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Read Insight's exclusive Personal Insights with Marcia Hines
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Marcia Elaine Hines was born on 20 July 1953, in Boston, Massachusetts, and after scoring a six-month contract to perform in the musical Hair, boarded a plane to Australia in 1970. Here she became a single mum at the tender age of 17 and starred in a plethora of roles, including as the world’s first black Mary Magdalene in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Riding on her success, Marcia has had hits spanning four decades, been named ‘Queen of Pop’ three times, inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and recently awarded an Order of Australia. These days, she spends her seventh year adjudicating as a judge on Australian Idol and has just released her book Life: Things To Get You By - a poignant memoir of her innermost thoughts and contemplations on spirituality, success, happiness, and well, life.
Has your upbringing influenced your direction in life?
I had a really good upbringing and I truly believe and hope that each day I am a better person. My upbringing has allowed me to see that everyone is not perfect and nor am I. You just have to accept people, flaws and all.
At what age did you start singing?
At four and I have never stopped!
When did you move to Australia? Where did you move to?
I moved to Australia in 1970 to Elizabeth Bay in Sydney to be in the musical Hair, which was playing in the old art deco Metro Theatre in Orwell Street, Kings Cross.
What stage name did you used to use? Why did you choose to use one?
‘Shantee Renee’ was the stage name I used to go by. I just thought Marcia Hines was a bit plain! I remember singing at a competition one summer and someone said, ‘Oh, you sang really good, Marcia’ and I thought to myself, ‘Marcia doesn’t sound that bad, maybe I should stick to that.’ My mother breathed a huge sigh of relief!
What event(s) do you believe marked the true beginning of your career?
I would say getting on an aeroplane to Australia in 1970; passing the audition and getting the Hair musical gig in Boston was pretty amazing. There have been so many but the second one I can really remember was getting the part of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. After that I got to sing with an amazing jazz band called the Daly-Wilson Big Band, which really taught me to sing. Horns are very difficult to sing with because they are so loud and are very in tune, and if you’re not, you are in trouble. Recently, though, I would have to say getting the gig on Australian Idol.
How difficult was it being a single mother in Australia at the age of 17?
Well, it was not that difficult for me because my mother supported me in everything I did. I was making a fairly decent wage so when you are not worried about money as much it makes life a little bit easier. It does not get rid of the loneliness but you can make sure your child is being taken care of in the proper way.
When did you discover you had diabetes and how has this been to manage?
It was maybe 15 years ago that I discovered I had diabetes, however, it has not been difficult to manage because I have had a lot of people around to help me. I also work with Diabetes Australia and try to educate people about the disease. It is a pretty good thing to have because you can control it.
2001 marked your 30th anniversary as a professional singer. How did you celebrate this significant occasion?
I didn’t! I probably did another gig that night… I do not really take time to take stock. As each day comes and goes, I am just very grateful I am still standing and still relevant.
It was then that you released a CD cataloguing an amazing singing career and a book describing significant elements and happenings in your life. They were both called Diva.What does this word mean to you?
Well, that was not my choice… I would never have called it Diva in a million years! That was my management. I mean,
I thought it was cute and everything but it was really them. I would have called it The Story or something simple. I get what they were doing with Diva but I do not think anybody who is good at what they do would ever label themselves in such an incredible way. I think the only true diva in this country is Dame Joan Sutherland.
Where do you get inspiration for songs?
They have to ‘speak’ to me. When someone has written a song for me that I can think, ‘Oh yes, that is how I would express myself.’ Or when I write a song, it is usually off the back of a life experience.
You have been a judge on Australian Idol for seven years. How would you describe this experience?
I just have to be who I am at all times. It is what my husband and manager say to me - ‘Just be yourself’. I am as honest as I possibly can be with the kids and my criticism is usually constructive so they can take it on and do something with it.
In 2007, you were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. How did this feel?
That was too cool! I actually cried! I do not usually cry in public but I teared up.
What do you think has made you successful?
My upbringing. I was always told that anything worth doing was worth doing well.
What keeps you grounded?
My family keep me grounded - my husband, the kids and my management.
How do you balance your career and family life?
They are almost kind of like one and the same. It is what I do and the fibre of who I am and all the people around me understand that and accept it and are very proud of what I do and encourage me. This helps me to get through each day.
Have you had a ‘spiritual awakening’ in your life? If so, how has it changed you?
I think I have had many but I would not try to devalue them by trying to explain them in words. I find that when something incredible happens of that nature and you try and explain it, somehow the value of it just goes away.
What issues do you feel are the most pressing in the world?
What we need to do is start caring for one another as if every one of us is a family member. That would be a really cool thing. I also think we need to start realising how incredibly important the aged are. They deserve to feel safe, they deserve to not be alone, and all of our knowledge is in these people. My other thing is not harming children. It all comes down to respect and love for yourself and everyone around you.
What do you see happening in the world in the next ten years and what will your contribution be?
Mine will be my music - that is the only true contribution I can give. God only knows what will happen in our world in the next ten years but I hope we are all in touch with who we are, what we want and how important it is to share what we have.
Which book would you recommend people to read?
I would not recommend anything because one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. However, maybe The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran if you are into that sort of thing.
Name someone who has inspired you on your journey.
Undoubtedly my mother has inspired me because she is a good person all round and is very patient.
Sum up your philosophy on life.
Love and respect yourself and everyone around you.
Visit www.marciahines.com.au to find out more about Marcia Hines and her new book ‘Life: Things To Get You By’. |
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