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List of Rose Tattoo members

Three line-ups of Rose Tattoo performing in 1993, 2018, 2022.

Rose Tattoo are an Australian rock and roll band, founded by slide guitarist Pete Wells in 1976, lead vocalist Tony Lake, rhythm guitarist Leigh Johnston, bassist Ian Rilen, and drummer Michael Vandersluys completed the bands first line-up. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Angry Anderson (since 1976), drummer Paul DeMarco (who first joined in 1992), bassist Mark Evans (since 2017) and guitarists Mick Arnold and Ronnie Simmons (both since 2022).

History

Rose Tattoo were formed in Sydney in 1976 with Leigh Johnston on rhythm guitar, Tony Lake on lead vocals and they were led by slide guitarist Peter Wells. Drummer Michael Vandersluys completed the line-up.[1][2][3] Ian Rilen from Band of Light soon joined on bass guitar,[3][4] guitarist Mick Cocks soon replaced Johnston.[3] Lake and Vandersluys were substituted by former Buster Brown members Angry Anderson and Dallas "Digger" Royall, respectively.[3]

in 1977 Rillen departed, Buster Brown bass guitarist Geordie Leach was recruited to record their self-titled debut LP, Rose Tattoo. Leach left the band in May 1979 and was replaced by Neil Smith,[5] before Lobby Loyde joined in October.[1] By September 1980, Loyde had left and Leach returned.[1]

Robin Riley replaced Cocks in 1982. In 1983, after the US tour, Riley, Royall and Wells all left. The remaining duo of Anderson and Leach recruited guitarists Greg Jordan and John Meyer, and drummer Scott Johnston. After recording 1984's Southern Stars, Leach left and the band went on a brief hiatus while Anderson pursued acting.

In 1985, Rose Tattoo returned with the line-up of Anderson, Johnston, Meyer, Andy Cichon (bass, piano) and Tim Gaze (slide guitar), Meyer left in 1986 and the remaining line-up recorded Beats from a Single Drum. Cichon left in late 1986 and was replaced by Jake Lardot (bass) and Rick Melick (keys) before the band disbanded in 1987.[1]

In the early 1990s, Anderson tried to reunite Rose Tattoo, but Dallas Royall died in 1991.[6] Rose Tattoo supported Guns N' Roses on the Australian leg of their Use Your Illusion Tour. Anderson, Wells, Cocks, Leach were joined by new drummer, Paul DeMarco, from Wells' solo band reunited for the 1993 tour. The reunion was brief as each returned to solo projects.[1]

Rose Tattoo, with original bassist Ian Rilen replacing Leach, reformed yet again in 1998 for the "All Hell Breaks Loose!!" tour, however Rilen remained with the band only for the duration of this tour. By the following year, Leach had returned to the fold once more, although his place was taken by Steve King in 2000, around the same time Cocks departed and was replaced by a returning Riley.

In 2002, Wells was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, but he continued to perform with Rose Tattoo,[7] although he was subbed in 2004 by Dai Pritchard.[8] Wells died on 27 March 2006, Cocks returned in 2005, with Riley moving onto slide guitar in Wells absence.[9] Mick O'Shea briefly replaced DeMarco in 2006.[10] Dai Pritchard returned in 2007, replacing Riley, alongside Leach, replacing King.[11] Mick Cocks died of liver cancer on 22 December 2009,[12] he had previously been subbed by Riley who stayed after his death,[13] until his departure in 2011. Guitarist Randall Waller joined as Riley's replacement, Geordie Leach left in 2013.[14] Rose Tattoo were inactive following the arrest and imprisonment of drummer Paul DeMarco.[15]

The band returned in 2017, with Anderson and Pritchard joined by bassist Mark Evans, guitarist Bob Spencer, and drummer John Watson.[16] Watson was replaced by Jackie Barnes in 2018,[17] Barnes was replaced by Justin Ngariki in 2019,[18] who had previously subbed for him in 2018.[19] Pritchard departed in April 2021.[20]

In 2022 the band were joined by Mick Arnold on slide guitar and returning Paul DeMarco on drums.[21] Bob Spencer departed in late 2022 and was replaced by Ronnie Simmons.[22]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Rose Tattoo - 2022216180159 2022-08-04 Wacken - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1483 - AK8I4332.jpg
Angry Anderson
  • 1976–1987
  • 1992–1993
  • 1998–present
lead vocals all releases
Rose Tattoo - 2022216180529 2022-08-04 Wacken - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1451 - B70I3342.jpg
Paul DeMarco
  • 1992–1993
  • 1998–2014
  • 2021–present
drums
  • 25 to Life (2000)
  • Pain (2002)
  • Blood Brothers (2007)
Rose Tattoo - 2022216180151 2022-08-04 Wacken - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1465 - AK8I4314.jpg
Mark Evans 2017–present
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
Outlaws (2020)
Rose Tattoo - 2022216180704 2022-08-04 Wacken - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1571 - B70I3462.jpg
Mick Arnold 2022–present
  • slide guitar
  • backing vocals
none to date
Ronnie Simmons
  • guitar
  • backing vocals

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Peter Wells
  • 1976–1983
  • 1992–1993
  • 1998–2006 (died 2006)
  • slide guitar
  • vocals
  • bass guitar
Tony Lake 1976 lead vocals none
Michael "Stork" Vandersluys drums
Leigh Johnston
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Ian Rilen
  • 1976–1977
  • 1998 (died 2006)
  • bass guitar
  • vocals
Rose Tattoo (1978)
Rose Tattoo 2.jpg
Mick Cocks
  • 1976–1982
  • 1992–1993
  • 1998–2000
  • 2005–2009 (died 2009)
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Rose Tattoo (1978)
  • Assault & Battery (1981)
  • Blood Brothers (2007)
Dallas "Digger" Royall 1976–1983 (died 1991) drums
  • all releases from Rose Tattoo (1978) to Scarred for Life (1982)
  • Tatts – Live in Brunswick (2017)
"Rose Tattoo live @ Enmore Theatre (5661521140).jpg
Gordon "Geordie" Leach
  • 1977–1979
  • 1980–1984
  • 1992–1993
  • 1999
  • 2007–2013
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
  • all releases from Rose Tattoo (1978) to Southern Stars (1984)
  • Tatts – Live in Brunswick (2017)
Neil Smith 1979 (died 2013) bass guitar none
Lobby Loyde 1979–1980 (died 2007)
Robin Riley
  • 1982–1983
  • 2000–2006
  • 2009–2011
  • guitar
  • slide guitar (2005–2006)
  • Scarred for Life (1982)
  • 25 to Life (2000)
  • Pain (2002)
  • Tatts – Live in Brunswick (2017)
Scott Johnston 1983–1987
  • drums
  • backing vocals
  • Southern Stars (1984)
  • Beats from a Single Drum (1986)
John Meyer 1983–1985 (died 2020) guitar Southern Stars (1984)
Greg Jordan 1983–1985
  • slide guitar
  • guitar
Tim Gaze 1985–1987 Beats from a Single Drum (1986)
Andy Cichon.jpg
Andy Cichon 1985–1986
  • bass guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Rick Melick 1987 keyboards none
Jake Lardot bass guitar
Rose Tattoo .jpg
Steve King 2000–2007
  • 25 to Life (2000)
  • Pain (2002)
  • Blood Brothers (2007)
Rose Tattoo - Werner Rennen 2018 01.jpg
Dai Pritchard
  • 2004
  • 2007–2021
slide guitar
  • Blood Brothers (2007)
  • Outlaws (2020)
Mick O'Shea 2005 drums none
Randall Waller 2013–2016 guitar
Rose Tattoo - 2019212224200 2019-07-31 Wacken - 0537 - B70I5569.jpg
Bob Spencer 2017–2022 Outlaws (2020)
John Watson 2017–2018 drums none
Rose Tattoo - Werner Rennen 2018 31.jpg
Jackie Barnes 2018–2019 Outlaws (2020)
Justin Ngariki
  • 2018
  • 2019–2021
none

Timeline

Line-ups

Period Members Releases
early 1976
  • Tony Lake – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar, bass guitar
  • Leigh Johnston – guitar
  • Michael Vandersluys – drums
none
  • Tony Lake – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Leigh Johnston – guitar
  • Michael Vandersluys – drums
  • Ian Rilen – bass guitar
  • Tony Lake – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Michael Vandersluys – drums
  • Ian Rilen – bass guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
mid 1976 – 1977
1977 – May 1979
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dallas "Digger" Royall – drums
  • Geordie Leach – bass guitar
  • Rose Tattoo (1978) remaining tracks
May – October 1979
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dallas "Digger" Royall – drums
  • Neil Smith – bass guitar
none
October 1979 – September 1980
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dallas "Digger" Royall – drums
  • Lobby Loyde – bass guitar
September 1980 – 1982
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dallas "Digger" Royall – drums
  • Geordie Leach – bass guitar
1982 – 1983
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dallas "Digger" Royall – drums
  • Geordie Leach – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – guitar
1983 – 1984
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Geordie Leach – bass guitar
  • Greg Jordan – slide guitar
  • John Meyer – guitar
  • Scott Johnston – drums
1985 – 1986
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • John Meyer – guitar
  • Scott Johnston – drums
  • Tim Gaze – slide guitar
  • Andy Cichon – bass guitar, piano
none
1986
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Scott Johnston – drums, backing vocals
  • Tim Gaze – slide guitar, guitar
  • Andy Cichon – bass guitar, piano, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Beats from a Single Drum (1986)
1987
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Scott Johnston – drums
  • Tim Gaze – slide guitar, guitar
  • Jake Lardot – bass guitar
  • Rick Melick – keyboards
none
Inactive 1987 – 1992
1992 – 1993
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Geordie Leach – bass guitar
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
none
Inactive 1993 – 1998
1998
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Ian Rillen – bass guitar
none
1999
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Geordie Leach – bass guitar
2000 – 2004
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Steve King – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – guitar
  • 25 to Life (2000)
  • Pain (2002)
2004
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Steve King – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – guitar
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar (substitute)
none
2004 – 2005
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Steve King – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – guitar
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
2005
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Steve King – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – guitar
  • Peter Wells – slide guitar
  • Mick O'Shea – drums (substitute)
2005 – 2006
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Steve King – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – slide guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
2006 – 2007
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Steve King – bass guitar
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Blood Brothers (2007)
2007 – 2009
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Mick Cocks – guitar
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Georgie Leach – bass guitar
none
2009 – 2011
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Georgie Leach – bass guitar
  • Robin Riley – guitar
2011 – 2013
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Georgie Leach – bass guitar
  • Randall Waller – guitar
Inactive 2013 – 2017
2017 – 2018
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Bob Spencer – guitar
  • Mark Evans – bass guitar
  • John Watson – drums
none
2018 – 2019
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Bob Spencer – guitar
  • Mark Evans – bass guitar
  • Jackie Barnes – drums
  • Outlaws (2020)
2019 – 2021
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Dai Pritchard – slide guitar
  • Bob Spencer – guitar
  • Mark Evans – bass guitar
  • Justin Ngariki – drums
none
2022
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Bob Spencer – guitar
  • Mark Evans – bass guitar
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Mick Arnold – slide guitar
2022 – present
  • Angry Anderson – lead vocals
  • Mark Evans – bass guitar
  • Paul DeMarco – drums
  • Mick Arnold – slide guitar
  • Ronnie Simmons – guitar
none to date

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Encyclopedia entry for 'Rose Tattoo'". whammo. Archived from the original on 1 September 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Australian Rock Database - Rose Tattoo". 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Trove - Archived webpage". Trove. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. ^ Creswell, Toby; Fabinyi, Martin (2000). The Real Thing: Adventures in Australian Rock & Roll. Australia: Random House Australia. ISBN 9780091835484.
  5. ^ "One-time AC/DC member Neil Smith dies - 9news.com.au". News.ninemsn.com.au. 7 April 2013. Archived from the original on 8 April 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  6. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Rose Tattoo Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More..." AllMusic. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ DONOVAN, PATRICK (29 March 2006). "Bad boy for love: Rose Tattoo rock monster Pete Wells dies". The Age. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ "ROSE TATTOO: Touring Guitarist Announced". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 12 June 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  9. ^ "ROSE TATTOO: Original Guitarist MICK COCKS To Join Band On European Tour". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  10. ^ "21.06.05 - Bremen - Aladin, GER". Rose Tattoo Fanpage (in German). Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  11. ^ "ROSE TATTOO: Third Chapter Of 'Tatts TV' Available". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Rose Tattoo's Mick Cocks dies". ABC News. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  13. ^ "ROSE TATTOO Postpone US Tour, New Dates Planned For March 2010". bravewords.com. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  14. ^ "GUNS N' ROSES, ZZ TOP, ROSE TATTOO: Australian Tour Officially Confirmed". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  15. ^ Bibby, Paul (25 September 2014). "Ex-Rose Tattoo drummer loses bid for bail over gun supply charges". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Former AC/DC Bassist Mark Evans Joins ROSE TATTOO". bravewords.com. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  17. ^ Eliezer, Christie (28 August 2018). "Rose Tattoo adds Jackie Barnes to lineup, heading to studio to recreate debut album". The Music Network. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  18. ^ Live, Newcastle (5 May 2019). "GALLERY: Rose Tattoo blow the doors off the Cambridge". Newcastle Live. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Rose Tattoo - Justin Ngariki message. "I've been afforded the very great honour of drumming for the mighty Rose Tattoo for 3 shows on their 40th Anniversary tour. A couple in South Australia this week and another one at The Bridge Hotel in November. Let's very, very go" Thanks Nhariki 💥 🥁 | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  21. ^ Klüppelberg, Andreas (12 August 2022). "Live Review: Rose Tattoo - Bochum 2022". Reflections of Darkness. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  22. ^ "ROSE TATTOO Announce New Guitarist RONNIE SIMMONS". bravewords.com. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2024.

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