Wendy Matthews

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the singer. For the archaeologist, see Wendy Matthews (archaeologist).

Wendy Matthews
Birth nameWendy Joan Matthews
Born (1960-01-13) 13 January 1960 (age 64)
Warner
Websitewendymatthews.com

Wendy Joan Matthews (born 13 January 1960) is a Canadian-born Australian singer-songwriter who has been a member of

You've Always Got The Blues (duet album with Kate Ceberano), Émigré, Lily, The Witness Tree and her compilation, Stepping Stones. She has won six Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards. According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane she provides "extraordinary, crystal-clear vocals [...] a soulfulness that was the mark of a truly gifted singer".[1]

Matthews appeared on three series of It Takes Two—an Australian TV celebrity singing competition—partnered with Richard Champion (2006), Russell Gilbert (2007) and John Mangos (2008). On 27 October 2010, Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame by Matthews.

Biography

1960-1981: Early years

Wendy Joan Matthews

Osamu Kitajima's album Dragon King (1982). She met Japanese musician, Hiroshi Sato, and travelled to Japan to record lead vocals for his fourth album, Awakening, which was released in June on Alfa Records.[5]

1982–1990: Soundtracks, Rockmelons and Absent Friends

Main articles: Models (band), Rockmelons, and Absent Friends (band)

Back in Los Angeles, Australian singer Glenn Shorrock (ex-Little River Band) asked her to provide backing vocals on his solo album Villain of the Peace (1982) and to join him on his subsequent six-week tour of Australia in 1983.[1][3] Matthews decided to stay in Sydney at the tour's completion and found herself in demand as a session vocalist and singing jingles. She sang on albums by Jimmy Barnes, Richard Clapton, Tim Finn and Icehouse.[6] After singing backing vocals on Models' 1985 album Out of Mind, Out of Sight, she became a regular vocalist for the band.[6][7] Matthews and Models' guitarist and vocalist, Sean Kelly, had an 11-year personal relationship.[4] Other backing singers for Models included Kate Ceberano and Zan Abeyratne, both members of I'm Talking – the two bands often toured together.[8] In 1986, Matthews joined Peter Blakeley and The Resurrection, with Blakeley (ex-Rockmelons) on lead vocals, Chris Abrahams on bass guitar and piano (ex-The Benders), Jim Benjamin on drums and Mark Punch on guitar (Renée Geyer Band).[6] Her second album with Models, Models' Media appeared in December which reached the top 30.[7][9]

In 1985, Matthews recorded vocals for the soundtrack of

You've Always Got The Blues was released as a duet album by Ceberano and Matthews in April 1988 and reached No. 4 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart.[9]

Matthews was a member of Noel's Cowards, a short term project, including ex-

Breakthrough Artist – Album' and Stringer won 'Best Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show Recording'.[13]

Matthews joined the Australian supergroup,

James Valentine of Models, Garry Gary Beers of INXS, Roger Mason and Mick King.[14] She sang lead vocals on "I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You" which reached No. 4 on the ARIA Singles Chart; the related album, Here's Looking Up Your Address peaked at No.7.[15] The band toured Australia and then supported INXS on a European tour.[14] During this period, Matthews continued her session work, singing on the Cher album Heart of Stone in 1989 and on Blakeley's solo album Harry's Café De Wheels in 1990.[1] Absent Friends disbanded and Matthews pursued her solo career.[14]

1990–1999: Solo Success

Main articles: Émigré (album), Lily (Wendy Matthews album), The Witness Tree, and Ghosts (Wendy Matthews album)

In 1990, Matthews recorded her debut solo album

Chris Murphy; Émigré became a hit, being certified platinum.[1] She won the Australian Rolling Stone magazine award for best female vocalist in 1990 for her debut album and her work with Absent Friends.[16]

At the

Neville Brothers on their Australian tour.[1]

In February–March 1992 Matthews recorded her second solo studio album

nightclub singer in Flynn (1993) which starred Guy Pearce as Australian-born actor Errol Flynn.[21]

Matthews released her next album The Witness Tree on 14 November 1994, featuring the Top 40 hit "Standing Strong". The album went platinum selling 100,000 copies and she won her third ARIA award for Best Female Artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 for "Friday's Child".[22] In 1995, Matthews became an Australian citizen. Her single "Standing Strong" won 'Most Performed Australian Work' at the APRA Awards of 1995.[23] She returned to Canada for a visit before the release of her next album Ghosts in 1997. The single "Beloved" from the album peaked at No. 49 on the Australian charts.[18] In 1999, Matthews released Stepping Stones, a greatest hits package which hit No. 4, earning her another platinum certification.[24] According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane in his Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop, Matthews provides "extraordinary, crystal-clear vocals [...] a soulfulness that was the mark of a truly gifted singer".[1]

2000–present: Music, TV and other activities

Main articles: Beautiful View, Café Naturale, and She (Wendy Matthews album)

In 2000, Matthews joined the cast of a new Australian musical theatre production of

Sydney Olympics by various Australian artists.[25]

In 2001, Matthews relocated from Sydney to a property near Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.[26] Her solo album, Beautiful View, was released on 17 July and made the Top 40.[18] Produced by Michael Szumowski, it was her first with BMG records, and included three singles, "Free", "Beautiful View" and "Like the Sun" which did not reach the top 50.[18] A limited edition of Beautiful View included a bonus six-track disc.

In 2003, Matthews sang a duet with Rod Stewart on the track "My Heart Stood Still" on the Australian release of his album As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Volume II. She released her own covers album, Café Naturale in May 2004.[26] Matthews explained why she recorded it acoustically, "To keep creative you have to break down your own personal barriers. With this record that meant moving away from pop and crafting something instrument-driven, something that feels like me playing live".[27] The album includes acoustic versions of U2's "One" from the Achtung Baby and Massive Attack's "Protection" from the album of the same name. The first single "All I Need" is a version of the Air song from the Moon Safari album. Matthews' album debuted in the top 50 of the ARIA charts.

Matthews embarked on the national Fallen Angels Tour during May–June 2008 and then co-headlined with Ian Moss in October–November. On 8 November, Matthews released the album She on her own independent record label, Barking Bear. The album is a personal collection of favourite songs by women who have inspired her, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, Emmylou Harris, Chrissie Hynde, Joni Mitchell, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Lucinda Williams and Jane Siberry. In June 2010, she combined with country musician, Adam Harvey for the Both Sides Tour.[28] In October 2010, Matthews performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Alice Springs Masters Games. On 27 October, her former band, Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame by Matthews.[29] The line-up of Duffield, Ferrie, Kelly, Mason, Price and Valentine performed "I Hear Motion" and "Evolution".[30][31] Matthews recalled meeting the group for the first time at a recording session – she was due to provide backing vocals but they were busy playing indoor cricket in the studio.[32]

Matthews independently released Billie and Me: The White Room Sessions on 27 July 2015. The live album, available through her official website only, was recorded in the winter of 2012 with Brendan St Ledger on piano and Greg Royal on standup bass. The album celebrates the centenary year birth of Billie Holiday, who Matthews describes Holiday as an "iconic woman whose soul and music has been long admired."[33]

In November 2016, Matthews featured on the Catherine Britt single, "F U Cancer" alongside Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Lyn Bowtell, Josh Pyke and Wes Carr.[34]

TV appearances

Matthews has appeared on three series of

Dancing with the Stars grand final, which was won by Ceberano and her professional dance partner John Paul Collins. It Takes Two second series premiered on 8 May, where Matthews was paired with comedian Russell Gilbert, they were voted off in week four of the competition. The third series commenced on 12 February 2008 with John Mangos, news reader for Sky News Australia, and Matthews being voted off in week two. Matthews appeared on the TV show RocKwiz on 1 November 2008, she performed Toto's "Hold the Line" as a duet with Johnny Galvatron from The Galvatrons
.

Discography

Main article: Wendy Matthews discography

Awards and nominations

APRA Awards

The

Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).[35]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 "Standing Strong" – (Wendy Matthews, Glenn Skinner) Most Performed Australian Work[23] Won

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Matthews has won six awards from twenty-two nominations as a solo artist.[36][37]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 "Dancing Daze" Best Female Artist Nominated
1989
You've Always Got The Blues
 (with Kate Ceberano)		 Best Female Artist Nominated
Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominated
Best Jazz Album Nominated
1991 Émigré Best Female Artist[17] Won
ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album Nominated
"(I Don't Want to Be With) Nobody but You – (Absent Friends featuring Wendy Matthew) ARIA Award for Single of the Year[17] Won
Breakthrough Artist – Single Nominated
"Token Angels"[17] Won
1992 "Let's Kiss (Like Angels Do)" Best Female Artist[19] Nominated
1993 Lily Album of the Year[20] Nominated
Highest Selling Album
 Nominated
Best Female Artist[20] Won
"The Day You Went Away" Single of the Year[20] Won
Highest Selling Single[20]
 Won
1994 "Friday's Child" Best Female Artist[22] Won
Lily Highest Selling Album Nominated
1995 The Witness Tree Best Adult Contemporary Album[38] Nominated
The Witness Tree Highest Selling Album Nominated
1997 "Then I Walked Away" Best Female Artist[39] Nominated
1998 Ghosts Best Adult Contemporary Album[40] Nominated
Ghosts except "Halcyon Days" – Tony Espie Engineer of the Year[40] Nominated
2001 Beautiful View Best Adult Contemporary Album[41] Nominated

Matthews has also won awards as a member of Rockmelons)[42] and project (Stringers soundtrack album, You've Always Got the Blues – Songs from the ABC TV Series "Stringer").[43]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1989 Tales of the City
Breakthrough Artist – Album[13]
 Won
Stringer various Australia (Kate Ceberano, Matthews, Martin Armiger, Joy Smithers)[44] Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album[13] Won

Country Music Awards of Australia

The Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) (also known as the Golden Guitar Awards) is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, in Tamworth, New South Wales, celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. Matthews has won one awards from one nominations.[45]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 "F U Cancer" (Catherine Britt with Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Lyn Bowtell, Josh Pyke and Wes Carr) Vocal Collaboration of the Year Won

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Wendy Matthews won one award in that time.[46]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1990 Wendy Matthews Female Rock Performer of the Year Won

Rolling Stone Awards

The Rolling Stone Awards.[16]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1990 Wendy Matthews Best Female Vocalist Won

References

General
  • ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original
    on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2010.     Note: Archived on-line copy has limited functionality.
  • Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara; Paul McHenry (2002) [1987]. The Who's Who of Australian Rock.
    ISBN 1-86503-891-1.[47] Note: on-line version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd
    in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n McFarlane, Ian. "Encyclopedia entry for 'Wendy Matthews'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. whammo.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  2. ^ "The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)". ASCAP. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Castro, Peter (October 1993). "She'll take Manhattan – Pop Chanteuse Wendy Matthews plants Lily overseas". Who Weekly. Vol. 18. Pacific Magazines.
  4. ^ a b Thompson, Peter (30 May 2005). "Wendy Matthews transcript". Talking Heads with Peter Thompson. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Awakening". Hiroshi Sato. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d Holmgren, Magnus; Baird, Paul. "Wendy Matthews". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  7. ^ a b McFarlane 'Models' entry. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  8. ^ McFarlane 'I'm Talking' entry. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  9. ^
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    in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.
  10. ^ a b c "Dancing Daze". Australian Television Memorabilia Guide. Nodette Enterprises Pty Ltd. 2003. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  11. ^ a b Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan. "Noel's Cowards". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
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  13. ^ a b c "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year: 1989: 3rd Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
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  15. ^ "Discography Absent Friends". Australian charts portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
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  21. ^ "Australian Cult Cinema – Part 5: The Frank Howson/Boulevard Films Legacy". Melbourne Underground Film Festival. 6–16 July 2006. Archived from the original on 27 February 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
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  23. ^ a b "1995 Winners – APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  24. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  25. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Olympic Record". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Matthews, Wendy". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 28 June 2004. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  27. ^ "Café Naturale". Wendy Matthews. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  28. ^ Tripp, Amber (3 June 2010). "Neil Pigot, Bobby Rydell and Wendy Matthews". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  29. ^ Australian Association Press (AAP) (28 October 2010). "Old talent time: ARIA honours music legends". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  30. ^ Treuen, Jason (28 October 2010). "ARIA Hall of Fame celebrates music's loved ones". The Music Network (Peer Group Media). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
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  32. ^ Pepper, Daile; Murfett, Andrew (4 November 2010). "Models' frontman tragedy: James Freud takes own life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  33. ^ "Billie and Me". wendymatthews.com. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  34. ^ "F U Cancer (single)". iTunes Australia. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  35. Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original
    on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  36. ^ "ARIA Awards 2009 : History: Winners by Artist: Wendy Matthews". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 31 July 2010.[permanent dead link]
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  40. ^ a b "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year: 1998: 12th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  41. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year: 2001: 15th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
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  43. ^ "ARIA Awards 2009 : History: Winners by Artist: Various". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 1 August 2010.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ "Stringer". Australian Television Memorabilia Guide. Nodette Enterprises Pty Ltd. 2003. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  45. ^ "Past Award Winners". Country. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  46. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  47. ^ "Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry". catalogue. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 July 2010.

External links

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