Gavin Wood's Podcast

Jane Gazzo is an Australian radio and television presenter, performance and club DJ, television personality, voice artist, author, and music journalist. It was in her mature teenage years that she joined 3RRR Radio in Melbourne, presenting a Sunday afternoon (4pm-7pm) new music show called Calamity. She also began contributing stories to the UK's Q magazine and Dolly Australia under the name Calamity Jane.[citation needed] She later became well known as a result of her national radio and TV shows, including Triple J radio's Super Request and ABC Television's live three-hour Saturday morning program, Recovery. It was on this TV show that she interviewed some of the world's biggest international bands as they toured Australia.[citation needed] In 1992, Gazzo formed a punk band, "Rubher", as lead singer. They released 2 EPs through Mushroom Records before disbanding in 1996. In May 2018, Jane reformed the group for a one-off show with The Mavis's. In 1998, she recorded with Australian band Underground Lovers, under the Japanese pseudonym "Mitsuame"; covering Can's 1976 song "I Want More" (from their album,  Gazzo relocated to London, England in 1999, sharing a flat with The Prodigy founding member and former dancer Sharky. In London, she first worked at numerous jobs, including a summer at the Rough Trade record shop, promotions at Virgin Records and DJ'ing at Alan McGee's Death Disco.[citation needed] In 2000 she became a presenter on the London radio station XFM (Weekend Breakfast). Her time there included a three-week stint producing Russell Brand on-air before he was sacked by the station for bringing in a homeless man.[9] She later joined its parent station Capital FM, presenting the Capital Top 30 Album Chart Show and The Rock Show. Gazzo made her UK Television debut in 2001 presenting an eight-part music series called "Play Loud" on BBC TV channel Play UK.[10][11] In 2001 she also briefly worked for Courtney Love, sharing a London house with the former Hole lead singer. Her presenting work has also led to involvement with charities. In February 2006 she hosted the first ever Cancer Research UK "Rock Memorabilia" auction at Abbey Road Studios, helping to raise £130,000.[13] She joined BBC Radio 6 Music in 2002, and presented Jane Gazzo's Dream Ticket[14] from June 2004 to September 2005, as well as other BBC Radio 6 Music shows and specials. In 2006 Gazzo presented pre-recorded music shows on VH-2 TV in the UK as well as the "Download" in-flight radio show on Emirates Airlines (described as "the best modern rock and alternative from some of today's top bands"[16]).In January 2007 she joined Rockworld TV, presenting and interviewing various artists.[citation needed] She also DJ'd at various festivals and venues around the UK including All Tomorrow's Parties music festival in Camber Sands as well as Death Disco, Camden Lock, Keston Lodge, Latitude Festival and Defectors Weld venues in London.[citation needed] In May 2007 Jane returned to Australia to join Foxtel music Channel V as daily presenter and VJ. She co-hosted the whatUwant daily request show, as well as artist and festival specials. Her first major broadcast for Channel [V] was presenting the network's Live Earth coverage from Sydney Football Stadium on 7 July 2007. She has also presented from the Homebake festival, Splendour in the Grass, the ARIA Awards red carpet, Sound Relief and the Big Day Out.[citation needed] From late 2010, Jane became a co-host on Channel [V]'s The Riff. She shared the presentation job with Danny Clayton, Billy Russell and Kyle Linahan (later replaced by Carrissa Walford.) The programme was broadcast weekly on Saturday mornings.She also hosted the daily music news programme "WTF" three times a week. In June 2012, Gazzo moved to Max, a 24-hour music platform on Foxtel as a full-time host and VJ, presenting countdowns and interviews. In February 2015, Jane became morning presenter on Triple M in Melbourne.She also hosted the national Australian music show "Homegrown" and the syndicated celebrity show "My Generation". After 3 years, Gazzo left the station to concentrate on freelancing media work. In August 2019, Jane was chosen as the opening DJ for Hugh Jackman, on the Melbourne leg of his Australian concerts at Rod Laver Arena, playing six shows as his main support act. In 2020, Jane hosted weekly music program The Sound on the ABC under the tutelage of the late Michael Gudinski.

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, guest host Lee Simon catches up with iconic Australian singer-songwriter, Kasey Chambers.   Kasey Chambers is one of Australia’s most beloved country music artists, with a career spanning over two decades. Her debut solo album, The Captain (1999), catapulted her to fame, earning her widespread acclaim and multiple ARIA Awards.   Known for her raw, emotional song writing and distinctive voice, Kasey has released a string of hits, including Not Pretty Enough, Pony, and True Colours, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the country and roots music scene.   With over 14 studio albums and numerous accolades to her name, including being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Kasey continues to tour and create music that resonates deeply with fans around the world. Her music blends elements of country, folk, and rock, touching on personal experiences, relationships, and social themes.   25 years into her solo career and Kasey is still sharing her story, publishing her second book and releasing a new album, Backbone, which Kasey will take on tour next year.   Listen to the podcast now to hear Lee Simon and Kasey Chambers discuss her incredible career, influences.

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, Gavin catches up with Australian record company legend – Bill Duff. With a career spanning decades, Bill Duff is a true icon of the Australian music industry. His contributions to record companies and artist development have left an indelible mark on the landscape of Australian music. Bill worked behind the scenes with major artists, helping to shape the careers of some of the most successful musicians in the country and abroad, including Elton John, Cat Stevens, and Skyhooks. From discovering new talent to managing the intricacies of the recording business, Bill’s influence has been felt far and wide. His passion for music and dedication to nurturing home-grown talent has made him a beloved figure within the industry, and his insights continue to resonate with both artists and executives. Listen to the podcast now to hear Gavin and Bill’s chat about his incredible journey through the highs and lows of the music business:

Boyzlife, the musical supergroup formed by Brian McFadden of Westlife and Keith Duffy of Boyzone, are thrilled to announce their upcoming tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2025. Brian Nicholas McFadden (born 12 April 1980) is an Irish pop singer and television presenter. He rose to fame in 1998 as a member of the Irish boy band Westlife. Following his departure from the group in 2004, McFadden released his debut solo album, Irish Son. He has since released four studio albums: Set in Stone, Wall of Soundz, The Irish Connection, and Otis. Keith Peter Thomas Francis Julian John Duffy (born 1 October 1974) is an Irish singer, actor, radio and television presenter and drummer who began his professional music career as part of Irish boy band Boyzone alongside Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately in 1993. The band decided to focus on solo projects in 2000 since which Duffy has taken acting roles in soap operas such as Coronation Street and Fair City. He has also presented The Box and You're a Star. Duffy has been an autism awareness campaigner since his daughter was diagnosed with the condition at age 18 months, and acts as the patron for Irish Autism Action holding regular fundraising events and informational talks. Duffy was the winner on the British reality series The Door in 2010 and came third in the first series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2001, and in the second series of Splash! in 2014

Melissa Morrison Higgins (born 19 August 1983), stage name Missy Higgins, is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. Her Australian number-one albums are The Sound of White (2004), On a Clear Night (2007) and The Ol' Razzle Dazzle (2012), and her singles include "Scar", "Steer" and "Where I Stood". Higgins was nominated for five ARIA Music Awards in 2004 and won 'Best Pop Release' for "Scar". In 2005, she was nominated for seven more awards and won five. Higgins won her seventh ARIA in 2007. Her third album, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle, was released in Australia in June 2012 (July 2012 in the US). As of August 2014, Higgins's first three studio albums had sold over one million units.[1] Higgins's fourth studio album, Oz, was released in September 2014 and consists of cover versions of Australian composers, as well as a book of related essays. Alongside her music career, Higgins pursues interests in animal rights and the environment, endeavouring to make her tours carbon neutral. In 2010 she made her acting debut in the feature film Bran Nue Dae and also performed on its soundtrack.

Darren Stanley Hayes (born 8 May 1972) is an Australian singer, songwriter, music producer and composer. He was the frontman and singer of the pop duo Savage Garden until their disbandment. Their 1997 album Savage Garden peaked at number 1 in Australia, number 2 in the United Kingdom and number 3 in the United States. It spawned the singles "I Want You", "To the Moon and Back", and Australian and US number 1 "Truly Madly Deeply". The duo followed the success of their debut album with Affirmation (1999), which provided additional hits such as Australian and US number 1 "I Knew I Loved You", and Australian number 3 "The Animal Song". Savage Garden parted ways in 2001. Hayes released his first solo album Spin in 2002. The album sold two million copies worldwide, debuted at Number 2 in the UK and number 3 in Australia. It delivered the hit single "Insatiable". Hayes's second album, The Tension and the Spark, preceded by single "Pop!ular", was released in 2004. Hayes parted ways with his record label Columbia Records in 2006 and started his own independent record label, Powdered Sugar, from which he would release his third and fourth solo albums, 2007's double-album This Delicate Thing We've Made and 2011's Secret Codes and Battleships. After a decade-long hiatus, Hayes returned in 2022 with his fifth studio album; Homosexual, which was released in October 2022, spawned the singles "Let's Try Being in Love", "Do You Remember?", "Poison Blood", "All You Pretty Things" and "Feels Like It's Over". Hayes' autobiography is due for publication by Penguin Books in 2024.

Steve Kilbey’s career has spanned over four decades, cementing him as one of the most influential figures in Australian rock music. As the lead vocalist, bassist, and principal songwriter for The Church, Steve’s distinctive voice and poetic lyrics have defined the band’s sound since their formation in Sydney in 1980. The Church quickly rose to prominence with their jangly guitars and ethereal soundscapes, delivering a string of hits that became staples of the 80s alternative rock scene. The band’s 1981 debut album Of Skins and Heart produced their first major hit, “The Unguarded Moment.” However, it was their 1988 album Starfish that brought them international fame, featuring the iconic single “Under the Milky Way,” which became an enduring anthem and charted worldwide. Beyond his work with The Church, Steve Kilbey has pursued a prolific solo career, releasing numerous albums that explore a range of styles and themes. He has also collaborated with various artists and bands, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Steve’s work as a painter and author further highlights his artistic talents, adding depth to his persona as a multifaceted artist. In addition to his music, Steve has made significant contributions to the arts, including soundtracks for films and theatre productions. His influence extends beyond the music industry, with his poetic and introspective lyrics resonating with fans across generations. Despite the ever-changing music landscape, The Church remains active, with Steve at the helm, continuing to create and perform music that captivates audiences. The band’s longevity and consistent output have solidified their place in the annals of Australian music history.

Robin Campbell’s musical journey began in the late 1970s when he co-founded UB40 in Birmingham, England. With a vision to bring reggae music to a broader audience, Robin and his bandmates quickly gained popularity for their unique sound that blended reggae with pop and rock elements. UB40's debut album, "Signing Off," released in 1980, was a commercial success and marked the beginning of their rise to fame. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, UB40 enjoyed international success with hits like "Red Red Wine," "Can't Help Falling in Love," and "Kingston Town." Robin’s distinctive guitar playing and harmonious vocals played a crucial role in defining the band’s sound. Over the years, UB40 released numerous albums and toured extensively, captivating audiences worldwide with their energetic performances and socially conscious lyrics. In addition to his work with UB40, Robin has been involved in various solo projects and collaborations, further showcasing his versatility as a musician. His contributions to music have earned him recognition and respect in the industry, and he continues to be a driving force behind UB40's enduring legacy.

In 1970, Brewster, with his brother Rick Brewster and Doc Neeson, formed Moonshine Jug & String Band in Adelaide, the band evolved into The Keystone Angels in 1973 An appearance at the 1975 Sunbury Pop Festival, resulted in touring with AC/DC, and with Chuck Berry as his backing band. By the end of 1975 they become The Angels. Other members included Chris Bailey on bass guitar. Brewster left the band and joined The Party Boys in February 1986. He remained with The Party Boys until mid-1989, before teaming up with his friend, Alan Lancaster to form The Bombers.

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.

Geoff Cox, better known as “Coxy”, is a star of radio and television, and former drummer in The Bootleg Family, Avalanche and Little River Band. His life in the entertainment industry started out playing drums six nights a week in Rock and Roll Bands, fast becoming one of the top session drummers in Australia, playing on 20+ gold albums. During the 70’s Coxy toured the world with the likes of Russell Morris, the Bee Gees, and Cliff Richard. He also played in Las Vegas for several international artists throughout his career. From 1979 until 1987 Coxy ran The Roxy, an iconic Rock and Roll pub in Melbourne. The catchcry “Coxy from the Roxy” in his raspy, Aussie voice on radio ads became legendary. One of his earliest TV appearances was on Countdown, in a short documentary which led viewers through the process of making Australian Crawl's music single, "Beautiful People". Coxy later went on to become a presenter himself on Channel 9’s Postcards, and Coxy’s Big Break on Channel 7. Coxy’s radio career started on the Smithy and Cox Show on 3DB, before he joined forces with our very own Gavin Wood for the Gavin and Coxy Breakfast Show on 3TT and TTFM. He then went on to host Juke Box Saturday nights with Coxy on 3MP for the next decade and he can still be heard on ads, as a guest, or giving interviews.

Marty Rhone was born as Karel (or Karl) Lawrence van Rhoon on 7 May 1948 in the Dutch East Indies  (Indonesia) His father was Eddy Emile van Rhoon, his mother was Judith Olive.  She was a singer and actress, who met Eddy through the Sydney jazz scene; he was a visiting pianist.   The couple married in 1947, and migrated to Australia on 21 April 1950 and briefly lived in Sydney and Brisbane, and then moved to Darwin.   Rhone was taught piano by his father but he preferred singing. In August 1959, aged 11, he first performed publicly at Darwin's Mitchell Street Town Hall in Around the World in 80 Minutes – a charity variety concert – alongside his father on piano and his mother. After he finished primary school, the family moved to Sydney. In mid-1961, Rhone appeared on a talent quest segment of ATN7-TV series, Tarax Show, and was offered a singing spot on a children's show,  During 1966 Marty Rhone and The Soul Agents supported The Rolling Stones on the United Kingdom rock group's tour of Australia. They also performed on the bill of the P.J. Proby Show at the Sydney Stadium with Wayne Fontana, Eden Kane and The Bee Gees appearing.  Rhone moved to Melbourne and issued five singles on Spin Records but had "limited success". In March 1970, Rhone was conscripted for National Service until 1972. During his service he attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon, as a member of their band, for 18 months. From April 1972 to July 1973 he acted in the Australian stage version of Godspell at The Richbrooke, Sydney with Rod Dunbar, Peita Toppano and John Waters. The Australian cast soundtrack album was issued as Godspell: a Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew on His Master's Voice. He attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and in July 1973 he released a new single, "Goodbye in May". He composed the music for Ruzzante Returns from the Wars, which starred Ivar Kants  Rhone followed with appearances on TV soap operas, Number 96 (1974) and Class of '75 (1975). By mid-1975 Rhone had signed with M7 Records and issued his next single, "Denim and Lace", which peaked at No. 8 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It was promoted on the Class of '75 soundtrack album. It was co-written by L Lister (aka Jack Aranda) and F Lyons (aka Shad Lyons). Lister and Lyons also produced Rhone's debut album, Denim and Lace, recording at Alberts Studio 139. At the end of the year "Denim and Lace" was the second highest selling single in Australia. His next single, "Star Song", reached the Top 50, the next two were less successful, while the last one for the year, "On the Loose" reached the Top 40. Of the four singles, "On the Loose (Again)" – co-written by Bryan Dawe and Steve Groves (ex-Tin Tin)– was used by Rhone to win the 1976 Australian Popular Song Festival and represented Australia at the World Popular Song Festival.  In June 1977 he had another hit with "Mean Pair of Jeans", which reached No. 10. In July 1978 Rhone relocated to London. In June 1979, Rhone took the role of Lun Tha in the London Palladium presentation of The King and I alongside Yul Brynner and Virginia McKenna. By September 1981 he had returned to Sydney. In 1987 Rhone became a business manager for a trio of brothers, the Australian boxers: Dean, Guy and Troy Waters. In December 1988 Rhone organised the "Battle on the Beach" for January 1989 with Dean Waters, as Australian heavyweight champion, to fight New Zealand's title holder. In 2007, Rhone  performed a repertoire of tracks by Cliff Richard; a gig at the Crown Casino, Melbourne, in late 2008 it was filmed and broadcast in February the next year as Marty Rhone: A Tribute to Cliff Richard and The Shadows.  In May 2011 on the Cliff & Dusty presentation he performed with Sheena Crouch as UK pop singer Dusty Springfield and in June 2012 with his own "musical theatre fantasy" covering Richard's and The Beatles' material in Cliff Joins The Beatles. In August 2016, Rhone released 50th Anniversary Album, a career spanning compilation album.

Irwin Thomas (born Irwin Thomas Whittridge; 6 January 1971) is an American-born Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He performs professionally using the stage name Jack Jones from when he was the lead vocalist-guitarist in the band Southern Sons (1990–1996). His other bands collaborations include Electric Mary, She Said Yes and Ahmet Zappa. He is known for his collaborations with John Farnham and Rick Price. He released his debut solo album, The Evolution of Irwin Thomas, in 2002.

Dear Enemy was an Australian indie pop band formed in Melbourne in 1980. The band released a studio album, Ransom Note, in 1984 on EMI and Capitol Records that featured its best known single, "Computer One", a No. 15 hit on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart in January 1984. "Computer One" also reached #59 on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock chart in March, 1984. Dear Enemy disbanded in 1988.

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, Gavin catches up with Australian saxophonist, television personality and radio presenter – Wilbur Wilde. Perhaps best known for his work as part of the house band on “Hey Hey It’s Saturday!” Wilbur Wilde rose to prominence with the bands Ol' 55 and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons. Wilbur has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Skyhooks, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Split Enz, Roy Orbison, Cold Chisel, Joe Cocker, Dire Straits, the Angels, Dragon, James Reyne and Jimmy Barnes. Wilbur has made numerous other TV appearances throughout his career on shows including The Flying Doctors, The Paul Hogan Show, Blankety Blanks, Sale of the Century, MTV, Getaway, Postcards, Prisoner, Spicks and Specks, and commercials for the Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency. His CV also boasts a string of movie credits including Trojan Warrior, Mad Max, The Coolangatta Gold, City of the Damned, Jenny Kissed Me, Dead End Drive-In, and Cool Change, as well as over 750 performances with The New Rocky Horror Show. Wilbur has also presented on an array of radio stations, including Gold 104.3, Vega 91.5, 3UZ, 3XY, and 3MP.

Graham William Nash OBE (born 2 February 1942) is an English-American musician, singer and songwriter. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997 and as a member of the Hollies in 2010.He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours List for services to music and to charity. Nash holds four honorary doctorates, including one from the New York Institute of Technology, one in music from the University of Salford in 2011 and one in fine arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Susan Kay Quatro was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1950, and grew up pursuing performing. Suzi was playing bongos on stage with her father’s jazz band by the age of eight, and by 14 she’s changed her name to Suzi soul and had left school to become a Go-Go dancer. By the age of 15, Suzi was fronting the band the Pleasure Seekers, with her sisters. The band toured the country and were invited to Vietnam to entertain troops, before changing their name to Cradle in the early 1970’s and transitioning to a more hard-rock sound. It was performing with Cradle where Suzi was first noticed by British producer Mickie Most, who was interested in Suzi as a solo performer. Mickie invited her to London and introduced her to professional songwriters Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, which turned out to be a winning formula. In 1973, “Can the Can” flew to number one and went on to sell two and a half million copies worldwide. Between 1973 and 1980, Suzi featured in the British charts for no less than 101 weeks, and has sold to date over 55 million records. Since then, she has released fifteen studio albums, ten compilation albums, and one live album. Other songs, including "48 Crash", "Daytona Demon", "The Wild One", and "Your Mama Won't Like Me", also charted highly overseas. While Suzi enjoyed great success both in the UK and Australia, she is mostly known in the US for her cameo on hit TV show Happy Days as Leather Tuscadero. However the appearance might’ve helped her duet "Stumblin' In" with Smokie's lead singer Chris Norman reach No. 4 in the US. Suzi is still active, writing, broadcasting, recording, and this year she’s embarking on her 38th tour of Australia.  

On this episode, Gavin catches up with Australian media personality and radio broadcaster – Philip Brady OAM. Philip Brady OAM is one of the country’s most experienced and familiar radio broadcasters, with a career spanning more than 6 decades. From Kennedy to Vizard, Newton to Hogan, Philip has collaborated with Australia’s most iconic personalities. Philip’s career started in tandem with the early beginnings of Australian television transmission in the late 1950s. Like many of Australia’s media greats, he got his start providing voiceovers on Channel 9 and making appearances on Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight. Philip’s most substantial work came from his nearly 30-year position as host of 3AW’s Nightline program. Just last year, Philip celebrated 65 years in the media industry, and is still co-hosting Remember When on 3AW with Simon Owens. In 2018 Philip was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the broadcast media industry Beyond broadcasting, Philip is a long-time supporter of The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria and is one of the Australia Day Ambassador Program’s longest-serving members. Listen to the podcast now to hear as Gavin catches up with one of Australia’s most enduring media personalities – Philip Brady:

Tommy Emmanuel was a working professional age of 6, playing rhythm guitar in his family’s band as they toured Australia.   He has never had a formal guitar lesson, in fact, he doesn’t read music or know music theory. However, he’s considered one of the modern masters of the guitar, with Chet Atkins naming Tommy as a Certified Guitar Player, an honour bestowed to only 4 other people.   Tommy’s guitar skills grew from natural talent and decades of practice. His playing incorporates a multitude of musical influences and styles, including jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock, this type of country finger-style playing is at the core of his technique.   After years as a popular sideman and songwriter, the two-time ARIA Award winner launched his solo career in 1988 with Up from Down Under. As a solo performer, he never plays to a set list and uses a minimum of effects onstage. He usually completes studio recordings in one take and has released a total of 37 albums.   A four-time winner of Australia's Best Guitarist Award, Tommy has been nominated for 2 Grammy awards, won 4 Country Music Awards and was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown in 2011. Tommy won Australian performer of the year in 1994 and 1996, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010.

Born Christopher John Cheney in 1975, Chris graduated with a VCE from Wheelers Hill Secondary College. Chris played guitar since age 6 and studied jazz at Box Hill Tafe in 1994-95. However, it was at a barbecue Chris' was introduced by his sister to Scott Owen. In 1992 they formed a cover band called 'The Runaway Boys' taken from a Stray Cats song of the same name which performed covers of the band's songs with the odd original song thrown in. In 1994 he got his first album with The Living End who formed with a drummer called Joe Piripitzi who was later kicked out for musical differences. In 1995 the EP 'Hellbound' was released and The Living End was made. In 1996 they released another EP called 'It's For Your Own Good' and had success by sending a T-shirt to Green Day for a gig as their supporting act. In 1997 after Joe was replaced with new drummer Trav Demsey, The Living End cut their first single, entitled "Prisoner Of Society/Second Solution". Two songs from their debut album. This followed up with more success of their self-titled album 'The Living End'. In 2000 this followed with the album 'Roll On'. In 2001 Chris was involved in a severe car accident with his girlfriend Emma who escaped with minor injuries but left Chris in a wheelchair with a broken leg and 3 pins to replace some of the muscle that was damaged. After 2 years of resting and writing songs for the new album they were back in the studio where Trav quit due to a disliking of heavy touring and to spend more time with his family. The Living End were stranded. They spent two days auditioning 40 drummers of which the first was Andy Strachan. Their current drummer. The boys hit the studio and recorded a 14 track album entitled 'Modern ARTillery' which was released in 2003. In 2004 the boys hit the studio once more to record 2 more tracks, "I Can't Give You What I Haven't Got" and "Bringin' It All Back Home". This was a greatest hits album called 'From Here On In: The Singles (1997-2004)'. The same year he formed tribute super group The Wrights with Nic Cester (Jet) - Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) - Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon) - Kram (Spiderbait) - Davey Lane (You Am I/The Pictures) and Pat Bourke (Dallas Crane). He performed with the band as the lead and rhythm guitarist for parts 1 and 3 respectively and later released Stevie Wrights hit Evie with all three songs of "Evie: (Let You Hair Hang Down)", "Evie: (Evie)" which Chris was not involved with and "Evie: (I'm Losing You)". It wasn't until 2005 the boys hit the studio again to record the fifth album entitled "State Of Emergency" released in 2006. After almost a year and a half of touring Chris left the band and took up yoga and painting while his other band mates hit the surf. It wasn't until late 2007 that they hit the studio again to write and rehearse songs which resulted in the band's sixth studio album 'White Noise' with a single of the same name. Since then the boys have been performing to the general public throughout Australia, Japan, USA and more.