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Cold Chisel facts for kids

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Cold Chisel
A stage shot with four men clearly visible. The man at left is leaning at a rectangular box, he has a microphone nearby. The second man is shown in right profile, he is playing a guitar and singing into a microphone while seated. The third man is standing in the middle of the stage with arms at his sides, he carries a microphone in his right hand. The fourth man is also seated while playing a guitar and at a microphone. A fifth man is obscured seated behind and to the right of the middle one. The men are surrounded by stage equipment including speakers, lights and additional microphones. A drum kit is partly visible but the drummer is obscured.
L to R: Don Walker, Ian Moss, Jimmy Barnes, Phil Small
AIS Arena, Canberra, November 2011
Background information
Also known as
  • Orange
  • The Barking Spiders
Origin Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Genres
Years active
  • 1973 (1973)–1983 (1983)
  • 1997 (1997)–1999 (1999)
  • 2003
  • 2009 (2009)–present
Labels
  • Atlantic
  • Elektra
  • WEA
  • East West
  • Mushroom/Sony
  • Universal Music Australia
Associated acts Catfish
Members
Past members see #Members

Cold Chisel is a famous Australian pub rock band. They started in Adelaide in 1973. The main members were Ian Moss on guitar and vocals, Steve Prestwich on drums, and Don Walker on piano. Soon after, Jimmy Barnes joined as the lead singer. In 1975, Phil Small became their bass guitarist.

The band became very popular for their live shows. They mixed different music styles like rockabilly, hard rock, and blues. This created a unique Australian sound. Cold Chisel broke up in 1983 but have gotten back together several times since then.

Cold Chisel's Music Success

Cold Chisel has released many successful albums. Seven of their studio albums have reached the top five in Australia. These include Breakfast at Sweethearts (1979), East (1980), and No Plans (2012).

Three of their albums even reached No. 1:

  • Circus Animals (1982)
  • Twentieth Century (1984)
  • The Last Wave of Summer (1998)

They also had popular songs that made it into the top 10. These include "Forever Now" (1982), "Hands Out of My Pocket" (1994), and "The Things I Love in You" (1998).

Awards and Recognition

Cold Chisel has received many important awards for their music.

ARIA Hall of Fame

In 1993, Cold Chisel was honored by being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. The ARIA Awards are Australia's biggest music awards. Being in the Hall of Fame means they are recognized as one of the most important music groups in Australian history.

Top Australian Songs

In 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) listed their song "Khe Sanh" (released in 1978) as one of the top 10 best Australian songs of all time. APRA is an organization that supports musicians and songwriters.

Best Australian Albums

Two of their albums were listed in the book 100 Best Australian Albums (2010):

  • Circus Animals was ranked at No. 4.
  • East was ranked at No. 53.

Ted Albert Award

In 2016, Cold Chisel won The Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. This award is given at the APRA Music Awards. It celebrates artists who have made a huge difference to Australian music.

Cold Chisel's music is especially loved in Australia and New Zealand. Their songs often tell stories about everyday Australian life.

Members of the Band

Over the years, Cold Chisel has had different members. Sadly, some early members have passed away. Les Kaczmarek, who was their bass guitarist from 1973 to 1975, passed away in 2008. Steve Prestwich, their drummer, passed away in 2011.

Images for kids

  • IMG 6448 - Flickr - jeaneeem

    Barnes, 2011

  • IMG 6416 - Flickr - jeaneeem

    Ian Moss, 2011. Don Walker in the background.

  • Barnes and Moss

    Moss and Barnes, 2012

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