Axle Whitehead
| Axle Whitehead | |
|---|---|
 Whitehead at the 2011 Logie Awards |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 16 December 1980 Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Occupations | Actor, singer, musician |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Sony BMG |
Axle Whitehead (born 16 December 1980; Melbourne, Australia) is a former Australian Video Hits TV host and current singer, musician, and actor. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA top 50.[1] He also plays Liam Murphy in Channel Seven's Home and Away and is the host of The World's Strictest Parents.
Contents |
[edit] Career
[edit] Music
Axle Whitehead was originally a contestant on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003. He failed to win the competition but made it into the top twenty. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to host the Television music show, Video Hits on Network Ten, hosting from 2004 to 1 November 2006.
On 29 October 2006, while at the ARIA's, Whitehead was on-stage presenting an award to TV Rock with radio jock Jabba, when he exposed his penis on stage. He also simulated masturbation on the ARIA trophy as the winners made their way to the stage.[2] The Daily Telegraph later reported that Whitehead and his long time girlfriend Katrina Peden had broken up days before the ARIA incident, possibly explaining his behaviour.[3] It was also rumoured in the industry that it was an ongoing dare, between himself, Jabba and Johnny Knoxville, though Whitehead denied the claim.[4] He later said that he had no regrets about the incident, and thought that "more people should do it."[5] Network Ten announced that Whitehead resigned as host of Video Hits on 1 November 2006.[6] However, Whitehead later said that he was fired by Network Ten, saying "I was still up from the night before, sitting on the beach. I just couldn't believe it. I went back to the farm to take some time out."[7]
Axle Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises" was released on radio during January 2008,[8] debuting at #8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008.[9] It has also received airplay on Nova radio and surfaced on TV advertisements for popular Channel 10 shows House and Women's Murder Club, and Channel 7's Home and Away, being described as a cross between Coldplay and Robbie Williams.[10] His debut album, Losing Sleep was mixed by UK mixer, David Treahearn and released through Roadshow Music on 22 August 2008. Whitehead made his return to Video Hits on 24 February 2008, and to Australian Idol on 5 September 2008, though only as a guest to promote his debut album. The third single off Losing Sleep, Satellite has received significant play on Channel V and Video Hits.
Axle Whitehead has also become the face of upmarket clothing brand 'Marcs'. His image has appeared on buses and print advertisements for the summer/autumn campaign.
[edit] Acting
Whitehead's first acting roles were minor parts in the television series The Secret Life of Us, and the 2003 film, Ned Kelly.[7] After taking acting lessons for eighteen months, Whitehead auditioned for a role in Home and Away, which he described as "such a great place to learn and hone your skills". He joined the cast for fifteen episodes as rocker Liam Murphy,[11] and later signed to be a regular cast member. Whitehead based his portrayal of the rocker on experiences of close friends, and said "you have to find a balance between putting yourself into it and not being too cheeky."[12]
Whitehead also hosts Seven Network's The World's Strictest Parents.[13]
In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host The X Factor Australia, but lost out to fellow Home and Away colleague Luke Jacobz.[14]
[edit] Cleo Bachelor Of The Year
On 22 April 2009, Axle was announced Cleo Bachelor Of The Year, beating competition from sportsmen, actors and other personalities.[15] Sarah Oakes, Cleo Editor-in-chief denied the claims that Whitehead won as a direct result of a self-marketing ploy; "[He] is that perfect combination of good looks, charm, charisma and the kind of guy you'd be really happy to take home and introduce to your mum." [16] Comedian Fiona O'Loughlin quipped that "[She] wouldn't touch Axle with a ten-foot pole", while Patti Newton, wife of well-known Australian veteran television personality Bert Newton, believed "Sarah [Oakes] must have taken a whiff of the Whitehead smelling salts and fallen under the same spell that has allowed such disgraceful behaviour to have been deemed socially acceptable in this day and age. If showing your privates is charismatic and 'mum-friendly', then consider me Miles Franklin."
[edit] Discography
| Releases | ||
|---|---|---|
| ↙Studio albums | 1 | |
| ↙EPs | 1 | |
| ↙Singles | 3 | |
| ↙Music videos | 3 | |
| ↙Guest appearances | 2 | |
Whitehead rose to prominence after competing in the third round on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. His debut extended play, The Axle Whitehead Band, was released as a collaboration in 2003 with jazz fusion band, the Axle Whitehead Band. The release failed to rank on national charts. Whitehead released his debut studio album, Losing Sleep, in 2008 on Roadshow Music. The album peaked at number 68 on the Australian Top 100 Albums Chart.[17] The lead single "I Don't Do Surprises" debuted at number eight on the Australian Top 100 Singles Chart and received gold certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[18][19] The album's subsequent singles "Anywhere" and "Satellite" did not make it into the Top 50.[18]
[edit] Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS[17] | ||
| Losing Sleep |
|
68 |
[edit] Extended plays
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| The Axle Whitehead Band |
|
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [18][20] |
|||||
| 2008 | "I Don't Do Surprises" | 8 |
|
Losing Sleep | |
| "Anywhere" | 77 | ||||
| "Satellite" | — | ||||
| 2011 | "Sister Sunshine" | — | TBA | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||
[edit] Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "I Don't Do Surprises" | Grant Marshall |
| "Anywhere" | Bart Borghesi | |
| "Satellite" | ||
| 2011 | "Sister Sunshine" |
[edit] Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Other performer | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Scatbox"[21] | Joel Turner | Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets |
| 2005 | "Silent Night"[22] | The Axle Whitehead Band | The Spirit of Christmas 2005 |
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "Bunny Axle Resurfaces". Herald Sun. 8 March 2007. http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21345437-10229,00.html. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ "Network Ten - Axle Whitehead". ebroadcast.com.au. 2 October 2006. http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/Axle_Whitehead_021106.html. Retrieved 2 October 2006.
- ^ "Now Axle's lost his rose". The Daily Telegraph. 3 October 2006. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20693411-5006002,00.html. Retrieved 3 October 2006.
- ^ "Flash Axle Whitehead Not Sorry". The Daily Telegraph. 19 June 2008. http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23268950-5013560,00.html. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Axle Whitehead: I've No Regrets About Flashing My Cock At The ARIAs, And I'd Do It Again!". defamer.com.au. 14 March 2008. http://www.defamer.com.au/2008/03/axle_whitehead_ive_no_regrets_about_flashing_my_cock_at_the_arias_and_id_do_it_again.html. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ "Axle Exposed to Ten's Rage". The Daily Telegraph. 31 October 2006. http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,20675113-10388,00.html. Retrieved 31 October 2006.
- ^ a b http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/whiteheads-latest-revelation/story-e6frewt9-1111118787044
- ^ "Axle Whitehead Returns To Music". Sony BMG. 12 November 2007. http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829005248. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
- ^ "ARIA Charts 18th March 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 March 2008. http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ^ "Music Reopens Door for Axle Whitehead". The Daily Telegraph. 12 January 2008. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23040087-5012964,00.html. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
- ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv/axle-comes-home-to-summer-bay/story-e6frf9ho-1111119030185
- ^ "Axle Whitehead's career still spinning despite private exposure". The Daily Telegraph. 17 April 2009. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25348716-5012990,00.html.
- ^ "Weight-loss dance contest, unruly teens in new TV line-up". The Age (Melbourne). 10 July 2009. http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tvradio/2009/07/10/1246732469744.html.
- ^ Aussie stars compete for 'X Factor' job - X Factor Austraila News - Television - Digital Spy
- ^ AAP (23 April 2009). "Axle Whitehead is Cleo bachelor of the year". The Age (Melbourne). http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/axle-whitehead-is-cleo-bachelor-of-the-year-20090423-afnz.html. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
- ^ AAP (22 April 2009). "Axle Whitehead named Cleo Bachelor of The Year". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25372255-12377,00.html. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- ^ a b ARIA Report (968 ed.). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 15 September 2008 (published 22 September 2008). p. 6. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20081020-0000/issue966.pdf. Retrieved 24 December 2008
- ^ a b c "Axle Whitehead discography". Australian charts portal. australian-charts.com. http://www.australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Axle+Whitehead. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
- ^ a b "2008 ARIA singles certification". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Singles.htm. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
- ^ ARIA Report (966 ed.). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 1 September 2008 (published 8 September 2008). p. 4. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20081020-0000/issue966.pdf. Retrieved 25 October 2008
- ^ (2004) Album notes for "Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets" by Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets [Liner]. Dream Dealers.
- ^ (2005) Album notes for "The Spirit of Christmas 2005" by various artists [Liner]. Sony BMG.
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