Angry Anderson

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Angry Anderson is Gary Stephen Anderson, born 5 August 1947 in Melbourne. He is an Australian rock singer, songwriter, actor and TV personality. He has been the lead singer of the hard rock band Rose Tattoo since 1976, making him the band's longest-serving member. As a solo artist, he is best known for the 1987 hit "Suddenly." In 1993 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his work as a youth advocate. Rose Tattoo was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

Early life and nickname
Gary Anderson grew up in Coburg, Melbourne, with an Anglo-Australian father and a Mauritian mother. He earned the nickname “Angry Ant” during his youth because of his aggressive, volatile nature. He often talked about a troubled family life and used his experiences to drive his music. He looked up to his uncle Ivan, who was a leather-jacket-wearing, motorcycle-riding drummer. He started out as a fitter and turner in a factory but soon turned to music, realizing singing was his strongest talent.

Music career before Rose Tattoo
In the early 1970s, Anderson led the band Peace Power and Purity and then became the frontman for Buster Brown. Buster Brown released the album Something to Say in 1975 before breaking up later that year. Anderson then moved to Sydney and joined Rose Tattoo, replacing their original singer Tony Lake.

Rose Tattoo and rise to fame
Rose Tattoo released the popular single "Bad Boy for Love" in 1977, which reached No. 19 on the Australian charts. The band toured Europe in 1981, including a well-remembered festival appearance at Reading. Rose Tattoo continued to release albums until 1987, when the group briefly dissolved as Anderson pursued solo work. He also pursued acting and television work during this period.

Suddenly and solo work
Anderson’s biggest solo hit came in 1987 with "Suddenly" from the album Beats from a Single Drum. The song was used as the wedding theme for the TV show Neighbours, boosting its fame in Australia and the United Kingdom. Although the album was initially planned as a Rose Tattoo project, it was released as Angry Anderson’s solo work after the song’s success. The single reached No. 3 in the UK charts in 1988. He released Blood from Stone in 1990, which included the No. 11 hit "Bound for Glory." He also had notable acting roles in films such as Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) as Ironbar Bassey and appeared in Bullamakanka (1983) and Rasputin (1997-1998).

Acting, charity and media work
Beyond music, Anderson became a familiar face on Australian TV, appearing on The Midday Show and A Current Affair as a human-interest interviewee and advocate. He performed with The Incredible Penguins on the charity single "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" in 1985, which reached No. 10. He also contributed to charity projects, including Bali relief efforts and the Dunn Lewis Youth Development Foundation, a cause linked to Australia’s youth.

Later career and Hall of Fame
Rose Tattoo re-formed for Australian tours in 1998, continuing to perform despite the loss of several former members to cancer. In 2006, Rose Tattoo was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Anderson remained active in media, music and charity work, including appearances on television programs such as Bogan Hunters (2014).

Politics and public views
In the 2000s and 2010s, Anderson became involved with politics. He supported conservative positions on some issues and joined the National Party, seeking election in New South Wales with his birth name, Gary Anderson, though he did not win a seat. He later ran as a candidate for the Australian Liberty Alliance in the Senate in 2016. He also participated in Go Back to Where You Came From (2012), a documentary series exploring refugees’ journeys to Australia, where his views evolved over time.

Personal life
Anderson has four children with his former partner Lindy Michael: Roxanne (born 1983), Galen, Blaine and Liam. He has spoken about past abuse in his family and has discussed his faith in the Bahá’í faith. He has been involved in campaigns promoting men’s health, including prostate cancer awareness. In November 2018, his son Liam was killed in an attack in Queenscliff, New South Wales.

Awards
Angry Anderson has won awards for his work in live entertainment, including a Mo Award during its run.