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Jon Stevens
Biography
Jon
Stevens has carved a reputation as one of the great
vocalists of Australian popular music.
Coming
to prominence as the frontman of rock/power pop outfit
Noiseworks in the late 80's, Jon has enjoyed multiple
weeks at the top of the Australian charts with Noiseworks'
debut self-titled album and the number one follow
up Touch.
Known
for their anthemic melodic hooks and blistering live
shows, Noiseworks sold 1.2 million records and solidified
their reputation as one of the seminal Aussie rock
bands of all time.
With
the release of Love versus Money, their third album,
Noiseworks again peaked at number one after a sellout
tour of the nation.
The
band called it a day in 1992 and Jon was cast as Judas
in the blockbuster musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
Starring
Jon, Kate Ceberano, John Farnham, and Angry Anderson
the show ran a mammoth 84 nights and was performed
across Australia to more than a million people. Jon
was now a household name among young rock fans and
adult audiences alike.
When
the Superstar tour ended, Jon recorded what many believed
to be his debut solo opus Are U Satisfied.
Unbeknown
to most on the western side of the Tasman, Jon's first
foray into recorded music occurred when he was just
sixteen and living in New Zealand. He'd been working
at the EMI record plant pressing vinyl and to relieve
the monotony would sing up a storm with his co-workers,
one of whom was his sister. They entered a talent
quest and were spotted by an EMI rep, who signed Jon
and released his first single Jezebel.
The
funky disco love ballad bulleted to number one in
the Kiwi charts and was quickly followed up by Montego
Bay, which replaced his debut single in the number
one spot.
Listeners
of those early tunes are struck by Jon's distinct
vocal signature, but more striking are comparisons
with his voice of today; despite the years belting
out rock n roll, Jon's vocal reveals precisely the
same tonal perfection as it did at sixteen years of
age.
But
back to the 1990's. The new rugby league code Super-League
was engulfing Australia and Jon, one of the game's
biggest fans, was asked to record the theme song.
A remake of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Two Tribes
was released on BMG.
A
second single, I Wish It Would Rain was made to aid
stricken farmers in a time of drought with all proceeds
from the song going to their relief.
With
another solo record Circle and a Noiseworks reunion
tour Jon saw out the decade.
2000
was Olympics year in Sydney and with INXS's Jon Farriss,
Jon released the single Carry the Flame which became
the official theme for the Olympic Torch relay.
His
work with Jon Farriss and previous backing vocal sessions
with INXS led to Jon joining the band after the untimely
death of Michael Hutchence. After tours of the US,
Latin America and Europe Jon was announced as INXS's
'seventh member' and three years of global performing
followed.
In
late 2003 Jon's desire to create new music resulted
in his resignation from INXS and commencement of work
on an album which has redefined this eclectic artist's
musical direction.
A
reflection on his 25 years in the music biz, Ain't
No Life for the Faint Hearted is a return to Jon's
soul/R+B roots and amalgamates the talents of some
new guest artists with the skills of some of the most
experienced producers in the R+B world.
Ain't
No Life for the Faint Hearted hits stores across Australia
on November 7.
Credit:
Jon Stevens
official website
*Media
Man Australia has previously booked Jon Steven's services
into a major happening on Airlie Beach, Whitsundays,
Queensland
tWebsites
Jon
Stevens official website
Circle
Music
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Man Australia
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