Monthly Archives: February 2019

Apia Good Times celebrate their 7th Anniversary with 7 Allstars! Vika & Linda Bull | Brian Cadd | Joe Camilleri Kate Ceberano | Russell Morris | Ross Wilson and John Paul Young

The highly acclaimed Apia Good Times Tour returns for its 7th anniversary with a line-up of 7 of our all-time favourite Oz music Allstars taking to stages from Bunbury (16 May) to Canberra (16 June), with stops in Perth, Adelaide, Geelong, Melbourne, Bendigo, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Tweed Heads, Hobart, Launceston, Newcastle, Sydney and Thirroul in between.

Our 7th Apia Good Times Tour will be the biggest yet with performances from Allstars Vika and Linda Bull, Brian Cadd, Joe Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Russell Morris, Ross Wilson and John Paul Young for this unique, once-in-a-lifetime concert experience.

Tickets to all shows go on sale at 9.00am (local times) on Monday, 18 February.

2019’s Apia Good Times line-up have a huge array of hits to draw from including Ginger Man, A Little Ray of Sunshine, Harley & Rose, Chained to the Wheel, Bedroom Eyes, Pash, Never Let Me Go, The Real Thing, Wings of an Eagle, Eagle Rock, Come Said the Boy, I Hate the Music and Love Is In The Air, to name a few. Each Allstar will perform their hits and favourite songs culminating in an extraordinary finale with all seven sharing the stage.

“Yes it was nostalgic, but it’s fair to say the room was humming for
nearly three hours”
– Newcastle Herald

“It was an absolute pleasure to be around these musicians and
these classic tunes tonight, dare I say better than good times,
tonight was great times!”
– May the Rock be with You

For 30 years, the glorious voices of Vika & Linda Bull have comprised one of the most distinctive, versatile and emotionally charged sounds on the Australian music landscape. Since their multi-platinum conquest of pop radio with The Black Sorrows in the late 1980s, the sisters have forged diverse pathways into soul, gospel, blues, country and the island music of their Tongan ancestry.

By turns tender and powerful, Vika & Linda’s rich solo vocals and instinctive harmonies have spawned eight albums of their own, as well as illuminating studio and concert performances by Paul Kelly, RocKwiz, C.W. Stoneking, Deborah Conway, Kasey Chambers and many more.

Vika & Linda are currently working on their first full length album of original material for 18 years. Watch this space, open your ears and hold onto your heart.

Singer, songwriter, producer – Brian Cadd has done it all. Cadd kicked off his career with two of the most celebrated bands of their day, The Groop and Axiom, with hits Woman You’re Breaking Me and A Little Ray of Sunshine. He followed this with a string of massive hits as a solo artist with songs like Ginger Man, Let Go, Alvin Purple and the soundtrack to the classic Morning of the Earth surf movie, before moving into a ‘behind-the-scenes’ role in the music industry, going on to produce and work alongside music heavyweights from around the globe.

Brian has written songs for the likes of Joe Cocker, Ringo Starr, John Farnham, Little River Band, Bonnie Tyler, Glen Campbell and The Pointer Sisters and his iconic status was acknowledged when he was inducted into the 2007 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.

2019 has already seen the release of Brian’s brand-new Americana inspired album, Silver City, recorded in Nashville with legendary producer Mark Moffatt. Silver City takes Brian’s musical history and consolidates it into a remarkable journey.

Rolling Stone Living Legend, Joe Camilleri, is a giant of the Australian music landscape. He has given his life to writing, performing and celebrating music. Writer of milestone Australian songs such as So Young, Hit & Run, Shape I’m In, Harley & Rose, Chained To The Wheel and Never Let Me Go and leader of two of Australia’s most successful bands, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Black Sorrows , Joe and his music have become part of Australian music culture. Joe was inducted along with other members of the Falcons into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007.

In 1975 Joe formed Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, a band who swung from R’n’B to reggae, power pop and ska. Over a period of 8 years The Falcons amassed enviable sales and radio airplay and ultimately epitomised the era. Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons toured the country relentlessly and became one of Australia’s finest live outfits. The band also toured the USA. In the early ’80s Camilleri and friends started up a new band, The Black Sorrows. Originally a ‘just for the fun of it’ outfit, The Black Sorrows have released 20 albums over three decades and sold over two million albums world-wide. The Black Sorrows has always been an elastic band and over its life has been home to over 30 of Australia’s finest musical talents, including fellow Allstars, Vika + Linda Bull.

For Camilleri, it’s all about moving forward and to that end, The Black Sorrows are releasing their 21st album (and Joe’s 49th!) in March 2019.

Multi ARIA award winning artist, Kate Ceberano, has been in the business for over 35 years – writing and performing both jazz and pop music – with seven Platinum and seven Gold albums to her name.

Kate first came to prominence in the mid-80’s as a 15-year-old sensation fronting pop funk band, I’m Talking. Five consecutive hit singles and a Platinum debut album, Bear Witness, led to a swag of awards including Best New Talent at the 1984 Countdown Awards, followed up by Best Female Artist in the ’85 and ’86 Countdown Awards. After launching her solo career, Kate took out Best Female Artist at the ’88 and ’89 ARIA awards with her triple Platinum album, Brave , nominated as ARIA Album of the Year.

Ceberano has barely drawn breath since, racking up 25 albums over 35 years to be the most prolific Australian female recording artist of this era. In 2014, Ceberano became the first (and only) Australian woman to be inducted into the Australian Songwriters’ Association (ASA) Hall of Fame and 2016 saw Kate on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, becoming a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts and charitable organisations.

Kate Ceberano is a bone fide national treasure, possessing one of the great voices of her generation. Long may she run.

ARIA Award winner, ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, platinum selling artist and former King of Pop, Russell Morris, is an Australian music icon with his own extensive catalogue of Aussie anthems including The Real Thing, Sweet Sweet Love, Hush, Wings of an Eagle and many more. Morris’ most recent releases are his Blues Trilogy albums – Sharkmouth, Van Diemen’s Land and Red Dirt Red Heart – all of which reached Top 10 on the ARIA Album chart and garnered nominations for ARIA Awards for Best Blues & Roots Album (Sharkmouth and Red Dirt Red Heart won the Awards in 2013 and 2016 respectively).

From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock and as a solo artist with no less than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits to his credit as a singer, songwriter and producer, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s most awarded, respected and well-known artists. From the legendary band Daddy Cool whose number one anthem Eagle Rock and debut album Daddy Who? smashed all previous sales records in Australia, to the 1977 formation of Mondo Rock, delivering 80’s hits Cool World, State of The Heart, Chemistry, No Time and Come Said The Boy and into the 21st century as a solo performer, Wilson has never been out of the limelight. Twice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Wilson’s live performances are legendary and we look forward to rocking with him this May and June on the Apia Good Times Tour.

John Paul Young OAM is undoubtedly one of the most popular Australian artists of the 70’s, with a string of hits, and over 4 million record sales, cementing him a place in Australia’s music history.

In the early 70’s when John was a sheet metalworker by day and singer by night, he was approached to record Pasadena, before joining the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar playing the role of Annas until 1974. Then everything went just a little crazy and “JPY” was all over the airwaves with Yesterday’s Hero, The Love Game, I Hate the Music, Keep On Smilin’, I Wanna Do It With You, Where the Action Is, Standing In The Rain and, of course, Love Is In The Air.

With this success, John became a Countdown regular as both guest presenter, co-host and performer and his music became the soundtrack to the countdown generation, launching a career spanning more than 40 years. Along with performing, John has had equal successes in Radio, Television and Theatre, including a Helpmann Award nomination for best supporting artist. In 2009, John was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and in 2012, his 40th year in the industry, John was honoured with an Order of Australia for his services to charity and the music industry.

ELTON JOHN AUSTRALIAN FAREWELL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED – MUSIC ICON ANNOUNCES FIFTEEN AUSTRALIAN & THREE NEW ZEALAND SHOWS IN 2019 & 2020

ELTON JOHN AUSTRALIAN FAREWELL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED – MUSIC ICON ANNOUNCES FIFTEEN AUSTRALIAN & THREE NEW ZEALAND SHOWS IN 2019 & 2020

Sir Elton John, recently crowned by Billboard as the most successful performing male solo artist of all time, today reveals details of the epic 15-date Australian and 3-date New Zealand leg of his global Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

Between December 2019 and February 2020, Elton John will traverse Australia and New Zealand, in what will be the legendary music icon’s most extensive tour of the region to date. The tour will kick off with record breaking back-to-back appearances at Perth’s HBF Park (formerly nib Stadium) on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December 2019, a huge 48 years on from his first ever Australian show, which took place at Perth’s Subiaco Oval on 17th October, 1971.

Elton will deliver his famed songbook to spellbound audiences, on his very last tour, playing across a mammoth run that includes Capital City concerts, along with stops at some of Australia’s finest outdoor venues from the Hunter Valley’s Hope Estate to Rutherglen’s All Saints Estate, Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley, Queensland’s Sirromet Wines, Victoria’s Hanging Rock and Bathurst’s Carrington Park, with additional dates, including North QLD, to be announced later in 2019.

“Elton’s continuing love affair with Australia knows no bounds, proven by this farewell tour, and the breadth and depth of the itinerary, showing his commitment to his many Australian fans”, said promoter Michael Chugg. “On his very last tour, he wanted to return to some of his favourite cities, while also playing for fans in a couple of never-before-visited locations.”

Beginning in Pennsylvania, USA in September 2018, Elton John’s three-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road global tour has already been hailed as one of his most “energetic, dazzlingly-original and joyful celebrations”. Elton’s legendary catalogue, including beloved songs ‘Bennie and the Jets’, ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Crocodile Rock’, ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ and more, are showcased in a musical masterpiece that is a “reflective and stunning tribute to a great artist’s career” (NME), also celebrating his 50-plus year collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin – one of the great song-writing partnerships of all time.

The milestone itinerary comprises more than 300 shows across five continents, spanning three years, with stops in Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand, and marks the last tour of its kind by the celebrated songwriter and iconic showman.

“Playing live to other human beings is the greatest gift any artist could ever have”, said Sir Elton at his Chicago show.

Audiences will experience a rare glimpse into Elton’s life, and the deeply personal meaning behind some of his greatest hits, via mesmerising, never-before-seen images and videos displayed throughout the show from his incredible 50-year career. Complete with brand new stage production, and tour wardrobe designed by Italian fashion house Gucci, Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road global tour is intimate and personal, while also spectacular and daring.

He will be joined by longstanding band members Nigel Olsson on drums (part of Elton’s original three-piece band in 1970), esteemed musical director Davey Johnstone (who first recorded with Elton in 1971 and joined the band a year later) on guitar, virtuoso Ray Cooper on percussion, Matt Bissonette on bass, John Mahon on percussion, and Kim Bullard on keyboards.

Sir Elton John said, “I always love coming back to Australia. Ever since my first visit in 1971 it has held a very special place in my heart.”

Elton’s enduring history with Australia is evident across the years, notably in 2012, when he opened the Perth Arena, and most recently delivering the final performance at the Sydney Entertainment Centre [since demolished], in December 2015.

He bids farewell to the road almost fifty years on from his debut Australian show, having played 196 concerts and performing to more than 1.5 million people across the country in that time. Since his career began in 1969, he has performed a staggering 4000-plus shows in more than 80 countries.

The performer said that after the tour finishes he looks forward to “coming off the road and dedicating more time to raising my children”.

“I’m ecstatic and humbled to continue to play for audiences across the globe. I plan to bring to my final tour the passion and creativity that has entertained my fans for decades… It’s the most produced and fantastic show I’ve ever done. I want to go out with a bang…” – Elton John

Garnering rave reviews at sell-out shows across North America, Elton John’s curtain call will be the last chance to catch this legendary performer touring in Australia.

More than a concert; an unforgettable memory!

PERTH, WA
Saturday 30 November 2019 – HBF Park (formerly nib Stadium)
ticketmaster.com.au

PERTH, WA
Sunday 1 December 2019 – HBF Park (formerly nib Stadium)
ticketmaster.com.au

ADELAIDE, SA
Wednesday 4 December 2019 – Botanic Park Adelaide
ticketmaster.com.au

MELBOURNE, VIC
Tuesday 10 December 2019 – Rod Laver Arena
ticketek.com.au

MELBOURNE, VIC
Wednesday 11 December 2019 – Rod Laver Arena
ticketek.com.au

BRISBANE, QLD
Wednesday 18 December 2019 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
ticketek.com.au

SYDNEY, NSW
Saturday 21 December 2019 – ICC Sydney Theatre
ticketek.com.au

SYDNEY, NSW
Monday 23 December 2019 – ICC Sydney Theatre
ticketek.com.au

SYDNEY, NSW
Tuesday 7 January 2020 – Qudos Bank Arena
ticketek.com.au

HUNTER VALLEY, NSW
Saturday 11 January 2020 – Hope Estate
ticketek.com.au

MOUNT COTTON, QLD
Saturday 18 January 2020 – Sirromet Wines – A Day On The Green
ticketmaster.com.au

BATHURST, NSW
Wednesday 22 January 2020 – Carrington Park
ticketek.com.au

WOODEND, VIC
Saturday 25 January 2020 – Hanging Rock
ticketmaster.com.au

RUTHERGLEN, VIC
Wednesday 29 January 2020 – All Saints Estate – A Day On The Green
ticketmaster.com.au

YARRA VALLEY, VIC
Friday 31 January 2020 – Rochford Wines – A Day On The Green
ticketmaster.com.au

DUNEDIN, NZ
Tuesday 4 February 2020 – Forsyth Barr Stadium
ticketmaster.co.nz

HAWKE’S BAY, NZ
Saturday 8 February 2020 – Mission Estate Winery
missionconcert.co.nz

AUCKLAND, NZ
Sunday 9 February 2020 – Mt Smart Stadium
ticketmaster.co.nz

ABOUT ELTON JOHN
Elton’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed in their breadth and longevity. Elton is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 38 gold records and 31 platinum and multi-platinum albums, over 50 Top 40 hits, and he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. He holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, “Candle in the Wind 1997,” which sold over 33 million copies. ‘Diamonds’ the Ultimate Greatest Hits album, reached the Top 5 of the UK album charts on its release in November 2017, becoming Elton’s 40th UK Top 40 album in the process, reaching Gold status before the end of the year. This release celebrated 50 years of his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. August 2018 saw Elton named as the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine No.1s and 27 Top 10s.

He has also written the music for stage and screen successes Billy Elliot: The Musical, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, and The Lion King, which was named the highest-grossing stage show or film release in the world. Elton announced the ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour at New York’s Gotham Hall in January 2018. Encompassing 5 continents, and over 300 dates, this 3-year-long tour started in September and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. To date, Elton has delivered more than 4,000 performances in more than 80 countries since launching his first tour in 1970. April 2018 saw the release of ‘Revamp’, an album of the world’s biggest musical stars covering some of Elton’s best loved Songs.

Among the many awards and honours bestowed upon him are five GRAMMYs along with a GRAMMY Legend award, a Tony and an Oscar, a Best British Male Artist BRIT Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honor, Legend of Live Award, 13 Ivor Novello Awards and a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II for “services to music and charitable services.”

In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading non-profit HIV/AIDS organizations and has raised over $400 million to date in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In January 2018, he received the Crystal Award for this long- standing fight against HIV/AIDS at the World Economic Forum in Davos. At the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Sir Elton John and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, announced the launch of the MenStar Coalition; an over $1.2 billion global partnership, that seeks to engage men in new and innovative ways to break the cycle of HIV transmission and ultimately end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.