It was their third ARIA #1, after The Last Wave of Summer (1998) and Blood Moon (2019).
The Cold Chisel compilation 50 Years – The Best Of became their sixth chart topping album when it came into the ARIA chart at #1 last Friday.
Existence
The ARIA charts only came into existence in June 1988.
Chisel’s first three Numero Unos were reported in the Kent Report, the national charts from 1974, with Swingshift (1981), Circus Animals (1982) and Twentieth Century (1984).
They also peaked at #2 with East (1980), The Best Of Cold Chisel: All For You (2011), No Plans (2012) and The Perfect Crime (2015).
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Broke Record
The band’s publicist noted last Friday: “With this latest chart achievement Cold Chisel have broken their own record for most time between their first #1 and their latest – 43 years from 1981 until 2024.”
ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said when the new charts went live: “It’s a big day for chart numbers… Huge congratulations to Cold Chisel for a phenomenal sixth #1 and 18th top 10 album.
Exclusive Club
“It’s an extremely exclusive club of artists who can rival the band’s storied legacy and impact on Australian music over 50 years.”
“Congratulations again to the band, their team and everyone who has contributed to such a triumph.”
Move
The compilation has a new song, “You’ve Got To Move”, currently the most played song on the Triple M Network.
There are also two live cuts: “Shipping Steel” from The Live Tapes Vol 2 – Live At Bombay Rock, and “Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye)” which appeared on Swingshift.
Hilltops
Cold Chisel equal the fellow Adelaide-hailed Hilltop Hoods for band with most amount of chart topping albums.
But they have a long way to catch up with their own singer, Jimmy Barnes, who has reached the top with his solo albums 15 times.
Most #1 Albums
Artists with the most #1 albums in Australia are:
- Jimmy Barnes (15)
- The Beatles (14)
- Taylor Swift (13)
- Madonna (12)
- U2 (11)
- Eminem (11)
- Bon Jovi (10)
- John Farnham (10)
- Kylie Minogue (8)
- Foo Fighters (8)
- The Rolling Stones (7)
- Elton John (7)
- Pearl Jam (7)
- Rod Stewart (7)
- The 12th Man (7)
- Metallica (7)
- Coldplay (7)
- Pink (7)
- Hilltop Hoods (6)
- Michael Jackson (6)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers (6)
- Cold Chisel (6)
Big Five-0
The chart success of 50 Years came seven weeks before Chisel embarked on their The Big Five-0 national tour which has sold 200,000 tickets for shows in circus tents, arenas and outdoor venues across Australia and New Zealand.
These will mark the return of Jimmy Barnes after his stint in hospital.
Back On Feet
Barnes said: “I’m so grateful to all the doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who have helped me get back on my feet after some recent hip surgery.
“I can’t wait to be on stage again with Cold Chisel and play these songs for everyone who has followed us for all these years plus some people who might be seeing us for the very first time.”
Guitarist Ian Moss added: “If someone told me back in 1974 that we’d be having a number 1 album in 50 years, I would never have believed it.
“It’s been an incredible journey and we’re all looking forward to playing together again on The Big Five-0 Tour.”
More Chart Achievements
The chart topping achievement of 50 Years also marked another ARIA high – the fourth straight week with an Australian act on top.
According to ARIA: “It marks the longest run for local acts at #1 since late 2020, when Midnight Oil, Kylie Minogue and AC/DC ruled for a combined six weeks.
“But the last time there were four or more different Aussie acts at #1 consecutively was all the way back in 2015, when Parkway Drive, triple j Like A Version 11, Boy & Bear, Hillsong and 5 Seconds Of Summer ruled for five weeks.”
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