The time Don Walker got to watch Cold Chisel play without him

Cold Chisel’s 50-year history has naturally seen the band’s line-up change several times.

Original bassist Les Kaczmarek was sacked, singer Jimmy Barnes quit the band at least two times before they became famous and tragically, drummer Steve Prestwich died in 2011.

However, there was a period when the band’s lead songwriter and founding member, Don Walker, wasn’t in Cold Chisel, at least as a performing member.

Don was working in weapons research when he joined Chisel in 1973, but a year later, he wanted to finish his university course in physics in Armidale, New South Wales.

The newly-formed Cold Chisel decided they’d follow him from Adelaide to Armidale.

In the new podcast Cold Chisel, Don Walker reveals he was shocked by his bandmates’ decision.

“I thought it was insane. But that’s what they decided to do. Couldn’t believe it when they turned up,” Don said.

“I mean, they talked about yeah, we’re resigning [from] our jobs, we’re going up in the van to Armidale. I thought they don’t know how far that is.”

So, while Don studied, Chisel learned another skill – how to be a great band.

They’d rehearse in a farmhouse during the day, then play gigs in Armidale at night, with Chisel guitarist Ian Moss mastering his craft.

Don was so entrenched in his studies he couldn’t join the band on keyboards, but he became a regular fixture at their shows – watching from the audience.

“They were really good. They were far better than anything in the region at the time,” he said.

“They had a devastating effect and an exhilarating effect on the morale of the local musicians. I remember one of the best guitar players in the region was a left-hander. And, Ian, he had never seen a left-handed Strat.  

“And he was like, ‘Oh wow’, so Ian gets this left-handed Strat, and then Ian turns it upside down just out of curiosity. Turns it round upside down.

“So now right-handed but upside down and Ian plays it better than the guy. And now I can see this guy, everything in his psyche and self-belief is just bleeding out of his bum. While he’s watching Ian do this, and I think he went away and gave up.”

By Cameron Adams – Music Features Writer, LiSTNR