Ross Wilson: The Story Behind Daddy Cool, Eagle Rock and Mondo Rock

Ross Wilson: The Story Behind Daddy Cool, Eagle Rock and Mondo Rock

From '60s '70s '80s - Warm, Candid, Classic, Rock Interviews with Music Legends - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR by Sandy Kaye

March 18, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

Sandy Kaye interviews Ross Wilson about his influential career in Australian rock music, including the creation of iconic songs and his role in shaping the music scene.

In this episode, Sandy Kaye sits down with one of the true pioneers of Australian rock music — Ross Wilson . With a career spanning more than six decades, Ross has shaped the sound of Australian music as a performer, songwriter and producer. From his early beginnings in Melbourne in the '60s, Ross quickly became part of the thriving local music scene. Inspired by blues records and armed with a harmonica, he joined his first band The Pink Finks while still at school, scoring a local chart hit with their version of Louie Louie . In an era when dance halls were packed with teenagers eager to hear live bands, Ross honed his craft performing night after night. After experimenting with original songwriting and travelling to England, Ross returned to Australia full of ideas. By '70 he formed Daddy Cool , a band that would change Australian rock forever. Their breakthrough hit “Eagle Rock” became a national phenomenon, spending weeks at number one and becoming one of the most iconic Australian songs ever recorded. Ross shares the fascinating story behind the creation of Eagle Rock — from the blues influences that inspired its riff to the unusual way the song was written across…

People in this episode

Host: Sandy Kaye

Guest: Ross Wilson

Topics covered

  • Australian rock music
  • music history
  • songwriting
  • band dynamics
  • music production

Keywords

  • Ross Wilson
  • Daddy Cool
  • Eagle Rock
  • Australian music
  • music producer
  • Skyhooks
  • rock history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Daddy Cool, Skyhooks

Books & works: Eagle Rock

Places: Melbourne

More episodes of '60s '70s '80s - Warm, Candid, Classic, Rock Interviews with Music Legends - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the '60s '70s '80s - Warm, Candid, Classic, Rock Interviews with Music Legends - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR podcast page.