Colin Hay

Colin James Hay was born on June 29, 1953, in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland. In 1967, at the age of 14, he emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, with his parents, who owned a small music shop. His father, a piano tuner, had previously been a stage singer and dancer in Glasgow. In 1978, Hay met Ron Strykert, forming an acoustic duo that would soon evolve into what became Men at Work. The band quickly gained recognition, releasing their debut studio album, “Business as Usual,” in 1981, which achieved international success.

After Men at Work disbanded in 1986, Colin Hay embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut single “Hold Me” in January 1987 and the album “Looking for Jack.” He relocated to Los Angeles in 1989 and became a U.S. citizen in 2016. Over the years, Hay has released numerous solo albums, establishing his own record label, Lazy Eye Records, in 1994. His solo work has continued to explore rock, pop rock, and new wave genres. He has also performed with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and made appearances in various films and television shows, including “Scrubs,” “The Resident,” and “A Million Little Things.

Hay’s career saw Men at Work inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1994, and he has received individual accolades such as the APRA Distinguished Services Award in 2020 and the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music in 2023. His hit song “Down Under” has been remixed and re-recorded, demonstrating its enduring appeal across generations. Beyond music, Hay has also ventured into acting, appearing in film and television roles, and released an audiobook, “Aesop’s Fables with Colin Hay,” in 2017.