Emma Pritchard

The Saraton Theatre in Grafton welcomed a large crowd of adoring fans on September 14 for the highly anticipated live performance of The Good Old Days of Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Together on stage for the first time in close to 60 years, legendary artists of the Australian and New Zealand music industry Little Pattie, Lucky Starr, Dinah Lee, Jade Hurley OAM, and Digger Revell, took the audience on a vocally enchanting journey down memory lane while sharing stories from their respective careers entwined with plenty of humorous jokes and jibes.

After opening the show alongside one another with a stirring rendition of Rockin’ All Over the World, Hurley demonstrated his flawless piano skills and impressive flexibility, landing his right boot on the ivory while belting out tunes by Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis before welcoming Little Pattie back onto the stage.

“It’s really lovely to be here,” she told the crowd as she spoke of her admiration for the beauty of the location.

“We’re here because we’re just like you.

“We’re mature, wise, and they call us baby boomers.

“But I don’t like that (reference), I thought of a new name for us and tell me what you think, I think we should all be called recycled teenagers.”

While the crowd laughed and cheered emphatically in response to her suggestion, Little Pattie smiled appreciatively before commencing her next number, a popular hit by Connie Francis entitled Where the Boys Are.

Stepping onto the stage, Digger Revell said it was nice to be back in Grafton, adding it had taken him 81 years to get to the Saraton Theatre.

“Ain’t it funny how time slips away,” he said wryly.

While New Zealand singer-songwriter Dinah Lee greeted those in attendance with “kia ora” and performed some of her biggest hits including Don’t You Know Yokomo, Do the Blue Beat, and Reet Petite, Lucky Starr mesmerised the audience as he effortlessly sang his smash hit single I’ve Been Everywhere.

“Including Grafton,” he added with a chuckle.

“How lovely it is to be here.

“Mind you, at my age it’s lovely to be anywhere.”

At the conclusion of the three hour concert the crowd graciously applauded the performers and gave them a standing ovation while several members of the audience called loudly for an encore.

Describing The Good Old Days of Rock ‘N’ Roll as one of the best concerts they had been to, many attendees said they hoped the performers would return to the Saraton Theatre.