Bernard Fanning

Bernard Fanning
Fanning performing in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Bernard Joseph Fanning[1]
Born	(1969-08-15) 15 August 1969 (age 55) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres	Alternative rock blues acoustic folk
Occupations	Singer-songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals piano guitar percussion harmonica
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Dew Process Universal Lost Highway
Member of	Fanning Dempsey National Park
Formerly of	Powderfinger
Spouse	Andrea Moreno (married 2007–present)
Website	bernardfanning.com

Bernard Joseph Fanning (born 15 August 1969) is an Australian musician and singer-songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of Queensland alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989.

Born and raised in Toowong, Brisbane, Fanning received piano lessons from his mother at an early age. At the age of 15, while he attended St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, he began writing music. Upon graduating from Gregory Terrace, Fanning moved on to the University of Queensland, where he studied journalism briefly. He dropped out to pursue a music career, after meeting Ian Haug in an economics class. Fanning joined Haug, John Collins, and Steven Bishop, who had recently formed Powderfinger, and took the role of lead singer. After Bishop left and drummer Jon Coghill (guitarist Darren Middleton)joined, the band released five studio albums in fifteen years and achieved mainstream success in Australia. During Powderfinger's hiatus in 2005, Fanning began his solo music career with the studio album Tea & Sympathy. Powderfinger reunited in 2007 and released two more albums before they disbanded in late 2010.

While Powderfinger's style focuses on alternative rock, Fanning's solo music is generally described as a mixture of blues and acoustic folk. He plays guitar, piano, keyboards, and harmonica both when performing solo and also with Powderfinger. Often speaking out against Australian political figures, Fanning has donated much of his time to philanthropic causes. He also advocates for Aboriginal justice in Australia.