Ready to rock

Andrew Mathieson
ROCK ‘n’ roll theatre is set to feature at Apollo Bay Music Festival in April with an impressive quartet of Aussie rockers.
Promoters said the Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Jam Session would tell the story of a day in 1956 when four of America’s top recording artists – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins – met and changed the face of popular music.
Sun Records boss Sam Phillips thought to switch on the recording equipment as the legends jammed together. The result was some chart-topping hits.
The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Jam Session show features Australian James Blundell, Nick Barker, Dave Larkin and Ezra Lee performing the music created on the fateful day.
The songs include Ghost Riders in the Sky, Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel, Great Balls of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues and See You later, Alligator.
Barker said the four pub-rockers in the Jam Session had “learnt a lot” about ‘50s rock music since the show begun in July.
“The day of this impromptu jam session was an incredible day – these guys were at the height of their powers,” he said.
“Rock ‘n’ roll started from such a small pocket of people. It’s really amazing how many great songs grew (from them).”
Barker said the group’s head-butting egos would keep audiences on their toes.
“I’m pretty confident the people of Apollo Bay will be very open to what we’re doing. We’ve shortened the show slightly for the festival to make it a bit snappier.
“All you’ve really got to do is sit down and the rest is up to us.”
The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Jam Session was created by the team who brought audiences Helpmann Award winning concert The Man in Black – The Johnny Cash Story.
The Apollo Bay Music Festival program also includes Zeptepi, The Wildes, The Ugly Uncles, Tango Mundo, Stonefield, Trailer Trash and Angie Hart.
Apollo Bay Music Festival runs from April 8 to 10.