The Black Sorrows continue to be one of Australia's most successful touring bands, delivering their special blend of blues and roots music on stages coast to coast. Any examination of The Black Sorrows inevitably comes down to one person. Joe Camilleri (singer, songwriter, saxophonist, producer and the brains behind The Black Sorrows) is one of the most genuinely talented figures in Australian music. As he celebrates 50 years in music, Camilleri has earned the reputation as a hard working musician who never fails to deliver and knows how to connect with his audience. It is his obvious passion for making music, performing live and sense of adventure that keeps Camilleri going and fans coming back for more.
In 1984, following the success of Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons, Joe Camilleri gathered together a group of musician friends and dubbed them The Black Sorrows. The band began playing for the fun of it, recording independent albums and selling them at venues. When radio picked up the classic track, Mystified, The Black Sorrows really took flight. Another break came when Elvis Costello picked up a copy of The Sorrow's album Sonola. Instead of talking about his new record in his Australian interviews, he talked up The Black Sorrows.
The band signed a worldwide deal with CBS/Sony and proceeded to release some of Australia's most successful albums here and in Europe including the multi-platinum sellers Hold On To Me, Harley and Rose and The Chosen Ones. Membership in The Black Sorrows has always been loose and fluid with Camilleri being the only constant. The Sorrow's 'elastic line-up' and has been home to over 40 talented Australian musicians at different times and launched the careers of some of Australia's most successful musicians. In keeping with Camilleri's penchant for continually moving forward, the newest version of The Black Sorrows is a formidable one - Claude Carranza (guitar/vocals), Mark Gray (bass/vocals), John McCall (keyboards/vocals) and Angus Burchall (drums).
