Colin Hay- Gavin Woods Podcast Series 8 Episode 8

Gavin Wood's Podcast

Colin Hay first gained international fame in the 1980s as the frontman of Men At Work, the band known for crafting Australian anthems such as "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under." Men At Work won a GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist and sold over 30 million records worldwide. After the band's breakup in 1985, Colin launched a solo career, releasing thirteen studio albums praised for their witty, hooky pop tunes and his distinctive voice. Colin's music has been featured prominently in the GRAMMY-winning soundtrack for Garden State and the TV series Scrubs. Over his remarkable solo career, he has toured extensively both as a solo artist and with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band. Colin has also performed on various late-night shows, including those hosted by David Letterman, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel. In addition to his music career, Colin lent his voice to Disney's The Wild and starred in the award-winning documentary Waiting For My Real Life. He also narrated Aesop's Fables with Colin Hay, 24 audiobooks written by author Tom Graves. His latest solo album, Now And The Evermore, features lush orchestration, whimsical melodies, and contributions from notable collaborators, including Ringo Starr. The impact of Colin’s work has been felt across generations, with various tributes, covers and revivals contributing to his enduring musical presence. In 2021, ‘Down Under’ returned to the airwaves in the form of a drum’n’bass cover by Luude, topping charts at home and in the UK. A version sung in Yolngu Matha by King Stingray accompanied the Tourism Australia campaign. The following year, 'Down Under' was recognised by APRA for its streaming success, achieving 1 billion streams the acclaimed song. In 2023, Colin received APRA’s Ted Albert Award for outstanding services to Australian music.