ALBUM OUT NOW!
It is 16 years since they first broke up and four years since they last performed as a group but Cold Chisel has finally found the right time and the right stage to do it all again.
Reporter: Matt White
Broadcast Date: September 10, 2009
In an announcement that millions of Australian music fans have been waiting for, Today Tonight can exclusively reveal that Cold Chisel is to reunite.
On Saturday December 5, Cold Chisel will be the headline act at ANZ Stadium as part of the final round of the V8 Supercars at Sydney’s Olympic Park.
We get offered lots of things, we’ve been offered lots of things over the years, this happened to be great timing, an incredible event,” they said.
Aussie rockers Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss will reunite with Don Walker, Phil Small and Steve Prestwich for the iconic event.
Over the years they have been offered a lot of money to regroup over a lot of times.
“We get offered millions regularly,” Moss said.
“We got to the point where although it’s great to make a pile of money it’s got to be right.”
The band wanted the event to be the big thing of summer.
“We wanted it to be really special in Sydney, we want to showcase Sydney and showcase how great an event the V8 Supercars can deliver at Olympic park,” they said.
Tony Cochrane is the boss of V8 Supercars Australia and one of our most successful promoters.
He was the man who got Frank Sinatra back to Australia for the opening of Sanctuary Cove in 1987 and kept asking Chisel to come together.
“I always say in life provided the very, very last question is a yes, you’re OK,” he said.
The band formed in 1973 and hit the road hard for a decade. Famous for hits such as Flame Trees, Khe Sahn, the group split up in 1983 and have only been back together three times since.
They have gone on to sell five million albums.
“There’s the thing that your best work is always in front of you,” Moss said.
“With these guys being on stage with a lot of people, it’s pretty hard to find the chemistry and excitement that happens.
“There’s a chemistry and excitement that happens invariably every time.”
The group’s songwriter and keyboardist Don Walker said his family is happy with the reunion.
“They’re pretty excited, their kids can bring their friends,” he said.
The band will have to rehearse fairly well beforehand and joked that an autocue is not required.
“The only time I’ve ever forgotten Khe Sahn was on the Last Stand and I pretended I was letting the audience sing it, read their lips and I was okay,” Barnes said.
View original news item here.
Was so good seeing you all on stage (for the second time ever) after so many years. My first Chisel concert was in the seventies and I can’t believe it took 30 years to “see” you all play again. I’m standing on the right of the stage next to Gavin in the ‘Seeing is Believing’ video!
Julian seems to have a natural presence on stage Ian. What a lovely litle fella.
Merry Christmas to you all and your families.
I’m sure I speak for all Cold Chisel fans, your music is INCREDIBLE!
The songs/lyrics BRILLIANT!
I also think what makes such a great band apart from the music… is the harmonies… And guys, no band has in my opinion ever come close.
Cold Chisel you are past, present and current the best rock band on this planet and it was sensational to have had the chance of seeing you perform live.
One last thing… EVERY GOD DAMN SONG IS PHENOMENAL and captures the heart and soul of suburban Australian culture and society, beautifully!
You play so emotionally and powerfully
I can only hope another reunion is on the cards.
Cheers to all of you!
Nicola
Hi, I saw Don Walker a week ago along with his 6 peice band. They were exceptionally fantastic and mesmerising. What a night… Don exudes style ++++! What an engimatic, sophisticated, unique and unbelievably clever man.
Cold Chisels music, lyrics and appeal stands in a class of it’s own and is a total inspiration for bands to aspire too!! THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!
HOW CAN YOU BEAT THAT!!
No longer poontang after I found out what it mean’t.
Hi Ian, I was recently disgusted reading comments about a so called “journalist, music critic” declaring they saw Don Walkers performance was a “disappointing let down” in Adelaide recently. I do hope the journalist reads this as he/she has no idea what they are talking about!!! I do recommend they look for another job as their pathetic comments are far from the actual truth and they have NO understanding of the brillance of Mr Walkers songwriting.
I tried to log into Don’s website but needed an abode reader which I was unable to access. I do hope you may pass this on to Don Walker, as I am sure I speak for millions of fans who know the brillance of this man’s songwriting. The Australian music industry has the king of songwriters.
I thought Dons performance was just.. pure blues music magic at Lizottes recently.
Regards Nicola
I did’nt get the chance to see the boys in Sydney for the re-union but I was lucky enough to see them perform live 13 times during the 70′s and 80′s.Their music is the soundtrack of my youth and will never be forgotten and never replaced.I saw the boys at the blue gum hotel in 83 under an assumed name-only about 20 people there that night-what a memory!!-I was one of those blokes up the front at the pubs with his shirt off and loving every note and lyric.