Colin Hay | Long Play Series

Singer, songwriter, and actor Colin Hay first came to prominence as the lead vocalist of the band, Men at Work. In 1981, the band released their landmark album, Business as Usual, featuring their two biggest singles, ‘Who can It Be Now?’, and ‘Down Under,’ both written by Hay (the latter co-written by Ron Strykert). ‘Down Under’ was a worldwide smash, reaching No. 1 in Australia, America, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and Switzerland. As a solo-artist, Hay has released 13 albums, starting with Looking for Jack (1987), and most recently, Fierce Mercy (2017). He has also made appearances in film and television, including Australian films Wills & Burke and Cosi, and US television shows Scrubs and JAG.
In this interview with Brian Nankervis, Hay discusses moving to Australia from Scotland at the age of 14, Men at Work’s immense international success, and more recently playing guitar with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band.
Interviewer: Brian Nankervis
Location: Melbourne Room, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2017
For more Australian Music Vault stories and information visit www.australianmusicvault.com.au/
As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music as part of our Long Play Series.

[@ever_October]

I've had a crush on this man, and his voice, for 40 years. 🤭

[@MyCleverHandle]

"Raconteur" is a term of deep respect. Colin, with his musical talent alone, has earned that respect in spades. At least from me.

[@rockstrada]

Colin Hay! Living legend!

[@australianmusicvault4604]

We agree!!

[@richardmccowne7054]

Colin Hay is outstanding and perhaps it's because I am an older guy, but he makes sense to me and I thank him for it.

[@TheCountofToulouse]

This guy, whether intentionally or not is quite fun to listen to. I laughed out loud at his Gary Shandling impression.

[@dougferris5678]

Colin Hay, without question a musical genius

[@babavura2662]

Great work. That's the way to do an interview. Intelligent questions,a cool attitude and real information. Brilliant!!

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks Baba, great to hear you enjoyed the interview! There's more to come!

[@thierrys4126]

This is a really intersting interview. Colin is a fantatic performer and he writes great meaningful songs. Unlike several big names like McCartney or Dylan, Colin's voice gets better with age. He is also probably the best story teller in the business.

[@rickyelvis3215]

don’t put Dylan down idiot!

[@MrCochise1111]

Why do I feel like I could watch another hour of this? Feels like he was just getting started.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Lots of stories to be told!

[@MrCochise1111]

@@australianmusicvault4604 That was so great... And you asked really great questions! The behind the scenes stuff is gold... sometimes as interesting as the music itself. I remember MAW blasting on the scene the summer before my freshman year in high school... Then, they seemed to be gone almost over night. It was such a mystery... And your interview helped solve some of that. Good on ya, mate!

[@australianmusicvault4604]

@@MrCochise1111 great to hear you enjoyed finding out more about Colin Hay and Men at Work!

[@SuperGeorge2112]

Amazing performer and a very nice man met Colin just a few days ago what a voice, do yourself a favour go see him Live !!

[@THEKIDWISCONSIN]

Full disclosure: I could sit and listen to Colin read the dictionary...but that was a great interview. Well done Sir. Of course growing up in the 80's I liked Men at Work but it wasn't until 2012 (maybe 2013) that I became aware of Colin's solo work. Had since them acquired the CD's and have had the good fortune to see him three times in small theatre's in Wisconsin the last 5 or 6 years. His solo shows are fantastic...the stories are marvelous. Hope to see him again soon when things settle down.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Great to hear you enjoyed the interview, he's got some wonderful stories!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@paulajanson8053]

Me too! Omg that voice!

[@paultippy4765]

Before my uncle went into the navy when I was a little dude. .your music became part of my life

[@markagerman1223]

Great interview.

[@MrCochise1111]

Colin, thank you for sharing your history and personal experiences. 👍👍👍

[@iyainthuraiiar7949]

J

[@venderstrat]

People's poet asks all the right questions.

[@user-uj2vg5fe2w]

Sooo Gooood 😅

[@leonardwashington6456]

Awesome interview with a living legend 💯

[@leesimeone]

You look great Brian, all the best mate x

[@AndrewMorison_morrie]

Thoroughly enjoy that.. I still remember my aunt giving me a cassette tape with Men at Work - Business as Usual on it. Mesmerising. Great series. Will keep watching and sharing..

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Hi Andrew, that's great to hear, glad you enjoyed it! We've releasing more great interviews each Thursday at 11am! Look out for Russell Morris this week!

[@francrisp6614]

Great interview very interesting love colin music

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Great to hear you enjoyed the interview.

[@DaGretschguy]

Terrific interview-great interviewer and a genuinely nice conversation!

[@terrye6853]

What an interesting interview he’s a great storyteller, hope to see Colin back on the road with Ringo’s All Star Band soon,.

[@bigadz0r]

Makes me sad and annoyed my home town spat Col out so viciously. He deserved/deserves much better! Such a decent bloke and talented musician. If he ever ends up back I'd love to share a beer and a yarn with him!

[@AdamSandaver]

Fantastic interview.

[@theo1856]

So many Australian Musicians from the UK.

[@Hi.Im.Levi.]

Fantastic interviewer. Isn’t stepping on his toes.

[@bustinclouds2007]

Wonderful Interview.....Fan since ....Forever......Happy Holidays....Tim n Tina.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for the feedback! Happy Holidays to you too!

[@deanl0]

Great interview , both are bringing in a good vibe..🔥

[@australianmusicvault4604]

We agree!

[@peterhaslund]

New insights into Hay's complicated relationship to Australia, like when he finally names a few names and you realize he owes nothing to that place, it's all him, always was

[@mickwilliams910]

The two piece should come back. Col & Rono ;) x

[@michaelkurkowaski1718]

I wish Colin would talk more about his men at work days he doesn't talk that much about it I can only remember him when he looked younger

[@PaulCallanan1]

Many a practice session at Paul Boxings Mothers Double Hills Garage, refusing to play the latest, but perfecting your own. Well done!

[@lonewolfsanscub]

Colin is hilarious! I only discovered how much so from his appearances on Craig Ferguson......they had me rolling!

[@charlieranger4598]

I enjoyed this brilliant inverview. Thank you for uploading! Alas "no sign of yesterday".(nothing about the passing away of Greg Ham) But perhaps Colin didn't want to talk about it, I would understand that.

[@starletohara1631]

That makes one of us,lol.😎I wish he had mentioned Greggy...but still a good interview!

[@charlieranger4598]

@@starletohara1631 Yes, I enjoyed it though. Nevertheless, I have to resume with my novel. ;)

[@starletohara1631]

@@charlieranger4598 Yeah,It's your turn to write another chapter or two,lol.I enjoyed the interview too,but two or three sentences about Greg in 45 minutes doesn't really seem like enough considering what good friends they were.;)

[@charlieranger4598]

@@starletohara1631 I cannot contradict you and just presume that he (Colin) told him, that he doesn't want to talk about these things because it would burden him. Or they cut this out after the interview... I'm gonna send you 2 chapters later, but of course on our usual address. :-)

[@starletohara1631]

@@charlieranger4598 Cool!You're probably right;from the way Colin spoke about Greg last Tuesday when discussing "Who Can It Be Now",he still misses him quite a bit.See you at the office,lol!😎

[@paulfranco3239]

💛💛💛

[@cursedmemes7948]

how does he switch accents so fast😭😭

[@tmnl8037]

It’s Raymond J. Bartholemuez again. Does he realise that how matter how hard he tries he will always be Raymond J. Bartholemuez all his life? That venue at Moorooduc at the Mornington Peninsula that Colin Hay talks about was the Peninsula Lounge. That place closed down many years ago.

[@starletohara1631]

I would like to have heard more about Greg...but otherwise,this is a solid interview.Sad how the band didn't last longer;they were such a tight unit musically,but I guess the personalities just didn't mesh.Sad.

[@alansting]

Thought Paul Whitehouse was doing the interview. Colin Hay & Mike Smash

[@writeract2]

I love this interviewer - what is Colin's real accent - australian or scottish?

[@lucyllewellyn2850]

Scottish

[@raymondgoldie6162]

Just like Jimmy Barnes lol

[@Babeiloveyouso]

I lived round the corner from John Martyn

[@rayclark6596]

39:02 Max Merritt

[@WuOysterCult]

@29:45 re: Hay v Shandling

[@michaelmoran2022]

Sad ronno and colin fell out

[@masterzenith2233]

just asking any thing done on JOK

[@australianmusicvault4604]

We have this story about the 'Wild One' on our Australian Music Vault website - www.australianmusicvault.com.au/music%20stories/read/the%20wild%20one%20johnny%20okeefe/

[@masterzenith2233]

@@australianmusicvault4604 wow thank you

[@masterzenith2233]

@@australianmusicvault4604 got tears of joys, my thanks for this,its as if 1978 never happened,my twitter is zenith @frank67955812 cheers

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

Go on Colin, do your Aussie accent…just to keep the rust off!

[@thesimplegig]

Interviewer cringe

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Cool to see this but the interviewer had a terribly annoying motherly patronizing style.

[@josmith8205]

IVE PLAYED IN SOME SHIT HOLES, THATS BILLYS

[@joserams2245]

Colin Hay and his American accent 🤪

[@joejackson6453]

My favourite Colin Hay interview; Had me chuckling 🤝👏👏👏👏

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Great to hear Joe!