Lee Harding
Encyclopedia
Lee Harding is an Australian pop singer. He is from Frankston
, Victoria
, where he worked at the local AMC cinema multiplex. He became known from performing in the third season of Australian Idol
and being a member of the band "Patience Project".
His released album "What's Wrong With This Picture" was a success, although later on during the year began to fade out as he forced his way into the mainstream category strongly. Although he was quite successful in Australian Idol, critics soon realised as a solo artist Lee would not last long. His third and final single from the album to be released was "Call The Nurse" which debuted lower than the other singles on the mainstream charts.
Lee continues to play with his band on several occasions at local clubs and hotels, and are expected to release an album as a band later on.
and Green Day
). His dreams came true when Bedrock shuffled their lineup. Even though they did not know who he was or if he could even sing, Lee was dragged up on stage and sang half of Blink 182's "Dammit". Bedrock then took Lee on as their lead singer. He is quoted on his website as saying, "I'd been going to see them since I was 16. I saw them every single week so I knew every song when I joined Bedrock". Lee and Bedrock still continue to play and perform gigs for The Mornington Hotel on occasion.
Members of Bedrock include:
The music video was voted number 63 in the Video Hits Australia Top 100 Video Clips. The song placed eighth in the End of Year ARIA Singles Top 100 of 2006.
Lee won an ARIA #1 award in 2006 for the efforts and success of his first single and release from "What's wrong with this picture?", "Wasabi".http://www.aria.com.au/pages/no1-awards.htm
In 2006, Harding won an award at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards, held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 11 October
Harding won the award alongside Neighbours star,Stephanie McIntosh, who scored Fave Female Hottie.
, on his nationwide tour with mate and fellow idol contestant Dan England. Harding played venues such as Sydney Luna Parks's Big Top.
with bandmates Bedrock for one night of their tour in Brisbane
In April 2006, Lee performed at the AVMA awards held at Acer Arena - Homebush. Lee and band Bedrock performed the second single from the album "Whats Wrong With This Picture?", Anything for You. During the performance, oversized balloons fell from the ceiling into the mosh pit below. Lee was also a special guest for the AVMA's pre-show. Harding hung out backstage with MTV's Maz Compton and Nathan Sapsford in a broadcast about the creation of the awards.
August 2006, Lee performed at the 1st ever Dolly Teen Choice Awards. Harding performed a duet with the members of Kid Courageous, singing their latest release at the time,"Our Days are Numbered". Harding also presented the award for Best Dressed Female to Home and Away star, Jodie Gordon.
13 May 2006, Harding performed at radio host, Craig Lowie Low's, 21st birthday party. The event was held at the Big Top venue at Sydney's Luna Park. Other artists which performed were the likes of: The Young Divas, Kid Courageous and Kate Alexa.
Harding and band Bedrock rocked out at the Frankston sea festival on the bay in early 2007. Despite pouring with rain, the band wooed the drenched crowds and pleased the locals with a line-up of cover songs at the community event.
Frankston, Victoria
Frankston is a suburb within the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area in Victoria, Australia. It is located 40 km southeast of the state capital Melbourne at the southernmost edge of Greater Melbourne, near the beginnings of the Mornington Peninsula...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, where he worked at the local AMC cinema multiplex. He became known from performing in the third season of Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
and being a member of the band "Patience Project".
Musical career
Lee Harding's Musical career left off straight away just after he was eliminated from Australian Idol as third runner up. His debut single "Wasabi" debuted No.1 on the music charts all around Australia, although the following single, Anything For You, did not reach the Top 20. Hit song Wasabi was penned at Stawell Secondary College, which he attended for only 3 weeks.His released album "What's Wrong With This Picture" was a success, although later on during the year began to fade out as he forced his way into the mainstream category strongly. Although he was quite successful in Australian Idol, critics soon realised as a solo artist Lee would not last long. His third and final single from the album to be released was "Call The Nurse" which debuted lower than the other singles on the mainstream charts.
Lee continues to play with his band on several occasions at local clubs and hotels, and are expected to release an album as a band later on.
Bedrock
Before competing in Australian Idol, Lee was attending bars to see his favourite band, a covers band named Bedrock. Bedrock play what they describe as a "party band" repertoire of top 100 hits from the 60s to present day (ranging from Centrefold to Jessie's Girl to Top 40 hits by Lee's heroes Good CharlotteGood Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
and Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
). His dreams came true when Bedrock shuffled their lineup. Even though they did not know who he was or if he could even sing, Lee was dragged up on stage and sang half of Blink 182's "Dammit". Bedrock then took Lee on as their lead singer. He is quoted on his website as saying, "I'd been going to see them since I was 16. I saw them every single week so I knew every song when I joined Bedrock". Lee and Bedrock still continue to play and perform gigs for The Mornington Hotel on occasion.
Members of Bedrock include:
- Lee Harding - Vocals
- Thomas Petrasek - Lead guitar
- Mick "The big fella" Spencer - Drums
- Andrew Irwin - Rhythm
- Matthew Woodford - Bass guitar
Australian Idol
Lee Harding's on Australian Idol include:- Sydney Auditions: "Better" by Screaming JetsScreaming JetsThe Screaming Jets are an Australian hard rock band formed in Newcastle in 1989 by front man Dave Gleeson on vocals, Grant Walmsley on guitar and Paul Woseen on bass guitar and backing vocals...
, "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
, "(Sittin' on the) Dock of the Bay" by Otis ReddingOtis ReddingOtis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
& "Run to Paradise" by The ChoirboysThe Choirboys (band)The Choirboys are an Australian hard rock band from Sydney formed in 1979 with mainstays Mark Gable on lead vocals and Ian Hulme on bass guitar and were later joined by drummer Paul Wheeler. Their hit "Run to Paradise" reached No. 3 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart in late 1987. The... - Theatre Round Day One: "Hard to Handle" by Black Crowes
- Theatre Round Day Two: "Just The Way You Are" by Billy JoelBilly JoelWilliam Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
(with Ben Worthington & ????) - Theatre Round Day Three: "Footloose" by Kenny LogginsKenny LogginsDuring the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
- Top 30 (Group 3): "The Anthem" by Good CharlotteGood CharlotteGood Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
- Top 13 (Australian Made): "Holy Grail" by Hunters and Collectors
- Top 11 60s Hits: "I'm a Believer" by The MonkeesThe MonkeesThe Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
- Top 10 Supergroups: "Roxanne" by The PoliceThe PoliceThe Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
- Top 9 Idols' Choice: "Holiday" by Green DayGreen DayGreen Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
- Top 8 Big Band Hits: "Straighten Up and Fly Right" by Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
- Top 7 80s Hits: "Eye of the Tiger" by SurvivorSurvivor (band)Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
- Top 6 Up Close & Personal: "Plush" by Stone Temple PilotsStone Temple PilotsStone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
- Top 6 Motown Hits: "Ben" by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
- Top 5 1970s Hits: "My Sharona" by The KnackThe KnackThe Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
Bottom 2 - Top 4 Elvis Hits: "Teddy Bear" by Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
- Top 4 Elvis Hits: "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
Bottom 2 - Top 3 #1 Hits: "Faith" by George MichaelGeorge MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
(Limp BizkitLimp BizkitLimp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
version) - Top 3 #1 Hits: "Tainted Love" by Soft CellSoft CellSoft Cell are an English synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s. They consist of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo is most widely known for their 1981 worldwide hit version of "Tainted Love" and platinum debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret...
(The Living EndThe Living EndThe Living End are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, formed in 1994. The current lineup consists of Chris Cheney , Scott Owen and Andy Strachan...
version) Eliminated
Albums
| Album information |
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| What's Wrong with This Picture? What's Wrong with This Picture? (Lee Harding album) What's Wrong with This Picture? is the debut album of songs recorded by the Australian Idol 3 third place finisher Lee Harding. A Standard Edition & Limited Edition are available with the latter featuring multimedia content.-Track listing:...
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Compilations and other appearances
- Australian Idol 3: The Final 13 - Australian Made: The HitsAustralian Idol 3: The Final 13 - Australian Made: The HitsAustralian Made: The Hits is the compilation cast album of cover songs released by the finalists of Australian Idol 2005. The songs were chosen based on the first Australian Idol 3 liveshow theme on 11 September 2005, which was Australian Hits, there was also a corresponding DVD featuring the...
-
Singing "Holy Grail" & in the group song "Ready".
With Rock City
| Album information |
|---|
Welcome to Rock City
|
Videography
Three videos were then made from his debut album. "Wasabi" became the first breakthrough single reaching number one in Australia for five weeks. The video clip for his second single, "Anything for You", was produced by James Hackett, and used hi-tech motion control. The video took about 100 shots to produce, each with Lee Harding and his band in different outfits and props. The third and last video of the album was "Call the Nurse" which featured Lee and the Bedrock boys in a hospital in Sydney, rocking out in the back of an ambulance. Band member and drummer, Mick Spencer, was ill whilst filming the clip. He shot the video with an intravenous drip secured in the back of his hand, drumming away on a hospital bed.Awards
Lee's first single, "Wasabi", lasted 5 consecutive weeks in the #1 position on radio charts nationwide. "Wasabi" held this title with TV Rocks "Flaunt It" for the highest number of consecutive weeks in 2006 for an Australian single to be in the #1 position on the charts. The single debuted at #1 in the Australian ARIA Singles Chart in December 2005, and remained at the top spot for five consecutive weeks. It was certified gold in the first week, and certified platinum in the second week. The song was popular on Lowie's Hot 30 Countdown, reaching number one on several occasions.The music video was voted number 63 in the Video Hits Australia Top 100 Video Clips. The song placed eighth in the End of Year ARIA Singles Top 100 of 2006.
Lee won an ARIA #1 award in 2006 for the efforts and success of his first single and release from "What's wrong with this picture?", "Wasabi".http://www.aria.com.au/pages/no1-awards.htm
In 2006, Harding won an award at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards, held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 11 October
- Fave Hottie (Male) - Lee Harding
Harding won the award alongside Neighbours star,Stephanie McIntosh, who scored Fave Female Hottie.
Shannon Noll support act
Lee was support for fellow Idol contestant, Shannon NollShannon Noll
Shannon Noll first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released five Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No...
, on his nationwide tour with mate and fellow idol contestant Dan England. Harding played venues such as Sydney Luna Parks's Big Top.
INXS support act
August 2006, Harding was opening act for rock group INXSINXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
with bandmates Bedrock for one night of their tour in Brisbane
Anything for You Tour
In April 2006, Harding headlined his own tour titled the Anything for You Tour. Before acts included the Sydney based power-pop group, Kid Courageous, hip-hop icons Figg Kidd, and an emerging indie-rock group, Town Hall Steps. Harding performed at such venues including Penrith Panthers and Castle Hill RSL Club. The tour covered venues along the east coast of Australia.All Age Rampage/Pop Punk Tour 2006
September 2006, Harding kicked off his co-headlining tour with mates Kid Courageous amongst small venues across the nation. The tour commenced in Brisbane, then continued to the Gold Coast(meet bree), Melbourne, Albury and Adelaide. Artists on the tour included; Lee Haring and Bedrock, Kid Courageous, 919(now known as Amber Calling) and Enolas Secret (Formerly known as Wishlist)' Melbourne band Don't Ask Us supported the tour on the Victorian dates'. Due to the arisal of a family issue, the tour was postponed for the NSW shows which consisted of venues such as, Penrith Leagues, the Manning Bar and Dapto Leagues. News was received after the conclusion of the Adelaide show and was confirmed in an official press release by Harding's manager at the time.Events
- MTV Australia Video Music Awards
In April 2006, Lee performed at the AVMA awards held at Acer Arena - Homebush. Lee and band Bedrock performed the second single from the album "Whats Wrong With This Picture?", Anything for You. During the performance, oversized balloons fell from the ceiling into the mosh pit below. Lee was also a special guest for the AVMA's pre-show. Harding hung out backstage with MTV's Maz Compton and Nathan Sapsford in a broadcast about the creation of the awards.
- Dolly Teen Choice Awards
August 2006, Lee performed at the 1st ever Dolly Teen Choice Awards. Harding performed a duet with the members of Kid Courageous, singing their latest release at the time,"Our Days are Numbered". Harding also presented the award for Best Dressed Female to Home and Away star, Jodie Gordon.
- Lowies 21st Birthday Bash
13 May 2006, Harding performed at radio host, Craig Lowie Low's, 21st birthday party. The event was held at the Big Top venue at Sydney's Luna Park. Other artists which performed were the likes of: The Young Divas, Kid Courageous and Kate Alexa.
- Frankston sea festival on the bay.
Harding and band Bedrock rocked out at the Frankston sea festival on the bay in early 2007. Despite pouring with rain, the band wooed the drenched crowds and pleased the locals with a line-up of cover songs at the community event.
- In mid 2006, Lee travelled with Bedrock to war-torn IRAQ to perform and entertain the troops. Harding and his band Bedrock, along with comedian Clint Paddison and country music singers Nicki GillisNicki Gillis- Background :Nicki Gillis is a female vocalist and entertainer from Australia who was born in Western Australia and grew up a child of entertainer parents from Croatian and Italian backgrounds...
and Stacey Morris, arrived in the Middle East, July 2006. "It is not dangerous at all," said Harding. I have not been fearing it or worried one bit since I have been here. We are in very good hands."
Promotional events and launches
- Opening of DCM UN bar/club Sydney, September 2006.
- Port Power Christmas, December 2006.
- Darwin Festival, 2006
- Davenport Showground, Tasmania 2007.