The musical majesty of Marcia Hines
With an incredible career that spans five decades, 22 albums, and countless chart‑topping hits, at 70, Marcia Hines just keeps getting better.
By Nadia Howland
Our Generation met with Marcia, Australia’s musical majesty, and talked about her extraordinary life as she tours the country with GREASE The Musical.
Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, in the US, Marcia moved to Australia at the tender age of 16 when she was cast in the Australian stage production of Hair.
She made her stage debut in April 1970. During the show’s run, Marcia learned she was pregnant; her daughter, Deni, was born in September of the same year.
Just nine days later, Marcia was back on stage to continue her role. The show was a major success, and Marcia went on to star in Jesus Christ Superstar—the first black woman ever to star in the acclaimed musical.
The hit show ran until 1974, and Marcia became a major star in Australia. After wrapping up Jesus Christ Superstar, Marcia joined the Daly-Wilson Big Band, covering hits such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
After scoring her first recording contract she released the solo single Fire and Rain and charted five Top Ten singles between 1976 and 1979, including her covers of From the Inside, I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself, and What I Did for Love.
Her biggest hit came in 1977 with Tom Snow’s You, which reached number 2 on the singles charts in Australia. Marcia’s albums have sold close to a million copies, and she was the first Australian female performer to attain a Platinum record.
She was voted “Queen of Pop”—the country’s most popular female performer—each year from 1976 to 1978, by the readers of TV Week, and even scored her own TV series, Marcia Hines Music, on ABC.
In 1986, Marcia was diagnosed with diabetes, which she now carefully manages with insulin, diet, and fitness. Despite living with both asthma and diabetes, Marcia remained focused on her work, releasing new music and touring nationally
In 2003, she was selected as a judge on Australian Idol. Marcia’s kindness and diplomacy on the judging panel made her a fan favourite—to date, she is the only judge to appear in every season of Australian Idol.
In January 2023, Hines returned to the Channel 7 reboot of Australian Idol after the show’s 14-year hiatus.
“The most memorable highlights are when you give advice to the kids and you see them light up and you know they’ve got it. They’re far more game than I would have ever been, I think,” she laughs.
In 2019, Marcia starred in Saturday Night Fever at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, and in early 2020 she became Dragon in the long-awaited Australian premiere of Shrek The Musical.
When the pandemic curtailed stage performances, Marcia returned to the recording studio and added three new songs to the upcoming greatest hits package called Still Shining – The 50th Anniversary Collection, followed by her 15th studio album The Gospel According to Marcia.
The album features gospel songs that Marcia grew up singing in the churches of Boston.
Discussing the recording process, Marcia says, “I think the one thing you realise when you do record is there’s no such thing as perfection. It’s what you strive for… but it can be terribly rewarding if and when everything falls into place.”
Having wrapped filming on the 2024 season of Australian Idol, Marcia barely took a breath before hitting the stage in the Australian production of GREASE The Musical, in which she stars as Teen Angel.
“I love the theatre stage because, after all, that’s where I learnt my craft,” she says.
“It’s great to be returning in such a wonderful production as GREASE.”
Did you know?
Marcia was given an Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 for her services to the Australian Entertainment Industry as a performer, judge, and mentor and to the community through a range of charitable organisations.
In 2007, she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Marcia has a number of famous cousins, including former US Secretary of State Colin Powell; singer-songwriter and model Grace Jones; and singer/songwriter Donna Summer.
What do you enjoy doing in your downtime?
As little as possible! Maybe having dinner with friends and sharing a few laughs.
As someone who lives with both asthma and diabetes, how do you maintain your health and vitality?
I don’t know what is essential to ageing well except for taking care of yourself in your youth. I’m not a drinker and I don’t smoke but to each their own and I don’t like to preach about it.
What is your biggest motivator in life, and who inspires you?
I have to say, my mother and my godmother. Two very strong West Indian women who brought me up very well. They took the time to teach me what was right and what was wrong.
What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
What’s next for you after GREASE wraps?
I’m about to go on quite a grand national tour and all the people I adore working with will be with me on stage in a concert situation. I look forward to seeing you all out there on the road.
Catch Marcia in GREASE The Musical in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
Tickets available at greasemusical.com.au
This article is featured in National Seniors Australia’s quarterly member magazine, Our Generation.
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