Latest news with #You'reTheVoice
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia's ‘Abbey Road' produced a generation of musical genius. It'll never happen again
'When we went in there, it was a warehouse for butter … it was just a huge [space with] empty floor after floor,' Savage says. 'With local acousticians, we did our own design and built various studios.' Armstrong Studios cut records including Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock, Cat Stevens' Another Saturday Night, John Farnham's You're The Voice, Little River Band's Help Is on Its Way, Russell Morris' The Real Thing and Turn Up Your Radio by the Masters Apprentices. The studio also produced soundtracks for films, including the first two Mad Max films, The Man From Snowy River and Crocodile Dundee, all of which Savage worked on. Savage, now in his 80s, says Armstrong's early operation was at once homegrown and state-of-the-art. 'We couldn't afford to buy the multitrack equipment from America, [where] most of it was coming from, and so we had it all made locally,' Savage says. In 1974, a couple of years into the operation, Armstrong sold the Bank Street studios to The Age 's then publishers, and it became AAV (Armstrong Audio Video). The sound part of the business operated downstairs, while video operated upstairs. Renowned producer and engineer Ernie Rose, who was instrumental in Armstrong's development, ran the studios under the name Metropolis from the 1980s until financial difficulties shuttered them in 2006. Armstrong's enterprise is behind some of Australia's most defining records and soundtracks, and it also fostered a generation of producers and engineers under Savage's mentorship, John Olson says. The researcher and engineer co-wrote Tony Cohen's memoir Half Deaf, Completely Mad. Cohen was one of Armstrong's most esteemed record producers and sound engineers, and had a celebrated career working with musicians including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Go-Betweens and Paul Kelly. Cohen died in 2017, aged 60. 'Tony talked about watching Roger at work, and how spectacular it was, the sight of Roger's hands gliding instinctively across the mixing desk,' Olson says. 'When he said that, I never saw Roger at work but I knew exactly what he meant, because anyone who witnessed Tony at his best, that's exactly what [he] was like.' Savage, Rose and renowned musician and record producer Mick Harvey were pivotal influences on Cohen's career, Olson says. Cohen spoke about wildly different bands coming together and finding common ground at Armstrong's Cafe Bar – a 1960s instant coffee machine – while recording in each of the building's different studios. The dynamics led to funny moments – Savage recalls fellow music industry legend Molly Meldrum jumping the studios' back fence to avoid the glare of visiting label representatives, who were wondering whether Savage was re-recording Morris' The Real Thing. There were also tense encounters, like when a group of punks descended on a clipboard-holding AAV administrator who tried to cull numbers in a studio, Olson says. But there was a sense of community and, most importantly, collaboration. 'Tony felt that a best recording was capturing people in a moment, which involved everyone being there and playing generally at the same time,' Olson says. 'That would create a magic you can't capture otherwise.' Savage says whether something like Armstrong's could ever exist again is a 'mind-boggling' question, but the killer is in the collaboration. Studios no longer have the space, or desire, to bring so many people together, he suggests. 'Being in the same room, knowing the body language – there's nothing really quite like that. You could be on a Zoom call, but it's not the same,' Savage says. 'You could technically collaborate now … globally if you're sharing the sound files, but having everyone in the one place – I think those days are gone because, financially, it doesn't make sense.' Savage will discuss the studios' legacy at a panel event for Open House Melbourne alongside Olson, Rose and Harvey next Saturday. These days, Savage is tinkering with AI at his nation-leading post-production company Soundfirm in Port Melbourne, and hopes to spend more time 'pulling apart old cars'. 'To be honest, I've been a bit of a workaholic. I haven't really had any hobbies, so I've probably been out on life balance, or life-work balance, whatever you call it,' he says.
The Age
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Australia's ‘Abbey Road' produced a generation of musical genius. It'll never happen again
'When we went in there, it was a warehouse for butter … it was just a huge [space with] empty floor after floor,' Savage says. 'With local acousticians, we did our own design and built various studios.' Armstrong Studios cut records including Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock, Cat Stevens' Another Saturday Night, John Farnham's You're The Voice, Little River Band's Help Is on Its Way, Russell Morris' The Real Thing and Turn Up Your Radio by the Masters Apprentices. The studio also produced soundtracks for films, including the first two Mad Max films, The Man From Snowy River and Crocodile Dundee, all of which Savage worked on. Savage, now in his 80s, says Armstrong's early operation was at once homegrown and state-of-the-art. 'We couldn't afford to buy the multitrack equipment from America, [where] most of it was coming from, and so we had it all made locally,' Savage says. In 1974, a couple of years into the operation, Armstrong sold the Bank Street studios to The Age 's then publishers, and it became AAV (Armstrong Audio Video). The sound part of the business operated downstairs, while video operated upstairs. Renowned producer and engineer Ernie Rose, who was instrumental in Armstrong's development, ran the studios under the name Metropolis from the 1980s until financial difficulties shuttered them in 2006. Armstrong's enterprise is behind some of Australia's most defining records and soundtracks, and it also fostered a generation of producers and engineers under Savage's mentorship, John Olson says. The researcher and engineer co-wrote Tony Cohen's memoir Half Deaf, Completely Mad. Cohen was one of Armstrong's most esteemed record producers and sound engineers, and had a celebrated career working with musicians including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Go-Betweens and Paul Kelly. Cohen died in 2017, aged 60. 'Tony talked about watching Roger at work, and how spectacular it was, the sight of Roger's hands gliding instinctively across the mixing desk,' Olson says. 'When he said that, I never saw Roger at work but I knew exactly what he meant, because anyone who witnessed Tony at his best, that's exactly what [he] was like.' Savage, Rose and renowned musician and record producer Mick Harvey were pivotal influences on Cohen's career, Olson says. Cohen spoke about wildly different bands coming together and finding common ground at Armstrong's Cafe Bar – a 1960s instant coffee machine – while recording in each of the building's different studios. The dynamics led to funny moments – Savage recalls fellow music industry legend Molly Meldrum jumping the studios' back fence to avoid the glare of visiting label representatives, who were wondering whether Savage was re-recording Morris' The Real Thing. There were also tense encounters, like when a group of punks descended on a clipboard-holding AAV administrator who tried to cull numbers in a studio, Olson says. But there was a sense of community and, most importantly, collaboration. 'Tony felt that a best recording was capturing people in a moment, which involved everyone being there and playing generally at the same time,' Olson says. 'That would create a magic you can't capture otherwise.' Savage says whether something like Armstrong's could ever exist again is a 'mind-boggling' question, but the killer is in the collaboration. Studios no longer have the space, or desire, to bring so many people together, he suggests. 'Being in the same room, knowing the body language – there's nothing really quite like that. You could be on a Zoom call, but it's not the same,' Savage says. 'You could technically collaborate now … globally if you're sharing the sound files, but having everyone in the one place – I think those days are gone because, financially, it doesn't make sense.' Savage will discuss the studios' legacy at a panel event for Open House Melbourne alongside Olson, Rose and Harvey next Saturday. These days, Savage is tinkering with AI at his nation-leading post-production company Soundfirm in Port Melbourne, and hopes to spend more time 'pulling apart old cars'. 'To be honest, I've been a bit of a workaholic. I haven't really had any hobbies, so I've probably been out on life balance, or life-work balance, whatever you call it,' he says.
7NEWS
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Legendary singer John Farnham ‘over the moon' at birth of his first grandchild
Singer John Farnham has publicly revealed his joy over the birth of his first grandchild, saying he is 'over the moon' to welcome the new arrival. The Burn For You and You're The Voice crooner's youngest son James and his partner Tessa Effendi welcomed their newborn son, Jett, into the world at 5.26pm on Wednesday, June 18, at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Melbourne. The infant weighed just 3.176kg. 'We are over the moon about the arrival of this perfectly beautiful little boy,' Farnham and his wife, Jill, said. 'He's already filled our hearts with so much love and we're so proud and happy for James and Tessa. Welcome to the world, Jett!' The sweet message followed the birth announcement from Jett's parents. 'We thought we were excited to meet him — but turns out he was even more excited to meet us, arriving a little ahead of schedule,' James and Tessa wrote. 'Jett is our whole world in one tiny, noisy, perfect package. We're smitten, we're sleep-deprived, and we wouldn't have it any other way.' Farnham underwent a 12-hour surgery for throat cancer, with doctors removing a tumour from his mouth and reconstructing his jaw In August 2022. He has since received an 'all clear' regarding the cancer. In February this year, James spoke of his famous father's health. 'He's doing great, he's doing really well, walking around, kicking goals .... annoying mum,' James said with a laugh, as he spoke to hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington on Sunrise. James also revealed Farnham had already decided what grandfatherly name he wanted to go by, choosing 'Pa'.
Sky News AU
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
The Project: Ex host Lisa Wilkinson makes unexpected return to Ten's axed panel show during its final week
Lisa Wilkinson has made a brief return to The Project, appearing in a highlight reel aired during one of the final episodes of the axed current affairs program on Wednesday night. While she didn't appear in person, Wilkinson featured prominently in a special package celebrating some of the show's most memorable celebrity interviews. Among them was a 2020 interview with British pop star Robbie Williams, where Wilkinson cheekily asked the singer if he had anything left on his bucket list. His reply was censored, prompting Wilkinson to laugh and quip, "We can't use that." The segment also included clips of Wilkinson's sit-downs with Celine Dion, who serenaded her with a rendition of John Farnham's You're The Voice, as well as Paris Hilton, comedy duo Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, and pop superstar Lady Gaga. "You look very beautiful and like a strong, confident, amazing woman," Gaga told Wilkinson in the footage. "I feel very conservative in this outfit sitting next to you," Wilkinson replied, to which Gaga joked: "That's because I have no pants on and I'm wearing a leather jacket." Although none of Wednesday night's panellists, including Waleed Aly, Sam Taunton, Georgie Tunny, and Dave Thornton, explicitly acknowledged Wilkinson by name, they all praised the segment. "Oh wow, what a package," Tunny said. "That was a wonderful package put together." Taunton added: "I loved that, that was so cool to see." Wilkinson joined The Project in 2017 after a high-profile exit from Channel Nine, where she walked away from Today amid a gender pay gap dispute with co-host Karl Stefanovic. Her time on The Project was marked by several significant moments, including her Logie Award-winning interview with former political staffer Brittany Higgins, who alleged she was raped in Parliament House in 2022. That same interview formed the basis of Wilkinson's now-infamous Logies acceptance speech, during which she referenced the ongoing criminal case involving Bruce Lehrmann- ultimately prompting the ACT Supreme Court to delay the trial by three months. Facing widespread backlash, Wilkinson stepped away from The Project later that year, citing "relentless, targeted toxicity" from sections of the media as a key factor in her departure. Though no longer on air, the mother-of-three remained on Channel Ten's payroll until late 2024. She was also embroiled in a legal battle with the network over legal expenses, which concluded earlier this year when Ten was ordered to pay her an additional $590,000, bringing the total to $1.15 million, to cover her legal costs in the Lehrmann defamation case. Following the announcement that The Project would be axed, Wilkinson shared a heartfelt tribute to the program and its team on social media. "Vale @theprojecttv," she wrote. "So many talented people, so many laughs, so many incredibly important stories- many of which may have otherwise never been told. "It was a joy and a privilege to be a part of it all." The Project will air its final episode on Friday.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
John Farnham's son James flaunts his pregnant partner's baby bump as they prepare to welcome their first child together
John Farnham is set to become a grandfather for the first time, and his son James couldn't be happier as he was spotted showing off his partner's growing baby bump on Saturday. The iconic Aussie singer's son announced in January he and Tessa Effendi are expecting their first child together, a baby boy who is due later this year. James has now shared a picture to Instagram which showed he and his partner cuddling up for a selfie as she flaunted her swelling tummy. The happy couple appeared to be enjoying a night out together as Tessa slipped into a tight white shirt while James opted for a black PAX tee. James and Tessa announced their pregnancy earlier this year by sharing a clip to Instagram which showed James setting alight a beautifully decorated cake inscribed with the words 'coming 2025'. After he lit the inscription, it peeled away to reveal the word 'Boy', confirming they are having a son. John Farnham is set to become a grandfather for the first time, and his son James couldn't be happier as he was spotted showing off his partner's growing baby bump on Saturday He also shared a photo of his partner's ultrasound photo, which showed their unborn baby's hand. James captioned the clip with some heartfelt words: 'Coming 2025! Tessa, I love you so much!' James has been in a relationship with Tessa, who is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, for several years and they previously attended the premiere of the John Farnham: Finding the Voice documentary together. This will be the first grandchild for the legendary You're The Voice singer, whose elder son Robert married his long-term girlfriend Melissa Kelly in 2024. In August, James and Rob, 45, shared intimate family moments in an effort to raise money for cancer research. Rob and James, who are ambassadors for the Cancer Council's annual Daffodil Day fundraising drive on August 22, took to Rob's Instagram to share a series of heartwarming family snaps. The clip showed Rob and James talking about their iconic father's cancer journey over a carousel of rare family photos. 'Our father was diagnosed with cancer two years ago,' Rob said in the video. The iconic Aussie singer's son announced in January he and Tessa Effendi are expecting their first child together, a baby boy who is due later this year This will be the first grandchild for the legendary You're The Voice singer, whose elder son Robert married his long-term girlfriend Melissa Kelly in 2024 'The last couple of years have been difficult on our family. It started off as an ulcer inside his mouth and, we found out it was cancer. It was a pretty brutal time for us all.' James added initiatives like Daffodil Day had played a crucial role in his father's survival. 'Our Dad wouldn't be here without cancer research and that's why days like Daffodil Day are important,' he said. Rob then urged followers to get behind the important cause by donating online or finding a flower stall. 'This Daffodil Day, for everything that cancer takes, please give,' Rob concluded. It is unclear if John will ever perform again after undergoing a marathon surgery to remove the tumour from his mouth in 2022. The operation, carried out by 26 medical staff, also saw a major part of his jaw removed and 12 months after the surgery John revealed he was cancer free.
