Ross Wilson

Ross Wilson

pop

About

Ross "The Boss" Wilson inhabits a venerable place in Australia's rock pantheon alongside the likes of John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, and Billy Thorpe during a career that has spanned four decades. Starting with the R&B outfit the Pink Fink in 1965, he then fronted the Party Machine until 1969 before travelling to the U.K. to join the ailing band Procession. He returned to Australia in 1970 and joined Sons of the Vegetal Mother which soon transformed into the highly successful Daddy Cool. The band's debut, Daddy Who? Daddy Cool!, and the Wilson-penned single "Eagle Rock" both reached number one on the national Australian charts. Wilson broke up Daddy Cool in August 1972 to form a new band, Mighty Kong. He then performed as Cousin Kevin in the Australian production of the Who's Tommy along with other Australian performers including Billy Thorpe, Daryl Braithwaite, and Colleen Hewett. Mighty Kong broke up in December 1973 and Wilson reformed Daddy Cool in January 1974; this time the band lasted until September 1975. Wilson began producing other acts, including albums for groundbreaking fellow Australian rockers the Skyhooks. His work on Living in the 70s, Ego is Not a Dirty Word, and Straight in a Gay Gay World sealed his reputation and he served as producer for albums by Company Caine, Ray Burgess, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, Gary Young, the Dynamic Hypnotics, the Johnnys, as well as the Street Hero soundtrack. Teaming up with Little River Band manager Glenn Wheatley, Wilson set up his own record label, Oz Records, which successfully released music by his band Mondo Rock, as well as the Sports, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, Stiletto, and Mark Gillespie. His solo career was launched with the single "Living in the Land of Oz" in August 1976. The track was featured in the film Oz and later appeared on the Various Artists album Building Bridges in 1989. Wilson's band Mondo Rock went on to become one of the most popular Australian acts of the '80s, and during this time, he also performed with a side project called Rockhouse. In 1983 he wrote and produced the hit single "Bop Girl" for his wife Pat Wilson which peaked at number two on the national charts. In 1988, Wilson was inducted into the Australian Record Industry Association's (ARIA) Hall of Fame. After more than 20 years in the business, Wilson released his debut solo album, Dark Side of the Man, in July 1989. The album peaked at number 24 nationally and the most successful single was "Bed of Nails" which peaked at number 24. Working again with Mondo Rock, their 1990 album Why Fight It? wasn't as successful as their previous work and Wilson broke up the band to work with new project RAW in 1991. The band toured until it dissolved in 1993. Wilson then released a cover of Spencer P. Jones "The World's Got Everything in It" for the Various Artists album Earth Music in June 1994. He continued to produce and appeared with the Angels during their 1997 Lounge Lizards Tour. ~ Brendan Swift, Rovi

Upcoming events

  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Campbelltown Catholic Club
    Sat 03.10.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Campbelltown Catholic Club
    Ross Wilson @ Campbelltown Catholic Club
    Campbelltown Catholic Club
    Sat 03.10.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Avoca Beach Theatre
    Ross Wilson @ Avoca Beach Theatre
    Avoca Beach Theatre
    Sun 04.10.2026 13:30
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  • Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks - 50 Years of Hits | Avoca Beach Theatre
    Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks - 50 Years of Hits | Avoca Beach Theatre
    Avoca Beach Theatre
    Sun 04.10.2026 13:30
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  • Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks: Now Listen! We’re Steppin’ Out! - 50 Years Of Hits Tour - Healesville
    Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks: Now Listen! We’re Steppin’ Out! - 50 Years Of Hits Tour - Healesville
    233-235 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
    Fri 09.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson @ The Memo Healesville
    Ross Wilson @ The Memo Healesville
    The Memo, Healesville
    Fri 09.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    The Memo, Healesville
    Fri 09.10.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Wendouree Performing Arts Centre
    Ross Wilson @ Wendouree Performing Arts Centre
    The Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts
    Sat 10.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts
    Sat 10.10.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    The Events Centre
    Fri 16.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson @ Kings Theatre
    Ross Wilson @ Kings Theatre
    Kings Theatre
    Sat 17.10.2026 05:30
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  • SOUNDS OF ROCK - Townsville
    SOUNDS OF ROCK - Townsville
    Reid Park, Townsville
    Sat 17.10.2026 12:00
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Lefty's Old Time Music Hall
    Sun 18.10.2026 15:00
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  • Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks: Now Listen! We’re Steppin’ Out! - 50 Years Of Hits Tour - Lefty's
    Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks: Now Listen! We’re Steppin’ Out! - 50 Years Of Hits Tour - Lefty's
    Lefty's Music Hall
    Sun 18.10.2026 15:00
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Belmont 16s Sailing Club
    Fri 30.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson @ BELMONT 16s
    Ross Wilson @ BELMONT 16s
    Belmont 16s
    Fri 30.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson @ Nelson Bay Diggers
    Ross Wilson @ Nelson Bay Diggers
    Nelson Bay Diggers
    Sat 31.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Wests Nelson Bay
    Sat 31.10.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Sooki Lounge
    Fri 06.11.2026 19:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre
    Ross Wilson @ Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre
    Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre
    Fri 13.11.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Yarraville Live
    Sat 14.11.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Yarraville Club
    Ross Wilson @ Yarraville Club
    Yarraville Club
    Sat 14.11.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
    Ross Wilson @ Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
    Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
    Sun 15.11.2026 15:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
    Sun 15.11.2026 16:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Horsham Town Hall
    Ross Wilson @ Horsham Town Hall
    Horsham Town Hall
    Fri 27.11.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson @ The Capital
    Ross Wilson @ The Capital
    The Capital
    Sat 28.11.2026 19:30
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  • Ross Wilson
    Ross Wilson
    The Capital
    Sat 28.11.2026 20:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Cardinia Cultural Centre
    Ross Wilson @ Cardinia Cultural Centre
    Cardinia Cultural Centre
    Sun 29.11.2026 15:30
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  • Ross Wilson @ Bird's Basement
    Ross Wilson @ Bird's Basement
    BIRDS BASEMENT
    Thu 03.12.2026 18:00
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  • Ross Wilson @ Bird's Basement
    Ross Wilson @ Bird's Basement
    BIRDS BASEMENT
    Fri 04.12.2026 18:00
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  • SOUNDS OF ROCK - Wollongong
    SOUNDS OF ROCK - Wollongong
    Bulli Showground
    Sat 05.12.2026 12:30
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