The Queensbridge Hotel hosted the inaugural Rock For The Roses benefit on October 31, 2004.

Australia's finest musicians, including Rose Tattoo, Tex Perkins, Don Walker & Charlie Owen, Penny Ikinger, Jerome Smith and Ronimo, The Screaming Jets, Bomba, The Knockabouts, The Kelly Gang, Rob Draper, Ross Wilson and The Urban Legends, New Bedlam, Girl Pilot and Steve Romig rocked for the roses. These incredibly gifted artists donated their time and talents for this very worthy cause.

Those in attendance were gobsmacked by jazz legend Wilbur Wilde, who did double duty as our twilight hours emcee and also played his extraordinary saxaphone during a scorching renditon of Rose Tattoo's Bad Boy For Love, with his mate Angry Anderson.

Sally 'Dr Feelgood' Cockburn was our Fairy Rockmother for this event, helping raise public awareness and funds for Rock For The Roses via her wonderful bedside manner. Sally went above and beyond the call of duty to let everyone know how important this cause is and made many new friends, even impressing each member of The Knockabouts, one of whom called her "a righteous chick and genuine rock goddess!"

And of course, Ms Tracy Harvey, our midday emcee and hostess with the mostest had the crowd in stitches and proved once again that she really does have more gum than the whole of Australia! Even the coolest ever rock daddy Ross Wilson couldn't resist that smile and Tracy managed to coaxed him back to the stage for an encore that brought the house down!

Funkmasters Jerome Smith & Ronimo added a full on funk rock performance that even James Brown wouldn't have walked away from and Nicky Bomba and crew showed one and all how reggae ought to sound. They don't call Nicky 'The Pied Piper of Percussion' for nothing! Steve Romig also put in one of the finest performances on the night, and he too was joined by Wilbur Wilde.

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the promoters of Rock For The Roses regarding the last minute venue change, the Resin Dogs were unable to perform - but they showed up anyway to support Rock For The Roses. We'll invite them again next year and will make sure they have an extra large time slot allocated for their supa blend of hiphop and Aussiefied rap!

Dave Gleeson and The Screaming Jets were in a league all their own on the night and played as if their very lives depended on it, delivering a full on stadium performance for the intimate crowd that gathered at the Queensbridge Hotel.

Newcomers Rob Draper, The Josh Owen Band, Girl Pilot and The Knockabouts played sets worthy of musicians with many more years experience and gained new fans, as did indie darlings New Bedlam, who impressed with their artistry, musicianship and dynamic performances.

Penny Ikinger and band showed the boys what she's made of with her fantastic guitar and pedal work, and her sultry gifts as a songbird. She was absolutely incredible, performing works from her highly acclaimed Electra CD.

The Kelly Gang charmed all within earshot with their excellent set, which included the sleeper indie hit Snakecharmer. We hope they will join us again next year for more of the same. No wonder everybody's talking about these guys!

Tex, Don and Charlie made that bitersweet and lonesome sound that only they can make and left a rapt audience begging for more and hanging out for their upcoming new CD. As Jerome Smith (Musical Director and Musician) said later backstage "They are just so good at that thing that they do. I don't know what it's called, but I know no one else can do it."

If you didn't see the show this year, you're in for a treat next year when Rock For The Roses goes national!

Stay tuned for further info....

ROCK FOR THE ROSES IS COMING IN 2005 TO A VENUE NEAR YOU!

CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AT www.rockfortheroses.com.au

Rock For The Roses on GMA Friday 8 Oct!
Bert and Patti's Hearts & Heroes segment on Friday, 8 October announced the FANTASTIC GIFT of AIRFARES FOR 30 PERFORMERS AND CREW COURTESY OF VIRGIN BLUE worth around $16,000! Thank you, Bert and Patti, and thank you so much, Virgin Blue.

Rock For The Roses
in the Herald Sun
September 11, 2004
(click pic to read story in new window)

Rock For The Roses
on the ABC with Jon Faine
On September 3, the ABC's Jon Faine had Karen Conrad as a guest at a live broadcast from Oakleigh Shopping Centre and discussed Rock For The Roses for nearly 15 minutes.

For latest news visit www.rockfortheroses.com.au
For more on CF Victoria, go to www.cfv.org.au