The Black Sorrows set to rock

THE Black Sorrows, led by frontman Joe Camilleri, have been at the forefront of Australian music for decades, and now they are coming to Townsville.

Camilleri, named a “living legend” by Rolling Stone, has a career spanning 50 years, his talent as a singer, songwriter and saxophonist impressing crowds through the decades.

Twenty-one albums down the line, the Black Sorrows are at the peak of their game with Citizen John, the new album with roots in the familiar terrain of sweet, platinum radio rhythm and blues and dark reflections of modern times.

“It’s all very nice to get a pat on the back and ‘Hey I saw you in ’78’, but I want people to judge me on this album,” says the man who still plays 160 shows a year, from his home base in country Victoria to the music halls of Europe.

“This is the album I’ve just made and to me, it’s always about moving forward.”

Camilleri was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007. Over the years other greats have admired Camilleri’s songwriting, with Elvis Costello and John Denver just two who have recorded cover versions of his music.

Camilleri launched the Black Sorrows, a loose band of like-minded musicians, in 1984 following the demise of his seminal band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons the year before. The Black Sorrows have since won the ARIA for Best Band, played sellout shows across Europe and sold more than two million albums globally.

Join Camilleri, Claude Carranza (guitar/vocals), Mark Gray (bass/vocals), John Mccall (keyboards/vocals) and Angus Burchall (drums) for the Lover I Surrender tour performance.

Don’t miss this performance on March 21 at the Dalrymple Hotel. Tickets at tickets.oztix.com.au