Stephen Cummings

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Stephen Cummings is an Australian singer, songwriter and author. Born 13th September. He is best known as the lead singer of the popular 1970s–1980s Melbourne-based rock band, The Sports. Following their breakup in 1981, Cummings has pursued a solo career which has met critical acclaim but has had limited commercial success. He has published three novels, Wonder Boy (1996), Stay Away From Lightning Girl, and Kitchen Man.


Contents

[edit] Some background

  • Formed the ledgendary rockabilly band, The Pelaco Brothers in 1974.
  • Started The Sports in 1976. Recorded the Fair Game EP and received rave reviews in NME - the first Australian independent release to do so.
  • The Sports signed with Mushroom and Stiff in the UK.
  • Toured with Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, the Buzzcocks and Blondie.
  • Scored a Top 40 hit in the US with 'Who Listens to the Radio?'
  • Signed with Arista in the US.
  • Disbanded The Sports and started his solo career in 1983. First solo hit, "Gymnasium".
  • ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary album in 1990.
  • Recorded 16 solo albums.


[edit] Solo Albums

  • Senso (1984)
  • This Wonderful Life (1986)
  • Lovetown (1988)
  • A New Kind of Blue (1989)
  • Good Humour (1991)
  • Unguided Tour (1992)
  • Rollercoaster (compilation) (1993)
  • Falling Swinger (1994)
  • Escapist (1996)
  • Puppet, Pauper, Pirate, Poet, Pawn and King (compilation) (1997)
  • Spiritual Bum (1999)
  • Skeleton Key (2001)
  • Firecracker (2003)
  • Close Ups (unplugged) (2004)
  • Love-O-Meter (2005)
  • Space Travel (2007)


Stephen now has a myspace page which he updates intermittently.


[edit] What the papers have said:

  • “Alongside Nick Cave and Tim Rogers, I would nominate Stephen Cummings. He is easily one of our great storytellers, capable of creating lives in miniature.”

-Bernard Zuel, The Sydney Morning Herald[verification needed]


  • “Apart from Paul Kelly, no other Australian solo artist has managed to sustain a recording and performing career at such a high level of artistry for as long as Stephen Cummings.”

-Shaun Carney, The Age[verification needed]


  • “Debonair, romantic and sensitive, Cummings owns a voice that allows vulnerable yearning qualities as much space as an authoritative voice of experience.”

-Lauren Zoric, Rolling Stone[verification needed]


  • “...in a year rich in fine albums from singer-songwriters as diverse as Bob Dylan, Ron Sexsmith and Lucinda Williams, this is one of the finest.”

-Larry Schwratz, The Sunday Age[verification needed]


[edit] External links


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