Greg Ham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greg Ham
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Ham in a 1983 photoshoot with Men at Work
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gregory Norman Ham |
| Born | 27 September 1953 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 19 April 2012 (aged 58) Carlton North, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, actor |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1979–2012 |
| Labels | EMI |
| Associated acts | Men at Work, Relax with Max |
Gregory Norman Ham (born September 27, 1953 – died April 19, 2012) was an Australian musician and songwriter. He was best known as a member of the famous 1980s band Men at Work. Greg Ham played many instruments, including the saxophone, flute, organ, piano, and synthesizer.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Greg Ham was born in Melbourne, Australia. He went to Camberwell Grammar School from 1964 to 1971. At school, he was known for his acting skills. He performed in several school plays. For example, in 1969, he played a "parasite" in a play called The World We Live In. In 1970, he acted as Mr. Seekamp in Lola Montez. His talent for performing was clear from a young age.
Musical Career Highlights
Joining Men at Work
In 1972, Greg Ham met Colin Hay, who would become his bandmate. In 1979, Greg joined the first lineup of Men at Work. The band included Colin Hay, Ron Strykert, and Jerry Speiser. Greg Ham and Colin Hay were the main members of the band. They stayed together from 1979 until 1985. After Greg left, the band soon broke up. However, Greg Ham rejoined Men at Work when they started touring again in 1996. They toured in the United States.
Greg Ham's Instruments and Vocals
In Men at Work, Greg Ham played many instruments. He was known for playing the saxophone, keyboards, flute, and harmonica. He also sang backing vocals for the group. Greg sang the main vocals on some songs, like "Helpless Automaton" and "I Like To." He played the famous saxophone solo in the song "Who Can It Be Now?" He also created the well-known flute part in the hit song "Down Under".
Later Music Projects
After Men at Work, Greg Ham continued to play music. He joined an R&B band called Relax with Max. In this band, he played brass instruments and keyboards. Relax with Max performed at different venues and even supported famous artists like Kylie Minogue. They also played with American soul singers James Brown and Bo Diddley. Greg Ham also performed with a jazz group called Miss Dorothy and His Fools in Love. Later in his life, he taught guitar at Carlton North Primary School. He also helped assess music students for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).
A Song Dispute
In 2009, a music company called Larrikin Music started a legal case against Men at Work. They claimed that the flute part in "Down Under" was too similar to an old children's song from 1934 called "Kookaburra". Larrikin Music owned the rights to "Kookaburra." A court in Australia decided that "Down Under" did share similarities with "Kookaburra." The court ruled that Larrikin Music should receive a small part of the song's earnings. Greg Ham was very upset by this decision. He felt it damaged his reputation. He said he was disappointed that this was how he might be remembered. However, his friend and bandmate, Colin Hay, remembered Greg as a "great friend" and a "very inspired and instinctive" musician.
Death
Greg Ham passed away on April 19, 2012, at his home in Carlton North, Melbourne. Newspapers reported that he died from a heart attack. His private funeral was held in Melbourne on May 2, 2012. Greg Ham was survived by his two children.
See also
In Spanish: Greg Ham para niños
