Ghostwriters
| Ghostwriters | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Rob Hirst and The Ghostwriters |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 1990 - current |
| Labels | Virgin, Mercury, Ghostwriters, Sony BMG |
| Associated acts |
Midnight Oil Hoodoo Gurus |
| Website | Official website |
| Members |
Rob Hirst Richard Grossman |
Ghostwriters (aka Rob Hirst & the Ghostwriters and sometimes referred to as Ghosties by fans) are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1990, principally involving Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst and Hoodoo Gurus bassist Richard Grossman. Their highest charting single was "Someone's Singing New York New York" (1991) written by Hirst. It reached No. 29 on the ARIA Australian Singles Chart.
In Sydney in 1990, while Midnight Oil were taking a break, Hirst joined up with guitarist Andrew Dickson (The Narcs, NZ), drummer Dorland Bray (Do-Ré-Mi), guitarist Leszek Karski (Midnight Oil producer) and Hoodoo Gurus' Grossman to form a side project called Ghostwriters. The name refers to ghostwriters where famous writers wish to be anonymous. Ghostwriters' line-ups - both live and in the studio - changed considerably through the years, with only founders Hirst and Grossman being mainstays (and their driving force) at all times. Between successive album releases Hirst and Grossman returned to active involvement with Oils & Gurus respectively.
The first album, Ghostwriters (1991), was released by Virgin Records and its credits illustrated the Ghostwriters concept as it did not list any band member's name. Session musicians were acknowledged by their first name and a single initial for the surname. (Later re-release of the album included band member names.) The album reached No. 81 on the Australian album charts. "Someone's Singing New York New York" was released as a single with the statement "written, played and produced by ghostwriters", the single reaching No. 29 on the Australian singles charts.
Second Skin (1996) followed on Mercury Records. By that time, Ghostwriters consisted primarily of Hirst and Grossman whose names were - along with those of the numerous guest musicians - now also listed in the album's liner notes. Videos were produced for the two tracks "Impossible Shame" and "Second Skin", but - as with the debut record - sales of the album as well as the singles fell short of the record company's expectations and the contract was not renewed. Consequently, the first two Ghostwriters albums went out of print quickly and were not available for the most part of the 1990s.
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