Whatever the recipe, it’s working!

Big congratulations to the Ferntree Gully Hotel, Cliff & Maryann who are the promoters, the bands, owners of hot rods and customs cars on display, the speciality merchandise outlets and, last but not least, all you punters who came to party ...............

The United Nations can finally stop spending $billions experimenting and trying to bring together nations and peoples in peace and goodwill. The “Rockabilly Rampage” held last Sunday is proof that with driving passions as the key ingredient, a huge melting pot of diverse interests groups can come together to celebrate music, dance, fashions, hot rods, friendships ............and yes, of life itself. How great is that!

Wasn’t it a fabulous day? It made my heart beat proud to see Baby Boomers and Generation X & Y coming together & mingling under the one roof thereby destroying the fallacy of the great generation divide in our society. Wasn’t it great also to see traditional rock & rollers and rockabilly afficionados rubbing shoulders and happily sharing the crowded dance floor all day and all night long? And the countless joy in partaking of the splendour of rockabilly fashions on parade.

What about the bands? What more can I say – in showcasing amongst the best in Australian rockabilly, Blues & Country Rock, their talents and flair abound and are limitless! There was something for everyone in the way they played - whether you enjoy dancing or just love the sound of rockabilly music like when the beat is racy. And, in my view, the Rusty Pinto Combo was the icing on the cake. The band has fantastic sound & vocal plus a very engaging stage presence too. I would love to see the band coming back to Melbourne to perform again.

The Ferntree Gully Hotel venue is just about perfect for the occasion. Lots of parking, excellent bar service and spacious but very cosy atmosphere. Would love a bigger dance floor but with the number of dancers on the day, I suppose even the wide open spaces of the MCG would struggle to fit them all in.

Lots and lots of happy but very tired punters by the end of the night, I am sure. However, like what our ex PM Bob Hawke remarked after Australia celebrated winning the America’s Cup ....... any bosses who didn’t give their employees a day off are real bastards! LOL Wouldn’t you agree it’s a price well worth paying for attending one of the premier rockabilly events in Australia?

Hey Cliff & Maryann – can’t wait for the “Rockabilly Rumble” to roll on in August. I ‘ll just have to remember to put in my diary for a sickie the day after, and hope my boss truly understands ..............