Cold Chisel

Cold Chisel is an Australian rock band formed in Adelaide in 1973, built around the songwriting of pianist Don Walker and the raw, soulful voice of frontman Jimmy Barnes. Rounded out by guitarist Ian Moss, bassist Phil Small and drummer Steve Prestwich, the band became one of the defining acts of Australian pub rock, fusing blues, R&B and hard rock into anthems built for packed, sweaty venues.

Their albums East and Circus Animals, along with songs like «Khe Sanh», «Flame Trees», «Cheap Wine» and «Forever Now», turned them into a genuine cultural institution in Australia, with «Khe Sanh» in particular becoming an unofficial national singalong despite radio bans over its lyrics. The band split in 1983 at the height of their popularity, a move that only deepened their legendary status.

Cold Chisel reunited multiple times over the following decades, releasing further albums and touring to enormous crowds. Their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1993 cemented their place in Australian music history, and their catalogue remains a staple of pub jukeboxes and classic rock radio across the country.