Cold Chisel
|
|
This article is about the Australian band, for information about the cutting tool, see chisel.
Cold Chisel, a rock and roll band, produced the canonical example of Australian pub rock, with a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Featuring the songwriting of Don Walker, the guitar of Ian Moss and the screaming vocals of Scottish immigrant Jimmy Barnes, the group's hard-driving rock and roll included such Australian anthems as the Vietnam War song "Khe Sanh", "Bow River", "Flame Trees" and "Saturday Night". Their music remains popular with many Australians today, particularly amongst working-class males born in the 1960s and 1970s for whom "Chisel" and the lead singer "Barnsey" remain cultural icons. "Khe Sanh" consistently ranks highly in lists of Australia's most popular songs and their music remains a staple of rock station playlists.
Cold Chisel dissolved in 1984 after staging one of the most successful concert tours of any domestic act. The break-up was due in part to the band's relative lack of success in the US and Europe — a failure that remains mystifying to their fans.
Barnes and, to a lesser extent, Moss went on to have successful solo careers. In 1999 the band reformed briefly for a new release and concert tour.
External link
- Official website (http://www.coldchisel.com.au)