Ron Strykert
Ronald Graham Strykert (born 18 August 1957) is an Australian musician best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, and songwriter for the 1980s new wave band Men at Work.[1][2] Originally from Korumburra, Victoria, Strykert began his musical career collaborating with vocalist and guitarist Colin Hay, forming an acoustic duo in 1978 that evolved into the full band Men at Work by 1979 in Melbourne.[3][2] Strykert's contributions were central to the band's breakthrough, playing lead guitar on their debut album Business as Usual (1981), which topped charts worldwide and included global hits like "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under"—the latter becoming a cultural phenomenon with its distinctive flute riff and satirical lyrics.[2] The follow-up Cargo (1983) also achieved massive commercial success, solidifying Men at Work's status as one of Australia's most exported acts of the era.[4] For their rapid rise, the band received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards in 1983.[5] Strykert co-wrote several key tracks and provided the band's signature guitar work, blending reggae influences with pop-rock arrangements.[3] Strykert departed Men at Work in the mid-1980s during the recording of their third album Two Hearts (1985), citing personal dissatisfaction with the band's direction.[2] He later relocated to the United States, releasing his solo debut album Paradise in 2003, and has since lived a more private life, including a period of residence in Montana.[2] In recent years, Strykert has been embroiled in a legal dispute over royalties from Men at Work's catalog; in 2007, amid personal struggles, he sold his share to a U.S. firm for a $150,000 advance, but as of 2025, he is seeking to reclaim them through Victoria's Supreme Court, arguing he lacked proper advice at the time.[4]Early life
Childhood and family background
Ronald Graham Strykert was born on 18 August 1957 in Korumburra, a rural town in Victoria, Australia. Public information regarding Strykert's family background remains limited, with his parents named Ray and Peit Strykert and a big sister named Maryke, but no widely available details on their occupations.[1] Little is documented about his early interests or non-musical influences during his upbringing in rural Victoria.Move to Melbourne and early career
Ron Strykert grew up in regional Victoria before relocating to Melbourne in the mid-1970s to immerse himself in the city's burgeoning music scene.[6] In Melbourne, Strykert honed his guitar skills and sought performance opportunities. In 1978, he met Colin Hay during a casual backyard gathering in West Melbourne, where Strykert was playing a 12-string guitar, captivating Hay with his touch and style.[7][8] Recognizing their mutual musical compatibility, Strykert and Hay quickly formed an acoustic duo, performing original songs and covers at local pubs and venues around Melbourne. Their collaboration laid the foundation for Strykert's entry into the professional music world, with regular gigs helping them build a local following.[7]Career with Men at Work
Formation and initial recordings
Men at Work was formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1979 by vocalist and guitarist Colin Hay, drummer Jerry Speiser, and guitarist Ron Strykert, who initially took on the role of bassist in the lineup.[2] Prior to this, Hay and Strykert had performed together as an acoustic duo in 1978.[9] In 1979, the early incarnation of the band contributed to the stage musical Riff Raff, where Strykert played bass guitar on the project's recordings, marking the group's first documented studio work.[10] These sessions helped solidify the band's sound and provided initial demos that showcased their new wave style. By 1980, the lineup expanded with the addition of bassist John Rees, prompting Strykert to switch from bass to lead and rhythm guitar, a position he would hold through the band's early success.[9] The group continued developing material through live performances and further demos, which attracted industry attention and led to their signing with the Australian branch of Columbia Records in 1981.[11]Breakthrough success and tours
Men at Work achieved their breakthrough with the release of their debut album, Business as Usual, in November 1981 in Australia, which propelled the band to international stardom. The album topped charts in multiple countries, including a record-breaking 15 weeks at number one on the US Billboard 200, marking it as one of the longest-running chart-toppers of the era. This success was driven by the hit singles "Who Can It Be Now?", which reached number one in Australia and the US, and "Down Under", which also hit number one in the US, UK, and several other markets. Ron Strykert contributed significantly as the band's lead guitarist, delivering prominent guitar riffs and solos, including on "Down Under", where he co-wrote the music with frontman Colin Hay, and providing backing vocals on tracks like "Who Can It Be Now?". Following the album's momentum, Men at Work embarked on extensive international tours in 1982 and 1983, performing across Australia, the United States, and Europe to sold-out crowds. These tours solidified their status as a global act, with high-energy live shows showcasing their new wave sound and Strykert's dynamic guitar work alongside the band's signature saxophone and rhythmic drive. The US leg in particular amplified their visibility, coinciding with heavy MTV rotation of their music videos. In 1983, the band released their follow-up album Cargo, which debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number three, further extending their commercial peak with singles like "Overkill". Amid this success, Men at Work won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards, recognizing their rapid rise and innovative contributions to pop-rock. Strykert's guitar solos and backing vocals continued to enhance the live performances during these tours, helping maintain the band's high-impact presence on the world stage.Departure from the band
Ron Strykert departed from Men at Work during the recording sessions for the band's third studio album, Two Hearts, in 1984. This exit followed the earlier dismissals of drummer Jerry Speiser and bassist John Rees earlier that year, amid escalating internal tensions within the group that had intensified after the international success of their 1983 album Cargo.[7] According to frontman Colin Hay, Strykert had grown increasingly detached from the band's activities by this point, often isolating himself during studio time. Hay recalled in an interview that Strykert was physically present but emotionally disengaged, eventually announcing one day that he was going home with no plans to return, effectively ending his involvement.[2] This disengagement reflected the broader burnout and interpersonal strains affecting the remaining members after years of relentless touring and pressure to replicate their early breakthroughs.[7] Strykert's contributions to Two Hearts, released in April 1985, were thus limited to early sessions, including guitar parts on select tracks, marking the end of his direct input to the band's recordings.[9] The album's production continued without him, relying on session musicians to fill the gaps. In the immediate aftermath of his departure, Strykert relocated to Los Angeles, where he stepped back from the high-stakes environment of major label music, focusing instead on personal pursuits away from the spotlight for nearly two decades.[9]Solo career and later activities
Release of Paradise
In 2003, Ron Strykert self-released his debut solo album, Paradise, through the independent label RSM Records, marking his return to music after nearly two decades away from the spotlight following his departure from Men at Work in the mid-1980s.[12] Recorded in Montana, where Strykert had settled in the late 1980s seeking a quieter life, the album was produced entirely by the artist himself, showcasing his multifaceted talents as songwriter, guitarist, and performer.[1] The project reflects a shift toward introspective and spiritual exploration, influenced by his personal life changes and relocation to the United States.[2] The album features nine tracks blending folk-rock elements with world music influences, emphasizing acoustic guitar-driven melodies and contemplative lyrics. Standout songs include the title track "Paradise," which evokes themes of renewal and escape, and "Shiva Shambu," a longer piece incorporating Eastern spiritual motifs. Other highlights like "Paradigm Shift" and "Show Us The Way Home" delve into personal transformation and longing for guidance, while "Eternal Waves" closes the record with a meditative, wave-like instrumental progression. The full tracklist is as follows:| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In The Air | 3:06 |
| 2 | Heartbeat | 2:54 |
| 3 | Do I Love You? | 3:48 |
| 4 | Paradigm Shift | 2:49 |
| 5 | Shiva Shambu | 5:02 |
| 6 | Show Us The Way Home | 4:52 |
| 7 | Love Train | 5:07 |
| 8 | Sunrise | 5:42 |
| 9 | Eternal Waves | 5:26 |