ROD DUNBAR

Growing up in Rockhampton (born in 1942) Rod made the piano his instrument of choice. But he soon discovered he had a decent ‘set of pipes’ and promptly pursued a career fronting bands. It was a move hastened by his viewing of Blackboard Jungle, a film celebrated for its innovative use of rock and roll in its soundtrack. His taste for entertaining an audience prompted a venture south to Sydney where he quickly established himself as an in-demand vocalist. An enthusiastic beginning saw him perform with the Petersham Musical Society guided by Helen de Paul and working alongside her daughter, a young Trisha Noble.

He became a regular on Channel Seven’s Sing Sing Sing hosted by Johnny O’Keefe (it aired from 1962 to 1965) and launched a pop career that saw recordings on the RCA and Leedon labels. Rod toured the country, doing gigs with other high-profile entertainers including The Bee Gees, Digger Revell and the Denvermen, Lee Sellars and Jimmy Little. They attracted attention everywhere, due to their national exposure through the new medium of television. At a time when he was looking to expand the possibilities of his career, Rod was spotted by J.C. Williamson’s Betty Pounder, who encouraged him to pursue a career in musical theatre. His celebrity made him an ideal candidate to join Noel Ferrier’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ''Cinderella''. Rod was cast as a featured courtier and worked alongside John Meillon, Gwen Plumb, Tony Bonner and Max Phipps.

This was followed by performances in ''The Boys From Syracuse'', ''Oliver!'', and his renowned turn in 1967 as The Fiddler in the original staging of ''Fiddler on the Roof '' in Australia, with Hayes Gordon and Brigid Lenihan. He experienced personal triumphs in the original Australian productions of ''You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown'' as Snoopy, and in ''Godspell'' in 1972 in a magnetic performance as Jesus. The production also toured New Zealand. 

His extensive career included the celebrated production of ''Chicago'' directed by Richard Wherrett for the Sydney Theatre Company (STC). Other work for the STC included ''Company'' and ''Merrily We Roll Along''. He completed tours of ''Dirty Dancing'' for Kevin Jacobsen and ''Are You Lonesome Tonight'', ''South Pacific'' and ''Big River'' for GFO. One of his final performances on stage was in a tour of ''Shout'' as Johnny O’Keefe’s father. Rod Dunbar passed away peacefully at home on February 26, 2019. 

SINGLES

''Big Brother / You Got What I Like'' 1963 RCA
''The Garden Of Eden / I've Been Tryin' 1964 Leedon
''Hello Loser / What Do You Want From Me'' 1964 Leedon
''Breakdown / Saturday Night Fish Fry'' 1965 Leedon 

References

Peter Eyers