FRONTMAN of The Black Sorrows Joe Camilleri is getting ready to perform in Swan Hill on Friday night, which is his second show of the band’s current tour around the country.
However, Camilleri doesn’t consider it a tour.
“It’s just what I do,” he said
“For the last 50 years, I’ve never really stopped touring.
“I don’t ever want to stop and I’ll keep going as long as my legs will let me.”
Always making music and honing his craft, Camilleri, who has had a career spanning more than 50 years, is considered “the brains” behind the popular Australian blues rock band The Black Sorrows and Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons.
Serving as a vocalist and saxophonist for both bands, Mr Camilleri wrote several landmark Australian hits like Harley and Rose, Chained To The Wheel, Never Let Me Go and Shape I’m In.
Now at 76 years-old, he recently debuted his 55th career album and the Black Sorrows’ 24th studio album, The Way We Do Business.
Mr Camilleri said despite drastic changes in the Australian music landscape he will continue to release music and adapt to the industry’s new ways.
“You’ve got to adjust and you’ve got to believe in what you do and believe that people like what you do,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when playing live wasn’t fashionable, but now it’s fashionable again because that’s the only way people can make money.
“I was very lucky to have my start in the industry when there was a lot of support behind it. There was television, radio, there were record stores, music stores and all kinds of different things to support the music we made.
“Now you get your music on Spotify, or a version of that, and you don’t really own it. You might buy a streaming subscription but you don’t really see it unless you get a hard copy.”
Mr Camilleri said writing and recording songs for The Way We Do Business took almost a year.
“From my perspective, I’m doing my best and I’m always trying to go forward,” he said. “I’m not looking back to my past success.
“How well the record does is irrelevant to me. I know I’ve made a good record and I felt good about it when I was recording it, which is pretty much a success in itself.”
The Black Sorrows have toured around the country countless times and have played sold out shows since they have been active.
Camilleri said he is excited to perform in Swan Hill again.
“In all my years of touring I have played in Swan Hill a few times,” he said.
“I’m excited to get myself re-acquainted with the place.”
Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows will be playing at the Swan Hill Town Hall on Friday, November 8, from 8pm.
Tickets are available at swanhilltownhall.com/events/joe-camilleri-and-the-black-sorrows-in-concert/
