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 ..............
well jitterbug you have said it all,what can anyone say,yes it was a brilliant day.only thing ive got to say is.its a shame that they dont block the car park off just to have the hot rods & customs cars on display on their own altogether,instead of having them spreaded around.other than that like you said jitts it was fanstatic.
Great post Jitterbug - very comprehensive and spot on. The Mrs & I went with some friends and we took two cars because both parties had indicated they could not stay long and didnt want to wreck the others day. Ten and a half hours later we were all still there, dancing drinking and enjoying the day. That I think gives a small indication as to what a great time it was. My congrats to the organisers, the bands and the venue operators.
Spot on comments guys and as always Jitterbug … your reviews have the main ingredients ... Fact, Flair, Fun and FairDinkumNess. That’s why they are a great read.
The inaugural Melbourne ‘Rockabilly Rampage’ at the Ferntree Gully Hotel surpassed all expectations. If Sunday arvos in Flanagan’s Bar at the ‘G’ is the church of rock, then … the ‘Rampage’ was Vatican City on Easter Sunday. The entertainment room was packed with punters of all denominations swinging off the different branches of the Rock & Roll tree. Sardine-tin city all day with miles & miles of rockabilly smiles.
A humongous turn up of fine-iron machines also saw the FTGH car park packed with admirers. A special thankyou to the venue managers who made the cash prizes available for the special interest vehicles. Winners were:-
Jeff – Baby blue 1952 Ford Convertible. ($150)
Mick – 1933 Ford Roadster. Silver in colour. ($50)
Warrick – Red flamed 1955 Ford Crown Victoria. (Slab of Vic)
Brett – Fully restored 1954 Chevrolet Sedan. Sporting all the jewellery. (Slab of Vic)
It’s always a pleasure to hear our local rockabilly bands sounding better than ever through a MOTHER sound system. Flatfoot Shakers, Lowriders, Atomic Hi-Tones, Firebird, Blackhill Ramblers, Detonators and Flyin’ Saucers … stand up and be saluted … you done us proud.
The Rusty Pinto Combo certainly lived up to their reputation. They delivered a 50’s style of R&B rockabilly with a difference. Rusty’s dynamic stage presence made this band a perfect drawcard for the Rockabilly Rampage.
Dancers were constantly bombarded with give away prizes from stall holders:- Atom Bomb Baby, Bradford Badges, Presstone Records, Colin’s rockin’ 50’s gear, Vivian Holloway, Lenny’s Shirts, Custom Garage & Flashy Bits. The best part of the day for me was catching up with interstate friends & experiencing yards n’ yards of group happiness. The attached pix are a small percentage of what I mean.
Sunday’s success was mainly achieved through the support of punters. The upcoming ‘Rockabilly Meltdown’ on the 24th August is a goer because of that support. A big thankyou to the instigators in Cliff & Maryann Jolly … another big event, perfectly executed and the main winners once again are the people in the Melbourne Rock & Roll scene.
PS. Hey Gag … glad you took that vid of the Rusty Pinto Combo. The YouTube menu has my fave Rusty song, ‘Deal with the Devil’. Just love rockabilly with slide guitar. Next Sunday 1st June - Flanagan's Bar FTGH - Blackhill Ramblers CD launch. 4-7pm.
Live & let Live, Love & let Love, Rock & let Roll, plus related clichés.
The bands, the hotel and staff, everyone who came with their cars or for the entertainment, everyone with stalls, Noel and Jackie for helping, Katia who kept checking if we needed help, Rob and Darrel for being Judges, Rod Quarrell the MC, Sound Man Bruce who is the king of never let you down and I cant leave out CLIFF and JAZZ the lets do it blokes.
The day just flew.
I never got to bed until 6 am Monday morning due to airport runs. I am still in recovery.
I haven't even looked at the photos I took.
Just like to throw in, what a nice bunch of people Rusty and his band were/are. Special thanks guys.
Back to normal this weekend though almost. The Blackhill Ramblers have their CD Launch. Another gig not to miss.
Coming up in August is the Rockabilly Meltdown with the Retro Rockets. Plans are in the pipline to make it a big weekend over a couple of days.
To MARY ANNE and CLIFF,you both put together a FANTASTIC! Weekend of entertainment.You both are a credit to the LIVE music scene in Melbourne.Thank you both from THE BLACKHILL RAMBLERS for including us in the weekend.......Shane BHR
Viva Rockabilly Rampage!!
Re: Viva Rockabilly Rampage!!
Re: Viva Rockabilly Rampage!!
Bookmarks