Savage Garden Biography: Members, Net Worth, Age, Breakup, Hits, Songs, Instagram, Albums

Savage Garden was an Australian pop duo formed in Brisbane in 1994, consisting of Darren Hayes on vocals and Daniel Jones on guitar, keyboards, and production.

They achieved massive global success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with romantic hits like “I Want You” and “Truly Madly Deeply,” blending lush ballads with upbeat pop. Their debut album, Savage Garden (1997), sold over 12 million copies worldwide, establishing them as one of Australia’s biggest exports.

Profile

• Members’ Real Names: Darren Hayes, Daniel Jones
• Stage Name: Savage Garden
• Active From: 1994
• Origin: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Active Until: 2001
• Nationality: Australian
• Occupation: Musicians, Songwriters, Producers
• Net Worth: $60 million USD

Early Life and Members

Savage Garden was formed in Brisbane in 1994 by vocalist Darren Hayes and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Jones, who met through a local band.

Their songwriting partnership drew from diverse influences like Prince, The Smiths, and 1980s UK pop.

Darren Hayes

• Date of Birth: May 8, 1972
• Age: 53 years old
• Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Ethnicity: Australian (White)
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Robert Hayes and Judy Hayes
• Siblings: Older sister Tracey Hayes; older brother Peter Hayes
• Education: Mabel Park High School (graduated 1989); University of Queensland (studied journalism, drama, and education; degree in teaching)
• Early Life: Youngest of three in a working-class family, Hayes showed early talent in school choirs and musicals. Influenced by artists like Prince, Fleetwood Mac, and Duran Duran, he performed in school plays and worked as a kindergarten teacher before music. He responded to Jones‘ ad for a singer in 1993.

Daniel Jones

• Date of Birth: July 22, 1973
• Age: 52 Years old
• Place of Birth: Essex, England
• Ethnicity: English-Australian (White)
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Chris Jones and John Jones
• Siblings: Jonathan Jones and Oliver Jones
• Education: Unknown
• Early Life: Moved to Brisbane young, Jones played keyboards and drums in pubs by age 15. Aspired to be a soccer player or lollipop man initially, but pursued music, collaborating with local bands. Formed Red Edge in 1992 before meeting Hayes.

Formation

Savage Garden formed in 1994 when Daniel Jones, keyboardist in the Brisbane covers band Red Edge, placed an ad in Time Off magazine seeking a vocalist.

Darren Hayes, then a teacher, auditioned and joined immediately. Frustrated with covers, they left Red Edge in June 1994 to write originals, initially under names like Bliss and Crush (later changed due to conflicts).

Inspired by Anne Rice‘s The Vampire Lestat (“the mind of each man is a savage garden”), they adopted Savage Garden. They sent 150 demos worldwide, signing with John Woodruff‘s agency and Columbia Records.

Their debut single “I Want You” released in 1996, launching their career.

Career

From 1996 to 2001, Savage Garden sold over 23 million albums worldwide, with hits dominating charts in Australia, the US, UK, and beyond.

Debut single “I Want You” hit No. 4 in Australia; Savage Garden (1997) topped Australian charts for 19 weeks and reached No. 3 in the US. They won a record 10 ARIA Awards in 1997, including Album of the Year.

Affirmation (1999) debuted at No. 1 in Australia and No. 6 in the US, spawning more No. 1s.

Tours included The Future of Earthly Delites (1998) and Affirmation World Tour (2000), plus performances at the 2000 Sydney Olympics closing ceremony. Exhaustion from touring led to their 2001 split; Hayes went solo, while Jones produced and later invested in real estate.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @savagegarden_official
• YouTube Channel: SavageGardenOfficial

Personal Life

Darren Hayes

• Height: 5’9″ (175 cm)
• Marriages: Married Colby Taylor (1994–2000); married Richard Cullen (2006–2023)
• Children: None
• Dating History: Childhood sweetheart and makeup artist Colby Taylor (M 1994-2000). Began relationship with producer Richard Cullen in 2004; civil partnership in London (2006), remarried in California (2013) for same-sex marriage support; separated 2023, divorce finalized 2024. Hayes advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.

Daniel Jones

• Height: 5’11″ (180 cm)
• Marriages: Married Kathleen de Leon (2005–present)
• Children: Two daughters, Mikayla (born 2006) and Keira (born 2010)
• Dating History: Private; met Kathleen (original Hi-5 member) at ARIA Awards pre-2000. Engaged for years before low-key Gold Coast wedding in 2005. Keeps family life out of spotlight, focusing on privacy post-fame.

Net Worth

Savage Garden‘s collective net worth is estimated at $60 million, built from 23 million album sales, royalties from hits like “Truly Madly Deeply” (over 123 weeks on US AC charts), and tours.

Individual estimates: Darren Hayes ($30 million) from solo albums (Spin, 2002; Homosexual, 2022), tours, and endorsements; Daniel Jones ($30 million) from production, Meridien Musik label, and real estate investments.

Their catalog continues generating passive income.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Savage Garden (1997) – 12× Platinum (Australia), 7× Platinum (US)
• Affirmation (1999) – 8× Platinum (Australia), Platinum (US)

Compilation Albums

• Truly Madly Completely: The Best of Savage Garden (2005)
• The Singles (2015)
• Greatest Hits: The Platinum Collection (2023 reissue)

Key Singles

• “I Want You” (1996) – No. 1 (multiple countries)
• “To the Moon and Back” (1996) – No. 1 (Australia, Canada)
• “Truly Madly Deeply” (1997) – No. 1 (US, UK, Australia)
• “The Animal Song” (1999) – No. 1 (Australia)
• “I Knew I Loved You” (1999) – No. 1 (US, Australia)
• “Affirmation” (2000) – No. 1 (Australia)
• “Crash and Burn” (2000) – No. 1 (Australia)