Colleen Hewett is going back to where it all began. She is starting her Black & White tour in her hometown of Bendigo.

The legendary Australian singer was just 12 when she made her singing debut, on stage at the Bendigo YMCA. She admits she was “petrified”, but she returned to that Bendigo stage every Saturday night for six months. A star was born.

Now, 53 years later, Colleen is returning to Bendigo to promote her chart-topping new album, Black & White. She is performing at the Ulumbarra Theatre on Friday, October 23.

“I’m so excited to be going home,” Colleen says. “Bendigo is where it all started for me. So much of my life is in this album, so I can’t wait to play these songs for all of my friends.”

Colleen has been welcomed home by City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Peter Cox, who says Colleen is a local legend and it’s great she is returning home to kick off her tour.

“It’s also great to see that Colleen’s new album is placing the spotlight on domestic violence and the damage it does to individuals, families and local communities,” Cr Cox said.

Colleen is proud to be an ambassador for Violence Free Families, a Rotary initiative, and Bendigo’s Rotary clubs are supporting the campaign. “Whenever I speak to a Rotarian about Violence Free Families, without hesitation, they want to help,” Colleen says. “They are a wonderful organisation and I am so pleased to be associated with them.”

$5 from every ticket sold at Colleen’s Bendigo show will go to Violence Free Families.

Colleen Hewett has had a remarkable career. She’s been Queen of Pop twice, topped the national charts, had international record deals, and been a star of stage and screen. Black & White – her first album in 14 years – has been hailed as the finest album of Colleen’s career. It debuted at number one on the Australian Jazz & Blues Chart and also topped the iTunes Blues Chart.

“This lady sure can sing the blues,” one critic raved, while longtime fan Ian “Molly” Meldrum called Colleen one of his favourite singers, adding: “Colleen’s new blues album is amazing.”

The album’s first single, Shut Up And Let Me Breathe, is a powerful song about domestic violence. The video features cameos by many high-profile Australians, including Molly, John Farnham, Eddie McGuire, Ron Barassi, Archie Roach, Neil Mitchell, Alan Jones, Russell Morris, Derryn Hinch, Peter Helliar, Kevin Bartlett, and Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the video was “our call to action as Australians”.

The Bendigo concert will include a special reunion by MPD Ltd, who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their chart-topper, Little Boy Sad. MPD singer, Mike Brady, will also be playing songs from his acclaimed new album, Bloodlines.

Colleen remembers asking MPD Ltd for autographs when they toured Bendigo in 1965. Five years later, she married the band’s drummer, Danny Finley, in Bendigo. They are no longer married, but remain best friends, and Danny is still Colleen’s manager.

MPD stood for Mike, Peter and Danny. Sadly, bass player Pete Watson died in 1972. His role in the MPD reunion will be played by Colleen’s son, William, who also wrote two songs on Black & White. And Colleen will be joined on stage by friends including Wentworth star Sally-Anne Upton and drummer Geoff “Coxy” Cox.

“It’s going to be a very special concert,” Colleen said.

Tickets can be purchased from the box office at The Capital 50 View street Bendigo phone 54346100 or online at www.gotix.com.au

“A lifetime of living has gone into this album and you believe every word. She’s made the best album of her career.” – STACK