Men at Work in 1983

Men at Work is an Australian pop rock band founded in 1978 in St Kilda, Victoria.[1][2][3] The group is best known for several Number 1 singles and studio albums released between 1981 and 1983.[1] The following is a complete chronology of the band's member history.[1][2][3] Although active to this day, Colin Hay has been the only constant member throughout the decades (and also the frontman).

Members

Present

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Colin_Hay.png
Colin Hay
  • 1978–1986
  • 1996–2002
  • 2019–present (occasional performances from 2002–2012)
[4]
  • lead vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • bass
all releases
Jimmy Branly 2019–present drums none to date
San Miguel Perez
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Yosmel Montejo
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Scheila-Gonzalez.jpg
Scheila Gonzalez
  • saxophone
  • flute
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Cecilia Noël backing vocals

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Ronintrosite.jpg
Ron Strykert 1978–1985[4][5]
  • lead guitar
  • bass
  • vocals
all studio releases
Men_At_Work_1983_(cropped_3).jpg
Jerry Speiser 1979–1984[4]
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
Greg Sneddon 1979[5] keyboards none
Men_At_Work_1983_(Greg_Ham).jpg
Greg Ham
  • 1979–1985
  • 1996–2002 (occasional performances from 2002–2012) (died 2012)
  • saxophone
  • keyboards
  • harmonica
  • flute
  • vocals
  • guitar
all releases from Business as Usual (1981) to Brazil (1998)
John Rees (1983) (cropped).jpg
John Rees 1980–1984
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Business as Usual (1981)
  • Cargo (1983)
Jeremy Alsop 1985–1986 Two Hearts (1985)
James Black
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Mark_Kennedy_Record_Plant_B.jpg
Mark Kennedy 1985 drums
Colin Bayley 1985–1986
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
none
The_Hague_Jazz_Festival_2007.jpg
Chad Wackerman
  • drums
  • backing vocals
Paul Williamson
  • saxophone
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Simon Hosford
  • 1996–1998
  • 1999–2001
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Brazil (1998)
Stephen Hadley
  • 1996–1998
  • 2001
  • bass
  • backing vocals
John Watson 1996–1997 drums
Tony Floyd
  • 1997–1998
  • 1999–2000
Brazil (1998) (one track only)
Richard_Grossman.jpg
Rick Grossman 1998–1999
  • bass
  • backing vocals
none
James Ryan
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Peter Maslen drums
Stuart Speed
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Rodrigo Aravena 2000–2001
Heta Moses drums
Warren Trout 2001

Timeline

Line-ups

Period Members Studio releases
1978–1979 none
1979
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Ron Strykert – bass, guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Speiser – drums, vocals
  • Greg Sneddon – keyboards
1979–1980
("Men at Work" name adopted)
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Ron Strykert – bass, guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Speiser – drums, vocals
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
1980–1984
(Classic lineup)
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Ron Strykert – guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Speiser – drums, vocals
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • John Rees – bass, vocals
1984–1985
  • Colin Hay –vocals, guitar
  • Ron Strykert – guitar, bass, vocals
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
none
1985
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
1985
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • James Black – guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Jeremy Alsop – bass, vocals
  • Mark Kennedy – drums
1985
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • James Black – guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Jeremy Alsop – bass, vocals
  • Colin Bayley – guitar, vocals
  • Chad Wackerman – drums
none
1985–1986
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • James Black – guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Jeremy Alsop – bass, vocals
  • Colin Bayley – guitar, vocals
  • Paul Williamson – saxophone, keyboards, vocals
  • Chad Wackerman – drums
1986–1996 Disbanded
1996–1997
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • Simon Hosford – guitar, vocals
  • Stephen Hadley – bass, vocals
  • John Watson – drums
1997–1998
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • Simon Hosford – guitar, vocals
  • Stephen Hadley – bass, vocals
  • Tony Floyd – drums
  • Brazil (2018) (one track only)
1998–1999
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • James Ryan – guitar, vocals
  • Rick Grossman – bass, vocals
  • Peter Maslen – drums
none
1999–2000
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • Simon Hosford – guitar, vocals
  • Stuart Speed – bass, vocals
  • Tony Floyd – drums
2000–2001
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • Simon Hosford – guitar, vocals
  • Rodrigo Aravena – bass, vocals
  • Heta Moses – drums
2001
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
  • Simon Hosford – guitar, vocals
  • Stephen Hadley – bass, vocals
  • Warren Trout – drums
2001–2002
(Occasional reunions until 2012)
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Greg Ham – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute, harmonica
2002–2019 Disbanded
2019–present
  • Colin Hay – vocals, guitar
  • Scheila Gonzalez – saxophone, keyboards, vocals, flute
  • San Miguel Perez – guitar, backing vocals
  • Yosmel Montejo – bass, backing vocals
  • Jimmy Branly – drums
  • Cecilia Noël – backing vocals
none to date

References

  1. ^ a b c McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Men at Work'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on May 13, 2003. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b Holmgren, Magnus; Warnqvist, Stefan. "Men at Work". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  3. ^ a b Nimmervoll, Ed. "Men at Work". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Hyden, Steven (19 April 2012). "Greg Ham of Men At Work, originator of the flute riff in "Down Under", found dead". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  5. ^ a b Brandle, Lars (30 July 2009). "Men At Work Loses First Stage In Copyright Dispute". Billboard. Retrieved 24 April 2015.