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Shannon Noll (born 16 September 1975) first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol (2003) which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released four Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA charts and both reached multi platinum accreditation. His third album Turn It Up released in 2007, debuted at No. 3 and was accredited platinum. His most recent album No Turning Back: The Story So Far containing some of his previous hits and five new songs was released in 2008, debuting at No. 7. Noll's first ten singles released between February 2004 and September 2007 all peaked inside the Aria Top 10. He is the only artist in Australian chart history to have ten consecutive Top 10 singles. Seven of these singles were Top 5 with three of those debuting at No. 1.

Noll has 17 platinum and two gold accreditations for albums and singles according to Australian Recording Industry Association records, which is the second highest accreditation level for an Australian Idol contestant, and the highest for a non winner. His 2008 biography on his official website states he has sold over 1 million units in Australia, but the figure would actually be over 1.3 million. Noll received Aria nominations for highest seller for his debut album and single in 2004, and for the single "Shine" in 2006. His second album Lift was also nominated for Best Pop release in that year. He won MTV awards for Best Male Artist three years in succession between 2005 and 2007.

Noll also had chart success in two other countries in 2004. His debut single "What About Me" reached No. 2 in Ireland and No. 10 in New Zealand. His debut album also peaked at No. 31 in the New Zealand charts. An album of his Australian hits called What Matters Most was released in the UK and Ireland in June 2009 to coincide with his tour there with the stage production of The War Of The Worlds. On 5 January 2010 the Daily Telegraph reported Noll was no longer signed to Sony, and that he was looking for a new label. Noll is now signed to Universal Music.

Early life

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Noll was born in Orange, New South Wales and grew up in the small town of Condobolin in central western New South Wales. He is the youngest of three children to parents Sharyn and Neil Noll and along with brothers Adam and Damian, spent their entire childhood and teenage years on the family farm which ran sheep and cattle and grew cereal crops. At school, Noll enjoyed drama classes, performing in a number of school productions. Noll has since expressed a desire to continue his acting work. After leaving school, Noll traveled to Sydney and played football. It was here where he met his current wife Rochelle.

During his adult years, Noll began working on other farms and properties shearing sheep amongst other tasks. It was during this time Noll and his brothers formed the band called "Cypress" (named for the fact that they rehearsed in a timber mill). Shannon provided vocals and played guitar. In numerous small gigs around the Australian outback, the band played in country pubs gaining a solid live reputation. Although they performed mainly covers, the group also wrote original music they would include as part of their set.

Neil, Noll's father, was tragically killed during a farming accident in 2001, which left running the farm to Shannon and his brothers. After two years of extreme drought the brothers sold the farm and settled in Condobolin with their mother. Shannon often cites the death of his father as a major inspiration in his musical career, and penned a song on his latest album Lift titled "Now I Run" in memory of his father.

Noll and his wife Rochelle Ogston began their relationship in 1997. They have two sons Cody (2001) and Blake (2002). They wed in October 2004 and had a daughter, Sienna (2006).

Australian Idol

By 2003, Noll was in debt and out of work following the sale of the farm. His brothers encouraged him to travel to Melbourne to audition for the 2003 debut season of "Australian Idol". Noll impressed the judges Mark Holden, Marcia Hines, and Ian Dickson with his audition in which he performed the Southern Sons' Hold Me In Your Arms. After his audition, Marcia Hines praised Shannon and told him that she had just discovered "a voice" and Ian Dickson informed Shannon that "...Australia will love you"

Following his initial audition, Noll made his way into the Top 32 semi-final where he performed a rendition of Robbie Williams' hit "Better Man". The viewing audience voted Noll into the Top 12. Over eight weeks of performance shows, Noll found himself in the bottom three only once – following his performance of Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" during The 80s theme night. Throughout the show, Noll impressed both the judges and audience with performances of songs as diverse as Powderfinger's "Already Gone", to The Beatles "Hey Jude" to Jimmy Barnes "Working Class Man".

During the 2003 Australian Idol series finals, Noll sang:

In the weeks leading up to the Grand Final of Idol, Noll recorded his version of the winner's single "Angels Brought Me Here" and filmed the music video for the song, which was to be released the week after the winner was announced. Copies of Noll's version of the song were released to radio stations in anticipation of his win, however Noll's version of the song was subsequently never aired on radio and the music video was never released for television broadcast.

In the week before the Grand Final, Noll and fellow finalist Guy Sebastian embarked on a whirlwind Australia-wide promotional tour. Tens of thousands of fans turned out in support, including 20,000 people in Adelaide and 15,000 in Melbourne.

Noll reached the Grand Final on 19 November 2003 alongside eventual winner Guy Sebastian following fellow contestant, Cosima De Vito's withdrawal from the competition. During the Grand Final show, Noll performed an encore performance of "What About Me", which helped cement the popularity of his version of the song and lead it to being chosen for release as his debut single.

Professional career

2003-2004: That's What I'm Talking About

Noll signed a five album deal with Sony BMG shortly after Australian Idol. It was announced in December 2003 that his debut single would be a cover of the Moving Pictures hit What About Me performed on Idol. Recording of the single took place during November/December 2003 at Eargasm Studios in Sydney and tracks were chosen and recorded for inclusion on Noll's debut album around the same time.

Shannon Noll's debut single What About Me was released on 25 January 2004 and debuted at number one on the Australian Singles Chart the following week with sales exceeding 125,000 copies in its first week. At the time, this figure was the third highest one-week sales for a single in Australian chart history. The single earned Noll a nomination for Highest Selling Single at the 2004 ARIA Awards. Over its chart run, What About Me sold in 280,000 copies and was certified 4x Platinum in March 2004.

Following the success of "What About Me", Noll's full-length debut album That's What I'm Talking About was released on 9 February 2004 in Australia by Sony BMG.

Noll joined the other Australian Idol Top 12 finalists in January and February 2004 on an arena tour which played to crowds in every Australian capital city. Though, it was at his record-breaking Valentine's Day in-store appearance at Warringah Mall to more than 15,000 fans that Noll announced that the second single from the album was Drive.

Containing a mixture of pop, rock and country tracks recorded over six weeks between December 2003 and January 2004, That's What I'm Talking About debuted at number one and was certified triple-platinum upon its release. By August 2004, the album was certified as a 3x Platinum seller and remained in the Top 100 Album Chart for almost a year.

Drive, an uptempo rock track written by Canadian singer Bryan Adams, was a successful second single from That's What I'm Talking About in March 2004. Noll undertook a large amount of promotion for the single including performances on television, including The NRL Footy Show and Sunrise. It reached number four in Australia and was another Platinum seller. Noll later performed Drive at the 2004 TV Week Logie Awards ceremony.

Solo tour

Noll undertook his first full scale solo tour in May 2004 playing 40 shows in 47 days. Noll later stated in an interview that performing that number of shows in such a small amount of time was something he would never do again.

"Learn To Fly" was the third and final commercial release from That's What I'm Talking About. A limited edition release of 40,000 copies, the single was another success for Noll, debuting at the number one position on the ARIA singles chart on 12 July 2004.

Increased popularity during this period saw him star in his own one-hour TV special on the Ten Network, Up Close with Shannon Noll, hosted by Australian Idol judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson, screened on 2 August 2004. During the show, Noll spoke candidly about his past and touched on topics including his experiences with drugs and the death of his father. Noll also performed several songs during the special, including "Learn to Fly" which he dedicated to his father, and a duet with Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines. The special rated reasonably well .

In October 2004, Noll achieved overseas success when his single "What About Me" reached number two in Ireland.. Also in October 2004, the Nine Network approached Noll to re-record the World Series Cricket song "C'mon Aussie C'mon" with updated lyrics with names of the current Australian cricket team, for release on 19 December 2004. The single peaked at number two on the ARIA singles chart, raising more than $A150,000 for children's charities.

In December 2004 it was announced that Noll would star in the stage musical production of Grease, which appeared in Australian theatres in May 2005, however, Noll opted out to concentrate on the recording of his second album release, Lift.

2005-2006: Lift

In early 2005, Noll embarked on a songwriting trip in which he travelled to London, UK, and across America. It was reported early on in the process that Noll had met with hitmaking songwriters Desmond Child, responsible for writing hit songs for Bon Jovi and Aerosmith, and powerballad writer Dianne Warren. Noll later explained that whilst he appreciated the opportunity to work with big name international songwriters, he felt the material being written by local Australian songwriters was more connected to the type of album he wanted to create at the time and that they were the stronger songs.

During his time in America in early 2005, Noll played a handful of small "showcase" style gigs both for Sony BMG executives and the general public, but was unable to obtain a US recording contract. Following the trip, Noll returned to Australia to complete the writing and recording of Lift.

Noll was asked by Canadian artist Bryan Adams to support him on Adams' Australian tour throughout February and March 2005. It was during these concerts that Noll premiered two songs he had written for his new album, Lonely and the unreleased The Winner Takes It All.

On 25 August 2005, the first single from his second album Lift, entitled Shine was released to Australian radio. The track premiered simultaneously Australia wide and quickly became one of the most requested songs. The uptempo bouncing pop-rock track moved away from Noll's prior releases and it was commented that Noll's voice and vocal technique had improved since his last recording. Shine was released as the first single from the album Lift on 23 September 2005, and debuted at number one on the ARIA singles chart the following week. Shine was later nominated as Highest Selling Single at the 2005 ARIA Awards.

A week after the release of Shine, Noll's second album Lift was released on 16 October 2005, and debuted at number one on the ARIA charts the following week. First week shipment and sales of Lift ensured the album a platinum certification. The album, with 11 out of 13 tracks co-written by Noll, contained some of Noll's most personal songs to date, ranging in topic from finding love to death, overcoming the odds and self belief. Highlight tracks were third and fourth singles Now I Run and Lonely.

Noll made a special guest appearance at the final of the 2005 season of Australian Idol, where he performed his new single Lift. After the performance, Noll was presented a plaque in honour of sales exceeding one million units in Australia over the previous 18 months.

The title track of Noll's second album, Lift, was released in December 2005. The single was Noll's first not to debut in the top ten, however two weeks after its release, it jumped to number ten, remaining there for several weeks. The track, an uplifting rock influenced song about overcoming the odds and fighting adversity, achieved a gold certification. Lift spent 35 weeks in the top 100 singles chart, the longest running chart single for an Australian Idol related release. Lift is the theme song of the Australian version of The Biggest Loser.

In January 2006, Noll performed the song Shine at the 2006 Australian Open tennis final. The performance sparked renewed interest in the Lift album which returned to the top ten.

In support of the album's third single release, Now I Run, Noll embarked on a 72-date concert tour across Australia including a gig during the annual Gympie Muster. Once again he focused on some of the more remote and isolated country and rural areas during this tour, one of the few Australian touring acts to do so, and at completion of the tour had played to more than 200,000 people.

In 2006, Noll was courted for a role in an Australian movie based loosely on the life of now-deceased Australian racing legend Peter Brock, but he declined, preferring to focus on his music.

Noll released a further two singles from Lift, Now I Run and Lonely. Both singles were top 10 hits, increasing his run of top 10 successes to eight. With the release of Lonely, Noll rewrote Australian chart history by having so far achieved nine consecutive top 10 singles (10 including his contribution to the Number 1 hit Rise Up with the Australian Idol Final 12, 2003). To the end of 2006, Noll has been the only former Australian Idol contestant to have ever been nominated for a music industry-voted award by ARIA. As of January 2007, the Lift album remains in the Top 100 ARIA album chart after 64 weeks. It has now charted over a three year period from 2005–2007.

In September 2006, Noll decided not to continue with his managers since his first album, Sydney firm Caplice Management, and signed with Worldwide Entertainment Group. The decision was seen as a positive move in Noll's desire to gain success in America. Worldwise Entertainment Group's press release stated that Noll is a "high priority artist" for them and that an extensive promotional and songwriting trip was organised for America in early 2007.

Noll was chosen as support act for American rock group Live in October 2006, playing each capital city across Australia. Including the tour with Live, Noll has now performed in excess of 300 concerts in the last two and a half years.

On 9 December 2006, Noll released a duet with Rogue Traders singer Natalie Bassingthwaithe. It is a cover of the Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush hit Don't Give Up. The single was yet another success for Noll, peaking at number two on the ARIA singles charts and being certified Platinum with 12 consecutive weeks in the top 10. Proceeds from the single went to the charity "Beyond Blue", which deals with depression.

2007: Turn It Up

Noll spent several months in early 2007 travelling to America to write songs for his upcoming third album. During Noll's "Now I Run" tour in mid 2006, he premiered a new composition entitled "The World Outside" which may find a place on his next album.

It was reported that Noll would be spending time in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles collaborating with US writers Jon Ingoldsby, Desmond Child, Richie Sambora, and Richard Marx on tracks for possible inclusion on his third album, which has been slated for release in September 2007.

28 February brought nomination for the third consecutive time as "Best Male Artist" at the MTV Australia Awards, an award he won for the previous two years. Noll performed his hit singles Shine and Don't Give Up at the opening ceremony of the FINA World Swimming Championships, in Melbourne, Victoria. Noll was the lead act at a large-scale annual public function held on the Queensland Gold Coast.

In 2007 Noll appeared as Parson Nathaniel in the Australian tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.

The first single from Noll's third album Turn It Up was a track called Loud. A one-minute teaser of the track premiered on the website for the Daily Telegraph. The single included the previously unreleased track The World Outside. Turn It Up was released on 15 September 2007.

On 21 September, it was confirmed by Noll that his second single from Turn It Up would be In Pieces. Shannon states, "this song is such a strong ballad and has a personal message for me. I think many people will be able to relate to the message in it." The song reached number 26 on the ARIA Charts and spent 5 weeks in the top 50. Noll performed a great version of the track live on the Australian Idol Grand Finale in front of thousands at the venue and nationwide.

Noll performed as part of the National Rugby League season 2007 Grand Final's pre-match entertainment. He was awarded Best Male in the Australian Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards. And the album Turn It Up received Gold sales status.

2008: Turn It Up Wrap-Up, No Turning Back: The Story So Far & Touring

In January 2008, Noll stated on radio show Take 40 that the third single from the album would be Everybody Needs A Little Help. Promoted on television, it would be released to radio in 2008. No official single release of the track eventuated, rather the single joined "New Beginning" to becoming a radio-only single.

On 30 July 2008, Shannon was honoured on the Australian version of This Is Your Life, which included appearances from his Idol "family", notably Guy Sebastian, Ian Dickson, Cosima De Vito and musical director John Foreman, and an emotional tribute to his father Neil by John Williamson. The event recapped Noll's record-breaking accomplishments and his service to the Australian music industry.

It was announced in early August 2008 that Shannon would be releasing a Greatest Hits compilation before the year's end. Titled, No Turning Back: The Story So Far, the album also contained five new songs and was released on 27 September, with its lead single, Summertime

Noll announced a surprise show with former childhood friend Simon Ridley (drummer of influential band DZ). The show was free and played at the famous Tarragindi Fingalbang Arena that has played host to such bands as Crowded House and Nirvana during their final Australian tour.

2009: War of the Worlds & UK Debut

No Turning Back was released to radio as the second single from the compilation, though the track remained a radio-only single (Noll's third) due to Sony wanting to create a break before the release of his fourth studio album.

Shannon appeared as Parson Nathaniel in the 21 date 30th Anniversary tour of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds. However he was unable to perform the last 8 concerts including those in Amsterdam and Oberhausen Germany due to a family death. He was replaced by understudy Damien Edwards.

On 4 May 2009, he released his UK debut, What Matters the Most. The album was a compilation of his singles, plus several B-sides. This album did not chart in the UK.

Fifth Album

On 19 September 2008, Noll announced on Australian radio that his untitled fifth album will "most definitely see a release ". Noll additionally mentioned that he has been "writing and recording the best demos of career so far" and that he "can't wait to unleash them after No Turning Back". On 10 July 2009, Sony Music officially announced that Noll's album would be released in 2010, due to the string of shows Noll has performed in 2009 and his "War of the Worlds" European Tour commitments. Noll toured on the GSR's Indian Pacific Christmas train from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide in Dec 2009 entertaining guests at stops along the way.On 5 January 2010 the Daily Telegraph reported Noll was no longer signed to Sony and was looking for a new record label. Noll signed with Universal Music Australia in June 2010. He is recording his new album.

Charity

Despite the controversies that Noll has encountered, he consistently remains one of Australia's most generous charity workers. He has to date worked to donate well over $1 million to various charities throughout Australia. Most notably, he has donated the complete earnings from two of his singles, C'mon Aussie C'mon and Don't Give Up (with Natalie Bassingthwaighte), both of which reached number two on the Australian Singles Chart and were certified Platinum. Noll additionally makes appearances and personally fundraises for numerous charities, including donating items for charity auctions. In July 2010, a towel used at one of his concerts reached a bid of $20 at the Mackay District Police Charity Ball.

Drink driving conviction

Noll was arrested for driving under the influence in December 2004, after attempting to drive home from his local pub. He was disqualified from driving for nine months after pleading guilty. Regarding the incident Noll stated: "It was a stupid mistake...I'm disappointed in myself. It's a silly thing to do but, you know, you learn lessons through life". When asked what his advice would be to other drivers he said, "Don't drink and drive."

Discography

• 2004: That's What I'm Talking About
• 2005: Lift
• 2007: Turn It Up
• 2008: No Turning Back: The Story So Far
• 2009: What Matters the Most (UK debut album)

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

• 2004: Nominated - Highest Selling Single - "What About Me"
• 2004: Nominated - Highest Selling Album - "That's What I'm Talking About"
• 2006: Nominated - Highest Selling Single - "Shine"
• 2006: Nominated - Best Pop Release - "Lift"

ARIA Number 1 Chart Awards

• 2004: Won - Number 1 Album - "That's What I'm Talking About"
• 2004: Won - Number 1 Single - "What About Me"
• 2004: Won - Number 1 Single - "Learn To Fly"
• 2005: Won - Number 1 Album - "Lift"
• 2005: Won - Number 1 Single - "Shine"

MTV Australia Awards

• 2005: Won - Best Male Artist
• 2005: Nominated - Video of the Year - "Drive"
• 2006: Won - Best Male Artist
• 2005: Nominated - People's Choice - "Shine"
• 2007: Won - Best Male Artist

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).

Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards

• 2004: Won - Favourite Australian
• 2004: Won - Favourite Song - "Drive"
• 2007: Won - Best Male Artist

References

1. aria.com.au 2004 Album Accreditations Retrieved 26 August 2009
2. aria.com.au 2006 Album Accreditations Retrieved 26 August 2009
3. 2007 Album Accreditations Retrieved 26 August 2009
4. australiancharts.com Shannon Noll Albums Retrieved 26 August 2009
5. australiancharts.com Shannon Noll Singles Retrieved 26 August 2009
6. shanonnoll.com.au Biography Retrieved 26 August 2009
7. aria.com.au Album and Single accreditations 1997-2009 Retrieved 24 August 2009
8. shannonnoll.com.au Biography Retrieved 24 August 2009
9. Aria Awards 2004 Retrieved 26 August 2009
10. Aria Awards 2006 Retrieved 26 August 2009
11. shannonnoll.com.au Shannon Noll Biography Retrieved 26 August 2009
12. newzealandcharts.com Shannon Noll in the New Zealand Charts Retrieved 26 August 2009
13. ^ Daily Telegraph Shannon Noll looks for new recording label after parting with Sony who signed him after Australian Idol 5 January 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2010
14. Australian-Charts In Pieces in the Australian Charts retrieved 15 November 2009
15. Shannon Noll Announces New Single, Album + "No Turning Back" Tour! Sony Music Entertainment
16. Charity auction attracts bidding Retrieved 12 July 2010
17. ^ 21 December 2004 Noll caught drink-driving SMH.com.au
18. 5 April 2005 Shannon Noll banned for drink driving ABC.net.au
19. "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.
20. "2007 Winners - APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 2 May 2010.

External links

• Official Website
• Official Forum
• Official MySpace

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• Living people
• Australian country singers
• Australian Idol participants
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• Idol series runners-up
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