The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows are an Australian blues rock band formed in 1983 by mainstay vocalist Joe Camilleri (ex-Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons), who also plays saxophone and guitar. Camilleri has used various line-ups to record 17 albums, with five reaching the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Charts: Hold on to Me (September 1988), Harley and Rose (August 1990), Better Times (September 1992), The Chosen Ones - Greatest Hits (November 1993) and Lucky Charm (November 1994). Their top 40 singles are "Chained to the Wheel" (February 1989), "Harley + Rose" (August 1990) and "Snake Skin Shoes" (July 1994).
The Black Sorrows
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1983–present
Spirit, Camel, CBS, Mushroom, Epic, Liberation Blue, Rajon, ABC/Warner
- Joe Camilleri
- Claude Carranza
- Angus Burchall
- Mark Gray
- John McAll
History[edit]
Formation and early years: 1983–85[edit]
The Black Sorrows began as a loose pick-up band in Melbourne in 1983.[1][2] They played mostly covers of R&B, zydeco, soul and blues music.[1] An early line-up was founding mainstay, Joe Camilleri (aka Joey Vincent) on vocals, saxophone and guitar (ex-The Pelaco Brothers, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons); with Jeff Burstin on guitar (ex-Company Caine, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons), Wayne Burt on guitar and vocals (ex-Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, the Fabulaires); George Butrumlis on piano accordion; Wayne Duncan on bass guitar (ex-Daddy Cool, Living Legends); Steve McTaggart on violin; Paul Williamson on clarinet and saxophone; and Gary Young on drums (ex-Daddy Cool, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons).[1][3]
Initially, Camilleri used the group to play gigs in local cafes after the dissolution of his previous band, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons.[4][5] From 1983 to 1988 he used the name Joey Vincent for his work with the band.[1][5] Membership in the band has been loose and fluid.[1][3] Most of The Falcons, at one point or another, have been members; numerous other Australian musicians have drifted in and out of the line-ups.[1][3] Aside from zydeco, their early style included Cajun music.[2]
Awards and nominations[edit]
APRA Awards[edit]
The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.