Lee Harding
Lee Harding | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 8, 1983 Frankston, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, singer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | Third place on Australian Idol (2005) |
Lee Harding (born 8 June 1983) is an Australian vocalist originating from Frankston, Victoria. He gained recognition for securing third place in the third installment of Australian Idol in 2005.
Bedrock
Prior to his appearance on Australian Idol, Harding was part of the cover band "Bedrock," known for performing popular tracks spanning from the 1960s onward. He was already acquainted with their setlist as a frequent audience member before officially joining.
2005–2007: Australian Idol and What's Wrong with This Picture?
Harding auditioned for the third season of Australian Idol in 2005, ultimately finishing in third position. Throughout the competition, he delivered performances across multiple musical styles, consistently advancing through public voting until his elimination.
After the show, he secured a contract with Sony BMG and launched his debut single "Wasabi"/"Eye of the Tiger" in December 2005. The single entered the ARIA Charts at number one and became the eighth best-selling single of 2006.
His first album, What's Wrong with This Picture?, was released in February 2006 and reached number three on the ARIA albums chart. Following this, two more singles, "Anything for You" and "Call the Nurse," were released. In July 2007, Sony BMG terminated his recording contract to prioritize other artists.
2007–2018: Projects
From 2007 onwards, Harding participated in various short-term ventures including the band Rock City 2, which issued an album in October 2007, as well as the Patience Project that released the single "Lipstick Cabaret" in June 2011. Additionally, he performed with cover bands at Melbourne's Crown Casino.
2019: The Voice
In 2019, Harding competed in the eighth season of The Voice Australia, joining Boy George's team. He progressed to the top nine before being eliminated.
| The Voice performances and outcomes (2019) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | Song | Original Artist | Outcome |
| Audition | "Killing in the Name" | Rage Against the Machine | Advanced to Knockouts |
| The Knockouts | "We Will Rock You" | Queen | Progressed to Battle Rounds |
| Battle Rounds | "Leave a Light On" | Tom Walker | Advanced to live shows |
| Live show 1 | "Uprising" | Muse | Saved by Coach |
| Live show 2 | "The Beautiful People" | Marilyn Manson | Saved by Public Vote |
| Semi Final | "Walk This Way" | Aerosmith | Eliminated in Top 9 |
Albums
| Title | Album information | AUS | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's Wrong with This Picture? |
|
3 |
|
Singles
| Song Title | Release Year | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications | Album Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||||
| "Wasabi"/"Eye of the Tiger" | 2005 | 1 |
|
What's Wrong with This Picture? |
| "Anything for You" | 2005 | 23 | ||
| "Call the Nurse" | — |
Supporting Shannon Noll
Harding joined fellow Idol alum Shannon Noll as a supporting act on his nationwide tour, sharing the stage with Dan England at venues including Sydney’s Luna Park Big Top.
Opening for INXS
In August 2006, Harding, accompanied by his band Bedrock, served as the opening performer for rock band INXS during their Brisbane concert on the tour.
Anything for You Tour
During April 2006, Harding led the Anything for You Tour along Australia's eastern seaboard. The lineup featured Sydney-based power-pop group Kid Courageous, rapper Figgkidd, and indie rock ensemble Town Hall Steps. Stops included Penrith Panthers and Castle Hill RSL Club.
All Age Rampage/Pop Punk Tour 2006
September 2006 marked Harding’s co-headlining role alongside Kid Courageous on a national tour spanning Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Albury, and Adelaide. Supporting performers were Bedrock, 919 (later known as Amber Calling), and Enolas Secret (previously Wishlist). Victorian shows included Melbourne band Don't Ask Us. Due to a family emergency, NSW dates were postponed as confirmed by Harding’s management following the Adelaide performance.
Bass in the Grass Festival
At the 2006 Bass in the Grass event held in Darwin, Harding encountered adverse crowd reactions, including being targeted with water bottles during his set.