NOT your usual tribute show but a salute to the frenetic, hard rocking, theatrical concerts that have gone before it - that’s Trilogy of Rock.
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Anyone who hasn’t seen one or more of Jon English’s three belters - The Rock Show, Rock Show More, and Rock Revolution - now has the chance to get a smattering of all three and more, in the one epic concert.
“It’s the best of,” English says.
The first show The Rock Show, picked up the 2012 Mo Award for Best Rock Act and was nominated for an ARIA for best sound track.
English and the gang repeated their Mo success in 2013 for Rock Show More, and in 2014 earned an ACE Award for Best Original Performer for Rock Revolution.
The Hampstead England born rocker who is in his mid-60s says age is relative.
He certainly still performs with the energy of a twenty-something, which he has to in order to keep up with his eight-piece band.
Together they present a mammoth collection of classic rock hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s in a 2 1/2 hour concert with just a 20 minute interval.
Legendary bands The Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Eagles, The Easybeats, The Doors, Deep Purple, The Kinks, and The Mamas and the Papas are all part of the bill.
Soloists Janis Joplin, Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, David Bowie and duo Simon and Garfunkel also make the hit list in the show.
English has his favourites.
“It’s so relaxed and a lot of fun, but I really enjoy the protest songs of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi.
“And Alice Cooper - I like the hat,” he says of his costume change.
The reason for the Trilogy of Rock is simple - “everyone sort of wanted it”.
“We rejigged and added a few bits and it all came together.”
Of his own songs included in the show his favourite is Six Ribbons.
He thinks people will enjoy the Woodstock bit.
“It’s a lot of fun, but I won’t give too much away so it will be a surprise,” English says.
“Suffice to say you’ll know all of them [songs].”
One of the things he likes about doing the shows with the talented young musicians is spreading the love of music.
“People bring their kids along and they see young ones up there playing the music, so it must be okay.”
English has a lot on his schedule for this year and next with a set of concerts alongside Peter Couples, the original Foster Brothers and he will be acting in an Aussie thriller being filmed in late November.
“If it starts getting old I’ll stop,” he says. “I get energy from the audience.”
He is looking forward to the gigs on the Mid-North Coast.
“Especially Sawtell, so I can go home afterwards.”
By the way, the show in Port might be filmed for a DVD or pay TV, “so wear your good clobber”, says English.
Jon English will perform at the Glasshouse on Friday night.