A show celebrating the life and music of Australian rock icon Chrissy Amphlett is going from strength to strength.
The Divinyls Story: It’s a Fine Line returns to Piano Bar this weekend, following a sell-out show at the Little Malop Street venue in November last year.
Created by musician Chrissy Burrell, who takes on the role of the feisty frontwoman, the show features a six-piece band of local musicians performing all the hits and B-sides from the Divinyls catalogue.
Between songs Burrell talks about Amphlett; her challenges as a woman in the music industry, her triumphs and tragedies.
Burrell has been performing in rock bands for 30 years, first in Melbourne, then for the past 15 years in Geelong after she moved here to raise a family.
“I always did rock, 80s rock, which included Chrissy Amphlett,” Burrell said.
“She was this strong female rock singer, and she definitely influenced my performances back then.
“After I had my daughter I went back to the solo, duo stuff… (which helped me) evolve and keep learning about music, because you realise you have to sing in a different way.”
As her daughter got older, Burrell began dipping her toe back in the rock band water, and soon found people comparing her voice to Amphlett’s.
Then, in late 2023 the bass player in the band she was performing with told her she should do a Divinyls tribute show.
“It took about six months before it actually drilled into my head that, actually, this is a great idea,” Burrell said.
“Then realising Chrissy Amphlett was from Geelong, it all just came together quite nicely.”
Cut to November 2024, and Burrell found herself singing at a sold-out show dedicated to Australia’s first rock goddess.
“That was an awesome show… it blew our minds and we had so much fun,” she said.
“(Chrissy Amphlett) went to Belmont High, and there were people there that had actually gone to school with her.
“One lady gave me a hug and said, ‘Chrissy would be so proud of you’. That connection was just really beautiful.”
With more gigs on the book in the region and in Melbourne, Burrell hopes the show continues on for as long as possible.
“When you do a show that people enjoy, it is so awesome…. it’s such a privilege,” she said.
The Divinyls Story is at Piano Bar on Sunday, April 6.
