Jump to content

Human Nature (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with The Human League.

Human Nature
Four adult males are singing into hand-held microphones. They all wear silver-grey three-piece suits, white shirt and dark tie. The man on the left is shown in mostly right profile and partly obscures the second man. Both hold the microphone in their left hands with the right hand raised in a clenched fist near their shoulder. The next two men hold the mics in their right hands and raise their left as a fist.
Performing in Canberra, June 2007
Background information
Also known asThe 4 Trax
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active1989 (1989)–present
Labels
Members
Websitehumannaturelive.com

Human Nature are an Australian pop vocal group, which formed in 1989, as a quartet featuring Toby Allen, Phil Burton and brothers, Andrew and Mike Tierney. Originally they were established as a doo-wop group, called the 4 Trax, when the members were schoolmates.

After signing with Sony Music as Human Nature, they released their debut album, Telling Everybody, in 1996. Four of their albums have reached number one on the ARIA Albums Charts, Counting Down (May 1999), Reach Out: The Motown Record (November 2005), Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II (October 2006) and Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox Vol II (August 2016). Three other albums reached number two, Get Ready (November 2007), Jukebox (October 2014), and Romance of the Jukebox (August 2018).

Their top 10 hits on the related ARIA Singles Chart are "Wishes" (October 1996), "Don't Say Goodbye" (March 1997), "Everytime You Cry" (duet with John Farnham, October 1997), "Don't Cry" (July 1999), "Eternal Flame" (October 1999), "He Don't Love You" (November 2000) and "When You Say You Love Me" (April 2004). Three of their albums received multi-platinum certification from ARIA, while four others have received platinum, with a total shipment of over 1.6 million records in Australia, as of April 2011.[1]

The group have toured both nationally and internationally including as a support act for Celine Dion on her Falling Into You Around the World Tour (March 1996, June 1997) and Let's Talk About Love World Tour (1998). They also opened for Michael Jackson on the HIStory World Tour (December 1996, early to mid-1997). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006 they won Highest Selling Album for Reach Out: The Motown Record. In May 2009 they began a residency performing a Motown-themed show on the Las Vegas Strip and in April 2014 they completed their 1000th show. In November 2019 Human Nature were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

History

[edit]

Early career: The 4 Trax

[edit]

Human Nature started as the 4 Trax in Sydney in late 1989 when Toby Allen (born 1973) and Phil Burton (born 1974) joined with brothers Andrew Tierney (born 1974) and Michael Tierney (born 1977).[2][3] They represented Hurlstone Agricultural High School as well as a public school in Sydneys west, in a combined regional schools concert at the Bankstown Town Hall, on 27 November 1989. All four members had choir backgrounds and were inspired by groups from the Motown era, including the Four Tops. In Bankstown, they had sung The Penguins' hit "Earth Angel". Andrew later told Megan Riggs of What's on Highway Radio that it was the only song they knew and they were encouraged to listen to more Motown groups.[4][5]

After the elder three members had finished high school, Allen worked as a perfume salesman and studied courses in accounting and geology;[6] Andrew studied physiotherapy for two years;[7] and Burton was studying to be a music teacher.[8] Mike, the youngest member of the group, was doing his Higher School Certificate in his final year of secondary school. The 4 Trax initially gave street performances in the doo-wop style, and after winning some talent quests, they began singing professionally in clubs and built a following.[3][9] The group sent demo recordings to record labels. On a visit to Sony CEO, Denis Handlin,[3][10] they performed an a cappella version of "People Get Ready", and landed a contract.[5][9][11]

By 1995 the group felt the 4 Trax name was dated, so they brainstormed alternatives: Mike suggested Human Nature.[3] Allen said, "At first we thought it was probably a bit obvious, because it's such a well-used term, but then the more we lived with that we realized that it suited us. We were singing a cappella at the time, and it represented what we were about: Singing was our human nature."[4]

Telling Everybody album (1996–1997)

[edit]

On 1 March 1996 Human Nature released their first single, "Got It Goin' On", which reached No. 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[12] It was co-written by the Tierney brothers with their producer, Paul Begaud.[13] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 they received their first nomination, for Best Talent for "Got It Goin' On".[14] In July 1996, they followed up with "Tellin' Everybody", again written by Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney and producer Paul Begaud, which reached the top 30.[12] The third single, "Wishes" (27 September), peaked at No. 6 and gave them their first platinum certification from ARIA.[12][15][16] "Wishes" was co-written by Alan Glass with its producer, Andrew Klippel (ex-member of Euphoria).[3][13]

They had opened for Celine Dion on the Australian leg of her Falling Into You Around the World Tour in March 1996.[17] They were a support act for the tour's European leg: visiting Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland in June 1997.[17] They opened for her next world tour, Let's Talk About Love, in 1998, at the concerts in South Korea and Japan.[17]

On 2 December 1996, Human Nature released their debut album, Telling Everybody, which reached No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart and remained in the top 50 for 64 weeks.[12] It also reached the top 100 on both the German and the Japanese Albums Charts.[18][19] Eight of its twelve tracks were produced by Paul Begaud and the other four by Klippel.[2][3] According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, it "brimmed with silky smooth dance-pop and blue-eyed soul."[2] On the ARIA End of Year Albums Chart it reached No. 11.[20] Christie Eliezer of Billboard listed the album at number 9 in his top 10 for the year, declaring that it had "Stunning R&B vocals."[21] He opined that outside Australia the group's "three strongest markets outside are Japan, Germany and Taiwan."[21]

Human Nature garnered attention from Sony label mate, Michael Jackson: they were an opening act for the Australian leg of the HIStory World Tour in November and December 1996.[22] Mike Tierney told G Mintern of The Times in November, "Well its totally amazing, and a real coup for us and a great opportunity to showcase our music to a large number of people."[23] They continued opening for Jackson on the European leg through early 1997.[24] They sang at venues numbering over 100,000 people,[25] and at Wembley Stadium for three nights.[11] In an interview in July 2009 with Radar Online's reporter, Andrew described touring with Jackson: "[it] was an incredible break for us ... We learned so much from seeing him perform that many times and experienced things that have shaped us into the entertainers we are today. He was the ultimate artist and so inspiring."[24] In April and May 1997 they toured United Kingdom supporting local girl group Eternal.[26] In June 1998 they issued a VHS, Human Nature – Telling Everybody... The Story, produced and directed by Ross Wood, which contained footage of their European and Japanese 1997 tours supporting Dion, Jackson and Eternal.[27][28]

Additional singles from Telling Everybody are "Don't Say Goodbye" (March 1997, Peaking at No. 8), "Whisper Your Name" (with both songs having been co-written by Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney, Paul Begaud) and produced by Begaud. (August, No. 18), and "People Get Ready" (November, top 40).[12][16][29] The album achieved triple-platinum status in 1997.[30] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 they received nominations for Best Pop Release and Producer of the Year (Paul Begaud) for "Telling Everybody", Highest Selling Single for both "Don't Say Goodbye" and "Wishes", and Breakthrough Artist – Album for Telling Everybody.[14] At the ceremony, in September, they debuted their single, "Everytime You Cry", which was a duet with John Farnham.[2][14] In the following month Human Nature undertook their own national concert tour.[11]

Counting Down album (1998–1999)

[edit]

Human Nature and Farnham's duet single, "Every Time You Cry", peaked at No. 3 and stayed for 15 weeks in the ARIA top 50.[12][31] The group received a nomination at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 for Producer of the Year for Paul Begaud's work on "Whisper Your Name" and another for Highest Selling Single (with Farnham) for "Every Time You Cry".[14] They later performed with Farnham on his I Can't Believe He's 50 Tour in April–May 1999.[2][32] In December 1998 they supported Janet Jackson's tour of Australia.[2]

Their second album, Counting Down, was released on 25 May 1999, which consists of sessions recorded in Sydney, London, and Los Angeles, and used the production team from the first album, along with international songwriters and producers.[2][3][33] It debuted at Number One (#1) on the ARIA charts, remained in the top 50 for 26 weeks and was certified platinum by the end of the following year.[12][34] McFarlane described it as "smooth R&B pop".[2] Eliezer declared that its number-one status "sent the right signal to other territories about the vocal quartet."[35]

"Every Time You Cry" was included on the album and five other singles charted in the ARIA top 40: "Cruel" (September 1998, No. 1 "Last to Know" (March 1999, No. 14), "Don't Cry" (July, No. 5), "Eternal Flame" (October, No. 8) – a cover version of the 1989 hit by The Bangles – and "Be There with You", the later was again written by the Tierney brothers and Paul Begaud and produced by Begaud. (April 2000, No. 40)[12] Andrew and Michael co-wrote "She's Taken My Words" – the B-side for "Last to Know" – which was used as the theme song for Australian feature film, Paperback Hero (March 1999).[36] Human Nature were the first Australian group, and as of October 2007, the only one to have six top 40 hits from the one album.[37] All except "Be There with You" received gold certification in Australia.[38]

Human Nature appeared in an Australian concert tour of symphonic versions of Beatles' songs, conducted by George Martin.[3] In October 1999 they had roles in a stage version of Happy Days: The Arena Mega-Musical, playing a 1950s vocal group, the Naturals.[2][16][39][40] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1999 they were nominated for Best Pop Release for Counting Down; Producer of the Year (Paul Begaud) for "Now That I Found You", "Depend on Me", "Last to Know", "Be There with You"; and Highest Selling Single for "Last to Know".[14]

Self-titled and greatest hits albums (2000–2003)

[edit]

Human Nature's third album was eponymously titled and released on 1 December 2000.[3] It was recorded in Sydney, London, Stockholm, Los Angeles and New York.[3] It included "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" which was co-written by the Tierney brothers with Gary Barlow of Take That.[13] Its lead single, "He Don't Love You" (November 2000), reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart[41] and No. 7 in Australia to become the second best selling Australasian single for that year.[12] Tim Cashmere of Undercover Media described their "clean cut image that appeals to teens with full parental approval."[42]

On 15 September Human Nature performed the Australian National Anthem at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics with singer Julie Anthony and musician James Morrison. In November they made a guest appearance on the Australian TV soap opera, Neighbours, where they sang "He Don't Love You" at Erinsborough High's debutante ball, and "Wishes" a cappella at the ball's after party.

On 16 November 2001 Human Nature released their first greatest hits album, Here & Now: The Best of Human Nature, featuring 17 tracks, three of which had not been on previous albums. It reached No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[12] Their single, "Always Be With You", peaked in the top 30.[11][12] Its related music video featured a comic character, Guido Hatzis.[43] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2001 "He Don't Love You" was nominated for Highest Selling Single and Best Video (directed by Mark Hartley).[14]

From August 2002 to early 2003 Allen portrayed the Emcee in a production of the musical, Cabaret.[3][44] He used temporary tattoos and dyed black hair; in a stark contrast to the "clean-cut" image associated with the group. Jo Roberts of The Age described how "he prowls around the stage like a wild animal on heat; muscular, handsome and lascivious with dyed black hair, tattoos and androgynous, wet, red lips. He's an eye magnet, whether centre stage or lurking in the shadows with an expression of wicked intent."[44] Allen won a Helpmann Award for his performance.[45] For the duration of the musical play's run Human Nature were in hiatus.[3] On 25 June 2003 the group sang the national anthem at Game 2 of the Rugby League State of Origin match at Stadium Australia.[46]

Walk the Tightrope, Motown cover albums (2004–2007)

[edit]

Human Nature released their fourth studio album, Walk the Tightrope, on 26 April 2004, which reached No. 12.[12][47] Andrew explained, "With this record, we wanted to take a bit of a chance, do things we haven't done before. Break the Human Nature mould."[47] Cashmere felt that while it is "littered with great vocal harmonization... it's just a bummer about the songs... they haven't exactly pushed the boundaries of artistic endeavor, but they have once again laid down some magnificent vocals backed by some of the world's top production."[48] Amazon.com's editor opined that they "have never sounded better. A blend of Bee Gees groove inspired dance floor tracks, upbeat pop numbers and gorgeous ballads."[49]

Its first single "When You Say You Love Me", co-written by Darren Hayes (ex-Savage Garden) and Rick Nowels, is a cover version of Clay Aiken's album track.[50][51] In April 2004 it reached No. 7 in Australia.[12] The track, "Love Is Blind", was written by the Bee Gees in 1998, but it had not been previously released by any artist.[52][53] The album also features a reworking of "Guilty (One in a Million)" by Barry Gibb and Barbra Streisand,[53] and a cover of "To Be with You", a 1992 hit by glam metal band Mr. Big. "Guilty" reached the top 40.[12]

In May 2005 Allen portrayed Kenickie in, another musical, Grease The Arena Spectacular.[54] John Shand of The Sydney Morning Herald declared that Allen "seemed wasted" in his role.[54]

For their fifth studio album, Reach Out: The Motown Record (7 November 2005), the group focused on Motown cover versions.[55] AllMusic's Matt Collar found the tracks were "well-produced and reverent reworkings of the original '60s versions that should appeal to both aficionados of Motown soul and longtime Human Nature fans."[55] Eliezer, now writing for In Music & Media, described it as "nannabait" which provided "something of a late-career revival."[56] Burton explained their development, "We've gone through the Telling Everybody and the boy band phase – as you said – but now we're showing everyone how we got to where we are and that's by listening to this type of music. It really suits us."[57]

Reach Out debuted at No. 6,[58] and, five weeks later, reached number one on the ARIA Album Chart; it remained in the top 50 for 56 weeks.[12] It peaked at No. 2 in New Zealand – their highest-charting album outside Australia.[59] It received 6× Platinum certification in 2007 from ARIA for shipment of over 420,000 units.[60] In 2006 they performed across Australia on their Motown Show Tour with special guest, Doug Parkinson.[61]

Allen and Burton have each appeared in reality TV shows: Allen in the fourth season of Channel 7's Dancing with the Stars (May 2006) – finishing third[62] – Burton in the second season of Nine Network's Celebrity Overhaul (January 2007).[63] Both Allen and Burton appeared on 19 March 2006 episode of Channel 10's Australia's Brainiest series where they competed for the title of Australia's Brainiest Musician: Burton won and Allen was a runner-up.[64]

On 29 October 2006 Human Nature won the ARIA Award for Highest Selling Album for Reach Out: The Motown Record.[14] It was their first win from 15 nominations in their 18 years together.[14][57] Andrew jokingly commented that they were the "John Wood" of the ARIAs.[need quotation to verify] Human Nature performed at the ceremony, ARIA provided a summary, "[the] lads delivered a fine medley of Motown hits and, in their sharp blue suits, were easily the best-dressed blokes in the room."[14]

With the success of Reach Out, Human Nature continued with the Motown theme by releasing their sixth studio album, Dancing in the Street: the Songs of Motown II, on 13 October 2006.[12] Collar noticed that they "find a nice balance between updating the classic Motown sound for contemporary dance-pop fans while still remaining faithful to the original recordings."[65] Eliezer reported that with its predecessor "Motown tunes revive Human Nature."[66] It debuted at number one on the ARIA Album Chart and was certified 3× Platinum for 2006.[12][67] Dancing in the Street was nominated at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 for Best Selling Album.[14] They followed the album with an Australian arena tour in June and July 2007,[66] with pop singer, Paulini, as the support act.[68]

On 24 November 2007 Human Nature released their third Motown-themed album, Get Ready, which featured appearances by several original Motown artists: Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson (The Supremes, The Temptations). Robinson flew to Australia for its release, and performed with the group on Dancing with the Stars and Sunrise. The album reached number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum.[12][60] Their three Motown-themed albums, with a total of ten platinum certifications, have shipped over 700,000 copies in Australia.[60][67]

American breakthrough (2008–2013)

[edit]

In 2008 Human Nature performed for the first time in the United States, with a two-month engagement at Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino. In April they performed with Mary Wilson on the Australian TV show, It Takes Two, where they sang two duets from their Get Ready album: "It Takes Two" and "River Deep, Mountain High". Sony issued a compilation box set, The Motor City Collection, on 19 April 2008 – to coincide with Wilson's duets – which peaked at No. 18.[12]

The group teamed up with their previous producer Eliot Kennedy to record their ninth studio album, A Symphony of Hits, with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. It was released on 10 November 2008, which peaked at No. 10.[12] Adam Greenberg of AllMusic explained that "[t]he vocals are consistently strong, though they are undeniably of the boy band variety. There's melodramatic emotion pumped into everything here. While it works well for some of the ballads (the Bangles' 'Eternal Flame' in particular comes off well), it can seem a little much for the bouncier tracks."[69] They followed in mid-December with three performances at the Sydney Opera House fronting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Guy Noble.[70] They also performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne (February 2009), and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth (February–March).[71][72]

In May 2009 Human Nature became the second Australian group to have a residency on the Las Vegas Strip (The Four Kinsmen were the first, from 1996)[73] when they began a year-long engagement at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.[74] At the premiere of the show, Smokey Robinson Presents: Human Nature, Robinson told Las Vegas Weekly reporter, Robin Leach, that "They were bigger than the Beatles in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. I've never met four harder working, finely tuned singers. They are set to become major stars here now, and I'm proud to present them in Vegas."[74]

On 12 December they returned to Australia for a homecoming show with Robinson and Jessica Mauboy at the Wyndham Estate winery in the Hunter Region.[75] In May 2010 the Imperial Palace extended the group's engagement by two years, and also renamed their venue, as Human Nature Theatre. Las Vegas mayor, Oscar Goodman, also decreed that 11 May 2010 is to be known as Human Nature Day.[76]

Human Nature released their ninth studio album, Vegas: Songs from Sin City, in November 2010, which reached the ARIA top 30.[12] Vegas contains cover versions that are either about the city or have been performed by headliners past and present. It includes a duet with current Vegas headliner, Barry Manilow. On 27 November they performed two Elvis Presley covers, "A Little Less Conversation" and "Viva Las Vegas", complete with Vegas showgirls, on the final episode of Australian TV show, Hey Hey It's Saturday. They received a presentation award which coincided with their 21st anniversary of performing.[citation needed]

In December 2010 the band embarked on the Direct from Las Vegas! Australian Symphony Tour where they visited five state capital cities and played with the associated state symphony orchestra.[71] Again, they worked with the Sydney, Melbourne, and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.[71] Also, for the first time, they performed with the Adelaide, Tasmanian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras.[71][77][78]

In celebration of their 500th show at the Imperial Palace on 30 June 2011,[79] Human Nature recorded a full-length PBS concert special, Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson at the Paris Theatre at Paris Las Vegas on 6–7 July.[80] The special was produced by Ken Ehrlich, and was broadcast in December 2011 on 85% of the country's PBS stations. Andrew comments in their article for Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Basically, ever since we started working in Vegas, everyone was telling us we should do a PBS special." and that "We'd like more people when they arrive in Vegas to have heard of Human Nature."[80][81]

On 6 March 2012 Human Nature released a DVD of the PBS concert,[81] and also their first US album, The Motown Record, featuring more Motown tracks.[80] Allen told Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press, "Everybody loves (Motown), which is testament to what it achieved. As Berry Gordy would say, they didn't seek to make just black music – they wanted to make music for everybody. I look out at our shows, and it's people from all over the world, all genders and ages. It's pretty remarkable." and that "to have (Smokey Robinson) get involved so heavily with what we were doing was such a big justification for us, that we were doing something OK with this music and not ruining it."[82] The album reached number 120 on the Billboard Top 200,[83] but reached number one on the Motown Chart, and number one on the Billboard Heatseeker Chart.[80][83]

Performing in Las Vegas, May 2012

The releases were followed by a 34-city tour to raise money for PBS affiliates and to improve awareness of the group in America.[81] Their first stop, on 24 March, was at Detroit, Michigan, the original home of Motown, at the Fisher Theatre.[82] They were also featured musical guests on 23 April broadcast of the American ABC's Dancing with the Stars, alongside Motown artists, Robinson, Martha Reeves and the Temptations.[84] The tour included visits to Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston and New York City.[85] For the east coast tour they used their Vegas backing band, the Funk Foundation.[80]

In December 2012 the group toured Australia, again teaming up with symphony orchestras including the Adelaide and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras; they also performed in Sydney and the Gold Coast with Philharmonia Australia.[86]

Human Nature signed a two-year deal with Venetian Hotel and Casino and started residency in January 2013.[87] The group performs the Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature: The Motown Show five nights a week at the Sands Showroom.[88]

The Christmas Album & Jukebox albums (2013–2018)

[edit]
The band performing on Sunrise in 2019.

In November 2013 Human Nature released The Christmas Album,[89] which reached No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart,[12] and No. 13 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers.[83] They promoted it with a 10-date Australian tour in December.[90] On 10 April 2014 they played their 1000th show in Vegas, with Robinson joining them on stage.[91] In September they appeared on Australian TV's Sunrise to promote their concept album, Jukebox, featuring cover versions of tracks from the 1950s and 1960s. It debuted at No. 2.[12] In 2016, the band released Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox Vol II. In August 2018 the band released their thirteenth studio album, Romance of the Jukebox, which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Charts.

Order of Australia and ARIA Hall of Fame (2019)

[edit]

At the 2019 Australia Day Honours, each of the four members of Human Nature received the Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division), with the citation, "for service to the performing arts as an entertainer."[92][93] In April 2019 Human Nature celebrated their 30th anniversary with a Little More Love tour. It provided their biggest live shows and commenced in the Gold Coast and concluded in Sydney.[94] In November of that year the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame[95] and sang a medley of their tracks, "Don't Say Goodbye", "He Don't Love You", "Dancing in the Street", and "Everytime You Cry".[96][97] A compilation album, titled Still Telling Everybody: 30 Years of Hits was released in November 2019 and peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Charts.

On 2 February 2020, the group premiered a brand new single titled "Nobody Just Like You" at the 2020 Australian Open men's final.[98]

Band members

[edit]
  • Toby Allen – bass vocals (1989–present)
  • Phil Burton – baritone vocals, keyboard, guitar (1989–present)
  • Andrew Tierney – lead vocals, keyboard (1989–present)
  • Michael Tierney – tenor vocals (1989–present)

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Human Nature discography
Studio albums

Tours

[edit]

All Human Nature tours in Australia.

Main tours

[edit]
  • Here and Now (with Bardot) (2002)
  • Reach Out (2006)
  • Gimme Some Lovin' (2017)
  • Romance (2019)

Woolworths' Carols in the Domain

[edit]

In 2006, Human Nature were at Carols in the Domain at The Domain, Sydney.

Awards

[edit]

ARIA Awards

[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association to recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Human Nature has achieved one win (in 2006) from sixteen nominations. In 2019 they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Year Nominee / work Award Result reference
1996 "Got It Goin' On" Best New Talent Nominated [99]
1997 Telling Everybody Breakthrough Artist – Album Nominated [100]
Best Pop Release Nominated
Telling Everybody – Paul Begaud Producer of the Year Nominated
"Don't Say Goodbye" Highest Selling Single Nominated
"Wishes" Highest Selling Single Nominated
1998 "Every Time You Cry" (John Farnham and Human Nature) Highest Selling Single Nominated [101]
"Whisper Your Name" – Paul Begaud Producer of the Year Nominated
1999 "Last to Know" Highest Selling Single Nominated [102]
Counting Down Best Pop Release Nominated
"Now That I Found You", "Depend on Me", "Last to Know", "Be There with You" – Paul Begaud (and for other work) Producer of the Year Nominated
2001 "He Don't Love You" Highest Selling Single Nominated [103]
"He Don't Love You" – Mark Hartley (and for other work) Best Video Nominated
2006 Reach Out: The Motown Record Highest Selling Album Won [104]
Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominated
2007 Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II Highest Selling Album Nominated [105]
2019 Human Nature ARIA Hall of Fame Inducted [95]

Helpmann Awards

[edit]

The Helpmann Awards is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia since 2001.[106] Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2006 The Motown Show Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert Nominated [107]

Medal of the Order of Australia

[edit]

For the 2019 Australia Day Honours, on 26 January, each of the four members of Human Nature received the Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division), with the citation, "for service to the performing arts as an entertainer."[92][108]

Mo Awards

[edit]

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Human Nature won six awards in that time.[109]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1992 The 4 Trax Johnny O'Keefe Encouragement Award Won
1994 The 4 Trax Variety Group of the Year Won
The 4 Trax Variety Performer of the Year Won
1997 Human Nature Australian Performer of the Year Won
2001 Human Nature Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year Won
2002 Human Nature Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ARIA Accreditations". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Human Nature'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 30 September 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Nimmervoll, Ed. "Human Nature". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 January 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b Shapiro, Gregg (22 March 2012). "Toby Allen reflects on the human nature of Motown's classic hits". Wisconsin Gazette. WiG Publishing. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  5. ^ a b Riggs, Megan (12 July 2011). "It's Their Nature". What's On.com. What's On Highway Radio. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2015. Andrew Tierney: 'We were all in choirs; we did a lot of singing. There were band competitions around and I was thinking, at the time, we should start a band, but because we didn't play instruments I thought maybe a vocal group like the old style doo-wop groups. So that's how we started—we sang The Penguins' "Earth Angel" ... We started singing "Earth Angel" because that was the only song we knew. People told us, "You're great; you should start listening to Motown groups," and that's where we really cut our teeth on all the old Motown stuff and...we've been loving it ever since.'
  6. ^ "Toby Allen". Angel Fire. 2000. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  7. ^ Delaney (23 November 2013). "Crashing Las Vegas". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 24. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Phil Burton". Angel Fire. 2000. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  9. ^ a b Janese, Greg. "Human Nature – A Biography". Paradigm Talent Agency. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. After an initial stint as buskers, '4Trax' started performing in clubs and built up a following winning several awards as club entertainers.
  10. ^ Colin Larkin (licensed from Muze) (2012). "Human Nature Biography". Oldies.com (Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music). Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d "About: Australia's Human Nature: "The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound"". SPI Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Hung, Steffen. "Discography Human Nature". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  13. ^ a b c "'Got It Goin' On' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2015. Note: User may have to click "Search again" and provide details at "Enter a title:" e.g. Got It Goin On; or at "Performer:" Human Nature
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j ARIA Music Awards for Human Nature:
  15. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  16. ^ a b c "Human Nature Discography". Angelfire. 20 June 2001.
  17. ^ a b c Roselli, Dayna (7 April 2011). "Human Nature Attends Celine Dion's Show". blogs.lasvegasnow.com (KLAS-TV). Landmark Media Enterprises. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Human Nature opened for Celine Dion in Australia in March, 1996. They then toured with her through Europe in June, 1997, which included stops in Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland. They also toured with her to China and Japan in 1998.
  18. ^ "Human Nature Telling Everybody Albums" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  19. ^ "ヒューマン・ネイチャーのランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  20. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart".
  21. ^ a b Eliezer, Christie (29 December 1996). "The Year in Music". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  22. ^ C, Andrew (24 December 2013). "A Holiday-Inspired Look Back: When Human Nature Met Michael Jackson". Human Nature Live. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  23. ^ Mintern, G (29 November 1996). "The Mintern Tapes". The Times. Victor Harbor, SA: National Library of Australia. p. 20. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  24. ^ a b "Exclusive: Michael Jackson Gave Australia's Top Band 'Human Nature' Its Big Break". Radar Online. 6 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  25. ^ "HIStory Tour". Genius Michael Jackson. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  26. ^ "Human Nature 'Get It Goin' On' in Europe ... and at the logies". TV Week. May 1997. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Human Nature – Telling Everybody... The Story (1997)". All About Movies. Retrieved 26 October 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  28. ^ Human Nature; Wood, Ross; Sony Music Video Enterprises (1990), Human Nature telling everybody... the story, Sony Music Video Enterprises, retrieved 26 October 2015
  29. ^ "Human Nature Discography". Human Nature : Official Site. Sony Music Entertainment Australia. Archived from the original on 2 July 2004. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  30. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  31. ^ Hung, Steffen. "John Farnham discography". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  32. ^ McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'John Farnham'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Worldwide Home of Australasian Music and More Online (WHAMMO). Archived from the original on 29 August 2004. John Farnham was back touring with his own band, during April and May 1999, celebrating his 50th birthday with the I Can't Believe He's 50 national tour. Supporting him were the likes of Kate Ceberano, Merril Bainbridge, Human Nature, James Reyne and Ross Wilson.
  33. ^ "Artists :: Human Nature". Australian Music Online (Australia Council for the Arts). Archived from the original on 21 November 2005. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  34. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  35. ^ Eliezer, Christie (19 June 1999). "Australia's Human Nature Preps for Global Push". Billboard. p. 13. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  36. ^ "Music News for w/c May 24". Undercover News. Undercover Media (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman). 24 May 1999. Archived from the original on 4 September 2000. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  37. ^ Nimmervoll, Ed (October 2007). "Chart Beat: Facts and figures from the Australian charts: Most Hits from one Album". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 January 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  39. ^ "Happy Days The Arena Mega Musical (Original Cast)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  40. ^ "Show Gives Fonz Some Happy Days". The Sun Sentinel. 3 February 1999. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  41. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 263. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  42. ^ Cashmere, Tim (July 2001). "Human Nature – Don't Come Back". Undercover News. Undercover Media (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman). Archived from the original on 18 September 2002. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  43. ^ "Julian Schiller – Profile" (PDF). Adams Management. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  44. ^ a b Roberts, Jo (14 December 2002). "Welcome to the seedier side of Human Nature". The Age. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  45. ^ Low, Lenny ann (20 May 2003). "A Bobby for Page's best performance". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  46. ^ sydney eagle (25 June 2003). "state of origin 2 NSW V QLD". CPFC BBS. Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  47. ^ a b "Human Nature – Walk the Tightrope". Human Nature: Official Site. Sony Music Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2 July 2004. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  48. ^ Cashmere, Tim (May 2004). "Human Nature, Walk the Tightrope". Undercover News. Undercover Media (Paul Cashmere, Ros O'Gorman). Archived from the original on 17 November 2004. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  49. ^ "Human Nature – Walk the Tightrope – Editorial Reviews". Amazon.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  50. ^ "Darren Hayes". MTV Beta. Viacom International Inc. 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  51. ^ Marketwire (6 March 2012). "Australian Pop Vocal Group Sensation Human Nature Release U.S. Debut 'The Motown Record'". Exec Digital. WDM Group. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  52. ^ Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs 2004". Retrieved 4 September 2012. Human Nature: Walk the Tightrope, Australia: April 2004, 'Love Is Blind', The first release of the 1998 composition 'Love Is Blind' was by the Australian boy band Human Nature. Col Joye: Along the Way, Australia: July 2004, 'Love Is Blind', The second release of the 1998 composition 'Love Is Blind' was recorded in 2002 before Human Nature recorded the first version to be released.
  53. ^ a b "News, April 20th". BrothersGibb.org. Gibb Service International.
  54. ^ a b Shand, John (9 May 2005). "Grease: the Arena Spectacular". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital.
  55. ^ a b Collar, Matt. "Reach Out: The Motown Record – Human Nature". AllMusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  56. ^ Eliezer, Christie (20 December 2005). "Idol Sales". In Music & Media. No. 486. Archived from the original on 17 February 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  57. ^ a b McCormack, Ben (3 July 2007). "Human Nature". A Current Affair. Nine MSN. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  58. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Human Nature – Reach Out – The Motown Record (Album)". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  59. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Human Nature – Reach Out – The Motown Record (Album)". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  60. ^ a b c "ARIA Charts – Accreditations 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  61. ^ "Human Nature & Doug Parkinson appearing at the Nambour Civic Centre on Thursday 24 August at 8pm Sunshine Coast". My Sunshine Coast. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  62. ^ "Allen dances out of TV comp". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press (AAP). 2 May 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  63. ^ Emery, Paul (20 April 2015). "What is TFT and does it help? Ask Number One Pop Star Phil Burton!". Quantum EPR. QEPR Media. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  64. ^ "Australia's Brainiest Musician". James Blundell Official Website. 16 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  65. ^ Collar, Matt. "Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II – Human Nature". AllMusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  66. ^ a b Eliezer, Christie (20 January 2007). "The Same Old Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  67. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  68. ^ Hayes, Sebastian (10 July 2007). "Human Nature / Paulini and The Naturelles". Rave Magazine. Brisbane, Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  69. ^ Greenberg, Adam. "A Symphony of Hits – Human Nature". AllMusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  70. ^ Noble, Guy (24 October 2008). "Human Nature and the Sydney Symphony". Sydney Symphony. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  71. ^ a b c d "Human Nature". The Music House. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  72. ^ ABC Radio Marketing (6 February 2009). "Human Nature with WASO". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  73. ^ "The Four Kinsmen's record-breaking season". On with the Show. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  74. ^ a b Leach, Robin (18 June 2009). "Photo Gallery: Smokey Robinson and Human Nature debut at Imperial Palace". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  75. ^ "Human Nature and Smokey Robinson One Show Only". Culture Hunter. Hunter Region: Octapod Association, Arts NSW. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  76. ^ David, Harold (19 May 2010). "Human Nature Extends Contract Two More Years With Imperial Palace Las Vegas". Access Hollywood. NBCUniversal Media.
  77. ^ "Human Nature – Direct from Las Vegas with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra". The Program. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  78. ^ "Human Nature with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Company. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  79. ^ Fink, Jerry (3 July 2011). "Our Town". Las Vegas Tribune. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  80. ^ a b c d e Human Nature (18 July 2012). "Hit after hit, success after success for Imperial Palace headliners Human Nature". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  81. ^ a b c Weatherford, Mike (24 November 2011). "Human Nature featured in PBS special". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  82. ^ a b McCollum, Brian (22 March 2012). "Motown-singing Aussie group Human Nature launches its first U.S. tour – starting in Detroit". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  83. ^ a b c "Human Nature | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  84. ^ "This week's Dancing with the Stars presents a Motown special honoring Motown's greatest music". ABC Medianet (Press release). ABC. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012.
  85. ^ "Australian band Human Nature takes on the US". The Daily Telegraph. Associated Press. 22 March 2012.
  86. ^ "Human Nature – Australian Tour". Nine MSN. 20 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  87. ^ "2013 Announcement – The Venetian – Human Nature | Official Website". Humannaturelive.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  88. ^ "Human Nature – Resident Shows – Las Vegas Entertainment – The Venetian® Las Vegas – Resort, Hotel, and Casino". Venetian.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  89. ^ "Human Nature – The Christmas Album". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  90. ^ "Human Nature – The Christmas Album". Femail. December 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  91. ^ "Smokey Robinson Presents Human Nature: The Motown Show to Play 1,000th Performance on 4/10". Broadway World. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  92. ^ a b Alina Eacott and Norman Hermant (26 January 2019). "Australia Day Honours list: Meet the people being recognised at this year's ceremony". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  93. ^ "Australia Day 2019 Honours List". Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  94. ^ "Human Nature Little More Love". TEG Live. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  95. ^ a b Brandle, Lars (1 November 2019). "Human Nature to Be Inducted Into ARIA Hall of Fame". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  96. ^ "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  97. ^ "ARIA Awards 2019: Tones and I wins big & Human Nature Hall of Fame". MediaWeek. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  98. ^ "Human Nature shredded for Australian Open men's final performance". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  99. ^ "Winners by Year 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  100. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  101. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1998: 12th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  102. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  103. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2001: 15th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  104. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2006: 20th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  105. ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2007: 21st Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  106. ^ "Events & Programs". Live Performance Australia. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  107. ^ "2006 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  108. ^ "Australia Day 2019 Honours List". Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  109. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Human_Nature_(band)&oldid=1249881249"