CHRISSIE HAMMOND
Biography
Chrissie Hammond
Singer - Songwriter - Actress
I’d never really thought about documenting my musical life on a website, but going through the process has reminded me just how much joy, adventure and sheer fun it has all been - and still is. Groovy.
Above all, I’ve realised how extraordinarily fortunate I am to have shared it with such remarkable people.
Those collaborations, friendships and shared moments of creativity have stayed with me a lifetime and enriched the journey immeasurably, and for that I am deeply grateful. I couldn’t put this site up without acknowledging that.
Love and thanks to all me cobbers!
Chrissie Hammond is an English-Australian singer, songwriter and actress whose musical career spans more than five decades. Born in London, Chrissie migrated to Australia with her family in the late 1950s as part of the wave of British migrants known as Ten Pound Poms. Being raised by musically gifted parents and immersed in music from an early age, laid a foundation for a diverse and enduring career that has evolved across decades and genres.
As teenagers, Chrissie and her sister Lyndsay performed as a vocal duo on Melbourne’s vibrant folk scene, joining fellow musician Graham Russell to form the band Eli Flash, playing covers and Graham’s original songs. Chrissie and Graham subsequently joined a new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing Australia and New Zealand, with Chrissie cast in the role of Mary Magdalene. During the run, they joined fellow cast member Russell Hitchcock to perform as a trio. Following the show’s run, Chrissie signed a record deal with Phonogram, while Graham and Russell remained together, forming the globally successful band Air Supply.
Chrissie went on to form the rock band Cheetah with sister Lyndsay. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, their distinctive blood harmonies made them in demand session singers and performers. They released a number of singles, including the chart success “Walking in the Rain,” and “Spend The Night”. A memorable day was performing at The Concert Of The Decade, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House to 100,000 people and joining Stevie Wright’s super line up for Evie 1,2,3.
Cheetah signed to Albert Productions/Alberts Records in the early 80’s and were distributed by Atlantic in the US and EMI in Europe and Japan. Industry legends George Young and Harry Vanda mentored and produced Cheetah, writing and shaping tracks for them as part of their legendary stable of talent. They recorded the album Rock ’N’ Roll Women, including single “Spend The Night” at Albert Studios in Sydney Australia before relocating to London. From London, Cheetah embarked on international tours with bands including U2, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Eddie Van-Halen and Gary Moore. They eventually returned to Australia, where Cheetah disbanded in 1987.
Chrissie recalls, that live performance was always at the heart of George and Harry’s production approach. To capture in the studio the same sound, energy and immediacy you experienced at a live performance. Tracks weren’t anything the line up couldn’t reproduce live, so no stacked harmonies, or layered sounds as such, which for a rock band made both performing and recording feel far more authentic. Musical authenticity is their legacy she still refers to.
In 2006, Cheetah reunited for the Countdown Spectacular Concert Tour of Australia, which was released on both DVD and CD.
Chrissie moved back to London and joined Prog Rock keyboard legend Rick Wakeman as his lead vocalist, contributing to a number of his studio and live projects throughout the 1990s. Together, they recorded in the region of 11 studio and live albums, and singles, including Live at Ronnie Scott’s Birmingham and toured extensively throughout the UK and internationally as part of the English Rock Ensemble.
The line-up featured Rick Wakeman and Adam Wakeman- Keyborads, Fraser T. Smith - Guitar, Tony Fernandez - Drums, Alan Thompson and Phil Laughlin – Bass. They played concerts in Japan, Russia, Ukraine and South America, as well as across the UK.
Chrissie’s work with Rick includes her vocals on albums such as Softsword, Fields of Green, Prayers, Vignettes, Cirque Surreal, (2014) Phantom Power, No Expense Spared, Light Up The Sky, Can You Hear Me, and Themes, Live At Ronnie Scotts.
This line up came to a close following the Ronnie Scotts concerts which were recorded for the live album. At the time Chrissie was due to open in the West End Musical Smokey Joes Café, Adam and Fraser were in the studio with Jeronimo Road, and Alan joined was heading out with John Martyn.
Chrissie also recorded vocals with Oscar winner Adam Wakeman on his album Solliliquay.
Chrissie describes her progressive-rock years with Rick as an important chapter in her musical career — and most of all, enormous fun. Looking back, she recalls it as a period filled with some of the happiest and most enjoyable musical and non musical experiences.
In 2004 she and Rick reunited for the star studded Rock Island Line memorial concert for Lonnie Donegon at the Albert Hall.
Chrissie’s musical theatre career occupied much of the following decade, taking her from London’s West End to international productions, UK tours, concert tours, TV, and radio, alongside her other musical projects. Theatre roles include
1998 – 1999 Smokey Joes’s Café (London - Prince Of Wales Theatre) Role Rock Singer 1999 Harry’s Webb – Cliff Richard Musical (Windsor - Theatre Royal) Role - Devil Woman 1999 -2002 Cats (London – New London Theatre) Role – Grizabella 2002 Chicago (London – Adelphi Theatre) Role – Mama Morton 2003 – 2004 Cats (UK Tour) Role – Grizabella
Following her long run in musical theatre, Chrissie returned to her musical roots, concentrating on writing, session and live work other musical projects. Among these was Downtown, a musical she wrote in 1999 celebrating the songwriters and producers whose songs had played an indelible part of her musical life from her pre-teen years 1962-1968. The project entered pre-production, but was ultimately put on hold during the Covid era. Chrissie’s passion for this deeply personal project continues alongside the hope of a version of it being realized one day.
Chrissie began working with Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Terry Britten around a decade ago, co-writing and recording together across a range of musical projects. Though both were part of the Australian music scene, their professional association began decades later in London. The creative partnership has produced numerous songs that appear on Terry’s albums Afterglow, Other Side of the Tracks, and on the most recent Gracie project album My Name Is Gracie, featuring the single “Let There Be Light.”
Chrissie regards her long-standing collaboration with Terry as one of the most inspiring and rewarding in her musical life. His friendship, expertise and creative generosity together with unwavering musical integrity, have deeply enriched the creative process.
Chrissie continues to make music, and is currently currently working on a new project alongside live and studio work.