Bernard Fanning facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bernard Fanning
Fanning performing in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Bernard Joseph Fanning
Born	(1969-08-15) 15 August 1969 (age 55) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres	Alternative rock blues acoustic folk
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals piano guitar percussion harmonica
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Dew Process Universal Lost Highway

Bernard Joseph Fanning (born 15 August 1969) is an Australian musician and singer. He is best known as the lead singer of the popular Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, which he joined in 1989. Bernard also has a very successful solo music career. His solo music often blends blues and acoustic folk styles. He plays several instruments, including guitar, piano, and harmonica. Bernard is also known for supporting important social causes, especially those related to Aboriginal Australians.

Bernard Fanning's Early Life

Bernard Fanning was born in Brisbane, Australia, on 15 August 1969. He grew up in the suburb of Toowong with his two brothers and a sister. His mother started teaching him piano when he was very young.

When he was 15, Bernard began writing his own songs. He attended St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. After finishing school, he went to the University of Queensland to study journalism. However, he was also very keen on music. He decided to leave university at 19 to follow his dream of becoming a musician.

Bernard Fanning's Music Career

Joining Powderfinger (1989–2004)

Bernard met Ian Haug, a guitarist, in 1989 while they were at university. Ian had just started a band called Powderfinger with his friends John Collins and Steven Bishop. Ian was the lead singer at first. But when he heard Bernard sing, he asked Bernard to become the new lead singer. Ian believed Bernard's voice was perfect for the band.

In 1992, Darren Middleton joined Powderfinger as a guitarist. Jon Coghill also replaced Steven Bishop as the drummer. This lineup of Bernard Fanning, Darren Middleton, Ian Haug, John Collins, and Jon Coghill stayed together for many years.

Throughout the 1990s, Powderfinger became very famous in Australia. They won many awards and sold lots of records and concert tickets. As the main singer, Bernard became a well-known figure in the Australian music scene. In 2003, a filmmaker named Gregor Jordan asked Bernard to sing two songs for his movie Ned Kelly.

Starting a Solo Career (2004–2006)

In 2005, Powderfinger took a break. Bernard used this time to start his solo music career. On 31 October 2005, he released his first solo album called Tea & Sympathy. The album was a huge success, reaching number one on the Australian music charts. It stayed in the top 50 for over a year.

Bernard wrote many of the songs on Tea & Sympathy during a creative burst in 2005. Some songs were inspired by personal experiences. He recorded most of the album at Real World Studios. He worked with musicians like Jerry Marotta and Keith Duffy. Bernard said making the album was a lot of fun.

Three singles were released from the album. The most popular was "Wish You Well". This song was voted number one in the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100 countdown. Bernard also won an ARIA Award for Best Video for "Wish You Well" in 2006.

Bernard went on a national tour called Which Way Home Concert Tour in 2006. He later said that while he enjoyed his solo work, Powderfinger was his "real job."

Powderfinger's Return (2007–2010)

Fanning performing with Powderfinger at London's Hammersmith Apollo, on 6 December 2007

In 2007, Powderfinger reunited and released their sixth studio album, Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. This album also reached number one in Australia.

Powderfinger then toured Australia and New Zealand with another band, Silverchair. This tour was called the Across the Great Divide tour. Its main goal was to support Reconciliation Australia. This group works to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Bernard said the tour showed both bands supported reconciliation.

Solo Music Continues (2011–Present)

After Powderfinger officially disbanded in 2010, Bernard moved to Madrid, Spain, with his family. He lived there for 18 months and started writing new songs for his next solo album. He then moved back to Brisbane in 2013.

His second solo album, Departures, was released in June 2013. Bernard recorded it in Los Angeles. He released his third album, Civil Dusk, in 2016. This album was the first of a two-part series. The second part, Brutal Dawn, came out in 2017.

In 2024, Bernard started a new project with musician Paul Dempsey. Their collaboration is called Fanning Dempsey National Park. Their first album, The Deluge, was released on 2 August 2024.

Bernard's Music Style and Influences

Bernard Fanning is known for his strong singing voice. However, he has said he doesn't think he has a "perfect voice." He believes that getting the song's message across is more important than just showing off his singing skills. He finds inspiration for his songs from all sorts of experiences in his life.

Bernard has mentioned that his favorite band is The Beatles.

Bernard's Social Views

Bernard Fanning often includes social messages in his songs, but he says it's not his main focus. He sees himself as a musician first, not a political speaker. If a song has a social message, it must still be a good song to be on his album.

Bernard has spoken out about important issues. In 2007, he wrote about his trip to Uluru. He criticized people who climbed the rock, saying it showed disrespect for the wishes of Aboriginal people. He also highlighted the difference in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. He wrote the song "Black Tears" after this trip.

Bernard supports left-leaning political ideas. He prefers to share his views through his music rather than by directly discussing politics. He feels as strongly about social issues as he does about personal relationships when writing songs.

Bernard's Personal Life

Bernard Fanning has supported many good causes, both on his own and with Powderfinger. The band played at the 2005 WaveAid concert to help victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The Across the Great Divide tour in 2007 promoted Reconciliation Australia. Bernard also helps charities like A Just Australia and Youngcare Australia. He volunteers his time at youth detention centres in Brisbane, teaching songwriting workshops.

Bernard married Andrea Moreno in February 2007 in Brisbane. Andrea is from Spain, and they met while Bernard was working on Tea & Sympathy in Europe. They have a daughter and a son. Bernard has learned some Spanish through Andrea.

Bernard is a big fan of cricket and the National Rugby League team, the Brisbane Broncos.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Tea & Sympathy (2005)
• Departures (2013)
• Civil Dusk (2016)
• Brutal Dawn (2017)

See also

• Powderfinger
• Fanning Dempsey National Park

Awards and Nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards celebrate Australian songwriters and composers.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are Australia's main music awards. Bernard Fanning has won five of these awards.

Queensland Music Awards

The Queensland Music Awards celebrate new and famous artists from Queensland, Australia.