Angry Anderson

Angry Anderson, born Gary Anderson in 1947, grew up in Coburg in Melbourne. After leaving school and trying various professions (including a clothes cutter), he decided to pursue his love of rock n roll mostly through the Melbourne pub scene with bands called Primitive and the Peace, Power and Purity. Angry wanted to play guitar but by accident defaulted to lead singer (he had the best voice out of all of them). It was also at this time that Gary Anderson became Angry Anderson after a fight in a Melbourne pub. One of those involved started talking about an angry ant, so Angry was born.

Angry tasted fame with the band Buster Brown which created a mod and skin head pub movement, and provided an alternative to the soppy pop ballads that were popular at the time. Buster quickly developed a reputation as one of Melbourne's extreme over-the-top bands, with their unpredictable stage act creating addictive viewing. Buster Brown recorded one album, Something to say, for Mushroom Records. Angry wrote all the lyrics with the exception of a cover of 'Roll over Beethoven'. Buster Brown disintegrated, Angry formed a short-lived band with guitar legend Lobby Lloyde.

Angry then moved to Sydney to form Rose Tattoo, the band playing their first gig on January 1, 1976 at Chequers nightclub. For many years Rose Tattoo, fronted by Angry, were seen as the archetypal bad boys of Australian rock 'n' roll, which attracted a like-minded audience. As well as having a consistent and obsessive following, Angry and Rose Tattoo toured throughout Europe, the U.K., and the U.S. Rose Tattoo recorded multiple records with titles like Bad boy for love, Scarred for life, Stuck on you, Assault and battery, We can't be beaten and Rock 'n' roll outlaw.

After the U.S. tour Rose Tattoo disbanded and Angry dabbled in cinema and TV (Ray Martin Midday Show). In 1986 Angry had the biggest hit record of his career, a song called 'Suddenly' which he'd written for his wife. When 'Suddenly' was first released it was moderately successful at best, but then it was chosen as the song for the wedding of the decade - the Neighbours TV show wedding of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. 'Suddenly' catapulted to the top of the Australian charts, and to number two on the U.K. charts. Angry landed the role of Herod in the record breaking Jesus Christ Superstar - the concert in 1992.

During 1993 Angry and Rose Tattoo reformed and toured nationally with Guns 'N Roses who admitted in interviews that the Tatts had been one of their favourite and most inspirational bands. The tour played to in excess of ten,000 people each night. In July and August 1998 the available original members of Rose Tattoo reformed to tour nationally with The Angels on the All Hell Breaks Loose Tour.

Countdown appearances

• 1982 Countdown Rock awards
• 1st may 1982 Angry presents award on show.
• 14th December 1986 show 539 Molly interviews Angry Anderson re rose tattoo's new album and pub tour.
• Countdown tenth anniversary show
• 27th October 1984 20th March 1983 episode 363 Angry’s concert reviewed on Humdrum
• Countdown Show 531, 19th October 1986, Countdown hosted by Angry Anderson and Joe Cocker (no studio audience)
• 7th July 1985, episode 469 this show was hosted by Angry Anderson (wearing his costume from feature film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
• Countdown Show 562 on 12th July 1987, 'Suddenly' is aired

Since then and all throughout his life Angry has continued to be a massive supporter and ambassador for many charities. He has won multiple awards for his amazing work organisations such as Prince Of Wales Children's Hospital, Camperdown Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and Bear Cottage. Odyssey House, Canteen, Camp Quality, N.A.P.C.A.N, Amnesty, Greenpeace, The Starlight Foundation, and the Make A Wish Foundation.