Rock The House (Review)

After numerous rescheduling, due to the state of the world the last few years, I finally got to attend the Rock The House Concert at the Queensland Performing Art Centre (QPAC) last night.

After nervously watching the incredible amount of water falling from the sky the last couple of days, I was concerned that it would be rescheduled again or I wouldn’t be able to get there due to flooding. Thankfully the trains were still running and I arrived, forgetting that I had a front row seat for this performance. I was tickled pink to say the least.

Rock The House is a concert performed by the ageing elite of Australian super stars. This included John Paul Young, Ross Wilson, Glenn Shorrock, Russell Morris and Brian Cadd. Joining them was a younger Australia idol, and the only female on the stage, Ella Hooper.

For those of you not aware of some of these names, let me enlighten you.

John Paul Young was born in 1950 and is a well known Australian pop singer, much loved by the Australian population. He performed some of his classic hits, including I Hate The Music, Love Is In The Air and Yesterday’s Hero. Who doesn’t know the words to these great songs!

Ross Wilson, born in 1947 and best known as the frontman of the R & B groups Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock. Tonight he sang his all time classics Eagle Rock, You Don’t Want Me Around, Come Back Again, State Of The Heart, Cool World and Come Said The Boy. All favourites of mine as I’ve always been a huge fan.

Glenn Shorrock, who was born in 1944 and was both, a solo performer and in a number of rock bands throughout his life. These included The Twilights, Axiom and Little River Band. We listened in awe at some of his greatest hits, which included Arkansas Grass, Help Is On It’s Way, Home On Monday, Reminiscing, Little Ray Of Sunshine, Cool Change and My Baby’s Gone.

Russell Morris was born in 1948 and is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist, who began in the Melbourne group called Somebody’s Image. He was quickly scouted by the then writer, Ian Meldrum — later known as Molly Meldrum. It was fantastic to hear him sing Real Thing, Live With Friends, Black Dog Blues and Wings Of An Eagle.

Brian Cadd, born in 1946, has regaled the Australian music industry for over 50 years. He was part of numerous bands throughout these years, including The Goop and Axiom, just to name a couple. He performed Arkansas Grass, Reminiscing and Little Ray Of Sunshine with Glenn Shorrock and he also sang Your Mama Don’t Dance as a solo.

Ella Hooper, the youngest of tonight’s performers, was born in 1983 and the only female on the stage. She is a rock music singer-songwriter and was the lead singer of the band Killing Heidi, before it split up in 2006. She was an amazing backup to the older Australian legends.

Although some of these brilliant performers played the guitar and keyboards, they had an amazing band backing the show. This consisted of two electric guitarist — who shared the role of lead guitarist dependant on the songs — a keyboard player, bass player and a drummer. All very talented musicians in their own right.

All in all it was a fantastic night and yes I managed to make it home by train and not get stranded due to flooding.

I’m so pleased I got to attend this concert because giving the ages of these talented gentlemen, there is every possibility that they will retire sometime in the near future.

They are now heading your way Melbourne and Sydney and I would suggest grabbing a ticket if possible. These are our Australian legends and they have done us all proud.

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Originally posted on Medium