Taylor Henderson On Top of Albums Charts

Sure it’s a little late in the week to be talking charts, but with Aussie acts claiming the number one and two spots on the albums charts I figured it was better late than never. Taylor Henderson proved he’s got real post-reality show staying power, clocking up his second number one with his sophomore album Burnt Letters.

That’s no mean feat, but when you consider that he beat out Sheppard for the top spot it’s doubly impressive. After all, Sheppard’s Bombs Away album has already spawned a pair of number ones in “Geronimo” and “Let Me Down Easy.” Perhaps the band will be able to claim that coveted spot next week to coincide with their national tour.

These new kids on the block have pushed some previous number ones down the charts. Last week’s chart topper, Sia, has fallen to number five with 1000 Forms of Fear. 5 Seconds of Summer have also dropped a couple of spots to number six with their self-titled album.

No Other Name, Hillsong’s latest effort, rounds out the Aussie top ten.

Justice Crew seem to be on the downwards slide with “Que Sera,” which is at number five this week. It’s now been on the charts for 11 weeks, and gone three-times platinum.

Another stayer, “Geronimo,” is at number nine 17 weeks after its release. Sheppard’s smash has also reached triple platinum status.

Click below for this week’s top tens.
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ARIA Releases End-of-Year Aussie Charts

ARIA has published its end-of-year charts, giving us a good look at how our local artists fared in 2009. It’s no surprise to see some big names like Jessica Mauboy, Hilltop Hoods, and Empire of the Sun well represented, but thrilling to see some of my sentimental favourites – Lisa Mitchell, David Campbell, and Keith Urban – making their presence felt. Hats off to reigning Australian Idol Stan Walker too who managed a lot in just a couple of months. Without further ado, here’s how 2009 washed up for the locals!aria

TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN ARTIST ALBUMS 2009
20. Wes Carr – The Way The World Looks
19. David Campbell – Good Loving
18. Guy Sebastian – Like It Like That
17. OST – Packed To The Rafters
16. Stan Walker – Introducing …
15. Natalie Bassingthwaighte – 1000 Stars
14. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul
13. Keith Urban – Defying Gravity
12. Lisa Mitchell – Wonder
11. The Presents – Apocalypso
10. Eskimo Joe – Inshalla
9. AC/DC – Black Ice
8. Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night
7. Jimmy Barnes – The Rhythm And The Blues
6. Powderfinger – Golden Rule
5. Kate Miller-Heidke – Curiouser
4. Mark Vincent – My Dream, Mio Visione
3. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
2. Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting
1. Hilltop Hoods – State Of The Art

TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN ARTIST SINGLES 2009

20. Guy Sebastian ftg. Jordin Sparks – “Art Of Love”
19. Jessica Mauboy – “Because”
18. Natalie Bassingthwaighte – “Alive”
17. Wes Carr – “You”
16. Eskimo Joe – “Foreign Land”
15. Cassie Davis – “Like It Loud”
14. Jet – “She’s A Genius”
13. Empire Of The Sun – “We Are The People”
12. Wes Carr – “Feels Like Whoa”
11. Jessica Mauboy – “Been Waiting”
10. Jessica Mauboy – “Up/Down”
9. Stan Walker – “Black Box”
8. Empire Of The Sun – “Walking On A Dream”
7. Natalie Bassingthwaighte – “Someday Soon”
6. Hilltop Hoods – “Chase That Feeling”
5. Jessica Mauboy – “Burn”
4. Evermore – “Hey Boys And Girls”
3. Vanessa Amorosi – “This Is Who I Am”
2. Kate Miller-Heidke – “The Last Day On Earth”
1. Guy Sebastian – “Like It Like That”

Image source: ARIA

Rolf Harris and John Laws Join Hall of Fame

Rolf Harris and John Laws will join the ARIA Hall of Fame next month. The colorful characters will receive the honor at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Monday July 1.

“I look up at the shelf in my office and see the ARIA pyramid obelisk which was sent to me back in 1994, on my 64th birthday actually. At that time I was just gearing myself up to do my first Glastonbury Festival, and I was knocked out to get this recognition from the 8th ARIA Awards. It commemorates my win for Best Comedy Release. I think it was my version of ‘Stairway to Heaven’, which changed my whole life by thrusting me back into the awareness of all the University aged youngsters. They suddenly realised they knew all my songs from their childhood, and what’s more, remembered all the words,” Rolf reminisced from his UK home.

“Now, 14 years later, I’m being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. I look at all the famous names and am thrilled to be with them, for basically, just enjoying myself through music for the whole of my life. Thank you so much.”

John Laws will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Australian Music Industry. The retired radio DJ joins previous recipients Daryl Somers, Ian “Molly” Meldrum, Michael Gudinski, and John Woodruff.

Russell Morris, The Triffids, Max Merrit and Dragon will also be inducted this year.

Image source: Brian Minkoff @ Wikimedia Commons

Russell Morris and Dragon Honoured by ARIA Hall of Fame

Dragon and Russell Morris will be inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame this year. The two acts are the first of the five to be inducted by ARIA on July 1.

Russell Morris is best known for his epic “The Real Thing,” and his recent work with Jim Keays and Darryl Cotton.

“When I first began the music path on which I eventually embarked – and walked the full distance – I thought it would be all over at the age of twenty five, and by thirty I would be back doing accounting!” he exclaimed. “So to be here right now and receiving this wonderful award is not only amazing but a beautiful surprise.”

Dragon may be technically a New Zealand band, but that won’t stop us honoring them. Their classics “April Sun in Cuba,” “Get That Jive,” “Are You Old Enough,” and “Still in Love with You,” are favorites of easy-listening radio stations around the country. The band’s lead singer Marc Hunter sadly passed away ten years ago. His brother Todd carries on the band’s name with singer Mark Williams.

“It is an honour to be included in the Hall Of Fame and it has always been a privilege to be part of the Australian music industry even though we may have felt like outsiders for much of the time. It is great to be included with bands and musicians whose work we admire,” Todd said in a statement.

“It is fitting that this should happen exactly 10 years after Marc died. I wish he was here and I know he would be thrilled. There have been 35 members of Dragon since 1973, from the original members to the current band, and this induction is for all of them. As a member of a band that has been playing on and off for 35 years, I’ve got to say it’s been a great pleasure and this is a great compliment for all involved.”

The 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame awards will be held at Melbourne Town Hall on July 1. For the first time, members of the public can purchase tickets through Ticketek.

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Hall of Fame Details Announced

Five more musical icons will enter the ARIA Hall of Fame on July 1, and you could be there. For the first time ever, a limited number of tickets will be available to the general public.

There’s no word yet on the inductees who will join previously honored stars like AC/DC, Cold Chisel, the Bee Gees and Nick Cave.

The ceremony will be held at Melbourne Town Hall. Rockwiz’s brilliant Julia Zemiro will host the awards, so they should be stacks of fun.

If you’d like to be there you can grab a ticket from Ticketek on May 12.