Mark Holden
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| Mark Holden | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Born | April 27, 1954 (age 52) | |
| Origin |  Australia |
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| Genre(s) | Pop, Rock | |
| Years active | 1970-present | |
| Label(s) | EMI, Sony Music Australia | |
| Website | MarkHolden.net.au | |
Mark Holden (born 27 April 1954) is an Australian singer and television personality. He is one of three judges on television series Australian Idol.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Acting career
Holden was a television and film actor. He was an original cast member of soap opera The Young Doctors when it began in late 1976. Film roles included Blue Fire Lady. He was awarded three Logies; when awarded a Logie in 1978 he was not available to receive it because he was in the bathroom.
[edit] Music career
Holden has around 30 years experience in the music industry, beginning his career in the 1970s. As a singer he presented a clean-cut image of white suit and red carnations. Signed to EMI he released songs including "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", "I Wanna Make You My Lady" and "Last Romance". He achieved platinum album sales.
After moving to the United States in 1980 he had hits as a songwriter with several artists and had covers of his songs performed by such people as Belinda Carlisle, Fleetwood Mac, Donny Osmond and David Hasselhoff.
After the birth of their daughter in 1996, he and his wife Anna moved back to Australia, where he formed Marjac Productions with friend Jack Strom. This company managed popstar Vanessa Amorosi until early 2006, when Ralph Carr took over. He has written songs for Amorosi, Delta Goodrem, Nikki Webster and Sophie Monk.
[edit] Australian Idol
As a judge on Australian Idol Holden is famous for the catchphrase "Touchdown!" (a phrase also used heavily by Paula Abdul in the early seasons of American Idol), as well as his failed attempts at speaking cool ("bling bling", "bada bing bada boo" and less decipherable nonsense). He is seen as more compassionate than Kyle Sandilands (and the ex-host Ian "Dicko" Dickson), but still has bouts of harsh criticism compared to the "nice" judge Marcia Hines. Holden also produces much of the music performed by winning Idol contestants.
[edit] X Factor
Mark also appeared as a judge on the poorly rated The X Factor in 2005. (along with John Reid and Kate Ceberano). The R&B group he had been mentoring during the show, Random, went on to win and their first single "Put Your Hands Up" reached #7 on the Australian ARIAnet Singles Chart.
[edit] Trivia
- Holden's is known for his use of the phrase "Touchdown!" when commenting on what he believes to be high quality Idol performances.
- Holden has been parodied on Network 10's sketch comedy, The Wedge.
- Has had a cameo appearance in Thank God You're Here as the boyfriend of Jo Stanley.
[edit] Mark's Slang Quotes
- "Touchdown!" (to various in Australian Idol)
- "Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching!" (Dean Geyer:What is that? Mark Holden: Mate that's the sound of cash registers. From Australian Idol, Season 4, to Dean Geyer)
- "That didn't schizzle my frizzle" (to various in Australian Idol)
- "The Val Dooni-goo-goo-gometer has jumped to 11." (to Damien Leith)
- "That put a fire down my wire." (to Reigan Derry)
[edit] Personal life
- He managed to finish his law degree in 1999.
- Holden was awarded "Wanker of the Year" by men's magazine Ralph in 2003, and in response, wanted a trophy to show off his new title. He started up a petition on his own website to have it awarded to him. He has mentioned it a few times on Idol, and Ralph has considered naming the award after him. In this years awards however, he came third, beaten by fellow Network Ten celebrities Rove McManus and Australian Idol presenter Andrew G. The magazine claimed that his attempt to claim a trophy for his honour was enough for them not to give him the award.
- In 2003 there was an incident between Aussie Rocker Tim Rogers and Holden in an Adelaide airport terminal. In a 2006 Under the Weather segment on Australian radio station JJJ, the incident was jokingly brought up. Host Jay Whalley mentioned that his co-host [The Doctor] was away traveling and asked Rogers for traveling tips as a segway to the incident, if he bumped into Holden. Rogers responded: "He could try and suggest that for every five minutes that the judge [Mark Holden] is on camera, that far more could be done with that cash that he is receiving, and then get said judges "goons" to try and rough the Doctor up."
- He has suffered six bone fractures as a direct result of Osteoporosis, and featured on an awareness ad on Channel 7.
[edit] External links
| Australian Idol |
|---|
| Hosts and Judges |
| Andrew G | James Mathison Mark Holden | Marcia Hines | Ian "Dicko" Dickson | Kyle Sandilands |
| Winners |
| Guy Sebastian | Casey Donovan | Kate DeAraugo | Damien Leith |
| Runners-Up |
| Shannon Noll | Anthony Callea | Emily Williams | Jessica Mauboy |
| Seasons |
| Idol 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| Other |
| List of semi finalists | Young Divas | Australian Made: The Hits | List of commercial releases |
