National treasure to be inducted into ARIA Hall of Fame
During the 30th anniversary of Crowded House’s self-titled debut LP, and the 30th year of the ARIA Awards, the Melbourne-founded icons will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Joining the likes of AC/DC, Kylie Minogue, The Bee Gees, Hunters & Collectors and INXS – who also took the stage at the first ARIAs 30 years ago – Crowded House will be inducted into the Hall during theNovember 23 ARIA Awards at The Star in Sydney.
Coincidentally keeping with the theme of ‘30’, Crowded House’s six studio LPs are certified 30x Platinum in Australia having sold over 2 million units.
The band, whose current core members are Neil FinnandNick Seymour have achieved 5 #1 Albums and17 Top 50 Singles in Australia. They’ve also clocked up 13 ARIA Awards and secured 36 nominations. Their most recent nod came in 2010 when the band won the ARIA Award for
They’ve also clocked up 13 ARIA Awards and secured 36 nominations. Their most recent nod came in 2010 when the band won the Award for best adult contemporary album for latest LP Intriguer.
Their Australia, NZ and UK #1 LP Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House achieved 13x Platinum accreditation in Australia making it the highest selling Australian album of all time by a group.
Finn and Seymour said in a statement: “Since our formation in Melbourne and our first album release in 1986 we have enjoyed a special relationship with Australia, one that has strengthened and endured over the years.
“We feel truly blessed that our songs have become a valued part of people’s lives across generations. As a result, our affinity with fans and the music community here is unique and one we hold very close. We are delighted and honoured to accept the invitation to be inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame.”
Fellow ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmy Barnessaid: “CrowdedHousemake music that instantly sounds classic. They make complex things sound simple and that’s really hard to do. Neil’s songs are like Phar Lap – big hearted winners that Kiwis and Aussies are both proud to call their own.”
Crowded House’s global hit Don’t Dream It’s Over, which hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987, has been covered by Susan Boyle,Faith No More, Diana Krall and more recently in a duet by Miley CyrusandAriana Grande. The video for the duet, posted on YouTube in May last year, has clocked up over 42 million views.
Multiple ARIA Award winner, Missy Higginssaid: “I grew up singingCrowdedHousesongs, learning Better Be Home Soon was how my brother and sister and I learnt to harmonise with each other. Their songs are so deeply embedded in my memories of childhood, and learning how to be a songwriter. They were like The Beatles to me, with such deceptively brave chord progressions and lyrics that just seemed to sing themselves. I still aspire to write a song half as good as Fall At Your Feet.”
The induction marks the second time Neil and his brother Tim Finn have made the Hall of Fame. The pair were inducted in 2005 with New Zealand band Split Enz.
The rumour mill has already started churning with reports Crowded House will reform onstage at the ARIAs, marking20 years since the band’s farewell show at the Sydney Opera House (November 24, ’96).