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Rose Tattoo

Rose Tattoo

Rose Tattoo are an Australian rock and roll band, now led by Angry Anderson, which formed in Sydney in 1976. Their sound is hard rock mixed with blues rock influences, with songs including "Bad Boy for Love", "Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw", "Nice Boys", "We Can't Be Beaten" and "Scarred for Life". Their first four albums were produced by Harry Vanda and George Young who also worked with AC/DC. They disbanded in 1987, subsequently reforming briefly in 1993 to support Guns N' Roses on an Australian tour. They reassembled again from 1998 and have since released two more studio albums.

According to Australian rock music historian Ian McFarlane, Rose Tattoo are "one of the most revered bands of all time. The Tatts played peerless, street-level heavy blues with the emphasis on slide guitar and strident lyric statements". Guns N' Roses, L.A. Guns, Keel, Nashville Pussy, Motosierra, Pud Spuke, Helen Schneider, Skrewdriver, and the Uruguayan band the Knight's Night have covered Rose Tattoo songs. On 16 August 2006, they were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.

Seven former members have died including four of the early recording line-up, Dallas Royall (1991), Peter Wells (2006), Ian Rilen (2006), Lobby Loyde (2007), Mick Cocks (2009), Neil Smith (2013) and John Meyer (2020). Five of these died from cancer: Royall, Wells, Rilen, Loyde, and Cocks.

Albums

1978 Rose Tattoo
1981 Assault & Battery
1982 Scarred for Life
1984 Southern Stars
1986 Beats From a Single Drum
2002 Pain
2007 Blood Brothers
2020 Outlaws
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News / Music
Rose Tatto
Rose Tattoo To 'Wrap It Up' In 2026 After 50 Years Together
"We have achieved what we set out to achieve what to do," said frontman Angry Anderson. "At the end of the day if you can say that you are a lucky man.”
News / Music
Rose Tattoo / Southern Sons
Rose Tattoo, Southern Sons & More Join 2024 Airlie Beach Festival Of Music
The star-studded lineup also features Sweet, Pseudo Echo, Jebediah, Thirsty Merc, Christine Anu and more.
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Buckcherry Announce 2024 Australian Tour With Rose Tattoo
The tour will take in four cities across Australia next September.
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Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators Announce February 2024 Australian Tour
Get ready for nights that become the stuff of rock and roll legend.
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Rose Tattoo Announce New Guitarist
"His guitar skills are now highly regarded, his stage presence is charismatic."
News / Film & TV
Rose Tattoo To Recall Historic ‘93 Gig On TV Doco Airing Tonight
'Days Like These With Diesel' returns to ABC tonight.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Rose Tattoo, Dallas Crane
Anderson and his band take the audience back to a time when pub rock ruled the live music scene.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Guns N' Roses, Rose Tattoo
"This was GNR's night. A huge return; on time and matured, but still as good as ever."
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Rose Tattoo Drummer Allegedly Arrested In Firearms Raid
Police arrested three people this morning