Cold Chisel: The Big Five-0 on Channel 7 and 7plus – Few writers and musicians have gone to the heart of our country like Cold Chisel, with their music defining what it means to be Australian, from the 70s right through to the modern day.
This film captures an incredible performance and gives a real insight into their story. Formed 50 years ago in Adelaide, by a young rocket scientist with a mean left hand on the piano (Don Walker), a teen rebel (Jimmy Barnes) and a barefoot kid guitarist fresh off the bus from Alice Springs (Ian Moss), Cold Chisel found their audience their own way.
The band was soon completed by drummer Steve Prestwich and bass player Phil Small. Starting at Largs Pier in Adelaide, the heaviest biker pub in the country, their first single “Khe Sanh” was banned by commercial radio and their outlaw spirit and powerful live performances defined the pub rock era.
Since then, their evocative lyrics and melodies on songs like “Flame Trees” and “When The War Is Over” have become embedded in the experience of what it means to be Australian.
Cold Chisel found the emotional heart of this country with their music. Half a century on, Cold Chisel is touring Australia with their show The Big Five-0.
Seen by over 250,000 people, during their concerts the connection between the audience and the band is not just palpable – it is like nothing seen before in this country – with the audience often drowning out the band singing their favourite songs.
It is cathartic to witness, and to be a part of. It is a special moment in time. Capturing the fervor and with exclusive access to the band, their music, performances on tour as well as behind the scenes, The Big Five-0 asks a central question: “Why does Cold Chisel mean so much to us?”
With interviews with each of the band members, this film explores Cold Chisel’s vertiginous story and interweaves the narratives of the band’s history with some never-before-seen photographs, footage and stories from their 50-year personal archive.
The Big Five-0’s writer/producer Paul Clarke, is a renowned filmmaker with previous award-winning and celebrated work including Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line, John Farnham: Finding The Voice, Whitlam: The Power and The Passion and Blood and Thunder.
Directed by Andrew Lord (Splendour in the Grass), the film is also produced by Frank Chidiac (Live it Up: The Mental as Anything Story, Great Australian Concerts) and Susanne Morrison (Live it Up: The Mental as Anything Story, Great Australian Concerts), line produced by Fiona Hewish with Mikael Borglund and Robert Hambling as executive producers Paul Clarke said:
“50 years old, Cold Chisel are on fire in this film – I’ve never seen audiences punching the air one moment, openly sobbing the next. I feel like we caught them on a brilliant night at The Sydney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. According to them, they have never played better.”
“Every show on our Big Five-0 Tour had something special, but the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne with 37° temperatures and an incredible audience really brought out a blistering and joyous performance from all of us onstage,”
– says Cold Chisel frontman, Jimmy Barnes.
“The crowd nearly drowned us out, they sang so loud and proud. It was a show we will never forget,”
– he continued.
A Beyond Productions feature documentary produced in association with the Seven Network. Directed by Andrew Lord, written and produced by Paul Clarke, produced by Frank Chidiac and Susanne Morrison, line produced by Fiona Hewish and executive produced by Mikael Borglund and Robert Hambling.
Media Release – Seven
Link to 7plus HERE
TV Central Seven content HERE
Cold Chisel: The Big Five-0 on Channel 7 and 7plus
