Today, we aim to correct that oversight by taking a deep dive into some of the best singers to come from below. So, without further ado, here are our picks, in no particular order, for the 25 most iconic and famous Australian singers of all time.
famous australian singer
From hard rock icons to humble giants of their field, we discover some of the most talented, versatile and unique vocalists ever to come out of Australia, highlighting not only their contributions to the local canon but also their influence overseas. Praise the achievements.
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jimmy burns
Burns, perhaps the most famous Australian singer to us Australians, was actually born in Scotland. Burnsey’s voice is as distinctively Australian as a mud-splattered VY Commodore with green P-plates and a significant lack of tire tread. Burnsey literally defines the Australian experience, his pipes getting even better with age and his screams timeless.
nick cave
Nick Cave may not be known as a technically gifted vocalist, but there are few voices in contemporary music as instantly recognizable as his expansive baritone. Also, the screams, shrieks, moans and growls he frequently used during birthday parties were as chaotic as any Australian singer ever.
Guy Sebastian
Unlike the fate of many of Australian Idol’s contemporaries, Guy Sebastian has enjoyed a surprisingly successful career, and his pipes are famous not only at home but around the world. Sure, his music can be a little vanilla at times, but there’s no denying that this guy has some serious talent.
paul kelly
Look, Paul Kelly is by no means a singer’s singer, but it would be a complete travesty to leave him out of a conversation about iconic Australian vocalists for that reason. His vocals are truly unique, and if there’s anyone in Australia to compare to Bob Dylan, Paul Kelly is sure to be mentioned.
Daniel Johns
There is no debate about this. Whether he’s flexing his falsetto range on “Aerial Love” or belting out vocals on early Silverchair songs like “Israel’s Sun,” Daniel Johns is an incredibly talented vocalist. Need proof? Listen to his performance on the second verse of “The Greatest View.” It truly comes from the soul.
Colin Hay
Best known as the frontman of new wave icons Men at Work, Colin Hay has also had a fairly successful solo career as a vocalist, and his voice is as powerful today as it was in the ’80s. . It doesn’t get any smoother than this.
peter garrett
While it may be a bit generous to label Peter Garrett a ‘talented’ vocalist, there is certainly no denying that he is one of the most iconic Australian vocalists of all time. His presence, tone and pronunciation are instantly recognizable all over the world, and the fact that he knows how to captivate audiences with his enthusiastic dance moves doesn’t hurt either.
Goti
The man, the myth, the legend. Wally de Backer’s work under the name Gotye is something of Australian musical folklore, with “Somebody That I Used To Know” and “Heart’s A Mess” showcasing his surprisingly idiosyncratic production style. She shows off her gentle vocal tone and diverse vocal range.
bon scott
Is there a more obvious choice? The original AC/DC frontman set a new standard for what should be expected from a hard rock vocalist in the 1970s with his screeching vocals. And to this day, there is no better Australian frontman. Bon Scott is forever.
matt covey
Witnessing Matt Corby’s evolution from evangelical teenager to folk-rock maverick to his current status as Australia’s answer to D’Angelo has been one of the most inspiring experiences in recent memory. It became one of the trajectory of his career. Of course, Kobe is a multi-talented gun player and passionate producer, but you can’t ignore a voice like his.
John Farnham
A long-standing national icon, John Farnham’s talents as a vocalist have kept him artistically relevant for six decades. Whether it was “Sadie the Cleaning Lady” in the 60s, “You Are the Voice” in the 80s, or any of A Day on the Green’s concerts over the past 20 years, Ferncy Unlike any other artist, he succeeded in inspiring the masses. Even after several farewell tours and retirement, his consistency remains unparalleled.
ian kenny
Whether it’s mesmerizing FM radio listeners with Birds Of Tokyo or using his vocal range to spectacular effect on Karnivool, Ian Kenny is undoubtedly one of the country’s best-known vocalists. His ability to write catchy melodies is simply top notch. Just don’t bring up the awful song he wrote for the West Coast Eagles…
Jeffrey Gruml
The late Dr. G. Yunupingu is internationally recognized as a talented vocalist for his wonderful diction, vocal range, and quality. The huge success of her 2008 debut garnered praise from international heavyweights such as Björk and Elton John, and she is considered one of the most commercially successful Indigenous Australian artists of all time.
michael hutchence
Although his voice may have lacked the range and versatility of some of his contemporaries, Michael Hutchence’s husky baritone certainly made quite an impact on listeners. The INXS frontman is internationally renowned for the sheer power and passion of his vocals, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a sexier Australian accent on any of his records to date.
gareth lyddiard
Sure, he’s no Barbara Streisand, but you can’t exclude Gareth Lydiard from conversations about important Australian vocalists. Whether it’s The Drones, Tropical Fuck Storm or his own solo material, Lydiard’s bogan growl is endlessly inspirational, as he brutally distorts and enunciates the lyrics he chooses. Appearance is paramount to his talent as a vocalist.
brendan huntley
Like Lyddiard, Brendan Huntley’s singing ability isn’t limited to technical ability or versatility, but that’s no reason to discount the Eddy Current Suppression Ring singer. Without Huntley’s microphone, it’s debatable whether an Australian accent exists in contemporary music, and his influence on the international garage rock scene would be negligible.
australian female singer
Shea
One of Australia’s greatest voices of the past decade, Sia can do it all. Whether it’s her own chart hits, collaborations with megastars, or forgotten electro anthems, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know Sia Ferrer’s unique vocals. Tracking.
Kate Miller-Heidke
Perhaps the most underrated and famous Australian singer of all time, Kate Miller-Heidke’s voice is something else entirely. Whether she’s singing at the New York Metropolitan Opera, representing Australia at Eurovision, or performing on stage at Coachella, Miller-Heidke’s classically trained vocals never fail to captivate. She shines in her 2014 independent breakout “O Vertigo!” This work will go down as a major moment in Australian music history.
missy higgins
It’s easy to forget that Missy Higgins was only 21 when The Sound of White was released in 2004 and captured the conscience of Australia. Featuring hits such as “Scar” and “The Special Two,” Higgins’ breathtaking voice was quickly recognized and admired. She has continued to amaze ever since.
chrissie amphlett
The undisputed queen of Australian rock. Best known as the charismatic lead vocalist of the ’80s band Divinals, Chrissy Amphlett’s voice is completely unique, and she sings songs like “Boys in Town” and “I Touch Myself.” , which showed off her amazing vocal range and unmistakable microphone presence. Truly legendary.
Nye Palm
One of the most influential Australian voices in recent memory, Nye Palm’s soulful tone, incredible range and harmonic abilities are simply out of this world. In addition to his work with Hiatus Kaiyote and as a solo artist, Nye Palm’s vocals have appeared on songs by Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. Need I say more?
Renee Guyer
One of the most soulful voices to come out of Australia, Renée Geyer was the star of the ’70s with songs such as ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s World’, ‘Heading in the Right Direction’ and ‘Stars and Whispers’. He rose to superstardom with songs such as “Z”. Her tone and dynamic range earned her a place as one of the greatest artists of all time.
Christine Anu
Christine Anu, who rose to fame in the 1990s with her passionate cover of Warumpi Band’s ‘My Island Home’, has become one of the most famous Australian singers of our time, gaining recognition through her iconic concert performances. It has increased astronomically. Closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Natalie Imbruglia
It’s easy to forget just how big of a force Natalie Imbruglia was in the ’90s. After making a name for himself with his performance in Neighbors, Imbruglia released a world-conquering cover of Edna Wasp’s “Tone” and released his debut album, Left of the Middle, which sold 7 million copies. ‘ was released and received wide praise. Her subsequent efforts further strengthened her position. A great figure in Australian pop history.
tina arena
Tina Arena is one of Australia’s best-selling artists of all time, and it’s no surprise when you hear her ethereal soprano performance. After breaking through as a bright-eyed teen on Young Talent Time in the ’80s, Arena has taken the world by storm with singles like ‘Chains’ and ‘Show Me Heaven’, and now stars on Australian Talent Time. Serves as a director. Arts Council – Not bad for career advancement.
Keep reading and watch John Farnham’s new documentary here.
