard-rock-calling.htm | url = http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/entertainment/music/australian-music/cold-chisel-to-play-londons-hyde-park-for-hard-rock-calling.htm | title = Cold Chisel to play London's Hyde Park for Hard Rock Calling | work = Australian Times | archive-date = 10 May 2012 | date = 27 March 2012 | access-date = 9 May 2018 }}</ref> | <ref name="Aus TimeMar12">{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120510035045/http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/entertainment/music/australian-music/cold-chisel-to-play-londons-hyde-park-for-hard-rock-calling.htm | url = http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/entertainment/music/australian-music/cold-chisel-to-play-londons-hyde-park-for-hard-rock-calling.htm | title = Cold Chisel to play London's Hyde Park for Hard Rock Calling | work = Australian Times | archive-date = 10 May 2012 | date = 27 March 2012 | access-date = 9 May 2018 }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="Bell">{{cite news | work = the.music.au | title = We Are Legend: How Cold Chisel Became so Much Greater than the Sum of Their Parts | first = Steve | last = Bell | url = http://themusic.com.au/interviews/all/2015/10/02/cold-chisel-jimmy-barnes-don-walker-steve-bell/ | access-date = 9 May 2018 | date = 2 October 2015 }}</ref> | <ref name="Bell">{{cite news | work = the.music.au | title = We Are Legend: How Cold Chisel Became so Much Greater than the Sum of Their Parts | first = Steve | last = Bell | url = http://themusic.com.au/interviews/all/2015/10/02/cold-chisel-jimmy-barnes-don-walker-steve-bell/ | access-date = 9 May 2018 | date = 2 October 2015 | archive-date = 28 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180128153354/http://themusic.com.au/interviews/all/2015/10/02/cold-chisel-jimmy-barnes-don-walker-steve-bell/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="Boulton">{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/album-reviews-cold-chisel-metric-kurt-vile-clutch-big-boi--phantogram-20150930-gjub8g.html | title = Album Reviews: Cold Chisel, Metric, Kurt Vile, Clutch, Big Boi & Phantogram | first = Martin | last = Boulton | work =[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| access-date = 9 May 2018 | date = 24 September 2015 }}</ref> | <ref name="Boulton">{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/album-reviews-cold-chisel-metric-kurt-vile-clutch-big-boi--phantogram-20150930-gjub8g.html | title = Album Reviews: Cold Chisel, Metric, Kurt Vile, Clutch, Big Boi & Phantogram | first = Martin | last = Boulton | work =[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| access-date = 9 May 2018 | date = 24 September 2015 }}</ref> | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* {{Official website|coldchisel.com}} | * {{Official website|coldchisel.com}} | ||
* {{imdb name|3098000}} | |||
* {{discogs artist|Cold Chisel}} | |||
{{Cold Chisel}} | {{Cold Chisel}} | ||