NEW RELEASE
Memoir
From sold-out stages to life beyond the spotlight, former Radiators keyboardist Brendan Callinan shares the remarkable story behind the music. Life's a Gamble is an honest, entertaining memoir of resilience, reinvention and surviving the Australian music industry.
From the bright lights of Australia's iconic pub rock scene to the boardrooms of international music technology companies, Brendan Callinan's career has been anything but ordinary. As the former keyboardist of The Radiators, he performed close to 2,000 live shows, earned multiple gold and platinum records, and shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Australian and international rock.
Today, Brendan brings those experiences together as a bestselling author, musician, business leader and keynote speaker. His debut memoir, Life's a Gamble, offers an honest, humorous and nostalgic look behind the scenes of one of Australia's most unforgettable eras in music, the electrifying 80s, sharing the stories that could only come from someone who lived them.
BC on Keys, Narara 1983, for 40,000 fans.
bRENDAN CALLINAN
In the Mix
From dressing rooms to boardrooms, my journey has taken many unexpected turns. Today, I write with the same passion I have for music, sharing stories, reflections, and life lessons with humour, humility and heart.
The Story Behind Life's A Gamble: Why I Finally Put… Pen to Paper (or finger to keyboard)
Former Radiators keyboardist and Roland executive Brendan Callinan shares what inspired his debut memoir, Life’s A Gamble, offering an unfiltered look into the heartbeat of Australian rock history. From a music-loving country kid chasing his dream to play, write, and record for anyone who would listen, Brendan delivers an authentic, behind-the-scenes account for fans and music enthusiasts alike.
WHO HAD IT BEST? The pros and cons of a music career today vs the 1980s
The 80’s saw boom times for gigging and recording rock and pop artists, with a thriving live scene, well funded, optimistic record labels and an economy that invested in the ‘industry’ of music. It’s well understood that many of those things evaporated as the new century took hold and today’s players struggle to find gigs, or make anywhere near a decent living from the ones they can get. But what about the things that today’s artists have that we couldn’t even have imagined back then? Can we resolve this debate?
What is it with Drummers: The Radiators’ Revolving Drum stool
Former Radiators keyboardist Brendan Callinan takes a light-hearted look back at the band's changing lineup of drummers over the years. A candid snapshot of Australian rock history.
My memoir, Life’s A Gamble, has been accredited as ‘Human Authored’ by Proudly Human, an agency that certify books, music and art as human created. This helps all of us to identify those works which have not been primarily AI generated, and support human creativity and endeavour. Click on their logo to learn more.