Age-old rocker Russell Morris on music, success and longevity

Australian music legend Russell Morris has had a career spanning 55 years and has never been content to rest on his early chart success.

The Aria Hall of Famer and award-winning artist continues to write songs and tour in solo shows and with The Fabulous Caprettos – whose current line-up also includes Dave Gleeson (The Screaming Jets/ The Angels), Jack Jones (Southern Sons) and Rai Thistlethwayte  (Thirsty Merc/Joe Satriani/Sammy Hagar).

This fab four are on the road in October and will perform together on stage for the entire concert, combining their unique musical virtuosities and stage presence to reimagine some of Australian rock music history’s most memorable moments from the ’60s to the present day, plus new songs and surprises.

They will play at The Events Centre, Caloundra, on October 3.  Visit bit.ly/TFCTickets2024.

The Real Thing was groundbreaking as an Aussie-produced psychedelic rock single in 1969 – and a monumental gamble over six minutes and 40 seconds. If you went back, how would you explain to your 20-year-old self that he will still be hearing it on the radio and playing the song 55 years later? What specifically about the music endeared it as part of the soundtrack of baby boomers’ lives? I think The Real Thing has a lot of nostalgia for a lot of people, being probably the first really psychedelic Australian single (maybe debatable). Nevertheless, the most successful.  It was a thrill to hear it for the first time on radio. Never imagined I would be playing it 50 years later.

There would be a riot at your gigs today if you didn’t include your great Aussie rock classics in the setlist. Some performers refuse to play certain hits from their past, but you always give concertgoers what they want. How do you keep your music ‘fresh’ for you and the fans? Each performance is different due to the size of the venue, the size of the audience and factors that may come into play. It’s like dancing with a different partner each time. So, it always seems fresh to me.

Fans at your gigs not only love singing along to the hits, but they are also just so grateful to still see you playing live. You have recently turned 76. Have you discovered some sort of magic elixir?  I think my favourite thing to do is write songs – sometimes a great experience, other times not so much. I love lots of different styles of music. So, exploring different genres is fun. It keeps me interested, but sometimes it confuses the people who follow me, not knowing if my next recording might be polka or something else.

Is age just a number? How long will you keep touring and making music?  Touring is like a piece of string, like life. You really don’t know how long it is.

What do you think of today’s music and the hits topping the charts in the 2020s? What advice do you have for anyone wanting to break into the industry as a singer-songwriter? Is it tougher to shine as an artist today? It’s tougher these days for young artists. To get a record deal is usually impossible for most. Heaven knows CDs are drifting into the realm of non-existence; record stores are all closing. Streaming seems to be the only way to be discovered – or social media –and you need to be savvy when it comes to manipulating it. Every now and then, one breaks through, and it is great to see.

Fans have seen you on TV since the days of Uptight as a solo artist and more recently with the guys in The Fabulous Caprettos. How is it that your voice and your musicianship are as strong as ever (if not better)? How have you adapted your warm-up routine in your later life? I have always been fortunate when it comes to performance. I never do any warm-up – the exception being the orchestra shows. And foods don’t seem to bother me. So, I guess I am fortunate.

You all look like you’re having so much fun on stage in The Fabulous Caprettos. Is it a mutual admiration society of beloved Australian hits and enjoying each other’s company? Playing with the other Caprettos for me is an honour [and I’m] not just saying that, either. Rai and Jack’s musicality is world-class. I am in awe of both of them. Dave is off the Richter scale as a performer. He entertains us, as well as the audience. What can we expect from the latest tour by The Fabulous Caprettos? I bet Dave Gleeson will shake things up on stage? We will probably introduce some new songs and let Dave off the leash.

What are your favourite things to do on the Sunshine Coast when you’re here? Well, I live in Queensland, so I usually enjoy everywhere I travel in this great state. I like the subtropical feeling you get in the hills.

The Fabulous Caprettos