21 Recently we were at the Redlands Performing Art Complex for the “Rocketman in Concert” show. Greg Andrew and his band performing an elegantly styled Elton John show as a dedicated tribute. If you’re ever short of a conversation starter at your next cocktail party - try this: Is it harder for an artist to create a show dedicated to a living artist - and risk savage comparison, or trot out a hackneyed safe show - and risk personal credibility? Don’t stress, there’s no right answer- just one common word in the list of conditions for both cases. Reviewed by 101FM Radio Presenter Stu Robertson www.101fm.com.au | Photography by Michelle Cop (MC Photography) MUSIC REVIEW: It’s YOUR Song! Normie was the first King Of Pop. He was far and away, Australia’s most successful pop idol during the explosion of pop music and fashion in the mid-60s. He released a string of hits that are an important contribution to the soundtrack of the Baby Boomer generation . “Que Sera Sera”, “Shakin’ All Over”, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, “It’s Not Easy” and “Ooh La La”, among them, along with a constant media frenzy produced fan hysteria unseen before or since for an Australian artist. At the peak of his popularity, Normie was called up for Army service. He served in Vietnam and on his return, found that his earlier success was of little value. He started again in the tough but educational Sydney Leagues club circuit working with big bands. At the same time, he was studying acting and honing his vocal skills. The former led to a long running part in the TV series “Sons & Daughters”. The combination of both led to his critically acclaimed role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. His repertoire is drawn from the breadth of this extraordinary performing career. Normie Rowe AO is an Australian treasure and the consummate entertainer. The Story So Far…will provide a soundtrack and insights into an ever-cheerful life filled with exhilarating highs and shattering lows. Enjoy! TO ENTER - EMAIL: info@localnewsletters.com with NORMIE ROWE in the subject line. Please include your name, address and phone number in the email. Entries close 28.08.2025 Winners will be notified by email. WIN A DOUBLE PASS Sunday 7 September @ 2.30PM TWIN TOWNS SHOW ROOM 2 Wharf St, Tweed Heads book online www.twintowns.com.au Within the two 45-minute sets, the audience participation was highly spontaneous. It came from an overflowing joy of the familiar sounds. A time when they considered songs had memorable tunes and their words had deeper meaning. Greg, singing as Sir Elton, and his stadium quality band met that need. Their timing is surgically knife-edged, we’re talking about roadhoned experience day in, and night out. Congos and bongos fused with the drums and formed a solid power train under these classic hits. Visually, audibly with almost tangible ambience, the stage filled with plenty to entertain. The whole back screen graphics at RPAC illuminated the essence of each song sung. This Rocketman Show is so good. Saturday Night is more than Alright, and Sir Elton would be quietly pleased. www.gregandrew.com.au It’s not necessarily Looks (it helps by suspending disbelief), neither Clothing (a cunning eyecandy diversion technique) nor Choreography. (Slows the boredom factor down). It is Talent. Greg Andrew’s cracking pianoplaying pace is nothing short of talented precision, operating at a phenomenal speed and being constantly reinforced by the band members. Greg, by no accident, but by being attuned to years of audience feedback, plays only the more familiar hits of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The repertoire included: “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues”; “Benny and the Jets”; “Philadelphia Freedom”; “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”; “Candle in the Wind”; “Club at the End of the Street” – and basically, I stopped listing after this. He’s mindful that internationally, some countries charted different tunes in the Top 10 range.
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