You Am I emerged at the right time, with the right look, sound, songs and attitude. At the 2025 ARIA Awards on Wednesday night, Nov. 19, the ‘90s indie rock legends were elevated into the ARIA Hall of Fame, recognition of all those special traits, and their lasting impact on the country’s music scene and beyond.
Formed in the late ’80s, and led by frontman Tim Rogers alongside bandmates Andy Kent, David Lane and Rusty Hopkinson, You Am I owned their lane.
You Am I were hard to beat in the ‘90s, a time when young Australian music fans were connected like never before. Newly-committed fans might discover You Am I on Triple J, which had rolled out as a national network, or on its sister music video channel Rage. Or watch them perform Saturday morning on the ABC’s Recovery, or catch them in the flesh on stage at the traveling Big Day Out.
Along the way, the group has released 11 studio albums, most recently 2021’s The Lives of Others, which went to No. 2 on the ARIA Chart. And they’ve collected 10 ARIA Awards, not including the Hall of Fame honor.
Australia’s alternative rock community loved, and still love, You Am I. The proof was there in the induction video, which included glowing tributes from Silverchair’s Daniel Johns, Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning, and the country’s prime minister Anthony Albanese, who remarked that “along the way, you’ve added to who we are.”
Each bandmate took turns at the mic, though it was Rogers’ address that will spring to mind in years to come. The singer and guitarist held back tears as he spoke of his own health ordeals, and how making music with the band had given him life.
“F*** I love rock ‘n’ roll,” he remarked.
The rockers wrapped up the 39th ARIA Awards with a two-song performance of “Heavy Heart” and “Berlin Chair.” You Am I were in fine form, having reunited this year for a major national tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hi Fi Way, which arrived fully formed on Feb. 20, 1995.
Next year, to mark the 40th anniversary of the ARIAs, the trade body will create a standalone ceremony with a class of five inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Watch You Am I’s ARIA Hall of Fame performance below.
