Human Nature (band)

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Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox musical artist

Human Nature are an Australian pop vocal group which formed in 1989. They are a quartet featuring Toby Allen, Phil Burton and brothers, Andrew and Mike Tierney. Originally they were established as a doo-wop group called the 4 Trax, when the members were schoolmates.

After signing with Sony Music as Human Nature, they released their debut album, Telling Everybody, in 1996. Four of their albums have reached number one on the ARIA Albums Charts, Counting Down (May 1999), Reach Out: The Motown Record (November 2005), Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II (October 2006) and Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox Vol II (August 2016). Three other albums reached number two, Get Ready (November 2007), Jukebox (October 2014), and Romance of the Jukebox (August 2018).

Their top 10 hits on the related ARIA Singles Chart are "Wishes" (October 1996), "Don't Say Goodbye" (March 1997), "Everytime You Cry" (duet with John Farnham, October 1997), "Don't Cry" (July 1999), "Eternal Flame" (October 1999), "He Don't Love You" (November 2000) and "When You Say You Love Me" (April 2004). Three of their albums received multi-platinum certification from ARIA, while four others have received platinum, with a total shipment of over 1.6 million records in Australia, as of April 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The group have toured both nationally and internationally including as a support act for Celine Dion on her Falling Into You Around the World Tour (March 1996, June 1997) and Let's Talk About Love World Tour (1998). They also opened for Michael Jackson on the HIStory World Tour (December 1996, early to mid-1997). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006 they won Highest Selling Album for Reach Out: The Motown Record. In May 2009 they began a residency performing a Motown-themed show on the Las Vegas Strip and in April 2014 they completed their 1000th show. In November 2019 Human Nature were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

History

Early career: The 4 Trax

Human Nature started as the 4 Trax in Sydney in late 1989 when Toby Allen (born 1973) and Phil Burton (born 1974) joined with brothers Andrew Tierney (born 1974) and Michael Tierney (born 1977).<ref name="McFarlane">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Nimmervoll">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> They represented Hurlstone Agricultural High School as well as a public school in Sydneys west, in a combined regional schools concert, the Schools Spectacular at the Bankstown Town Hall, on 27 November 1989. This event is still held annually featuring around 6000 NSW Public School students. All four members had choir backgrounds and were inspired by groups from the Motown era, including the Four Tops. In Bankstown, they had sung The Penguins' hit "Earth Angel". Andrew later told Megan Riggs of What's on Highway Radio that it was the only song they knew and they were encouraged to listen to more Motown groups.<ref name="Toby">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="whatson">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After the elder three members had finished high school, Allen worked as a perfume salesman and studied courses in accounting and geology;<ref name="Earth Angel">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Andrew studied physiotherapy for two years;<ref name="Delaney">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Burton was studying to be a music teacher.<ref name="Earth Angel 2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mike, the youngest member of the group, was doing his Higher School Certificate in his final year of secondary school. The 4 Trax initially gave street performances in the doo-wop style, and after winning some talent quests, they began singing professionally in clubs and built a following.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref name="paradigm">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The group sent demo recordings to record labels. On a visit to Sony CEO, Denis Handlin,<ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref name="oldies">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> they performed an a cappella version of "People Get Ready", and landed a contract.<ref name="whatson" /><ref name="paradigm"/><ref name="spi_about">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

By 1995 the group felt the 4 Trax name was dated, so they brainstormed, thinking of alternatives: Mike suggested Human Nature.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Allen said, "At first we thought it was probably a bit obvious, because it's such a well-used term, but then the more we lived with that we realized that it suited us. We were singing a cappella at the time, and it represented what we were about: Singing was our human nature."<ref name="Toby"/>

Telling Everybody album (1996–1997)

On 1 March 1996 Human Nature released their first single, "Got It Goin' On", which reached No. 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> It was co-written by the Tierney brothers with their producer, Paul Begaud.<ref name="APRA Got It">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Note: User may have to click "Search again" and provide details at "Enter a title:" e.g. Got It Goin On; or at "Performer:" Human Nature</ref> At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 they received their first nomination, for Best Talent for "Got It Goin' On".<ref name="ARIA List">ARIA Music Awards for Human Nature:

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|CitationClass=web }} </ref> In July 1996, they followed up with "Tellin' Everybody", again written by Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney and producer Paul Begaud, which reached the top 30.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> The third single, "Wishes" (27 September), peaked at No. 6 and gave them their first platinum certification from ARIA.<ref name="AUS Charts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ARIA 1997 singles">Template:Cite certification</ref><ref name="HNUK">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Wishes" was co-written by Alan Glass with its producer, Andrew Klippel (ex-member of Euphoria).<ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref name="APRA Got It"/>

They had opened for Celine Dion on the Australian leg of her Falling Into You Around the World Tour in March 1996.<ref name="celinedion"/> They were a support act for the tour's European leg: visiting Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland in June 1997.<ref name="celinedion"/> They opened for her next world tour, Let's Talk About Love, in 1998, at the concerts in South Korea and Japan.<ref name="celinedion">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 2 December 1996, Human Nature released their debut album, Telling Everybody, which reached No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart and remained in the top 50 for 64 weeks.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> It also reached the top 100 on both the German and the Japanese Albums Charts.<ref name="GER Charts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="JAP Charts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Eight of its twelve tracks were produced by Paul Begaud and the other four by Klippel.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, it "brimmed with silky smooth dance-pop and blue-eyed soul."<ref name="McFarlane"/> On the ARIA End of Year Albums Chart it reached No. 11.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Christie Eliezer of Billboard listed the album at number 9 in his top 10 for the year, declaring that it had "Stunning R&B vocals."<ref name="Eliezer Dec96">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He opined that outside Australia the group's "three strongest markets outside are Japan, Germany and Taiwan."<ref name="Eliezer Dec96"/>

Human Nature received attention from Sony label mate, Michael Jackson (they were an opening act for the Australian leg of the HIStory World Tour in November and December 1996).<ref name="Andrew C">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mike Tierney told G Mintern of The Times in November, "Well its totally amazing, and a real coup for us and a great opportunity to showcase our music to a large number of people."<ref name="Mintern">Template:Cite news</ref> They continued opening for Jackson on the European leg through early 1997.<ref name="radar1"/> They sang at venues numbering over 100,000 people,<ref name="history_count">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and at Wembley Stadium for three nights.<ref name="spi_about"/> In an interview in July 2009 with Radar Online's reporter, Andrew described touring with Jackson: "[it] was an incredible break for us ... We learned so much from seeing him perform that many times and experienced things that have shaped us into the entertainers we are today. He was the ultimate artist and so inspiring."<ref name="radar1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In April and May 1997 they toured United Kingdom supporting local girl group Eternal.<ref name="Angel Fire 3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In June 1998 they issued a VHS, Human Nature – Telling Everybody... The Story, produced and directed by Ross Wood, which contained footage of their European and Japanese 1997 tours supporting Dion, Jackson and Eternal.<ref name="All About Movies">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref><ref name="NLA VHS">Template:Citation</ref>

Additional singles from Telling Everybody are "Don't Say Goodbye" (March 1997, Peaking at No. 8), "Whisper Your Name" (with both songs having been co-written by Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney, Paul Begaud) and produced by Begaud. (August, No. 18), and "People Get Ready" (November, top 40).<ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="HNUK"/><ref name="discog1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album achieved triple-platinum status in 1997.<ref name="ariacharts1997">Template:Cite certification</ref> At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 they received nominations for Best Pop Release and Producer of the Year (Paul Begaud) for "Telling Everybody", Highest Selling Single for both "Don't Say Goodbye" and "Wishes", and Breakthrough Artist – Album for Telling Everybody.<ref name="ARIA List"/> At the ceremony, in September, they debuted their single, "Everytime You Cry", which was a duet with John Farnham.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="ARIA List"/> In the following month Human Nature undertook their own national concert tour.<ref name="spi_about"/>

Counting Down album (1998–1999)

Human Nature and Farnham's duet single, "Every Time You Cry", peaked at No. 3 and stayed for 15 weeks in the ARIA top 50.<ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="AusCharts JF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The group received a nomination at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 for Producer of the Year for Paul Begaud's work on "Whisper Your Name" and another for Highest Selling Single (with Farnham) for "Every Time You Cry".<ref name="ARIA List"/> They later performed with Farnham on his I Can't Believe He's 50 Tour in April–May 1999.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="McF"> Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> In December 1998 they supported Janet Jackson's tour of Australia.<ref name="McFarlane"/>

Their second album, Counting Down, was released on 25 May 1999, which consists of sessions recorded in Sydney, London, and Los Angeles, and used the production team from the first album, along with international songwriters and producers.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref name="AMO Bio">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> It debuted at Number One (#1) on the ARIA charts, remained in the top 50 for 26 weeks and was certified platinum by the end of the following year.<ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="ARIA Cert 99 Alb">Template:Cite certification</ref> McFarlane described it as "smooth R&B pop".<ref name="McFarlane"/> Eliezer declared that its number-one status "sent the right signal to other territories about the vocal quartet."<ref name="Eliezer Jun99">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

"Every Time You Cry" was included on the album and five other singles charted in the ARIA top 40: "Cruel" (September 1998, No. 1 "Last to Know" (March 1999, No. 14), "Don't Cry" (July, No. 5), "Eternal Flame" (October, No. 8) – a cover version of the 1989 hit by The Bangles – and "Be There with You", the later was again written by the Tierney brothers and Paul Begaud and produced by Begaud. (April 2000, No. 40)<ref name="AUS Charts"/> Andrew and Michael co-wrote "She's Taken My Words" – the B-side for "Last to Know" – which was used as the theme song for Australian feature film, Paperback Hero (March 1999).<ref name="Undercover May99">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> Human Nature were the first Australian group, and as of October 2007, the only one to have six top 40 hits from the one album.<ref name="Nimmervoll Hits">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> All except "Be There with You" received gold certification in Australia.<ref name="ARIA Cert 99 Sin">Template:Cite certification</ref>

Human Nature went on an Australian concert tour of symphonic versions of Beatles' songs, conducted by George Martin.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> In October 1999 they had roles in a stage version of Happy Days: The Arena Mega-Musical, playing a 1950s vocal group, the Naturals.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="HNUK"/><ref name="happydaysareana">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the ARIA Music Awards of 1999 they were nominated for Best Pop Release for Counting Down; Producer of the Year (Paul Begaud) for "Now That I Found You", "Depend on Me", "Last to Know", "Be There with You"; and Highest Selling Single for "Last to Know".<ref name="ARIA List"/>

Self-titled and greatest hits albums (2000–2003)

Human Nature's third album was eponymously titled and released on 1 December 2000.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> It was recorded in Sydney, London, Stockholm, Los Angeles and New York.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> It included "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" which was co-written by the Tierney brothers with Gary Barlow of Take That.<ref name="APRA Got It"/> Its lead single, "He Don't Love You" (November 2000), reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">Template:Cite book</ref> and No. 7 in Australia to become the second best selling Australasian single for that year.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> Tim Cashmere of Undercover Media described their "clean cut image that appeals to teens with full parental approval."<ref name="Cashmere T">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref>

On 15 September Human Nature performed the Australian National Anthem at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics with singer Julie Anthony and musician James Morrison. In November they made a guest appearance on the Australian TV soap opera, Neighbours, where they sang "He Don't Love You" at Erinsborough High's debutante ball, and "Wishes" a cappella at the ball's after party.

On 16 November 2001 Human Nature released their first greatest hits album, Here & Now: The Best of Human Nature, featuring 17 tracks, three of which had not been on previous albums. It reached No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> Their single, "Always Be With You", peaked in the top 30.<ref name="spi_about" /><ref name="AUS Charts"/> Its related music video featured a comic character, Guido Hatzis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the ARIA Music Awards of 2001 "He Don't Love You" was nominated for Highest Selling Single and Best Video (directed by Mark Hartley).<ref name="ARIA List"/>

From August 2002 to early 2003 Allen portrayed the Emcee in a production of the musical, Cabaret.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref name="cabaret"/> He used temporary tattoos and dyed black hair; in a stark contrast to the "clean-cut" image associated with the group. Jo Roberts of The Age described how "he prowls around the stage like a wild animal on heat; muscular, handsome and lascivious with dyed black hair, tattoos and androgynous, wet, red lips. He's an eye magnet, whether centre stage or lurking in the shadows with an expression of wicked intent."<ref name="cabaret">Template:Cite news</ref> Allen won a Helpmann Award for his performance.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For the duration of the musical play's run Human Nature were in hiatus.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> On 25 June 2003 the group sang the national anthem at Game 2 of the Rugby League State of Origin match at Stadium Australia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Walk the Tightrope, Motown cover albums (2004–2007)

Human Nature released their fourth studio album, Walk the Tightrope, on 26 April 2004, which reached No. 12.<ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="walk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Andrew explained, "With this record, we wanted to take a bit of a chance, do things we haven't done before. Break the Human Nature mould."<ref name="walk"/> Cashmere felt that while it is "littered with great vocal harmonization... it's just a bummer about the songs... they haven't exactly pushed the boundaries of artistic endeavor, but they have once again laid down some magnificent vocals backed by some of the world's top production."<ref name="Cashmere T2">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Amazon.com's editor opined that they "have never sounded better. A blend of Bee Gees groove inspired dance floor tracks, upbeat pop numbers and gorgeous ballads."<ref name="Amazon.com Editor">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Its first single "When You Say You Love Me", co-written by Darren Hayes (ex-Savage Garden) and Rick Nowels, is a cover version of Clay Aiken's album track.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In April 2004 it reached No. 7 in Australia.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> The track, "Love Is Blind", was written by the Bee Gees in 1998, but it had not been previously released by any artist.<ref name="Brennan">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="gibbnews2004">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album also features a reworking of "Guilty (One in a Million)" by Barry Gibb and Barbra Streisand,<ref name="gibbnews2004"/> and a cover of "To Be with You", a 1992 hit by glam metal band Mr. Big. "Guilty" reached the top 40.<ref name="AUS Charts"/>

In May 2005 Allen portrayed Kenickie in, another musical, Grease The Arena Spectacular.<ref name="Shand">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> John Shand of The Sydney Morning Herald declared that Allen "seemed wasted" in his role.<ref name="Shand"/>

For their fifth studio album, Reach Out: The Motown Record (7 November 2005), the group focused on Motown cover versions.<ref name="Collar">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> AllMusic's Matt Collar found the tracks were "well-produced and reverent reworkings of the original '60s versions that should appeal to both aficionados of Motown soul and longtime Human Nature fans."<ref name="Collar"/> Eliezer, now writing for In Music & Media, described it as "nannabait" which provided "something of a late-career revival."<ref name="Eliezer 05">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Burton explained their development, "We've gone through the Telling Everybody and the boy band phase – as you said – but now we're showing everyone how we got to where we are and that's by listening to this type of music. It really suits us."<ref name="McCormack"/>

Reach Out debuted at No. 6,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and, five weeks later, reached number one on the ARIA Album Chart; it remained in the top 50 for 56 weeks.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> It peaked at No. 2 in New Zealand – their highest-charting album outside Australia.<ref name="aria_motown">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It received 6× Platinum certification in 2007 from ARIA for shipment of over 420,000 units.<ref name="ARIA Creds07">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2006 they performed across Australia on their Motown Show Tour with special guest, Doug Parkinson.<ref name="Sunshine">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Both Allen and Burton have appeared in reality TV shows: Allen in the fourth season of Channel 7's Dancing with the Stars (May 2006) – finishing third<ref name="Dancing AAP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> – Burton in the second season of Nine Network's Celebrity Overhaul (January 2007).<ref name="Emery">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both Allen and Burton appeared on 19 March 2006 episode of Channel 10's Australia's Brainiest series where they competed for the title of Australia's Brainiest Musician: Burton won and Allen was a runner-up.<ref name="Blundell">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 29 October 2006 Human Nature won the ARIA Award for Highest Selling Album for Reach Out: The Motown Record.<ref name="ARIA List"/> It was their first win from 15 nominations in their 18 years together.<ref name="ARIA List"/><ref name="McCormack">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Human Nature performed at the ceremony, ARIA provided a summary, "[the] lads delivered a fine medley of Motown hits and, in their sharp blue suits, were easily the best-dressed blokes in the room."<ref name="ARIA List"/>

With the success of Reach Out, Human Nature continued with the Motown theme by releasing their sixth studio album, Dancing in the Street: the Songs of Motown II, on 13 October 2006.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> Collar noticed that they "find a nice balance between updating the classic Motown sound for contemporary dance-pop fans while still remaining faithful to the original recordings."<ref name="Collar 2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Eliezer reported that with its predecessor "Motown tunes revive Human Nature."<ref name="Eliezer Dancing">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It debuted at number one on the ARIA Album Chart and was certified 3× Platinum for 2006.<ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="ARIA Cert06">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dancing in the Street was nominated at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 for Best Selling Album.<ref name="ARIA List"/> They followed the album with an Australian arena tour in June and July 2007,<ref name="Eliezer Dancing"/> with pop singer, Paulini, as the support act.<ref name="Hayes">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 24 November 2007 Human Nature released their third Motown-themed album, Get Ready, which featured appearances by several original Motown artists: Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson (The Supremes, The Temptations). Robinson flew to Australia for its release, and performed with the group on Dancing with the Stars and Sunrise. The album reached number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum.<ref name="AUS Charts"/><ref name="ARIA Creds07"/> Their three Motown-themed albums, with a total of ten platinum certifications, have shipped over 700,000 copies in Australia.<ref name="ARIA Creds07"/><ref name="ARIA Cert06"/>

American breakthrough (2008–2013)

In 2008 Human Nature performed for the first time in the United States, with a two-month engagement at Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino. In April they performed with Mary Wilson on the Australian TV show, It Takes Two, where they sang two duets from their Get Ready album: "It Takes Two" and "River Deep, Mountain High". Sony issued a compilation box set, The Motor City Collection, on 19 April 2008 – to coincide with Wilson's duets – which peaked at No. 18.<ref name="AUS Charts"/>

The group teamed with their previous producer Eliot Kennedy to record their ninth studio album, A Symphony of Hits, with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. It was released on 10 November 2008, which peaked at No. 10.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> Adam Greenberg of AllMusic explained that "[t]he vocals are consistently strong, though they are undeniably of the boy band variety. There's melodramatic emotion pumped into everything here. While it works well for some of the ballads (the Bangles' 'Eternal Flame' in particular comes off well), it can seem a little much for the bouncier tracks."<ref name="Greenberg">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Three performances at the Sydney Opera House were next in mid-December, fronting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Guy Noble.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne (February 2009), and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth (February–March).<ref name="Symphony Orch">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="WASO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In May 2009 Human Nature became the second Australian group to have a residency on the Las Vegas Strip (The Four Kinsmen were the first, from 1996)<ref name="Kinsmen Las">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> when they began a year-long engagement at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.<ref name="Leach"/> At the premiere of the show, Smokey Robinson Presents: Human Nature, Robinson told Las Vegas Weekly reporter, Robin Leach that "They were bigger than the Beatles in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. I've never met four harder working, finely tuned singers. They are set to become major stars here now, and I'm proud to present them in Vegas."<ref name="Leach">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 12 December they returned to Australia for a homecoming show with Robinson and Jessica Mauboy at the Wyndham Estate winery in the Hunter Region.<ref name="Hunter">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> In May 2010 the Imperial Palace extended the group's engagement by two years, and also renamed their venue, as Human Nature Theatre. Las Vegas mayor, Oscar Goodman, also decreed that 11 May 2010 is to be known as Human Nature Day.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Human Nature released their ninth studio album, Vegas: Songs from Sin City, in November 2010, which reached the ARIA top 30.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> Vegas contains cover versions that are either about the city or have been performed by headliners past and present. It includes a duet with current Vegas headliner, Barry Manilow. On 27 November they performed two Elvis Presley covers, "A Little Less Conversation" and "Viva Las Vegas", complete with Vegas showgirls, on the final episode of Australian TV show, Hey Hey It's Saturday. They received a presentation award which coincided with their 21st anniversary of performing.Template:Citation needed

In December 2010 the band embarked on the Direct from Las Vegas! Australian Symphony Tour where they visited five state capital cities and played with the associated state symphony orchestra.<ref name="Symphony Orch"/> Again, they worked with the Sydney, Melbourne, and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.<ref name="Symphony Orch"/> Also, for the first time, they performed with the Adelaide, Tasmanian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras.<ref name="Symphony Orch"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In celebration of their 500th show at the Imperial Palace on 30 June 2011,<ref name="500shows">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Human Nature recorded a full-length PBS concert special, Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson at the Paris Theatre at Paris Las Vegas on 6–7 July.<ref name="lvsun"/> The special was produced by Ken Ehrlich, and was broadcast in December 2011 on 85% of the country's PBS stations. Andrew comments in their article for Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Basically, ever since we started working in Vegas, everyone was telling us we should do a PBS special." and that "We'd like more people when they arrive in Vegas to have heard of Human Nature."<ref name="lvsun">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="lvrj">Template:Cite news</ref>

On 6 March 2012 Human Nature released a DVD of the PBS concert,<ref name="lvrj"/> and also their first US album, The Motown Record, featuring more Motown tracks.<ref name="lvsun"/> Allen told Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press, "Everybody loves (Motown), which is testament to what it achieved. As Berry Gordy would say, they didn't seek to make just black music – they wanted to make music for everybody. I look out at our shows, and it's people from all over the world, all genders and ages. It's pretty remarkable." and that "to have (Smokey Robinson) get involved so heavily with what we were doing was such a big justification for us, that we were doing something OK with this music and not ruining it."<ref name="detroit"/> The album reached number 120 on the Billboard Top 200,<ref name="AMG Charts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but reached number one on the Motown Chart, and number one on the Billboard Heatseeker Chart.<ref name="lvsun"/><ref name="AMG Charts"/>

File:HumanNatureMay2012.jpg
Performing in Las Vegas, May 2012

After the releases, there was a tour to raise money for PBS affiliates and to improve awareness of the group in America.<ref name="lvrj"/> Their first stop, on 24 March, was at Detroit, the original home of Motown, at the Fisher Theatre.<ref name="detroit">Template:Cite news</ref> They appeared on the 23 April broadcast of the American ABC's Dancing with the Stars, alongside Motown artists, Robinson, Martha Reeves and the Temptations.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> The tour included visits to Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston and New York City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For the east coast tour they used their Vegas backing band, the Funk Foundation.<ref name="lvsun"/>

In December 2012 the group toured Australia, again teaming up with symphony orchestras including the Adelaide and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras; they performed in Sydney and the Gold Coast with Philharmonia Australia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Human Nature signed a two-year deal with Venetian Hotel and Casino beginning a residency there in January 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The group performed the Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature: The Motown Show five nights a week at the Sands Showroom.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Christmas Album & Jukebox albums (2013–2018)

File:Human Nature on Sunrise.jpg
The band performing on Sunrise in 2019.

In November 2013 Human Nature released The Christmas Album,<ref name="JB HiFir">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which reached No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart,<ref name="AUS Charts"/> and No. 13 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers.<ref name="AMG Charts"/> They promoted it with a 10-date Australian tour in December.<ref name="Femail">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 10 April 2014 they played their 1000th show in Vegas, with Robinson joining them on stage.<ref name="Broadway">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In September they appeared on Australian TV's Sunrise to promote their concept album, Jukebox, featuring cover versions of tracks from the 1950s and 1960s. It debuted at No. 2.<ref name="AUS Charts"/> In 2016, the band released Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox Vol II. In August 2018 the band released their thirteenth studio album, Romance of the Jukebox, which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Charts.

Order of Australia and ARIA Hall of Fame (2019)

At the 2019 Australia Day Honours, each of the four members of Human Nature received the Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division), with the citation, "for service to the performing arts as an entertainer."<ref name="Alina Eacott and Norman Hermant">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In April 2019 Human Nature celebrated their 30th anniversary with a Little More Love tour. It provided their biggest live shows and commenced in the Gold Coast and concluded in Sydney.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In November of that year the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame<ref name="Brandle">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and sang a medley of their tracks, "Don't Say Goodbye", "He Don't Love You", "Dancing in the Street", and "Everytime You Cry".<ref name="ARIA 2019 Wins">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="MediaWeek Nov19">Template:Cite news</ref> A compilation album, titled Still Telling Everybody: 30 Years of Hits was released in November 2019 and peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Charts.

On 2 February 2020, the group premiered a brand new single titled "Nobody Just Like You" at the 2020 Australian Open men's final.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Band members

  • Toby Allen – bass vocals (1989–present)
  • Phil Burton – baritone vocals, keyboard, guitar (1989–present)
  • Andrew Tierney – lead vocals, keyboard (1989–present)
  • Michael Tierney – tenor vocals (1989–present)

Discography

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Studio albums

Tours

All Human Nature tours in Australia.

Main tours

  • Here and Now (with Bardot) (2002)
  • Reach Out (2006)
  • Gimme Some Lovin' (2017)
  • Romance (2019)

Woolworths' Carols in the Domain

In 2006, Human Nature were at Carols in the Domain at The Domain, Sydney.

Awards

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association to recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Human Nature has achieved one win (in 2006) from sixteen nominations. In 2019 they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Template:Awards table ! reference |- | 1996 | "Got It Goin' On" | Best New Talent | Template:Nom | <ref name="ARIA1996">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | rowspan="5"|1997 | rowspan="2"|Telling Everybody |Breakthrough Artist – Album |Template:Nom | rowspan="5"|<ref name=aria97>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | Best Pop Release | Template:Nom |- | Telling Everybody – Paul Begaud | Producer of the Year | Template:Nom |- | "Don't Say Goodbye" | Highest Selling Single | Template:Nom |- | "Wishes" | Highest Selling Single | Template:Nom |- |rowspan=2"|1998 | "Every Time You Cry" (John Farnham and Human Nature) | Highest Selling Single | Template:Nom |rowspan="2"|<ref name="ARIA1998">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | "Whisper Your Name" – Paul Begaud | Producer of the Year | Template:Nom |- |rowspan=3"|1999 | "Last to Know" | Highest Selling Single | Template:Nom |rowspan="3"|<ref name="ARIA1999">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | Counting Down | Best Pop Release | Template:Nom |- | "Now That I Found You", "Depend on Me", "Last to Know", "Be There with You" – Paul Begaud (and for other work) | Producer of the Year | Template:Nom |- |rowspan=2"|2001 | "He Don't Love You" | Highest Selling Single | Template:Nom |rowspan="2"|<ref name="ARIA2001">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | "He Don't Love You" – Mark Hartley (and for other work) | Best Video | Template:Nom |- | rowspan="2"|2006 | rowspan="2"|Reach Out: The Motown Record | Highest Selling Album | Template:Won | rowspan="2"|<ref name="ARIA2006">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | Best Adult Contemporary Album | Template:Nom |- | 2007 | Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II | Highest Selling Album | Template:Nom |<ref name="ARIA2007">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |- | 2019 | Human Nature | ARIA Hall of Fame | Template:Yes2 |<ref name="Brandle"/>

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Helpmann Awards

The Helpmann Awards is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia since 2001.<ref name=lpa>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Template:Awards table ! Template:Abbr |- | 2006 | The Motown Show | Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert | Template:Nom |<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> |-

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Medal of the Order of Australia

For the 2019 Australia Day Honours, on 26 January, each of the four members of Human Nature received the Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division), with the citation, "for service to the performing arts as an entertainer."<ref name="Alina Eacott and Norman Hermant"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Human Nature won six awards in that time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Awards table (wins only) |- | 1992 | The 4 Trax | Johnny O'Keefe Encouragement Award | Template:Won |- |rowspan="2"| 1994 | The 4 Trax | Variety Group of the Year | Template:Won |- | The 4 Trax | Variety Performer of the Year | Template:Won |- | 1997 | Human Nature | Australian Performer of the Year | Template:Won |- | 2001 | Human Nature | Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year | Template:Won |- | 2002 | Human Nature | Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year | Template:Won |-

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References

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