Georges River Sailing Club will host a very special show at the club to commemorate Anzac Day featuring a pioneer of Australian rock 'n' roll.
Digger Revell is celebrating his 60th anniversary in show business and, together with The Rebels Band, is issuing a special invitation to all local Viet diggers to join him for this very special Anzac Day celebration at the sailing club.
Digger did more tours of war torn Vietnam, than any other entertainer, worldwide - 15 tours, over 3 1/2 years entertaining both Aussie and American troops.
While in Vietnam, an American Colonel was so impressed with Digger's shows, he arranged for Digger and his band to do a few shows in the US.
They expected a 4-6 week run. So successful were these Aussies, they stayed just over three years touring 38 states.
In America, Digger performed with Ike and Tina Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Guy Mitchell, Fats Domino, B.B.King, and Anne Margaret.
After the show, Digger said he eagerly looked forward to enjoying a few ales and reminiscing over these adventures and many more.
The Sixties rock and roll singer, who was a regular of Bandstand and The Johnny O'Keefe Show, has led an eventful life having pled guilty in 2001 to defrauding the Commonwealth of $93,000 in tax while serving a 12-month sentence over the discovery of a marijuana plantation at his home.
While in jail he formed a band to help entertain fellow pensioners.
I love the shows even more today
- Digger Revell
The club will be rocking to 60s classics, rockabilly, country ballads, with tributes to Al Jolson, Elvis, Kenny Rogers, Buddy Holly and Johnny O'Keefe.
Speaking from his acreage at Carool, in the Tweed Valley Digger said ''they just won't let me retire''.
''After each show, I think that is it, now more time to look after my lovely daughter Chantilly and my six dogs. But, then the phone rings, and I'm back on the road.
''Gotta admit, I love the shows even more today, and for some reason at near 76, I am entertaining better than ever.
''My Al Jolson segment normally receives a standing ovation and this gives me a huge buzz ".
Digger's show at the sailing club will feature some special songs dedicated to the memory of the young Aussie Viet Diggers, who did not make it home.
- Digger Revell, Thursday, April 25, at the Georges River Sailing Club from noon to 3 pm.
