The Australian music scene is mourning a total legend. Iconic Rose Tattoo frontman Gary "Angry" Anderson passed away on September 21 at age 79, just weeks after suffering a heart attack. To pay homage to his "brother in arms," fellow rock icon Jimmy Barnes has released his own spin on the 1981 Rose Tattoo classic, "Rock 'n' Roll Is King."
A tribute with purpose
Jimmy Barnes had actually recorded the track for his most recent album before Anderson’s death, but he decided to drop it now as a heartfelt tribute. Real talk: he’s keeping zero dollars from the track. Every cent earned is headed straight to Support Act, an Australian charity for music industry workers.
Barnes shared a touching reflection on their decades-long friendship, noting that their bands, Cold Chisel and Rose Tattoo, essentially grew up together. "Rock'n'roll was king and we were all young, taking on the world together," he wrote. He even admitted he’d already talked to Anderson about the cover, and the late star was "excited" about it. Now, it’s giving a much deeper, sentimental vibe for Barnes, who urged fans to "turn it up f—ing LOUD" for the late rocker.
The legacy of a rock icon
Anderson wasn't just a local hero; he was a global influence. Rose Tattoo helped shape the sound of hard rock, famously inspiring Guns N' Roses, who covered their hit "Nice Boys." Movie buffs might also recognize Anderson as Ironbar, the enforcer from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, where he faced off against Tina Turner and Mel Gibson. Anderson led Rose Tattoo from their 1976 formation in Sydney, and the band was eventually inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006. It’s definitely an L for the music world, but a total W for the legacy he leaves behind.
Why it matters
When industry titans like Barnes step up to honor their peers through charity, it shows the real community behind the rock-and-roll exterior, proving that the music (and the friendships) truly live on rent-free in our heads.
