In an extraordinary return that has stunned the music world, Harry Vanda, the 78-year-old architect behind some of Australia's most iconic rock anthems, has broken his decades-long silence with a powerful new solo album, 'Devil Loose'. The legendary guitarist and producer, whose work with The Easybeats and AC/DC shaped generations, has emerged from retirement with what he describes as "unfinished business."
The Silence Breaker
For over thirty years, Vanda remained largely out of the public eye, content to let his monumental back catalogue speak for itself. But creative fires, it seems, never fully extinguish. "The songs kept coming," Vanda reveals, his voice still carrying the distinctive accent of his Dutch-Indonesian heritage. "They were piling up, demanding to be heard. I realised retirement wasn't a destination, just another chapter."
From Friday Night to Worldwide Fame
The journey began humbly in a Sydney migrant hostel in the 1960s, where a young Vanda and his bandmates would practice on Friday nights. Those sessions would birth 'Friday on My Mind', the global hit that catapulted The Easybeats to international stardom and paved the way for Australian rock's global invasion.
Vanda's partnership with George Young became the stuff of legend, creating the production blueprint for AC/DC's early success and crafting timeless hits through their Albert Productions empire. Yet throughout it all, the man himself remained an enigma, preferring the control room to the spotlight.
Devil Loose: A Lifetime in the Making
The new album represents more than just new music; it's a bridge between eras. Recorded with a rawness that recalls his earliest work, 'Devil Loose' blends blistering guitar work with reflective lyricism. The title track serves as a defiant statement of intent, while other songs reveal personal stories never before shared through his music.
"There were things I needed to say that I never had the chance to before," Vanda explains. "Producing other artists, you help tell their stories. This time, it had to be mine."
The Legacy Continues
As he prepares to share his most personal work yet, Vanda reflects on the changing music landscape with the perspective only half a century in the industry can provide. While acknowledging the digital revolution, he remains committed to the timeless power of a well-crafted song.
His return sends a powerful message to artists of all ages: creativity knows no expiration date. With 'Devil Loose', Harry Vanda isn't just revisiting past glories—he's adding an unexpected and vital new chapter to one of music's most important legacies.
