Colin Hay

Colin Hay

Electric Guitar icon Electric Guitar

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71 age

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June 29, 1953 Birthday

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Saltcoats, Scotland, U.K. Birthplace

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About

Colin Hay is a musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his work as the lead singer and guitarist for the successful 1980's pop band, Men At Work. Hay's distinctive vocals and songwriting on hits like "Down Under" and "Who Can it Be Now" led to world-wide popularity and a Best New Artist Grammy in 1982. Following the break up of the band in 1986 Hay moved to Los Angeles where he has released 13 solo albums as well as performing with a variety of artists. Hay also works as a character actor for film and tv.

Trivia

Colin Hay worked with actor/director Zach Braff multiple times in the 2000s, providing music for the soundtrack to the film "Garden State" and appearing in several episodes of the television show "Scrubs." Hay is a touring member of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band. Hay founded his own record label in the 1990s called Lazy Eye Records.

Early Life

Colin Hay was born in Scotland in 1953 and grew up in the town of Saltcoats where his parents owned a small music store. In 1967, at the age of 14, Hay and his family emigrated to Australia. While in school Hay began writing songs, playing the guitar and singing in folk clubs. He went on to earn an arts degree from Latrobe University. Hay met Ron Strykert in 1977 and the two began playing as a duo. Soon they added additional musicians and the band Men at Work released their debut album in 1981.