History
Vanessa Amorosi (b. 1982), the self-assured 18-year old singer from Melbourne, has worked the local cabaret and restaurant circuit since the age of 13. Having been ‘discovered’ by Hey Hey It’s Saturday producer Jack Strom (whose business partner is former 1970s pop star turned writer-manager Mark Holden), Amorosi signed a record deal with the independent label Transistor Music (with distribution through BMG). Her debut single, ‘Have a Look’ (July 1999), produced by Englishman Steve Mac (Boyzone), peaked at #13 on the national chart and was declared gold (over 35 000 units sold) after seven weeks.

Incorporating a bit of Alanis Morrisette, a bit of The Corrs and a bit of Kate Ceberano, Amorosi’s second single, ‘Absolutely Everybody’ (November 1999), was a joyous summery pop hit. It peaked at #6 on the national chart, eventually selling over 70 000 units. Her version of ‘Home for Christmas’ then appeared on the charity album, Spirit of Christmas (December). Amorosi ended a successful 1999 as part of the New Year’s Eve Rock the Millennium concert at Sydney’s Darling Harbour in front of 25 000 people. The song, ‘Have a Look’, appeared on the Various Artists album, Rock the Millennium 99: A Live Celebration of Australian Music (April 2000).

Amorosi contributed the ballad, ‘Shine’, to the original soundtrack of the Nick Giannopoulos feature film, The Wog Boy (February 2000). Issued as a single, ‘Shine’ coincided with the release of her debut album, The Power (March). A confident album of buoyant pop, soul ballads and dance tracks, it made its debut at #1 on the national chart, selling 35 000 units in the process.