S3E12 - Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows

S3E12 - Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows

From Long Way to the Top by Shayne Brian

November 1, 2025 · 45 min · Season 3 · Episode 12

About this episode

Shayne Brian interviews Joe Camilleri about his career and the new album celebrating The Black Sorrows' legacy.

From Hit and Run and Shape I’m In to Chained to the Wheel and Harley and Rose , Joe Camilleri has written the soundtrack to Australian life. As the frontman of The Black Sorrows and founder of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons , Joe is one of the most influential voices in Australian rock, soul, and blues. In this special episode, I sit down with Joe Camilleri for an in-depth conversation about his incredible four-decade career and the release of The Quintessential Black Sorrows , a brand-new double album that celebrates forty years of timeless songwriting, touring, and storytelling. Joe shares the origins of The Black Sorrows — from humble café gigs in Melbourne and the independent release of Sonola , to the life-changing moment when Elvis Costello heard the record and it led to a worldwide deal with CBS/Sony. We revisit the stories behind the hits — Chained to the Wheel , Hold On to Me , Daughters of Glory , and the unforgettable Harley and Rose — songs that defined an era of Australian music. More than just a greatest hits collection, The Quintessential Black Sorrows is a hand-picked journey through Joe’s most iconic songs. It’s a love letter…

People in this episode

Host: Shayne Brian

Guest: Joe Camilleri

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Black Sorrows, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, CBS/Sony

Books & works: The Quintessential Black Sorrows, Chained to the Wheel, Hold On to Me, Daughters of Glory, Harley and Rose

Places: Melbourne

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