By JOHN DALY
Colin Hay, known for the band Men at Work and for Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, takes to the road this summer beginning August 4 in Hyannis, Mass., and wrapping September 11 in Redondo Beach, Calif. at BeachLife Festival.
Renowned as the frontman for the band Men at Work, Hay has also made his mark as a solo artist. His love for music was born in his native Scotland where as a kid he worked at his parents’ record store. In homage to the music that left an impact on him, Hay has covered tracks like the Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” to Faces’ “Ooh La La” and Dusty Springfield’s “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself” on his latest album.
“I recorded an album of songs written by other people that have meant a lot to me ever since I was a young fellow,” Hay said. “I can’t wait to play them for you on this upcoming jaunt across the land. Old songs, new songs, and everything in between. It will be good to again make a good noise after so long, and transport you to a place of beauty, hope and wonder.”
At home during quarantine in early 2021, Hay read that Gerry Marsden had died and he started playing Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Merseybeat hit, “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” He teamed with collaborator-producer, Chad Fischer on the new record, I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.
The record is set for an August 6 release and features 10 versions of some of Hay’s favorites. While most of the songs are from the 1960s, Hay performs a moving version of Scottish group Del Amitri’s heartbreaking “Driving With the Brakes On,” which he calls “simply one of the best songs ever written.”
In addition to I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, Hay is at work on a collection of originals. Those who attend his summer shows may get a preview of those songs, as well as a retrospective of his Men at Work and solo years.
Summer 2021 tour dates: