Axle Whitehead
Encyclopedia
Axle Whitehead is a former Australian Video Hits TV host and current singer, musician
, and actor
. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA
top 50. He also plays Liam Murphy in Channel Seven's Home and Away
and is the host of The World's Strictest Parents
.
but made it into the top twenty. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to host the Television
music
show, Video Hits on Network Ten
, hosting from 2004 to 1 November 2006.
On 29 October 2006, while at the ARIA's, Whitehead was on-stage presenting an award to TV Rock with radio jock Jabba, when he exposed his penis
on stage. He also simulated masturbation
on the ARIA
trophy as the winners made their way to the stage. The Daily Telegraph
later reported that Whitehead and his long time girlfriend Katrina Peden had broken up days before the ARIA incident
, possibly explaining his behaviour. It was also rumoured in the industry that it was an ongoing dare, between himself, Jabba and Johnny Knoxville
, though Whitehead denied the claim. He later said that he had no regrets about the incident, and thought that "more people should do it." Network Ten
announced that Whitehead resigned as host of Video Hits on 1 November 2006. However, Whitehead later said that he was fired by Network Ten, saying "I was still up from the night before, sitting on the beach. I just couldn't believe it. I went back to the farm to take some time out."
Axle Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises
" was released on radio during January 2008, debuting at #8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008. It has also received airplay on Nova radio and surfaced on TV advertisements for popular Channel 10
shows House
and Women's Murder Club
, and Channel 7's Home and Away
, being described as a cross between Coldplay
and Robbie Williams
. His debut album, Losing Sleep was mixed by UK mixer, David Treahearn
and released through Roadshow Music on 22 August 2008. Whitehead made his return to Video Hits on 24 February 2008, and to Australian Idol on 5 September 2008, though only as a guest to promote his debut album. The third single off Losing Sleep, Satellite has received significant play on Channel V
and Video Hits
.
Axle Whitehead has also become the face of upmarket clothing brand 'Marcs'. His image has appeared on buses and print advertisements for the summer/autumn campaign.
, and the 2003 film, Ned Kelly
. After taking acting lessons for eighteen months, Whitehead auditioned for a role in Home and Away
, which he described as "such a great place to learn and hone your skills". He joined the cast for fifteen episodes as rocker Liam Murphy, and later signed to be a regular cast member. Whitehead based his portrayal of the rocker on experiences of close friends, and said "you have to find a balance between putting yourself into it and not being too cheeky."
Whitehead also hosts Seven Network
's The World's Strictest Parents
.
In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host The X Factor Australia, but lost out to fellow Home and Away
colleague Luke Jacobz
.
quipped that "[She] wouldn't touch Axle with a ten-foot pole", while Patti Newton
, wife of well-known Australian veteran television personality Bert Newton
, believed "Sarah [Oakes] must have taken a whiff of the Whitehead smelling salts and fallen under the same spell that has allowed such disgraceful behaviour to have been deemed socially acceptable in this day and age. If showing your privates is charismatic and 'mum-friendly', then consider me Miles Franklin
."
of Australian Idol
in 2003. His debut extended play, The Axle Whitehead Band, was released as a collaboration in 2003 with jazz fusion band, the Axle Whitehead Band. The release failed to rank on national charts. Whitehead released his debut studio album, Losing Sleep, in 2008 on Roadshow Music. The album peaked at number 68 on the Australian Top 100 Albums Chart
. The lead single
"I Don't Do Surprises
" debuted at number eight on the Australian Top 100 Singles Chart and received gold
certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association
. The album's subsequent singles "Anywhere
" and "Satellite
" did not make it into the Top 50.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
top 50. He also plays Liam Murphy in Channel Seven's Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
and is the host of The World's Strictest Parents
The World's Strictest Parents
The World's Strictest Parents is a television series developed by TwentyTwenty Television, originally broadcast in Britain by the BBC. America's CMT and Australia's Channel Seven have both created localised versions of the programme, with the CMT episodes frequently rebroadcasting on MTV...
.
Music
Axle Whitehead was originally a contestant on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003. He failed to win the competitionAustralian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
but made it into the top twenty. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to host the Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
show, Video Hits on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
, hosting from 2004 to 1 November 2006.
On 29 October 2006, while at the ARIA's, Whitehead was on-stage presenting an award to TV Rock with radio jock Jabba, when he exposed his penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
on stage. He also simulated masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
on the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
trophy as the winners made their way to the stage. The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The Daily Telegraph is an Australian tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News Corporation.The Tele, as it is also known, was founded in 1879. From 1936 to 1972, it was owned by Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. That year it was sold to...
later reported that Whitehead and his long time girlfriend Katrina Peden had broken up days before the ARIA incident
ARIA Music Awards of 2006
The 20th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 29 October 2006 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex...
, possibly explaining his behaviour. It was also rumoured in the industry that it was an ongoing dare, between himself, Jabba and Johnny Knoxville
Johnny Knoxville
Philip John Clapp , better known by his stage name Johnny Knoxville, is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, stunt performer, best known for being the co-creator and principal star of the MTV reality series Jackass, with the catchphrase "I'm Johnny Knoxville, and welcome to Jackass."-Early...
, though Whitehead denied the claim. He later said that he had no regrets about the incident, and thought that "more people should do it." Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
announced that Whitehead resigned as host of Video Hits on 1 November 2006. However, Whitehead later said that he was fired by Network Ten, saying "I was still up from the night before, sitting on the beach. I just couldn't believe it. I went back to the farm to take some time out."
Axle Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises
I Don't Do Surprises
"I Don't Do Surprises" is the debut single by Axle Whitehead, from his debut album Losing Sleep. "I Don't Do Surprises" has managed a peak of #8 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and is certified Gold by ARIA. It has so far spent a total of fifteen weeks in the top 50...
" was released on radio during January 2008, debuting at #8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008. It has also received airplay on Nova radio and surfaced on TV advertisements for popular Channel 10
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
shows House
House (TV series)
House is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House , an unconventional and misanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in...
and Women's Murder Club
Women's Murder Club
Women's Murder Club is an American police procedural and legal drama, which ran on ABC from October 12, 2007, to May 13, 2008. The series is set in San Francisco, California and is based on the 'Women's Murder Club' series of novels written by James Patterson...
, and Channel 7's Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, being described as a cross between Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
. His debut album, Losing Sleep was mixed by UK mixer, David Treahearn
David Treahearn
David Treahearn is a British record producer, songwriter and mix engineer based in London, United Kingdom. He has worked with some of the world's most successful artists including Madonna, The Black Eyed Peas, Oasis, Björk, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Depeche Mode and Elbow.-Olympic Music Studios...
and released through Roadshow Music on 22 August 2008. Whitehead made his return to Video Hits on 24 February 2008, and to Australian Idol on 5 September 2008, though only as a guest to promote his debut album. The third single off Losing Sleep, Satellite has received significant play on Channel V
Channel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
and Video Hits
Video Hits (Australian TV series)
Video Hits was an Australian music video program that first aired on 15 February 1987. From 7 May 2011 it broadcasted on Network Ten for two hours each Saturday and Sunday morning: 10am – 12pm on Saturdays and 8am – 10am on Sundays. Video Hits was the world's second longest running music show...
.
Axle Whitehead has also become the face of upmarket clothing brand 'Marcs'. His image has appeared on buses and print advertisements for the summer/autumn campaign.
Acting
Whitehead's first acting roles were minor parts in the television series The Secret Life of UsThe Secret Life of Us
The Secret Life of Us was a television drama series set in the beachside suburb of St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia. The series was produced by Southern Star Entertainment and screened in Australia from 2001 to 2005 on Network Ten and on Channel 4 in the UK...
, and the 2003 film, Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly (2003 film)
Ned Kelly is an Australian drama film directed by Gregor Jordan. The film portrays the life of Ned Kelly — a legendary bushranger in northeast Victoria. Ned Kelly, his brother Dan, and two other men — Steve Hart and Joe Byrne — formed a gang of Irish Australians in response to Irish and...
. After taking acting lessons for eighteen months, Whitehead auditioned for a role in Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, which he described as "such a great place to learn and hone your skills". He joined the cast for fifteen episodes as rocker Liam Murphy, and later signed to be a regular cast member. Whitehead based his portrayal of the rocker on experiences of close friends, and said "you have to find a balance between putting yourself into it and not being too cheeky."
Whitehead also hosts Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's The World's Strictest Parents
The World's Strictest Parents
The World's Strictest Parents is a television series developed by TwentyTwenty Television, originally broadcast in Britain by the BBC. America's CMT and Australia's Channel Seven have both created localised versions of the programme, with the CMT episodes frequently rebroadcasting on MTV...
.
In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host The X Factor Australia, but lost out to fellow Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
colleague Luke Jacobz
Luke Jacobz
Luke Jacobz on 14 February 1981, Sydney is an Australian actor and television presenter.-Career:'Jacobz' is a screen name, derived from adding a 'z' to the actor's middle name of Jacob...
.
Cleo Bachelor Of The Year
On 22 April 2009, Axle was announced Cleo Bachelor Of The Year, beating competition from sportsmen, actors and other personalities. Sarah Oakes, Cleo Editor-in-chief denied the claims that Whitehead won as a direct result of a self-marketing ploy; "[He] is that perfect combination of good looks, charm, charisma and the kind of guy you'd be really happy to take home and introduce to your mum." Comedian Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin
Fiona O'Loughlin is an Australian comedian, known primarily for her stand-up comedy; for her television performances, on ABC TV's Spicks and Specks, and Channel Ten's Rove Live and GNW; and a series of advertisements for Heinz soups...
quipped that "[She] wouldn't touch Axle with a ten-foot pole", while Patti Newton
Patti Newton
Patti Newton is a Melbourne-born Australian entertainer and radio and television presenter.-Career:...
, wife of well-known Australian veteran television personality Bert Newton
Bert Newton
Albert Watson "Bert" Newton, AM, MBE is an Australian television personality, known for hosting television series such as In Melbourne Tonight, Good Morning Australia and 20 to 1. Newton has also hosted the Logie Awards on numerous occasions through his career.-Early life:Newton was born in...
, believed "Sarah [Oakes] must have taken a whiff of the Whitehead smelling salts and fallen under the same spell that has allowed such disgraceful behaviour to have been deemed socially acceptable in this day and age. If showing your privates is charismatic and 'mum-friendly', then consider me Miles Franklin
Miles Franklin
Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, known as Miles Franklin was an Australian writer and feminist who is best known for her novel My Brilliant Career, published in 1901...
."
Discography
Whitehead rose to prominence after competing in the third round on the first seasonAustralian Idol (season 1)
The first season of Australian Idol was produced by Fremantle Media subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company 19TV, and was broadcast on Network Ten for 19 weeks in the latter half of 2003...
of Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
in 2003. His debut extended play, The Axle Whitehead Band, was released as a collaboration in 2003 with jazz fusion band, the Axle Whitehead Band. The release failed to rank on national charts. Whitehead released his debut studio album, Losing Sleep, in 2008 on Roadshow Music. The album peaked at number 68 on the Australian Top 100 Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. The lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
"I Don't Do Surprises
I Don't Do Surprises
"I Don't Do Surprises" is the debut single by Axle Whitehead, from his debut album Losing Sleep. "I Don't Do Surprises" has managed a peak of #8 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and is certified Gold by ARIA. It has so far spent a total of fifteen weeks in the top 50...
" debuted at number eight on the Australian Top 100 Singles Chart and received gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
. The album's subsequent singles "Anywhere
Anywhere (Axle Whitehead song)
"Anywhere" is the second single by Axle Whitehead, from his debut album Losing Sleep.-Track listing:-Charts:-Release history:...
" and "Satellite
Satellite (Axle Whitehead song)
"Satellite" is an alternative rock and pop song by Australian alternative rock and pop singer-songwriter Axle Whitehead from his debut album, Losing Sleep.- Airplay :...
" did not make it into the Top 50.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | AUS ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... chart peak |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Losing Sleep
|
68 |
Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2003 | The Axle Whitehead Band
|
Singles
| Year | Song | AUS ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... chart peak |
ARIA certification Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "I Don't Do Surprises I Don't Do Surprises "I Don't Do Surprises" is the debut single by Axle Whitehead, from his debut album Losing Sleep. "I Don't Do Surprises" has managed a peak of #8 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and is certified Gold by ARIA. It has so far spent a total of fifteen weeks in the top 50... " |
8 | Gold | Losing Sleep |
| "Anywhere Anywhere (Axle Whitehead song) "Anywhere" is the second single by Axle Whitehead, from his debut album Losing Sleep.-Track listing:-Charts:-Release history:... " |
77 | — | ||
| "Satellite Satellite (Axle Whitehead song) "Satellite" is an alternative rock and pop song by Australian alternative rock and pop singer-songwriter Axle Whitehead from his debut album, Losing Sleep.- Airplay :... " |
— | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification. | ||||
Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "I Don't Do Surprises" | Grant Marshall |
| "Anywhere" | Bart Borghesi | |
| "Satellite" | ||
| 2011 | "Sister Sunshine" | |
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Other performer | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Scatbox" | Joel Turner Joel Turner (musician) Joel Turner is an Australian beatboxer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer best known for the Australian hit song "These Kids". As a beatboxer, he is recognised for his raw power, deep bass, and trademark sounds such as his "third voice", cowbell, teeth beats and bass guitar... |
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album) Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets is a collaborative studio album from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It was released on 1 November 2004, peaking at #28 on the ARIA albums chart and #2 on the AIR independent charts, additionally achieving platinum status.The album consists of twelve full... |
| 2005 | "Silent Night" | The Axle Whitehead Band | The Spirit of Christmas 2005 The Spirit of Christmas 2005 The Spirit of Christmas 2005 is part of the Spirit of Christmas album series. It was released in Australia on 17 November 2005.-Track listing:#"One Little Christmas Tree" - John Farnham#"Frosty the Snowman" - Human Nature... |
