Colin Hay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colin Hay
Hay performing in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Colin James Hay
Born	(1953-06-29) 29 June 1953 (age 72) Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland
Origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Rock pop rock new wave
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1978–present
Labels	CBS MCA Compass Lazy Eye

Colin James Hay (born 29 June 1953) is a talented Scottish-Australian musician. He became famous as the lead singer of the band Men at Work. He was also the only member who stayed with the band the whole time. Later, he became a successful solo artist. Colin Hay is also a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, which includes famous musicians.

Colin Hay has appeared in movies like Cosi (1996). He has also been on TV shows such as The Resident, The Larry Sanders Show, JAG, A Million Little Things, and Scrubs. In Scrubs, he sang an acoustic version of the Men at Work hit "Overkill". His music has also been featured in other TV series like What About Brian and Casualty.

Early Life and Moving to Australia

Colin James Hay was born on 29 June 1953 in Saltcoats, Scotland. His parents were James and Isabela Hay. In 1967, when Colin was 14 years old, his family moved to Melbourne, Australia. His parents owned a small music shop. His father was a piano tuner and used to be a singer and dancer in Glasgow.

Colin Hay's Music Journey

Starting with Men at Work (1978–1986)

Hay performing in 1983

In 1978, Colin Hay met Ron Strykert. They started playing music together as an acoustic duo. In 1979, Jerry Speiser and Greg Ham joined them. They began writing songs for what would become the famous band Men at Work.

The band released their first album, Business as Usual, in 1981. This was followed by Cargo in 1983 and Two Hearts in 1985. The band broke up in January 1986.

In 1986, Colin Hay also sang with a group called the Incredible Penguins. They recorded a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". This song was for charity and helped raise money for research on little penguins.

Beginning a Solo Career (1987–1993)

After Men at Work broke up, Colin Hay started his solo career. His first solo song, "Hold Me," came out in January 1987. His first solo album, Looking for Jack, was released in January 1987.

In 1989, Colin Hay moved to Los Angeles in the United States. He has lived there ever since. In January 2016, he became a US citizen.

In 1990, he released his second album, Wayfaring Sons. In 1992, he released an acoustic album called Peaks & Valleys. His sister, Carol, sang on this album.

Joining the ARIA Hall of Fame (1994–2004)

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994, Colin Hay was honored. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame as a member of Men at Work. This is a special award for musicians who have made a big impact.

In 1994, Colin Hay started his own music label called Lazy Eye Records. He then released his fourth album, Topanga.

In 1996, Men at Work reunited for a tour in South America. This led to a live album called Brazil.

On 1 October 2000, Colin Hay performed with Men at Work at the 2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. In 2001, he released his sixth solo album, Going Somewhere.

In 2003, Colin Hay released his eighth album, Man @ Work. On this album, he re-recorded some of Men at Work's hits and his own solo songs. He even made a new version of "Down Under" with his wife, Cecilia Noël. Colin Hay also toured North America with former Beatles member Ringo Starr as part of his Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.

In 2004, Colin Hay started a one-man show. It was called Man at Work and featured his songs and stories.

Continued Success (2005–2020)

Hay performing in 2017

In 2006, Colin Hay lent his voice to a character in the animated movie The Wild.

In 2007, he released his ninth album, Are You Lookin' at Me?. In 2008, he acted in the horror movie The Uninvited.

In 2009, Colin Hay released his tenth album, American Sunshine. In 2010, he released a live album called Live at the Corner.

In May 2011, Colin Hay released his eleventh album, Gathering Mercury. He later shared that after Men at Work, it took him a while to find his solo audience. He often played to smaller crowds, but he kept touring to connect with his fans.

In February 2015, he released his twelfth album, Next Year People. A documentary film about Colin Hay, called Colin Hay: Waiting for my Real Life, was released in August 2015.

In 2017, he released his thirteenth album, Fierce Mercy. This album was promoted on TV shows like Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery. Also in 2017, he narrated an audiobook called Aesop's Fables with Colin Hay.

Recent Achievements (2021–Present)

In August 2021, Colin Hay released his fourteenth album, I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself. This album features his versions of 10 of his favorite songs by other artists, like the Beatles and the Kinks.

In late 2021, an Australian producer named Christian "Luude" Benson remixed Men at Work's "Down Under." Colin Hay re-recorded the vocals for this new version. The remixed song became very popular, charting in the UK and Australia in early 2022.

Colin Hay's fifteenth album, Now and the Evermore, was released on 18 March 2022.

In 2022, the Australian rock band Lime Cordiale released a song called "Colin." Colin Hay sang on the song, and part of the music video was filmed at his house.

Personal Life

Colin Hay is married to singer Cecilia Noël. She often sings backup vocals at his shows and has helped produce his solo albums. Colin Hay has said that Cecilia was very important in making his album Are You Lookin' at Me? (2007). They live in Topanga Canyon in the Los Angeles area.

Colin Hay became an American citizen in 2016. He also has a home in St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia.

Music Albums

• Looking for Jack (1987)
• Wayfaring Sons (1990)
• Peaks & Valleys (1992)
• Topanga (1994)
• Transcendental Highway (1998)
• Going Somewhere (2001)
• Company of Strangers (2002)
• Man @ Work (2003)
• Are You Lookin' at Me? (2007)
• American Sunshine (2009)
• Gathering Mercury (2011)
• Next Year People (2015)
• Fierce Mercy (2017)
• I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself (2021)
• Now and the Evermore (2022)
• Man @ Work Vol. 2 (2025)

Acting Roles

After his time with Men at Work, Colin Hay appeared in several films and TV shows. He usually played smaller roles.

Awards and Recognitions

Colin Hay has received several awards for his music and songwriting.

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards celebrate Australian composers and songwriters.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards recognize excellence in Australian music.

Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame honors Australia's greatest songwriters.

See also

In Spanish: Colin Hay para niños