Axle Whitehead
Triple threat... MC, Musician & Actor
Profile
Born in 1980, Axle grew up on his family’s farm in country Victoria where his dad worked as a farmer. When his dad toiled in the fields his mum would drag Axle and his two older brothers out to live music shows, while at home someone would always be playing music somewhere. The sounds of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon or Creedence Clearwater were never far away.
Current work
In 2009 Axle joined the cast of Home and Away as rocker Liam Murphy who creates some waves in Summer Bay. On acting, Axle says, “I’ve been taking classes for the last 18 months and it’s wonderful to be able to put it into practice. Home and Away has been very supportive, the pace of the show is very challenging and it’s been a fantastic opportunity for me to further my skills.”
Also in 2009 Axle continued to go from strength to strength winning the prestigious Cleo Bachelor of the Year Award and began hosting Channel 7’s prime-time hit show Worlds Strictest Parents.
Axle is an experienced MC and has hosted numerous events over the past five years ranging from World Aids Day and Make Poverty History to openings for Myer and Australian Fashion Week.
Previous experience
TV: Axle eventually moved to Melbourne to attend the prestigious VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) to study music. In 2003, he was a contestant on the first series of Australian Idol, reaching the final 20. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to front the television music show Video Hits on Network Ten, hosting from 2004 to 2006, which saw him travel the world and interview the likes of Justin Timberlake, Oasis and Duran Duran. Video Hits became the highest rating music show on Australian TV.
Music: In 2006 Axle returned to work on the family farm which allowed him to focus on his passion for making music. At the beginning of 2007 he moved to Sydney to launch his recording career and signed deals with Roadshow Music and SonyATV Publishing.
Single: His debut single I Don’t Do Surprises came in at No. 1 on the iTunes music and video charts and his album Losing Sleep debuted in the Top 10 on the Aria chart in August 2008.
Marcs: In 2008 Axle also became the face of Marcs clothing fronting a six month national campaign featuring on everything from point of sale to billboards.
Feedback
Very professional. A great presenter.
Axle was a huge asset as MC at the 2011 Bar Awards. This is an extremely difficult role to host a room full of 650 bartenders, bar owners and bar industry professionals but he managed himself with great confidence and professionalism. It was clear he thoroughly researched the role prior to the event and his enthusiasm on stage was infectious.
