HI FI WAY: The Making of You Am I

In this final episode, Richard Kingsmill discovers how much is hidden in the deeper cuts on Hi Fi Way.

This Australian music classic contains some of the most emotional and life-altering truths about You Am I's singer/songwriter Tim Rogers.

You'll also find out how a special bar in New York City helped inspire the album; why American success proved elusive for the band; and the band's views on their acclaimed second album today. 

You Am I music used courtesy of rooArt/Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

You Am I barely took a breath across 1994.

With a new lineup, they toured constantly. Their fanbase grew, as did their respect within the industry. Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, Powderfinger and Silverchair all became devotees.

You Am I were also championed by the huge headlining act at that year's Big Day Out. The Seattle band invited the trio to tour overseas. Despite dangerous health signs starting to appear for their singer, You Am I decided to keep pushing forward, leading them to New York City where Hi Fi Way came together in lightning speed.

Richard Kingsmill rewinds to 1994 to look at the mania around You Am I. It was a huge adrenalin rush for the band at a precarious time.

Find out also who inspired the unlikely love story in 'Cathy's Clown'; how Tim's coping mechanisms after a mental breakdown stirred the memories to write 'Jewels and Bullets'; and discover the '70s rock icons that fed 'Minor Byrd'.

You Am I music used courtesy of rooArt/Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

You Am I were leaders on the Australian music scene in the early 1990s. In the aftermath of grunge, they were revered and touted as the next big thing. With Hi Fi Way - the flash of brilliance that was their second album - they got there. An ARIA #1, it's been acclaimed as one of the greatest Australian albums ever.

The band was on a roll, but they often felt close to being out of control. Their frontman was keeping his mental health struggles well hidden. Hi Fi Way had pointers to what he'd been through, if you knew where to look.

Richard Kingsmill starts the journey to uncover what made this band tick and how they came to create such an extraordinary record in spite of the odds.

You Am I music used courtesy of rooArt/Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

Episode One will drop Tuesday December 17

You Am I music used courtesy of rooArt/Sony Music Entertainment Australia