The Black Sorrows

The Black Sorrows have earned the reputation as a dynamic live band, delivering original songs that mix those well-worn ingredients of blues, soul, and r’n’b, as well as flashes of gospel, country and even Brill Building pop, into an irresistibly potent concoction. The Black Sorrows continue to be one of Australia’s most successful touring bands and a festival favourite.

Any examination of The Black Sorrows inevitably comes down to one person. Joe Camilleri (singer, songwriter, saxophonist, producer and the brains behind The Black Sorrows) is an Australian music icon. Leader of two of Australia’s most successful bands, Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons and The Black Sorrows, Joe’s music has become part of Australian music culture. Joe was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2007. Writer of milestone Australian songs such as So Young, Hit And Run, Shape I’m In, Hold On To Me, Harley and Rose, Chained To The Wheel Never Let Me Go and the Chosen Ones Camilleri has dedicated his life to making music. Over the years other greats have admired Camilleri’s songwriting, Elvis Costello and John Denver are just two who have recorded cover versions of Joe’s music.

Camilleri started singing in bands during the ‘60s around Melbourne when friends literally threw him on stage one night as a dare. Legend has it that he was kicked out of one of his earliest bands for sounding too much like Mick Jagger. His reputation as a singer grew during the ‘70s but it wasn’t until he formed Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons in 1975 that he achieved national fame. Renowned for their live performances, the Falcons released several albums and singles before disbanding in 1983.

The Black Sorrows formed the following year and started out playing Zydeco music in cafes. The band made their first album for $1300 and sold it out of the boot of a car at venues. Fate took hold when Elvis Costello was in town. He came across a copy of Sonola Sonola

When radio picked up the classic track, Mystified, The Black Sorrows really took flight. The album Dear Children marked a change in fortune for The Black Sorrows. After being issued independently, it was picked up by CBS (Sony). The Black Sorrows signed a world-wide deal with Sony and achieved chart success in Europe with top 5 albums in Scandinavia. The band toured Europe extensively in the late 80’s and early 90’s and by special invitation returned to Norway to play at Nidaros Blues Fesitval in 2014.

Membership in The Black Sorrows has always been loose and fluid with Camilleri being the only constant. The Sorrows’ ‘elastic line-up’ and has been home to over 40 talented Australian musicians at different times and been the launch pad for the careers of some of Australia’s most successful musicians. Over the past 3 decades, The Black Sorrows have toured Australia more times than anyone can remember, played sell out shows across

Europe, won the ARIA for Best Band‚ and sold more than 2 million albums worldwide. Joe Camilleri has shown fans and critics alike that he is a performer with an undeniable energy and love of it all. It is his obvious passion for making music, performing live and sense of adventure that keeps Camilleri going and fans coming back for more.