A short ..but sharp interview with '60's Aussie music icon, drummer Dave Rowlands.

Janice: Dave we finally met up in person a few years ago after  conversing via social media.  You have a history that shares the same era as myself along with a fellow musician who was in one of the earlier bands that I sang in 'The In People', none other than guitarist, Chris Brown.....how did you first meet up?

Dave: We first met when my family moved to Engadine in the Southern part of Sydney. We were 8 years of age.  We became good friends and a few years later we started playing music and singing. 

Our very first public performance was in our high school auditorium during a lunch break. Chris played piano and I played guitar and sang in a rendition of I Wanna Be Your Man by the Rolling Stones. 

Phil Jones and The Unknown Blues 1967

Vaughan Bros - keyboards, Phil Jones - vocals,

Dave Rowlands - drums, Chris Brown - guitar,

Bill Hodgkisson - bass and Ian Sullivan - backing vocals/sax/flute

Janice: Dave tell us about the reformation of the Unknown Blues for the 2011 Bluesfest.

Who was on the lineup on that festival with you?

Dave: In 2010 I contacted Phil Jones in the US and Chris Brown with the view of reforming the band. 

Our original keyboard player and bass player were not available. Ian Sullivan, who filled in for Phil who was hospitalised after the release of our hit single If I Had A Ticket, was integral to the reforming of the band. 

Chris arranged for replacement musicians to complete the line up. 

We secured a place on the bill of the 2011 Byron Bluesfest with side gigs in Sydney.

 Ian Sullivan and I made the necessary arrangements to get Phil over from the US and to secure our side gigs in Sydney. 

Janice:  Tell us a little more about that gig Dave. 

Dave: Bluesfest Director, Peter Noble introduced us to the audience as “the first blues band in Australia to have a hit record.” 

We were blown away by the huge number of people who sang along with our songs. After our show people came up to us and told us how good we sounded.

Janice:  I believe you were in good company on that festival. 

Dave: Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Elvis Costello, Jethro, Leon Russell, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band, Mavis Staples, Little Feat, Eric Bibb and Tony Joe White

Our Bluesfest lineup was: 

Phil Jones vocals,

Ian Sullivan backing vocals and sax,

Chris Brown lead guitar and backing vocals,

Krishna Jones second guitar,

Mitchell Anderson keyboards and backing vocals,

Harry Brus bass,

Malcolm Wakeford drums, and

Dave Rowlands drums 

https://www.candomusos.com/profile-dave-rowlands.php

https://music.apple.com/au/artist/phil-jones-the-unknown-blues/428885320

https://www.discogs.com/artist/3338570-Phil-Jones-And-The-Unknown-Blues

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayers_Rock_(band)