Shannon Noll

Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll
Born	September 16, 1975 (age 51); Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Years active	2003–present
Known for	Runner-up on the inaugural season of Australian Idol (2003); multiple top-ten albums and singles in Australia

Shannon Noll (born 16 September 1975) is a singer-songwriter from Australia who rose to fame as the runner-up on the inaugural season of Australian Idol in 2003, which led to a recording contract with Sony BMG. Throughout his career, he has released five albums that reached the top ten, including two multi-platinum records that topped the charts. Noll uniquely achieved ten consecutive top-ten singles on the ARIA, with three of those singles securing the number-one spot, making him the only Australian male artist to accomplish this feat. His debut track, "What About Me?", earned 4× platinum certification and was Australia's best-selling single in 2004.

Accumulating 17 platinum and three gold awards, along with over 1.3 million combined album and single sales domestically, Noll stands as the third highest certified and selling artist among Australian Idol alumni. He has garnered six ARIA Music Award nominations, including one for Best Pop Release for his sophomore album Lift, and has won five ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards. Moreover, he secured the MTV Australia Video Music Award for Best Male Artist three years running from 2005 to 2007. After parting ways with Sony in 2010, Noll briefly signed with Universal Music Australia before moving to Warner Music Australia, under which he released his fifth studio album, Unbroken, in February 2018.

In early 2018, Noll participated as a celebrity contestant on the fourth season of Australian I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. Later, in August 2022, he was unveiled as the "Blowfly" on the fourth season of Network 10's The Masked Singer Australia.

Early life

Born on 16 September 1975 in Orange, New South Wales, Shannon Noll is the youngest child of Neil and Sharyn Noll. He was raised in Tullibigeal, a small rural town located in central western New South Wales. His upbringing took place on his family’s farm, where they raised sheep and cattle and cultivated cereal crops. Following his schooling, Noll relocated to Sydney, where he met his future wife Rochelle Ogston and engaged in playing AFL.

During his early adult years, Noll worked on farm duties such as sheep shearing. Alongside his brothers, he formed a band named Cypress, performing mostly cover songs along with some original compositions at country pubs throughout the Australian outback. After their father Neil tragically died in a farming accident in 2001, ownership of the farm passed to Shannon and his brothers. Due to two consecutive years of severe drought, they leased out the property and relied on drought relief assistance while occasionally working on a friend’s farm. The song "Now I Run" from his album Lift was written as a tribute to his late father.

2003–2004: Australian Idol and That's What I'm Talking About

In 2003, Noll auditioned for the first season of Australian Idol, impressing judges with his performance of Southern Sons' "Hold Me in Your Arms". He advanced through to become one of the top twelve finalists and ultimately reached the grand final alongside Guy Sebastian after Cosima De Vito withdrew from the competition. The finale took place at the Sydney Opera House on 19 November 2003, where Sebastian was announced as the winner.

Soon after the show concluded, Noll secured a five-album contract with BMG Australia, which later merged into Sony Music Australia. In January 2004, he joined other finalists for the national Australian Idol tour. That same month saw the release of his debut single—a cover of Moving Pictures' "What About Me?"—which debuted at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and remained there for four consecutive weeks. It became Australia's highest-selling single for that year, achieving 4× platinum status with shipments totaling 280,000 copies and also charted internationally in Ireland and New Zealand.

His first album, That's What I'm Talking About, launched on 9 February 2004 and entered at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart with initial sales reaching 131,680 copies. The record featured a mix of pop, rock, and country influences and maintained fourteen weeks within the top ten—four of those at number one—and attained 5× platinum certification for shipments exceeding 350,000 units.

The follow-up single "Drive", penned by Bryan Adams, climbed to number four nationally and received platinum certification. His third single—a rendition of A1's "Learn to Fly"—became his second chart-topping hit and earned gold certification. At that year’s ARIA Music Awards, Noll was nominated for both Highest Selling Single and Highest Selling Album categories. To promote the album further, he embarked on his first solo headlining tour titled Overdrive Tour in April 2004.

In August 2004, Noll appeared on a Network Ten television special hosted by Ian Dickson. Later that year, Nine Network enlisted him to re-record an updated version of the Australian cricket anthem "C'mon Aussie C'mon". This rendition peaked at number two on the charts and achieved platinum status. Proceeds from this release supported Red Cross’ Good Start Breakfast Club program aimed at providing nutritious breakfasts to schoolchildren across Australia.

2005–2006: Lift

At the beginning of 2005, Noll traveled to both the United States and the United Kingdom to collaborate on his sophomore album alongside Desmond Child, Diane Warren, and Wayne Hector; however, he eventually opted to work with Australian songwriters. Early that year, he joined Bryan Adams as a supporting act during the Australian segment of the Room Service Tour. Released on 16 October 2005, his second album Lift entered the charts at number one, with Noll co-writing 11 out of the 13 tracks. The record delved into subjects such as love, mortality, resilience, and confidence. It maintained a position within the top ten for nine consecutive weeks and achieved triple platinum certification for shipping 210,000 units.

The album’s lead single, "Shine," debuted atop the charts and earned platinum status; its music video was directed by Ryan Renshaw. The second single and title track "Lift" reached number ten and was certified gold; it subsequently served as the theme song for the Australian adaptation of The Biggest Loser. Additional singles "Now I Run" and "Lonely" peaked at numbers six and eight respectively. At the 2006 ARIA Music Awards, Noll garnered nominations for Highest Selling Single ("Shine") and Best Pop Release (Lift). To promote this album, he launched the Lift Tour in January 2006.

Noll turned down an acting opportunity in the film King of the Mountain, which centered on racer Peter Brock. In September 2006, he parted ways with Sydney-based Caplice Management and signed with New York's Worldwide Entertainment Group (WEG), aiming to penetrate the US market following earlier unsuccessful showcases. Shortly thereafter, he supported American rock band Live during their Australian tour.

In December 2006, Noll teamed up with Natalie Bassingthwaighte to record a rendition of Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush’s "Don't Give Up," which climbed to number two on the charts and was certified platinum after spending eleven weeks in the top ten. This single led the compilation album Home: Songs of Hope & Journey, released to benefit beyondblue’s depression research initiative. "Don't Give Up" earned Noll another ARIA nomination for Highest Selling Single in 2007.

2007–2009: Turn It Up, No Turning Back: The Story So Far and What Matters the Most

In September 2007, Noll made his debut on stage portraying Parson Nathaniel during the Australian tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. His third studio album, Turn It Up, was released on 15 September 2007, entering the charts at number three and receiving platinum certification. Earlier that year, he collaborated in the United States with prominent songwriters and producers including Richard Marx, Luke Ebbin, and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. The leading single, an energetic rock anthem titled "Loud", debuted at number three; follow-up singles "In Pieces" and "Everybody Needs a Little Help" reached number 26 and failed to chart respectively. To support this release, Noll embarked on his third solo headlining tour, Turn It Up Tour, in June 2008.

Noll appeared in an episode of the Australian edition of This Is Your Life. His first greatest hits collection, No Turning Back: The Story So Far, launched on 27 September 2008, debuted at number seven and featured ten hit singles alongside five new songs. The only single from this compilation was a cover of Brian Melo’s "Summertime", which peaked at number 54. He supported this release with the No Turning Back Tour.

In June 2009, Noll reprised his role as Parson Nathaniel for the UK leg of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Coinciding with this tour, his second compilation album, What Matters the Most, comprising selections from previous works, was issued in the UK but failed to chart. Two earlier singles, "Shine" and "Now I Run," were reissued alongside this album. Upon returning to Australia in July 2009, Noll commenced his acoustic In the Raw Tour featuring a Q&A session moderated by Nick Bennett.

2010–2014: A Million Suns

In January 2010, Noll ended his contract with Sony to pursue new opportunities. He then signed with Universal Music Australia, releasing his fourth studio album, A Million Suns, on 14 October 2011, which entered the charts at number eight. The album’s lead single, "Switch Me On", co-written by Benji Madden from Good Charlotte, featured a music video filmed in Tokyo and achieved a peak position of number 42, earning gold status. However, follow-up singles "My Place in the Line", "Living in Stereo", and "Rewind" did not enter the charts. To promote the album, Noll embarked on the A Million Suns Tour throughout 2012.

In April 2012, Noll participated in the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars Australia, paired with Elena Samodanova, but was forced to withdraw due to a serious spinal injury.

On 1 October 2012, he released the single "Man I Can Trust" alongside his autobiography titled Shannon Noll: So Far, co-authored with Alan Whiticker. The book explores his upbringing, personal challenges, and experiences within the music industry. Between November 2012 and February 2013, Noll conducted an acoustic tour called the In My Youth Tour, featuring fan-chosen covers of ’80s hits.

Towards the end of 2013, Noll became the face of South Australian retailer Radio Rentals and Queensland’s RT Edwards, appearing in advertisements performing Roy Orbison’s "You Got It". In February 2014, he launched the Invincible Tour, which combined both classic tracks and newer material.

The lead single from his forthcoming album, "We Only Live Once," was released in July 2014 but did not chart. The accompanying video showcased Miss Universe finalist Renae Ayris. To support this release, Noll undertook the We Only Live Once Tour in September 2014.

2016–present: Unbroken and Raw

On 30 September 2016, Noll introduced "Who I Am," the first single from his anticipated fifth studio album. This was followed by "Southern Sky" on 5 May 2017, alongside an announcement of a national tour. On 4 December of that year, Warner Music and Noll confirmed that his fifth album, Unbroken, would be released in Australia on 2 February 2018. In January 2018, he competed in season four of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, ultimately finishing as runner-up on 12 March.

Noll released "Long Live the Summer" on 4 November 2019 as the lead single for his sixth studio album, followed by "Wonderful" on 20 November 2020. Throughout 2020, he performed over thirty intimate acoustic shows across New South Wales, which inspired fans to request an album reflecting these performances. This record features his first completely self-penned track. The third single from this project, "Better," was unveiled on 23 April 2021. His sixth album, Raw, was launched on 28 May 2021 and supported by the Raw & Uncovered Australian tour. The collection includes fresh compositions, live favorites, and renditions of iconic Australian songs. Upon release, Raw debuted at number three on the ARIA Charts, marking Noll’s sixth consecutive studio album to reach the top ten. It also secured the number 49 spot on ARIA’s Year End Charts for Australian Country Albums.

In August 2022, Noll was revealed as the contestant Blowfly on Network 10's The Masked Singer Australia, finishing in fifth place overall. On 23 August, he issued a standalone single titled "Take Me Away." The following month saw two remixes released for his classic 2004 hit "What About Me." Early in 2023, Noll launched a podcast named Idol Talking With Nollsie to coincide with the revival of Australian Idol on the Seven Network. In April of that year, he released the single "Believe It," announcing that work had begun on his seventh studio album.

Charity

Noll has contributed more than $1 million to a variety of Australian charitable organisations, notably donating the proceeds from two of his platinum-certified singles, "C'mon Aussie C'mon" and "Don't Give Up". He is also actively involved in fundraising initiatives, frequently taking part in events such as Movember, which supports research into testicular cancer.

Legacy

In Australia, Noll has become a prominent Internet meme, particularly through the widely circulated phrase "Shannon Noll was robbed of the 2003 Australian Idol title," which gained traction starting in 2015. He has welcomed this online recognition, commending the inventiveness of his younger supporters. A 2016 Facebook campaign attempted to secure his performance at Groovin' the Moo, although event organisers did not respond. That same year, the slogan was adopted as the theme for Victoria's General Achievement Test (GAT) protest, involving approximately 3,600 students.

Personal life

Noll wed his long-term partner Rochelle Ogston on 2 October 2004 at St Peter's Church in Cremorne, New South Wales. Together, they have three sons and one daughter.

Legal issues

In December 2004, Noll was apprehended for drunk driving in Condobolin and acknowledged it as a "stupid mistake." On 5 April 2005, he pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11, resulting in a nine-month suspension of his driver's license, a $1,000 fine, and additional court expenses.

On 15 January 2017, Noll was arrested following an altercation with a bouncer at an Adelaide strip club and faced two assault charges. These charges were later dropped on 6 April 2017.

During a performance at the Duck Creek Picnic Races in Nyngan, New South Wales, in July 2018, Noll responded with an almost two-minute verbal outburst directed at an audience member who had thrown a beer can onto the stage. The incident went viral and included threats of violence. He subsequently issued an apology on Facebook, explaining that his reaction stemmed from frustration after a band member had been injured by a firecracker and multiple beer cans were thrown during the show. Following this episode, he was removed from a Queensland Rodeo event. Media coverage described the crowd’s response to his rant as unsettling.

On 13 September 2018, Noll was charged after New South Wales police discovered him with a bag containing "white powder" at the Caringbah Hotel in Caringbah. On 11 October 2018, he admitted guilt to cocaine possession and received a 12-month good behaviour bond without a conviction being recorded.

Discography

That's What I'm Talking About (2004)
Lift (2005)
Turn It Up (2007)
A Million Suns (2011)
Unbroken (2018)
Raw (2021)

Tours

Headlining tours

The Overdrive Tour (2004)
Lift Tour (2006)
Turn It Up Tour (2008)
No Turning Back Tour (2008)
In the Raw Tour (2009)
A Million Suns Tour (2012)
In My Youth Tour (2012–13)
Invincible Tour (2014)
We Only Live Once Tour (2014)

Joint tours

Australian Idol Tour (2004)
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds: Australia (2007)
Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds: United Kingdom (2009)

Supporting tours

Bryan Adams' Room Service Tour: Australian leg (2005)
Live's Australian Tour (2006)

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards annually acknowledge achievements in songwriting, sales, and radio airplay. Noll has earned one win from a total of two nominations.

|- | 2007 || "Lift" || Most Performed Australian Work || |- | 2012 || "Switch Me On" || Rock Work of the Year ||

ARIA Music Awards

Presented by the Australian Recording Industry Association, the ARIA Music Awards celebrate outstanding accomplishments in various Australian music categories. Shannon Noll has been nominated six times.

|- | rowspan="2"| 2004 || "What About Me" || Highest Selling Single || |- | That's What I'm Talking About || Highest Selling Album || |- | rowspan="2"| 2006 || "Shine" || Highest Selling Single || |- | Lift || Best Pop Release || |- | 2007 || "Don't Give Up" || Highest Selling Single || |- | 2011 || Shannon Noll || Most Popular Australian Live Artist ||

ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards

The ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards commend Australian performers who have reached number-one positions on the ARIA Charts. Noll has been the recipient of five such honors.

|- | rowspan="3"| 2004 || That's What I'm Talking About || Number One Album || |- | "What About Me" || Number One Single || |- | "Learn to Fly" || Number One Single || |- | rowspan="2"| 2005 || Lift || Number One Album || |- | "Shine" || Number One Single ||

Country Music Awards (CMAA)

Known as the Golden Guitar Awards, the Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) take place yearly during the Tamworth Country Music Festival to recognize excellence within Australian country music since 1973.

|- |rowspan="2"| 2016 ||rowspan="2"| "Spirit of the Anzacs"
(featuring Lee Kernaghan, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Sheppard, and Megan Washington) || Vocal Collaboration of the Year || |- | Video Clip of the Year ||

MTV Australia Video Music Awards

The MTV Australia Video Music Awards highlighted outstanding music videos from both local and international artists. Noll secured Best Male Artist for three consecutive years.

|- | 2005 || Shannon Noll || Best Male Artist || |- | 2006 || Shannon Noll || Best Male Artist || |- | 2007 || Shannon Noll || Best Male Artist ||

Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards

The Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards recognized favorite television, film, and music personalities as determined by public voting. Shannon Noll received three awards.

|- | rowspan="2"| 2004 || Shannon Noll || Fave Australian || |- | "Drive" || Fave Song || |- | 2007 || Shannon Noll || Fave Male Singer ||

External links