Bernard Fanning (born 15 August 1969) is an Australian musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010.Born and raised in Toowong, Brisbane, Fanning was taught the piano by his mother at an early age. At the age of 12, while attending St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, Fanning began writing music, and upon graduating from St. Joseph's, moved on to the University of Queensland, where he studied journalism for a short time. He would go on to drop out to pursue a music career, after meeting Ian Haug in an economics class. Fanning joined Haug, John Collins, and Steven Bishop, who had recently formed Powderfinger, and took the role of lead singer. After Bishop left and guitarist Darren Middleton joined, the band would release five studio albums in fifteen years and achieve mainstream success in Australia. During Powderfinger's hiatus in 2005, Fanning began his solo music career with the studio album Tea & Sympathy. Powderfinger then reunited in 2007 and released two more albums before disbanding the group in late 2010.While Powderfinger's style focuses on alternative rock, Fanning's solo music is generally described as a mixture of blues and acoustic folk. A multi-instrumentalist, Fanning plays guitar, piano, keyboards and harmonica, both when performing solo and also with Powderfinger. Often speaking out against Australian political figures, Fanning has donated much of his time to philanthropic causes. He is an advocate for Aboriginal affairs in Australia.
ARIA Music Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album, MTV Australia Award for Album of the Year
Music Groups
Powderfinger, The Wrights
Nominations
ARIA Music Award for Best Male Artist, ARIA Music Award for Engineer of the Year, World Music Award for World’s Best Album, MTV Australia Award for Song of the Year, MTV Australia Award for Best Male Artist
Movies
Ned Kelly
Star Sign
Leo
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Fact
1
He has just released a solo album, called Tea and Sympathy. It's doing very well in the Australian charts [November 2005]
2
Has just released his band's fifth studio album 'Vulture Street' in Australia. [July 2003]
3
Has just released his band's sixth studio album 'Fingerprints' in Australia. [December 2004]
4
His band, "Powderfinger", has just released a new album called "Fingerprints". [2005]
5
Makes his on-screen debut with a cameo performance in Ned Kelly (2003) (2003) as an Irish singer. He performs the Australian folk song "Moreton Bay" onstage during the film.
6
Studied Journalism for a while at the University of Queensland, before leaving to become a factory hand, and to concentrate more on band commitments.
7
Lead singer/guitarist for popular Australian band 'Powderfinger'.
8
His album 'Odyssey no. 5' is one of the most highest selling albums in Australia's history, and was the big winner at the 2000 aria awards.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Formula 1: Ten Sport
TV Series writer - 4 episodes, 2016 performer - 1 episode, 2016
Bernard Fanning: Battleships
2013
Video short performer: "Battleships" / writer: "Battleships"
Any Questions for Ben?
2012
writer: "Burn Your Name" - as Fanning
The Block
2010
TV Series writer - 1 episode
20 to 1
2010
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
Dancing with the Stars
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
It Takes Two
2007-2008
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Australian Idol
2003-2007
TV Series writer - 3 episodes
The Singing Bee
2007
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Men in Trees
2007
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Ned Kelly
2003
arranger: "Moreton Bay" / lyrics: "Shelter for My Soul" / music: "Shelter for My Soul" / performer: "Shelter for My Soul", "Moreton Bay"
Dirty Deeds
2002
performer: "Trouble", "No Good Without You"
Rage
2002
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Two Hands
1999
writer: "These Days", "Belter" - as Fanning
True Love and Chaos
1997
writer: "Turtle's Head"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bernard Fanning: Battleships
2013
Video short
Bernard Fanning
Rove Live
2003
TV Series
Powderfinger
Ned Kelly
2003
Irish Singer
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bernard Fanning: Battleships
2013
Video short
Ned Kelly
2003
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Rage
2005-2016
TV Series
Himself
Molly: The Real Thing
2016
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Powderfinger
Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight
2013
TV Series
Himself
Sunsets: Powderfinger Farewell Tour Live in Concert
2010
Video
Himself
Powderfinger: The Final Odyssey
2010
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The 7PM Project
2009
TV Series
Himself - Movember Ambassador
Great Australian Albums
2008
TV Series documentary
Himself
Rove Live
2007
TV Series
Himself
The 20th Annual ARIA Awards
2006
TV Special
Himself
MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2006
2006
TV Special
Himself
These Days: Powderfinger Live in Concert - Accoustic Low Key
2004
Video
Himself
These Days: Powderfinger Live in Concert
2004
Video
Himself
Rock 'n' Royal
2004
TV Special documentary
Himself - Performer (song "On My Mind") (as Powderfinger)