MICHAEL CRISTIANO BIOGRAPHY
Michael Cristiano was born in Melbourne, Australia. There was always music in the house as his father would pick up the guitar after dinner and play and sing songs from the famous operas, or folk songs from the Southern Italian village of his birth.
Michael started taking classical guitar lessons at six years of age and hasn’t put the guitar down since. His natural gift for the instrument saw him progress rapidly and by his early teens was already an accomplished musician. He continued his studies and progressed to rock, fusion and jazz under the tuition of renowned Melbourne guitarist and teacher, Ray Smith. He then undertook further studies in composition and arrangement, even though he was writing “little songs” (as he called them) from the day he could hold a pen. A multi-instrumentalist, he also plays piano, drums and as he says “...anything that has strings on it."
At fourteen he was already “filling in” for many dance bands on a Saturday night and usually singing the whole evening, as well as fronting his own bands “Rebel” and later “7th Avenue” formed with some school friends, playing Eagles, Steely Dan and AC/DC covers as well as original songs he had written. His reputation as a guitarist and vocalist grew and by the early 80’s was playing and singing on many recording sessions on numerous demos and jingles. All the while, his interest in recording and production grew and he built a small recording studio in the family home where he worked on his own material and recorded demos for many artists.
After graduating from high school, he studied architecture for a year, but was already playing three to four nights a week in various pop and jazz bands, so he deferred his course and concentrated all his efforts on music. In the mid - eighties he joined highly respected show band “Koco” playing guitar and fronting the band as it’s lead singer (along with various female vocalists) and this led to many engagements playing with the leading Australian and international touring acts of the day including Helen Shapiro, Johnny Ray, The Coasters, The Platters, The Drifters, Al Martino, Ricky May, Colleen Hewitt, The Supremes, Normie Rowe, Marcia Hines and JohnnyChester just to name a few, as well as opening for such artists as Dionne Warwick, Blood Sweat & Tears, Diana Ross and Tom Jones. His particular talents were in high demand by many touring acts and he worked as musical director for numerous international and local artists, eventually gaining the prestigious role of musical director for Australian legends The Seekers, performing sell-out shows across Australia and London’s Wembley Stadium and Royal Albert Hall. He also produced numerous platinum and gold-selling albums for the group and solo albums for the group’s members, Judith Durham, Bruce Woodley and Keith Potger.
In the mid-90’s he teamed up with country music star and close friend Donna Fisk as Fisk & Cristian, and together they wrote, recorded and released three albums, spawning numerous hits andearning them a swag of industry awards, including Vocal Duo Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Artists Of The Year. In 1998 they had a chart-topping hit with their song 'Lara' and rocketed into the ARIA charts with their self-penned Australian Football League anthem 'Rock 'N Footy ' which they ultimately performed to a sell-out crowd of 100,000 at Melbourne's MCG Stadium (plus around100 million people who witnessed the 1998 AFL Grand Final International satellite broadcast).
Michael Cristiano is one of Australia's most highly acclaimed performers, composers and record producers. As a producer, his name can be found on numerous multi-platinum selling albums by such artists as The Seekers, Judith Durham, Silverchair, Andre Rieu and Gene Pitney amongst many other big names. As a performer, he is renowned for his on-stage presence, unique, soulful voice and virtuoso guitar skills that continue to wow audiences worldwide. He is one of the country's most respected musicians and composers and has taken home many prestigious music awards.
In 2019, The Seekers founding members Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley joined Michael at his Soundplant recording studio to revisit songs they'd sung in earlier years, and a few they wish they'd sung. The resulting album “Back To Our Roots” was released to rave reviews and “The Original Seekers” (as they were now known) embarked on a sell-out national tour.
In 2020, Michael released “Forever Grateful”, his song of acknowledgement and support for healthcare workers around the world during the COVID epidemic. The song and video was hugely popular and continues to be an anthem for all healthcare workers.
With a string of ARIA Number one albums to his production portfolio and a new solo album in the works he continues to be one of the brightest and dynamic stars on the Australian music scene, dedicating his time and unique skills to both his own projects and those of emerging artists and established veterans alike.
“In the studio and on stage, Michael always combines his magical, musical artistry with power as a loving soul, mentor and friend to us all. In my unique collaborative role with Athol, Keith and Bruce in The Seekers, through the decades and as a solo performing artist myself, we all entrust ourselves to Michael’s expertise on behalf of our fans around the world.”
Judith Durham AO, AMusA
“Michael Cristiano is a person who never ceases to amaze me. He is a great musician, producer, songwriter, live performer, arranger and singer. He is without doubt one of the most talented people in the business. I have worked with him on many projects that would not have had acclaim without his input. Many Aussie artists would feel the same way. He is both generous in his support of other performers and of sharing his considerable talent to add to other artists’ endeavor. His own work is always outstanding. He is definitely one of our ‘greats’ and a star in his own right.”
Mike Brady AM
“I often reflect on how privilegedI have been in over 63 years in the music and entertainment industry, to have performed with, but most importantly had my contributions appreciated, acknowledged and respected by those I regard as my peers, especially my life long pals in The Seekers who for 60 of those years have kept me in total awe of their unparalleled collective talents. Enter Michael Cristiano! He crept up on me a bit, but was suddenly a most vital part of the days leading up to our reunion decades from 1993, and has become our treasured friend, producer - both sound and video, and without doubt the 5th Seeker. To me, he sits in that parallel universe which I so envy of musical talent and gravitas which classical, great jazz and contemporary artists occupy. It’s quite obviously part of his DNA, he just simply covers the musical and creative waterfront! His personal skills are those which nurture and extract the very best from all who enjoy and respond to the respect he has for them, as they effortlessly give their very best for him in his studio. As I said right up front- it’s been my privilege. Thank you Michael.”
Athol Guy AO
“It’s been a privilege for me to work with Michael Cristiano on countless projects over the past 38 years. Whenever I know Michael is attached to a project I’m working on, I’m assured that everything will be perfect. Our industry is so much richer for having access to his many talents.”
Graham Simpson - Music Journalist and Rock Historian
“Michael is a highly respected musician and record producer who brings his magic to any setting, whether it be the stage with his guitar brilliance and voice or in his Soundplant studio crafting magic moments for artists.”
Denis Walter OAM