Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw

The song "Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw" by Rose Tattoo is a gritty anthem that captures the band's rebellious spirit and has become their signature track. Released on their 1978 debut album, Rose Tattoo, the song was produced by the legendary team of Harry Vanda and George Young at Albert Studios in Sydney. Its raw energy and defiant lyrics, like “All I need is a rock’n’roll band… somewhere new to play,” resonated with fans, making it a staple in their live performances. According to a 2020 statement from frontman Angry Anderson on Rose Tattoo’s Facebook, the song embodies the band’s ethos of “honouring the past and respecting the future,” which inspired their re-recording of the album as Outlaws in 2020, including three bonus tracks from their early days. Fans on Reddit have noted its AC/DC-like vibe, likely due to Vanda and Young’s production, with one user comparing the beat of another track, “The Butcher and Fast Eddy,” to AC/DC’s “She’s Got the Jack.” The song’s influence extends beyond Australia, having been covered by bands like Keel for the 1987 movie Dudes soundtrack and Nashville Pussy on their album High as Hell.

In a 2022 concert review by MetalTalk, the song closed a set at London’s Islington Assembly Hall, described as a “euphoric” moment that showcased the band’s enduring power. The music video for “Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw,” as detailed on IMDb, features a punk woman starting a jukebox in a diner, with the band performing against a stark white wall, emphasizing their no-frills attitude. On Rose Tattoo’s Instagram, posts from their 2020 European tour highlight the song’s role in electrifying crowds, with slide guitarist Dai Pritchard’s work adding a distinctive edge. A fan on the Rose Tattoo Fan Group on Facebook recalled seeing the band perform it live in the late ’70s at Sydney’s Bondi Lifesavers, describing Angry Anderson’s intensity as “like a human whirlwind.” The song’s chart success in Europe, peaking at No. 2 in France and No. 5 in Germany in 1981, solidified its status as a hard rock classic.

Rose Tattoo formed in Sydney in 1976, driven by slide guitarist Pete Wells, who wanted a tough, blues-infused hard rock band. Wells, inspired by the Rolling Stones, Faces, and Billy Thorpe’s Aztecs, recruited Ian Rilen on bass, whose street cred from learning to play in prison added grit to the lineup. Angry Anderson, formerly of Buster Brown, joined as vocalist, bringing his ferocious stage presence. The band’s early gigs, including a New Year’s Eve debut at Sydney’s Chequers club, caught the attention of AC/DC, who recommended them to Albert Productions. Their debut single, “Bad Boy for Love,” written by Rilen, hit No. 19 on Australia’s Kent Music Report in 1977, setting the stage for their self-titled album. Despite Rilen’s departure to form punk band X before the single’s release, the band solidified with Geordie Leach on bass and Mick Cocks on rhythm guitar. Their raw sound and relentless pub circuit performances made them a force alongside contemporaries like The Angels and Cold Chisel.

Over the years, Rose Tattoo has seen over two dozen members, with Anderson as the constant. The band’s influence on sleaze rock is undeniable, with RockHard crediting them, alongside Motörhead and Nazareth, as pioneers who paved the way for bands like Guns N’ Roses, who covered “Nice Boys” in 1986. Despite disbanding in 1987, they reformed multiple times, including a 1993 tour with Guns N’ Roses and a steady run since 1998. Their official website, rosetattoo.com.au, offers tour updates and merchandise, while their X account shares live clips and fan interactions. Fans can connect on the Rose Tattoo Fan Group or visit Classic Rock Forums for discussions. Despite lineup changes and tragedies, including the deaths of Wells, Rilen, and Cocks, Rose Tattoo remains a legendary act, still rocking stages worldwide.