Shannon is the runner-up of the first series of
Australian Idol. Shannon Noll was born and raised in New South Wales
and worked on the family farm after leaving school. During
his school years, Shannon enjoyed drama classes and performed in a
number of school productions. He one day hoped to become an actor.
While working on the farm, he and his brothers formed a band and played
in pubs and clubs around the Australian outback. However, circumstances
forced the family to sell the farm which later led to financial
hardship. It was at this point Shannon was persuaded by his brothers to
enter Australian Idol.
After leaving Australian Idol, Shannon was signed by Sony/BMG and
released a number of albums. The albums did very well in the charts
with two of them topping the charts at number one. The singles released
from the albums also charted highly with a few reaching the number
spot. Shannon is one of the most successful acts to come out of
American Idol.