Digger Revell is still rockin’ on after 60 years in the business.
“They just won’t let me retire. After each show, I think that is it, now more time to look after my lovely daughter Chantilly and my six dogs. But, then the phone rings, and back on the road. Gotta admit, I love the shows even more today, and for some reason at near 76, I am entertaining better than ever.”
One of Digger’s first shows was his regular teen age dances at the Blue Danube Ballroom at Richmond way back in 1958.
Then followed regular appearances on Six O’Clock Rock, Teen Time and Bandstand, at the Sydney Stadium, Festival Hall and over 60 national TV shows.
Digger performed with some of the greats, including Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Wayne Newton and Johnny O’Keefe.
Fifteen hit records in the top 10, included My Little Rockers Turned Surfie, I’m Building Castles In The Air and his favourite, Somewhere, Over The Rainbow.
Digger did more tours of war-torn Vietnam, than any other entertainer world wide. He appeared on stage with Bob Hope on six occasions and made a total of 11 tours.
He also did a tour of the USA with his band, staying for more than three years touring 38 states.
He performed with Ike and Tina Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Guy Mitchell, Fats Domino, B.B.King, and Anne Margaret.
D.J. Fontana, Elvis’ drummer played in Digger’s band for many of the American shows.
Recently, Digger headlined the Grafton Country Muster where some 1100 excited fans gave him a standing ovation.
Digger will perform with Vicky O’Keefe in their show, The Best Years of Our Lives, at Penrith Panthers on Sunday, February 24 at 4pm.