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