Lee Harding
Lee Harding | |
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| Years active | 2006– |
Lee Harding, (born June 8, 1983) is an Australian pop/rock singer. He is from Frankston, Victoria. He became widely known in the third season of Australian Idol.
Bedrock
Before Australian Idol, Lee was attending pubs to see his favourite cover band Bedrock - a party band repertoire that ranges from Footloose to Centrefold to Jessie's Girl to Top 40 hits by Lee's heroes Good Charlotte and Green Day. His dreams came true when Bedrock shuffled their lineup. Lee was dragged up on stage and sang half of Blink 182's "Dammit". Bedrock then took Lee on as their lead singer. He is quoted on his website as saying, "I'd been going to see them since I was 16. I saw them every single week so I knew every song and when I joined it was like joining my favourite band." after a long day of performing, Lee loves nothing more than coming home and calling the love of his life, Nicole.
Australian Idol
Australian Idol Performances
- Sydney Auditions: Better by Robbie Williams, Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams, (Sittin' On The) Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding & Run To Paradise by The Choirboys
- Theatre Round Day One: Hard To Handle by Black Crowes
- Theatre Round Day Two: Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel (with Ben Worthington & ????)
- Theatre Round Day Three: Footloose by Kenny Loggins
- Top 30 (Group 3): The Anthem by Good Charlotte
- Top 13 (Australian Made): Holy Grail by Hunters and Collectors
- Top 11 60s Hits: I'm A Believer by The Monkees
- Top 10 Supergroups: Roxanne by The Police
- Top 9 Idols' Choice: Holiday by Green Day
- Top 8 Big Band Hits: Straighten Up And Fly Right by Robbie Williams
- Top 7 80s Hits: Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
- Top 6 Up Close & Personal: Plush by Stone Temple Pilots
- Top 6 Motown Hits: Ben by Michael Jackson
- Top 5 1970s Hits: My Sharona by The Knack
- Top 4 Elvis Hits: Teddy Bear by Elvis Presley
- Top 4 Elvis Hits: Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley
- Top 3 #1 Hits: Faith by George Michael (Limp Bizkit version)
- Top 3 #1 Hits: Tainted Love by Soft Cell (The Living End version)
Criticism
 | This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. |
The image that Lee Harding has come to associate himself with has come under fire from many aspects of the music community, and the consumer public in general. Many fans of punk rock music accuse Lee of being ignorant of what punk really is, and simply marketing himself in a watered-down version suitable for viewers of Australia Idol. He's also been targeted as blatantly forging his career in a mainstream environment with big-label backing, akin to "selling out" (although that term implies a degree of integrity existed in the first place). Many critics of this manufactured artist laughed at the irony in the title of his first album, "What's Wrong With This Picture?". Many label Lee as a poseur of the punk-music industry, who compromises his interpretation of punk with what suits a more commercial market. Sadly, many people despise him for his idiocy and stupidity. He lacks interest and "flavour", and some claim he is a stereotype and a loser.
He has also come under recent criticism over the lyrics to his track "Call The Nurse", in which he warbles: Cos I need drugs, I need drugs, something that works. It ain't good, cos I get wood, lying here, thinking of her, more than I should. Many parents have consequently banned their children from listening to Lee Harding's debut album.
Discography
Albums
| Album information |
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What's Wrong with This Picture?
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Others
- Australian Idol 3: The Final 13 - Australian Made: The Hits -
Singing "Holy Grail" & in the group song "Ready".
Whats Wrong with This Picture? has sold very poorly according to Australian Idol sales standards. Fellow Australian Idol contestant, and winner, Kate DeAraugo sold 15,500 copies of her debut album in her first week and over 17,000 in her second week. However Harding's album sold 16,000 in three weeks.
Future Releases
'Call The Nurse' is Lee's 3rd single lifted off the album, and was released in June 2006. Lee said during a forum chat with his fans however that L is for Loser was his favourite song off the album. It is also by far the most popular track among fans - always leading by a mile in polls conducted on the official forums. Lee's second single, meanwhile, is planned to be released March 24th with a cover of the Beatles' 'Day Tripper' as a b-side. The video is currently being played on all popular music video shows.
Call The Nurse is officially Lee’s 3rd single from his top 3 album What's Wrong with This Picture?. It was not released commercially as a CD single, but released for promoting the album.