Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC and ABC iview S3E5 – Bernard Fanning is no stranger to the limelight. From the record-breaking highs of Powderfinger to his chart-topping solo endeavours and his recent collaboration with Paul Dempsey, he knows what it takes to be a frontman.
A deeply personal chat, Bernard shares the lessons he’s learned in becoming more open. “Showing vulnerability and being able to be comfortable with it is really important. It’s important to realise that there’s nothing wrong with showing your emotions.”
Powderfinger firmly cemented their place in the Australian music scene from the mid 90’s, but it took five albums before Bernard felt comfortable in the spotlight. A year before the release of Vulture Street, the untimely death of his brother John changed his perspective on where he was heading.
The band had seven number one records, won 23 ARIA Awards and played to 300,000 people on their farewell tour. Staunchly democratic, every decision in the band was made by every member, including the one to end it.
“That was a really hard one, but 15 years later we’re still really good friends.”
Bernard reveals a catalyst for stepping away from Powderfinger was when his wife had to undergo sudden heart surgery in her native Spain. It was a song from Bob Dylan playing on repeat, that helped him through.
Walking the tightrope of vulnerability and bravado with songs from AC/DC, Nina Simone, and Prince, this episode is as much a blueprint of one of our most loved rock stars, as a rare peek into the life of Bernard Fanning.
Production credit: Take 5 with Zan Rowe is an ABC Production. Created, hosted and written by Zan Rowe. Executive Producers, Nikita Agzarian and Josh Schmidt. Series Producer and Director/DOP, Aaron Smith ACS. Associate Producer, Katie Ring. Head Arts, Music and Events, Kath Earle.
Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC and ABC iview – Tuesday 29 October at 8.30pm
TV Central ABC content HERE
Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC and ABC iview S3E5
