Lee Harding

:"For the Australian rules footballer, see Leigh Harding."Infobox musical artist
Name = Lee Harding


Born = birth date and age|1983|04|1
DoD =
Years_active = 2005-2006
Genre = Pop punk
Label = Sony BMG (2005-2006) Sound Vault Records (2006- )
URL =

Lee Harding (born June 8, 1983) is an Australian pop singer. He is from Frankston, Victoria, where he worked at the local AMC cinema multiplex. He became known from performing in the third season of "Australian Idol".

Musical career

Lee Harding's Musical career left off straight away just after he was eliminated from Australian Idol as third runner up. His debut single "Wasabi" debuted No.1 on the music charts all around Australia, and his following single Anything For You debuted the same.His released album "What's Wrong With This Picture" was a success, although later on during the year began to fade out as he forced his way into the mainstream category strongly. Although he was quite successful in Australian Idol, critics soon realised as a solo artist Lee would not last long. His third and final single from the album to be released was "Call The Nurse" which debuted lower than the other singles on the mainstream charts.Lee continues to play with his band on several occasions at local clubs and hotels, and are expected to release an album as a band later on.

Bedrock

Before competing in "Australian Idol", Lee was attending bars to see his favourite band, a covers band named Bedrock. Bedrock play what they describe as a "party band" repertoire of top 100 hits from the 60s to present day (ranging from Centrefold to Jessie's Girl to Top 40 hits by Lee's heroes Good Charlotte and Green Day). His dreams came true when Bedrock shuffled their lineup. Even though they did not know who he was or if he could even sing, Lee was dragged up on stage and sang half of Blink 182's "Dammit". Bedrock then took Lee on as their lead singer. He is quoted on his website as saying, "I'd been going to see them since I was 16. I saw them every single week so I knew every song when I joined Bedrock". Lee and Bedrock still continue to play and perform gigs for The Mornington Hotel on occasion.

Members of Bedrock include:
* Lee Harding - Vocals
* Thomas Petrasek - Lead guitar
* Mick Spencer - Drums
* Andrew Irwin - Rhythm
* Matthew Woodford - Bass guitar

"Australian Idol"

Lee Harding's on "Australian Idol" include:
*Sydney Auditions: "Better" by Screaming Jets, "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams, "(Sittin' on the) Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding & "Run to Paradise" by The Choirboys
*Theatre Round Day One: "Hard to Handle" by Black Crowes
*Theatre Round Day Two: "Just The Way You Are" by Billy Joel (with Ben Worthington & ????)
*Theatre Round Day Three: "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
*Top 30 (Group 3): "The Anthem" by Good Charlotte
*Top 13 (Australian Made): "Holy Grail" by Hunters and Collectors
*Top 11 60s Hits: "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees
*Top 10 Supergroups: "Roxanne" by The Police
*Top 9 Idols' Choice: "Holiday" by Green Day
*Top 8 Big Band Hits: "Straighten Up and Fly Right" by Robbie Williams
*Top 7 80s Hits: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor TOUCHDOWN
*Top 6 Up Close & Personal: "Plush" by Stone Temple Pilots
*Top 6 Motown Hits: "Ben" by Michael Jackson
*Top 5 1970s Hits: "My Sharona" by The Knack
*Top 4 Elvis Hits: "Teddy Bear" by Elvis Presley
*Top 4 Elvis Hits: "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
*Top 3 #1 Hits: "Faith" by George Michael (Limp Bizkit version)
*Top 3 #1 Hits: "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell (The Living End version)

Dropped by Sony Music Entertainment

Firstly, his website was closed down by Sony/BMG mid June due to indecision on behalf of the record company. It was confirmed that he was dropped by the company when an article form TAKE40.COM wrote "Harding has apparently been calling and emailing management at Sony in regards to his second album, which he and his band have been working on, but has had no reply. He received a letter from the label last week advising him that they would not be releasing his second album. They told Harding that they had their line up of priority artists for the year, and he was not one of them".

The article also wrote that he will likely release his album, titled [http://welcometorockcity.com/ 'Welcome to Rock City'] with an independent company during late 2007/early 2008.

Discography

Albums

Compilations and other appearances

*"" - Singing "Holy Grail" & in the group song "Ready".

With Rock City

Videography

Three videos were then made from his debut album. "Wasabi" became the first breakthrough single reaching number one in Australia for five weeks. [ [http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lee+Harding&titel=Wasabi+%2F+Eye+Of+The+Tiger&cat=s australian-charts.com - Lee Harding - Wasabi / Eye of the Tiger ] ] The video clip for his second single, "Anything for You", was produced by James Hackett, and used hi-tech motion control. The video took about 100 shots to produce, each with Lee Harding and his band in different outfits and props. [http://www.leeharding.com.au/newsEvents/archive.do?newsId=20030829002953] The third and last video of the album was "Call the Nurse" which featured Lee and the Bedrock boys in a hospital in Sydney, rocking out in the back of an ambulance. Band member and drummer, Mick Spencer, was ill whilst filming the clip. He shot the video with an intravenous drip secured in the back of his hand, drumming away on a hospital bed.

Awards

"Wasabi" wins an ARIA No. 1

Lee's first single, "Wasabi", lasted 5 consecutive weeks in the #1 position on radio charts nationwide. "Wasabi" held this title with TV Rocks "Flaunt It" for the highest number of consecutive weeks in 2006 for an Australian single to be in the #1 position on the charts. The single debuted at #1 in the Australian ARIA Singles Chart in December 2005, and remained at the top spot for five consecutive weeks. It was certified gold in the first week, and certified platinum in the second week. The song was popular on Lowie's Hot 30 Countdown, reaching number one on several occasions.

The music video was voted number 63 in the Video Hits Australia Top 100 Video Clips. The song placed eighth in the End of Year ARIA Singles Top 100 of 2006.

Lee won an ARIA #1 award in 2006 for the efforts and success of his first single and release from "What's wrong with this picture?" , "Wasabi". [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/no1-awards.htm]

Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards

In 2006, Harding won an award at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards, held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October the 11th
*Fave Hottie (Male) - Lee Harding

Harding won the award alongside "Neighbours" star,Stephanie McIntosh, who scored Fave Female Hottie.

Concerts/tours

Shannon Noll support act

Lee was support for fellow "Idol" contestant, Shannon Noll, on his Nation wide tour with mate and fellow "idol" contestant Dan England. Harding played venues such as Sydney Luna Parks's "Big Top".

INXS support act

August 2006, Harding was opening act for rock group INXS with bandmates "Bedrock" for one night of their tour in Brisbane

"Anything for You" Tour

In April 2006, Harding headlined his own tour titled the "Anything for You" Tour. Before acts included the Sydney based power-pop group, Kid Courageous, hip-hop icons Figg Kidd, and an emerging indie-rock group, Town Hall Steps. Harding performed at such venues including Penrith Panthers and Castle Hill RSL Club. The tour covered venues along the east coast of Australia.

All Age Rampage/Pop Punk Tour 2006

September 2006, Harding kicked off his co-headlining tour with mates "Kid Courageous" amongst small venues across the nation. The tour commenced in Brisbane, then continued to the Gold Coast(meet bree), Melbourne, Albury and Adelaide. Artists on the tour included; "Lee Haring and Bedrock, Kid Courageous, 919 and Enolas Secret (Formerly known as Wishlist)' Melbourne band Dont Ask Us supported the tour on the Victorian dates'. Due to the arisal of a family issue, the tour was postponed for the NSW shows which consisted of venues such as, Penrith Leagues, the Manning Bar and Dapto Leagues. News was received after the conclusion of the Adelaide show and was confirmed in an official press release by Harding's manager at the time.

Events, promotional launches and charity events

Events

*MTV Australia Video Music Awards In April 2006, Lee performed at the AVMA awards held at Acer Arena - Homebush. Lee and band Bedrock performed the second single from the album "Whats Wrong With This Picture?", "Anything for You". During the performance, oversized balloons fell from the ceiling into the mosh pit below. Lee was also a special guest for the AVMA's pre-show. Harding hung out backstage with MTV's Maz Compton and Nathan Sapsford in a broadcast about the creation of the awards.

*Dolly Teen Choice Awards August 2006, Lee performed at the 1st ever "Dolly Teen Choice Awards". Harding performed a duet with the members of "Kid Courageous", singing their latest release at the time,"Our Days are Numbered". Harding also presented the award for Best Dressed Female to "Home and Away" star, Jodie Gordon.

*Lowies 21st Birthday Bash13th May 2006, Harding performed at radio host, Craig " Lowie" Low's, 21st birthday party. The event was held at the Big Top venue at Sydney's Luna Park. Other artists which performed were the likes of: "The Young Divas, Kid Courageous and Kate Alexa".

*Frankston sea festival on the bay.Harding and band Bedrock rocked out at the Frankston sea festival on the bay in early 2007. Despite pouring with rain, the band wooed the drenched crowds and pleased the locals with a line-up of cover songs at the community event.

*In mid 2006, Lee travelled with Bedrock to war-torn IRAQ to perform and entertain the troops. Harding and his band Bedrock, along with comedian Clint Paddison and country music singers Nicki Gillis and Stacey Morris, arrived in the Middle East, July 2006. "It is not dangerous at all," said Harding. I haven't been fearing it or worried one bit since I have been here. We are in very good hands." [ [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=77554 Aussie Idol Lee Harding rocks Baghdad ] ]

Promotional events and launches

*Opening of "DCM UN" bar/club Sydney, September 2006.
*Port Power Christmas, December 2006.
*Darwin Festival, 2006
*Davenport Showground, Tasmania 2007.

Charity events

* Beconsfield Miners commemorative concert, Tasmania May 13th 2006.

References

*http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22064138-5012974,00.html

External links

*MySpace|leeharding|Lee Harding
* [http://welcometorockcity.com Welcome to Rock City]
* [http://www.australianidol.bigpond.com.au/contestant/biography/LeeHarding.aspx Biography from Australian Idol Site]
* [http://lee-harding.net Fansite and Fanlisting]
* [http://blog.who.com/whosays/australian_idol/index.html WHO.com Australian Idol blog]
* [http://www.take40.com/action/newsdetail?articleId=12930 Take40 Article]