Guy Sebastian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Guy Sebastian | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Guy Theodore Sebastian | |
| Born | October 26, 1981 (age 25) | |
| Origin |  Klang, Selangor, Malaysia |
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| Genre(s) | Pop, R&B | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter | |
| Years active | 2003–present | |
| Label(s) | Sony BMG (2003–present) | |
| Website | Official Website | |
Guy Theodore Sebastian (born October 26, 1981) is an Australian singer-songwriter and winner of the first Australian Idol TV talent competition quest in 2003. Since winning the competition, he has released three top five albums and seven top twenty singles and has sold over a million albums and singles in Australia alone. He has also had substantial success overseas with number one hits in New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
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[edit] Australian Idol
Guy Sebastian was born in Klang, Malaysia to a Sri Lankan and Malaysian father, and a mother of Portuguese and English descent who had been raised in India.[1] He moved to Adelaide, South Australia as a child. He started singing at the age of fourteen. After moving to Adelaide, he attended school at King's Baptist Grammar School, a Christian private school. He also attended the Paradise Community Church, one of the largest in Australia with over 5,000 people in attendance, associated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. While at Paradise, he joined their youth conference band, Planetshakers, and sang as one of the lead singers, touring around Australia and the United States. Sebastian never had any formal voice training but was influenced by artists such as Michael W. Smith and Stevie Wonder.
After giving up University studies to concentrate on music, and while working as a recording engineer and a singing teacher, he decided to enter Australian Idol establishing a fanbase and winning praise from the judges, who also made reference to his afro hairstyle, which became a focal part of his image. The final of Australian Idol in which he competed against Shannon Noll was the most popular program broadcast in Australia during 2003 and the second most popular non-sporting broadcast in Australian television history.
In World Idol he sang "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong which is also on the Australian Idol Final 12 CD and his debut album Just As I Am. He was ranked 7th out of the 10 competitors. There were questions over his song selection for the competition as his new arrangement of "What A Wonderful World" was an unusual version of a classic. However, during the competition series it had been feted as a brilliant arrangement. He was planning to use his rendition of Prince's "When Doves Cry", but there were legal issues with that choice. He is known as an accomplished artist and musician, and his own arrangements of the songs during the competition, together with his unique voice and innate rhythm drew many fans.
The following lists Sebastian's Australian Idol performances.
- Adelaide Audition - "Ribbon in the Sky" - (Stevie Wonder)
- Top 100 - "Back at One" - (Brian McKnight)
- Top 75 - "Over the Rainbow" - (Judy Garland)
- Semi Final Group 2 - "What a Wonderful World" - (Louis Armstrong)
- Top 12 (70's) - "The Love You Save" - (Jackson Five)
- Top 10 (#1 Hits) - "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)" - (Bryan Adams)
- Top 8 (Aussie Hits) - "You’re the Voice" - (John Farnham)
- Top 6 (80's) - "When Doves Cry" - (Prince)
- Up, Close & Personal - "When I Get You Alone" - (Thicke)
- Top 5 (R&B/Soul) - "Hidden Agenda" - (Craig David)
- Top 5 (R&B/Soul) - "Hello" - (Lionel Richie)
- Top 4 (Big Band) - "The Way You Look Tonight" - (Frank Sinatra)
- Top 4 (Big Band) - "Hit the Road Jack" - (Ray Charles)
- Top 3 (60's) - "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" - (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons)
- Top 3 (60's) - "Climb Every Mountain" - (Julie Andrews)
- Final 2 - "I'll Be There" - (Jackson Five)
- Final 2 - "Crazy in Love" - (Beyoncé Knowles)
- Final 2 - "Angels Brought Me Here" – (Finale)
[edit] Recording career
[edit] 2003-2004 Just as I Am
After winning Australian Idol, BMG signed up Guy Sebastian for a record before Christmas, 2003. His first single "Angels Brought Me Here" debuted at #1 on the ARIA Charts. It set an Australian record for the highest first week single sales from a debut and Australian artist. Only the Princess Diana tribute by Elton John sold more singles in its first week of release in Australia. It was certified four times platinum selling in excess of 280,000 copies, being only a limited edition. The album was produced quite quickly in order to be ready for Christmas, however Guy managed to get three of his own songs recorded on the album alongside those provided for him.
Just as I Am was released in December 2003 and debuted at number one on the charts and became the best selling album in Australia during the Summer of 2003. It went onto become certified platinum six times (the highest selling album of any Idol graduate to date).
The second single "All I Need Is You", unlike "Angels Brought Me Here", was actually written by Guy himself, and also debuted at number one in the Australian charts. In a message posted on his website, Sebastian said "I think the credibility in having your own stuff makes you an artist. Credibility is what I've always strived for and I couldn't imagine my first record not having one of my songs on it." He also wrote "I 4 U" and "Something Don't Feel Right" on the album.
His first single "Angels Brought Me Here" reached No. 1 in 4 Asian countries and New Zealand, whilst "All I Need is You" reached no. 2 in Malaysia and No. 5 in New Zealand. He was invited to sing the single as a guest at American Idol in 2004, singing "Angels Brought Me Here" (2005 winner Carrie Underwood sang this song as well). "Kryptonite" also reached Malaysia in 2005 but management never pursued any overseas releases of any later songs.
[edit] 2004-2005 Beautiful Life
In October 2004, Sebastian released Beautiful Life, his second album. This album gave audiences a clearer perspective on his work without the weight of Australian Idol on his shoulders. The album had a more R&B edge to it including a duet with American R&B singer, Mýa. The first single off the album, "Out with My Baby" which was released a few weeks before, peaked at #1 on the ARIA Charts. The follow up singles were both Top 15 successes with "Kryptonite", his second single peaking at #15 and his third single "Oh Oh" reaching #11.
Guy Sebastian performed at the 20th Anniversary SAFM Sky Show in Adelaide in front of over approximately 150,000 people along with Slinkee Minx. This was one of the largest open air concerts held in Australia in 2005.
[edit] 2006 Closer to the Sun
On September 16, 2006, Guy released "Taller, Stronger, Better", the first single from his third album Closer to the Sun. Prior to its release, he performed the song on the Top 24 show of the fourth season of Australian Idol. The single debuted at #3 on the ARIA charts. Sebastian has stated that the album will be more rock-orientated. Some tracks that appear on the album were premiered at the free concert at Federation Square on the 27th of September. Those tracks were "Out of Place", "Elevator Love" and "Can't Stop a River".
Sebastian won the publicly voted Fave Aussie gong at the 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Sydney, for the second year in succession; he also performed a brand new song, "Elevator Love", earlier in the night. The album debuted at #4 on the ARIA Album charts and was certified platinum status after a few weeks. Recently announced Guy's third single 'Cover of my Heart' will be released to radio soon
[edit] Other projects
[edit] World Vision
In 2005, Sebastian was appointed Ambassador for World Vision. In August of that year he visited Uganda to shoot a documentary An Idol in Africa for a Network Ten television special which was broadcast on December 3, 2005. He highlighted the issues of poverty and civil war and its effect on the population.
[edit] It Takes Two
In 2006 Sebastian was a performer on the Seven Network's weekly musical competition program, It Takes Two, in which performers from non-musical fields are teamed with professional singers, to perform a duet each week. A panel of four judges score each performance, and viewers vote by phone or SMS for their favourite duet. Guy Sebastian's partner was three-time Australian Olympic swimmer Sarah Ryan.
On 30 July, the celebrities chose a song that their partners were famous for. Sarah Ryan chose Sebastian's debut hit "Angels Brought Me Here" to perform on the night. On 6 August, they participated in the final of the competition where they were the runners up, behind Erika Heynatz and David Hobson.
Sebastian also performed a new song titled "Taller, Stronger, Better" from his third album.
[edit] Personal life
Sebastian has been open about his strong Christian beliefs and has spoken of plans to release a gospel album for the American market sometime in the future. He has a strong involvement with several large Australian charitable organisations and was a nominee for the "Young Australian of the Year". He is an ambassador for World Vision and in 2005 made a documentary raising awareness of the poverty and AIDS situation in Uganda.
In September 2006, he admitted to being at the receiving end of homophobic remarks, derogotary comments regarding his music career and physical harassment made by members of the public. Sebastian, who is heterosexual and has been in a long term relationship with girlfriend Julie Egan[2], was subjected to having his car graffitied with homosexual epithets and eggs being thrown at his house however that was some time ago. Sebastian stated that the incidents affected his work on the third album to the extent that he considered quitting being a singer altogether.[2][3]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
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Just as I Am
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Beautiful Life
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Closer to the Sun
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[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | Australia | New Zealand | Malaysia | Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Angels Brought Me Here" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4x Platinum (AUS) | Just as I Am |
| 2004 | "All I Need Is You" | 1 | 5 | 2 | Platinum (AUS) | Just as I Am |
| 2004 | "Out with My Baby" | 1 | - | - | Platinum (AUS) | Beautiful Life |
| 2004 | "Kryptonite" | 15 | - | - | - | Beautiful Life |
| 2005 | "Oh Oh" | 11 | - | - | - | Beautiful Life |
| 2006 | "Taller, Stronger, Better" | 3 | - | - | - | Closer to the Sun |
| 2006 | "Elevator Love" | 11 | - | - | Gold (AUS) | Closer to the Sun |
While these are albums released since his win, further music available as:
- "No More" - PilotPen competition Award winning song produced and sung by Guy in 2003
- Two albums by the Tim Hall Ministries band, both recorded live in Melbourne: I've Got It and The Promise (which includes "Living By Faith", written by Guy himself)
- Sung three tracks on Paradise Live's Adore album released 2004
- Featured on the Planetshakers song "You Are Holy".
- "The Christmas Song" on The Spirit of Christmas 2004.
- Sung one track on Paradise Live Set Me Free album and DVD released 2006
- "We Both Know" with Amy Pearson on Home: Songs of Hope & Journey
- "A Christmas Lullaby" with Gary Pinto on The Spirit of Christmas 2006
[edit] Awards and Recognition
[edit] 2006
| Award-Giving Body | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Fave Aussie | Winner |
| Urban Music Awards | Best Male Artist Best Video Clip (Oh Oh) |
Winner Winner |
| APRA Music Awards | Most Performed Urban Work (Oh Oh) | Winner |
[edit] 2005
| Award-Giving Body | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Fave Aussie Favourite Music Artist Fave Music Video (Oh Oh) |
Winner Winner Winner |
| ARIA #1 Chart Awards | #1 Single (Out With My Baby) | Winner |
| MTV Australian Video Music Awards(AVMAs) | Best Pop Video (Out With My Baby) | Winner |
| Adelaide Confidential Advertiser Awards | Favourite Adelaide Celebrity | Winner |
[edit] 2004
| Award-Giving Body | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ARIA Music Awards | Highest Selling Single (Angels Brought Me Here) | Winner |
| ARIA #1 Chart Awards | Album (Just As I Am) Single (Angels Brought Me Here) Single (All I Need Is You) |
Winner Winner Winner |
| Channel V Awards | Oz Artist Of The Year (Out With My Baby) | Winner |
[edit] References
- ^ http://allmalaysia.info/news/story.asp?file=/2003/12/22/msiansabroad/6951322&sec=mi_msiansabroad
- ^ a b http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20448603-661,00.html He was almost the fallen Guy, retrieved on September 26, 2006
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20445946-5007132,00.html Guy nearly quite after gay slur, Guy is also Gayretrieved on September 26, 2006
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Guy Sebastian at the Internet Movie Database
- Guy Sebastian Online: Fansite & Gallery
- Guy Sebastian interview
- Planetshakers - Guy Sebastian's ex-band
- Paradise Community Church - Guy Sebastian's Church
- Transcript of Compass episode profiling Guy Sebastian's Church
- "It Takes Two"
- WHO.com Idol Blog
| Preceded by None |
Australian Idol Winner Season 1 (2003) |
Succeeded by Casey Donovan |
| Australian Idol |
|---|
| Hosts and Judges |
| Andrew G | James Mathison Mark Holden | Marcia Hines | Ian "Dicko" Dickson | Kyle Sandilands |
| Winners |
| Guy Sebastian | Casey Donovan | Kate DeAraugo | Damien Leith |
| Runners-Up |
| Shannon Noll | Anthony Callea | Emily Williams | Jessica Mauboy |
| Seasons |
| Idol 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| Other |
| List of semi finalists | Young Divas | Australian Made: The Hits | List of commercial releases |
Categories: 1981 births | Living people | Malaysian Australians | Portuguese Australians | English Australians | Australian Idol participants | Australian musicians | Idol series winners | Anglo-Indians | Eurasians | Eurasian singers | People from Adelaide | Christian musicians | Assemblies of God in Australia | Assemblies of God people | Tamil Australians | ARIA Award winners | Asian Christians | Sri Lankan Christians | World Idol | Sri Lankan Australians
