British-Australian lead singer, guitarist and member of the rock group “Men at Work.” Hay emigrated with his parents to Australia at age 14 and in 1979 founded the group. Hay’s distinctive voice contributed largely to the group’s meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s. Their initial single released in March 1982 topped the charts in Australia and hit the charts in America in October of that year. In 1983, their popularity was eclipsed only by Michael Jackson and their album, “Business as Usual” spent fifteen consecutive weeks at the top of the charts, certifying the group as million-dollar winners.
After a two-year hiatus, the band lost its momentum and their rise to stardom was followed by an equally swift decline. They disbanded in 1986 and Hay moved on to a single career of singing and songwriting, recording and performing. His first solo LP, “Looking for Jack,” was released in 1987. His unique, powerful voice and impressive catalog of material kept him in the musical forefront of Australia primarily, though his moving lyrics and distinctive guitar work was internationally known.
Hay formed his own label, Lazy Eye Records, in 1994, and returned to the full band sound with the release of “Topanga.” This success was followed by release of the acclaimed “Transcendental Highway” in 1998. Later that same year he reunited with a former band mate, Greg Ham, and they toured under the Men at Work name, with a memorable performance at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Hay’s sixth solo album, “Going Somewhere,” debuted in 2000.
His rare ability to communicate has not been confined to the music world. As an actor he has been notable in Mark Joffe’s “Cosi,” in the role of Zac, a drugged-out musician, as well as in the Australian movie, “Heaven’s Burning,” where he played Jonah, a drunken paraplegic. His acting credits are not confined to film roles. Hay was Musical Director for the children’s program “Oz Kids,” and has appeared in numerous television programs.
Link to Wikipedia biography