The Black Sorrows

The Black Sorrows inevitably comes down to one person. Joe Camilleri (singer, songwriter, saxophonist and producer) is one of the most genuinely talented figures in Australian music.  Camilleri got his start on the Melbourne soul and R&B circuit during the 1960s and the early 1970s, but it was not until the formation of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons in 1975 that Camilleri achieved national prominence. 

Jo Jo Zep broke up in 1983 and Camilleri launched The Black Sorrows a year later. From humble beginnings playing semi-acoustic music around Melbourne's inner-city cafes, Camilleri transformed the band into one of the most sophisticated ensembles in the country.

For the first couple of years, Joe Camilleri steered a shifting line-up of musicians (which included three ex-Falcons) through several relaxed and pleasant albums like Sonola, Rockin' Zydeco and A Place In the World.

Dear Children represented a turning point in the band's career. Originally issued independently and sold at the band's gigs, it reached the national Top 20 once CBS stepped in with a distribution deal. With the arrival of backing vocalists Vika and Linda Bull, and the establishment of a permanent line-up, The Black Sorrows issued albums Hold On To Me, Harley and Rose and Better Times. Hold On To Me peaked at #6 on the national chart in May 1989. It stayed on the chart for a year and sold 250 000 copies, as well as 150 000 units when issued in Europe and the USA.

The Black Sorrows also won Best Group at the 1989 Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Awards. Harley And Rose yielded the excellent singles Harley And Rose/The Calling, Never Let Me Go/Never Let Me Go (Swamp Mix) and Hold It Up To The Mirror.