Musician Aaron Schembri launches album with Aussie rock royalty

He’s only 25, but Reservoir musician Aaron Schembri is set to launch his debut album alongside Australian rock legends Normie Rowe, Ross Wilson and Colleen Hewett. So how did he sweep such big names off their feet?

Aaron Schembri will soon launch his new album. Picture: George Salpigtidis

For most 25-year-olds the names Normie Rowe, Ross Wilson or Colleen Hewett might not ring a bell.

But guitarist and songwriter Aaron Schembri can’t imagine life without them.

Aaron has been playing music since he was nine years old, and jamming with rock legends for the past eight years.

In September he will launch his debut album on stage alongside a who’s who of Australian rock, MC’d by Wendy Stapleton.

Guests on Aaron’s album City Lights include Normie Rowe, Ross Wilson, Colleen Hewett, Russell Morris, Phil Manning, Kevin Borich, Wilbur Wilde, Mark Gable, Mike Rudd, James Cupples and John ‘Swanee’ Swan.

Songs include a tribute to Aaron’s late grandfather and musical inspiration Fred Schembri, the first ever duet between Russell Morris and Colleen Hewett, and a tribute to the late Ross Hannaford, who mentored Aaron through his early career.

The song Don’t you Worry Now was co-written by ‘Hanna’ before he became unwell and is performed with Daddy Cool bandmate Ross Wilson.

Aaron said it all started when he jammed with ‘Hanna’ at Musicland in Fawkner.

“He saw something in me that I probably didn’t see at the time,” Aaron said.

“At first I didn’t even know who he was

“Once I got to know him it was like, this is one I want to learn from.”

With ‘Hanna’ as his mentor Aaron went on to collaborate with Daddy Cool and other rock legends.

“I was pretty lucky. Since he passed away everything he’s taught me has stuck,” Aaron said.

When the Reservoir musician decided he wanted to create his own album he had decades of experience to call on.

Pop Queen Colleen Hewett, whose cover of Day by Day hit number one in the pop charts, said when Aaron approached her to sing on the album there was no chance she would have turned him down.

“He’s got an ability to stare right into your soul and talk to it,” she said.

“This little magician that wafted in and swept us all off our feet with his talent and charisma.”

Over four years Aaron wrote, recorded and collaborated with his peers to create an album he hopes will bridge generations.

“(I’m) 25 and working with guys who have been doing it for double my lifetime. I just wanted to connect the generation I’m in to the Australian music there was,” he said.

The album showcases sounds from country music, blues, rock and roll and reggae.

“The most daunting thing for me was I’d written the songs, sung on them for demos and sent them to the guys,” Aaron said.

“Their experience went a long way to getting the songs where they are now.”

For a one night only concert at MEMO Music Hall, Aaron will launch the album with appearances from his guest artists and seven-piece band.

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Three sets will show off some of the groups greatest Aussie hits, that first ever duet, and Aaron’s own powerful recordings.

$5 from each ticket sale will be donated to the Australian charity Support Act, which helps musicians doing it tough.

The event is sponsored by Guitarwerx and GM Sound Studios, Campbellfield.

Doors open at 7pm on September 25.

For all the details and tickets visit Aaron’s website.

@richardapearce