Wendy Matthews facts for kids

Wendy Matthews is a talented singer and songwriter who was born in Canada and later became an Australian citizen. She was part of popular bands like Models and Absent Friends. Wendy is also a successful solo artist.

In the 1990s, she had many hit songs that reached the Top 20. These included "Token Angels", "Let's Kiss (Like Angels Do)", "The Day You Went Away", and "Friday's Child". Her albums, such as You've Always Got The Blues (with Kate Ceberano), Émigré, Lily, The Witness Tree, and her greatest hits album Stepping Stones, also made it into the Top 20.

Wendy has won six Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards. A music historian named Ian McFarlane described her voice as "extraordinary" and "crystal-clear," calling her a "truly gifted singer." She also appeared on the Australian TV show It Takes Two, where celebrities sing with professional partners. In 2010, Wendy helped induct her former band, Models, into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Wendy's Early Life and Music Journey

Growing Up and First Steps in Music

Wendy Joan Matthews was born in 1960 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She has a mix of Abenaki (a First Nations tribe), Spanish, and Scottish family roots. Wendy grew up listening to and singing along with artists like Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt.

When she was 15, Wendy joined a group of friends in a band called the Little Benny Blues Band. She left school at 16 and traveled across North America, even going to Mexico, performing music on the streets. By 1978, she was in Los Angeles, where she continued busking and also worked as a singer for recording sessions. In 1981, she sang on albums for Japanese musicians Osamu Kitajima and Hiroshi Sato.

Joining Bands and Singing for TV

In 1983, Wendy moved to Sydney, Australia, after touring with Australian singer Glenn Shorrock. She quickly became a popular session vocalist, singing on albums for many famous Australian artists like Jimmy Barnes and Icehouse. She also sang backing vocals for the band Models and later became a regular singer for them.

In 1985, Wendy recorded songs for the TV series Dancing Daze. She also teamed up with Kate Ceberano for the soundtrack of another TV series called Stringer. Their duet album, You've Always Got The Blues, was released in 1988 and became a Top 5 hit in Australia.

Wendy also sang lead vocals for the band Rockmelons on their hit song "Jump" in 1988. In 1989, she joined the Australian supergroup Absent Friends. She sang lead on their very successful song "I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You", which reached No. 4 on the charts. The band's album, Here's Looking Up Your Address, also did very well.

Wendy's Solo Career and Success

Becoming a Solo Star

After Absent Friends broke up, Wendy started her solo career. In 1990, she released her first solo album, Émigré. This album was a big success and sold many copies. She won the Australian Rolling Stone magazine award for best female vocalist that year.

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1991, Wendy won two awards: 'Best Female Artist' and 'Breakthrough Artist – Single' for her song "Token Angels". This song was a Top 20 hit. Other popular songs from the album included "Woman's Gotta Have It" and "Let's Kiss (Like Angels Do)".

More Hit Albums and Awards

In 1992, Wendy released her second solo album, Lily. This album was a huge hit, reaching No. 2 on the charts and selling over 140,000 copies. The main song from the album, "The Day You Went Away", was a massive success, reaching No. 2 on the singles chart. Other hits from Lily included "Friday's Child".

Wendy continued to win awards, including 'Best Female Artist' and 'Best Single' for "The Day You Went Away" at the ARIA Music Awards of 1993. In 1994, she released The Witness Tree, which featured the Top 40 hit "Standing Strong". She won her third ARIA award for 'Best Female Artist' for "Friday's Child" in 1994. In 1995, Wendy officially became an Australian citizen.

In 1999, she released Stepping Stones, a collection of her greatest hits, which reached No. 4 on the charts.

Recent Music and TV Appearances

New Albums and Collaborations

In 2001, Wendy moved from Sydney to a property near Coffs Harbour. Her album Beautiful View was released that year and made it into the Top 40. In 2003, she sang a duet with Rod Stewart on his album As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Volume II.

Wendy released a covers album called Café Naturale in 2004. She wanted to create something more acoustic and instrument-driven. This album included her versions of songs by artists like U2 and Massive Attack. In 2008, she released She, an album featuring her favorite songs by inspiring female artists like Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell.

In 2010, Wendy performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Alice Springs Masters Games. She also teamed up with country musician Adam Harvey for a tour. In 2015, she released a live album called Billie and Me: The White Room Sessions, which celebrated the famous singer Billie Holiday. In 2016, Wendy was featured on the song "F U Cancer" with other Australian artists like Kasey Chambers.

TV Show Appearances

Wendy appeared on Channel Seven's celebrity singing competition It Takes Two three times. In 2006, she was partnered with former Australian Rules footballer Richard Champion. In 2007, she sang with comedian Russell Gilbert. In 2008, her partner was news reader John Mangos. She also performed on the TV show RocKwiz in 2008, singing a duet of Toto's "Hold the Line".

Wendy Matthews: Album List

• You've Always Got The Blues (with Kate Ceberano) (1988)
• Émigré (1990)
• The Way It Has to Be (1991)
• Lily (1992)
• The Witness Tree (1994)
• Ghosts (1997)
• Beautiful View (2001)
• Café Naturale (2004)
• She (2008)
• The Welcome Fire (2013)
• Billie and Me: The White Room Sessions (2015)

Awards and Recognitions

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards celebrate Australian songwriters and composers.

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are Australia's biggest music awards. Wendy Matthews has won six ARIA Awards as a solo artist.

Wendy also won awards as a member of Rockmelons and for soundtrack projects.

Country Music Awards of Australia

These awards celebrate excellence in Australian country music.

Mo Awards

The Mo Awards recognized achievements in live entertainment in Australia.

Rolling Stone Awards

The Rolling Stone Awards are given by the famous music magazine.