A number of you have asked me who is the person in my pics - most outside of Australia are not exposed to Aussie singers except for the big well known bands.

So here's links to 2 dvd singing downloads for you of 2 singers. The downloads are available for 7 days only.

The first is Guy Sebastian, (person in my avatar and sig). When Guy sang this song, it was the one that pushed him way out front of the rest, the year he won Australian Idol (even though he gets emotional on one note and sort of misses it, wait for the end, it's worth it).

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?acti...5DAB9D65AA6D19C

The second is Anthony Callea, who was sounding like a typical pop singer, until he sang this song on the show. He still came second, but has done very well in the Australian market, as has Guy. Just a bit of Australia for you.


http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?acti...FCD2F9D41B4A83C

Picture one: recent one of Guy in 2006
Picture two: only one I have of Anthony in 2004

Jicky, at least they are better looking than Rolf Harris....LOL!

Trust you Prince Barry - yes they are looking good, Guy has cut off his afro, bulked up and is looking fantastic. Young Anthony is a very good looking young man.

Oh well, Rolf has height going for him along with the rest of his talents. I think he is well over 6 foot. Guy is 5ft 9ins and Anthony is 5 ft. ..... not that there's anything wrong with their height, whatever it is.

And Rolf Harris can play the digderidoo!

And a wabble board, we mustn't forget that. I think Rolf plays guitar and piano too. He's also an artist. He has just painted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I'm sure you saw it, although it has met with very mixed reviews. We know he likes animals too.

As well as singing, Guy Sebastian can play a piano, guitar and drums brilliantly, (there may be more), is also a song writer, and is already writing for other people. Those royalties on writing songs is where the money gets made, apparently.

I guess you are right Jicky about the royalties. It only takes a few people to record the songs and then everytime a record is sold, the composer/writer gets paid their part of the money.

Yes, Barry, every time any singer sings a "Cover" as they are called in the music industry, from my understanding, ie a previously released song, the writers jump up and down with glee.

One of our Aussie singers, Shannon Noll released "What About Me?" by Bryan Adams I think. Bryan Adams passed the comment 'where is all this money coming from", as the cheques kept arriving in the mail - then discovered an Australian had made a big hit of his song. As a result, Bryan came out to Australia and did a special tour.

I suppose that proves that Bryan Adams appreciated the Australian fans.

This thread is turning into the Prince and Jicky show.

Ha, it looks like it. Here's more proof some of our new Aussie singers are not hard to look at.

Here's Shannon Noll, (6ft 1 1/2 ins), who released Bryan Adam's song, "What About Me". (Actually the video clip that goes with that is very well done, but I can't find it on the web to post it here for a download, probably copyright).

I bet he has the girls screaming at his concerts.

Just the girls?

Go on then Jicky, you too I guess...........LOL!!!!!

Oh Barry, that comeback was so brilliant, I laughed until tears were rolling down my cheeks - I'm still wiping them away. Very witty man you are.

You know me Jicky, I always try to make you smile and try to inject a bit of sunshine into your days when you might be feeling a little down. Even when you are feeling super, I still like to make you smile.

Anyway, my comment is true about you screaming isn't it?????????????

Barry, your comments are so kind. Thank you - you're right, I do need them from time to time (what am I doing on the computer, wide awake at 3am on a Saturday morning? I'm feeling lousy and this is my pick me up).

While it's unlikely I'll make it to any concerts anymore, I did make it to 2 of Guy Sebastians, and yes, I was, er, quite vocal when he first came out on stage.

What surprised me was he seemed taken by surprised and quite humbled by the roar of the crowd and the applause, which only impressed me more, and increased my enjoyment of his concerts.

Now I really must rest this head, on my bed, at this rediculous hour. Good evening, Mr. perfect gentleman.

Sweet scented dreams dearest Jicky.

What about Midnight Oil, John Farnham, 1927 and of course my favourite Stefan Dennis ?

deepmarine I am listening to John Farnham on videohits even as I read your reply. He is singing the Voice song which I suppose I have now heard 200000 times.

I am trying to think of an Aus. singer I could call a favorite but darned if I can come up with anything.

This isn't a Bryan Adams song btw Jicky, it's Moving Pictures:

http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/movingpictures.htm

He has performed a few Adams songs though, including "Drive" which surely must be the worst song ever written! The first time I saw that videoclip I thought it must be some parody.

"I've got a car
I've got a big black shiny car
Maybe tonight we could go for a ride
Out on the road
Out on the wide wide open road
Baby lets see what we can find
Alright"

Teacake, thanks for correcting me - I was concerned I had one of the facts wrong, and it was the particular SONG that was a Bryan Adams one that I got wrong, ie exactly which one Shannon Noll sings. I agree Drive is not Shannon's best song choice. There are far better ones for him to sing. (Goss - Shannon's wife is pregnant with their third child)

.....and teacake I saw that old clip of John Farnham singing "You're The Voice" this morning too. It really is his best, what a powerful voice. That song really shows it off. Do you know when I went on a trip to South America, I was sitting in a little ice cream shop in Cochabamba, Bolivia, when that very song came out of the radio they had on in the shop - what a treat.

Yes deepmarine, there are heaps of great Aussie bands, singers I would love to comment on, I am proud of the Aussie music industry. It has produced some amazing bands, singers (midnight oil have proven a solid sound with lyrics that challenge every form of Australian life, some see them as too political, but they do raise very important everyday life issues).

As happens in many countries, often only their own countries hear their great singers, only a chosen few go world-wide. We haven't done too bad over the years at all.

I liked Kylie and Jason.

::SLAP::

Ha ha teacake. They were ever so cute together.

You see Jicky? You can burn the Midnight Oil in favour of the Aus. music industry all you want, but it all comes back to Ramsey st.

Prince Barry you're such a friend.

SLAP anyway

That's not fair. I never missed an episode of Neighbours when Kylie and Jason were courting. It even made me want to move to Australia for a while. And I used to enjoy Home and Away.

Apart from my silly comment about old Stefan, I have to say I have got all John Farnhams albums - he only ever had the voice single over here, but his voice is one of the technically most awesome male singers on the planet. My favourite songs of his are two strong hearts and when the war is over. My favourite Midnight Oil song is Blue sky mine - amazing. Dont laugh, but some of the songs they've started playing in neighbours recently are really good !

'tis a true fact, more Londoners watch Neighbours than any Australians.

I'm sure Neighbours has had quite an indirect influence on migration. I live in the city it's filmed in and we freqently are amazed at how it is perpetually tank top weather in Ramsey st. when we seem to have been freezing in grey rain for months on end.

(I haven't missed an ep of Neighbours in years. So I am allowed to mock it, LOL)

Really teacake - a Neighbours fan? I cannot not anyone for watching, "Honour thy mother and thy father". My parents never miss an episode either, and I've occasionally flatted with girls who won't miss an episode either.

Fact - of whoever is in Neighbours currently, the only name I can tell you from the current cast is Carl????? Think he's a Doctor. I am a shocking flicker, and flick when I'm watching something on another station during the ads.

Question: Did Deltra Goodrum (another Australian singer who is now making a fortune with her singing/songwriting) come out of Neighbours or Home and Away? I don't know enough about our 2 most popular soapies to know which show she was even in.

That's Karl, Karl Kennedy. And a bit of a muso he is himself..

Delta came out of Neighbours. She left when her singing took off and came back to tie up her story line after a year or so.

Success stories who came out of Neighbours:

Jesse Spencer, now playing a doctor on "House"

Alan Dale, played the father of a main character on "The O.C." for two seasons, as well as having been on "Lost", "E.R." and most enviably IMHO he played a Romulan in Star Trek "Nemesis".

Guy Pearce, in many films, one of the latest being "Memento"

Russel Crowe, we all know him

Natalie Imbruglia, singer, married to lead singer of Silver Chair

And of course there was the inimitable Kyle Minogue.

(Sorry Prince Barry, Jason doesn't count)

teacake I haven't heard much of Jason Donovan's singing - but his ACTING was absolutely brilliant on GMA - General Defence Australia?? I think that stands for, a medica/law drama that used to be on Australia's ABC. I am sorry the show didn't last more than a couple of seasons.

I think that is an area he needs to be working in - of course, I haven't a clue what he was like on Neighbours. (music crossing with the arts subject again).

I AM surprised all those Aussies came out of Neighbours that you've listed. That's quite a shock.

I never saw the GMA thing.. I just remember his return to our shores as a washed out drug addict. I have seen that he's made good as far as that disaster though, I think he's married with offspring and he no longer looks half dead.

Guy Pearce came back to the Neighbours set a few years ago for a visit and he did an uncreditted cameo that surprised those who were watching carefully. He was sitting in Harold's coffee shop reading a paper in the background of one of the scenes. LOL

There were other people who have done well though aren't household names. Daniel McPherson who was on it for years ended up with a major role on The Bill for instance.

Oh Yes, Daniel is doing very well. I didn't realise he was from neighbours as well. He recently hosted a show on sharks, and was it the X Factor he did as well? but he had a nasty motor bike accident this year, which has probably slowed things down for him a little. He's sure to be around again soon. I've seen photos of him in the paper with his girl. I don't know if he can sing - he hasn't showed up on Australia's version of "It Takes Two".

Good on Guy Pearce for his sense of humour - what a laugh.

Jason has indeed scrubbed up well and is the good family man, wanting to set a good example for his kids, as he has expressed in interviews. I hope he is stilll doing alright.

Oh fabulous - Neighbours should just have a thread of its own. I just have to say we have never had a show like Neighbours in Britain .... Zany, occassionally poignant, nice. I know everyone knocks it but when the chips are down and all the British TV is grisly and murderous and thugs and drugs, you always know you're gonna have twenty daily minutes of quirky, colourful, silly fun with Ramsay Street .... you cant knock escapism in a world like we live in today. Oh dear, shall I get off my soapbox now ? When the 20th Anniversary aired last year, I was amazed at what a huge part Neighbours has played in peoples lives over the decades .... characters people remember, and laugh about, where they were when such and such happened ...can you say that for Coronation Street or Eastenders. Hurrah for Neighbours ! I really shall run and hide now.............

LOL, deepmarine I am ever the Neighbours apologist. It is very amusing to me that it is nigh impossible to find anyone in Aus that will admit to watching the show and yet everyone seems familiar with all the characters.. some antipodean osmosis at work perhaps.

I find the show is often very funny. You have to be familiar with it to get a lot of the inhouse humour. It is also funny with no intention to be at times because of the way they hastily tie up a story line or other absurdities. It can also be as you say quite poignant now and then with some good values mixed into the mash. They don't get on any soapboxes to tackle issues which is refreshing, but when things come up in a story line they do deal with them intelligently I find. In the last couple years I think the writing has really improved from a few years prior and there are some great, very well rounded characters.

Yay. finally another member of the human race admits that neighbours has some worth. I actually think Austrailia should be really proud of it ... I still stand by the fact there has never been anything at all like it - its totally loony but in a mundane everyday sort of way. I think The Timmins Clan - especially Janelle and Bree are just genius. I hear Gail Robinson is making an appearance ... I say bring back Max Ramsay - ha ha ha !! lOVE IT .................[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]

Yes Gail Robinson is now showing on Aus tv!

I adore the Timmins Clan, with my affections being for the ones you mention. The actress who plays Bree is superb and Janelle is quite a comic. They are very refreshing. I love the way their flaws are so inbuilt, Janelle might have some epiphany about hers but she keeps revisiting them. Also Janae Timmins is truly one of the more accurate portrayals of an adolescent that I've seen on that show. Writing children and teenager roles has always been a Neighbours weakness (remember Lolly!) but the fantastic writing of the Timmins Clan makes me think those days are past.

Since you are in the UK I will not mention the tragic death of long time character [BLEEEEEEEEPXXXX].



















(only kidding!)