He’s made it thus far without being ravaged by sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll but he has come close.

Within seconds of beginning our interview, the Rose Tattoo singer began telling me the story of a “colourful” part of his life during the late-70s when he was living with a stripper who also had the name Desiree.

“She took a place in Paddington and was worried about not having a male about,” he said. “So I got to live in the house with cheap rent and all I had to do was open the door and scare people away.”

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Rock bottom came in 1983 when they were touring too much, drinking too much, and taking far too many drugs.

Anderson has managed to come out the other side alive – mainly thanks to the birth of his daughter and keeping a youthful mentality despite his body aging.

“People in rock’n’roll – particularly us old-schoolers – we live the Peter Pan existence,” he said.

“You’ve got to nurture [your body] and become healthy, not drink as much … but the way that you view the world plays a great part.

“If you don’t grow up, you don’t grow up it’s a choice that you make.”

Anderson is touring with Rose Tattoo – now with bassist Mark Evans (AC/DC), guitarist Bob Spencer (The Angels, Skyhooks) and Dai Pritchard.

They play Waves in Towradgi on October 26. More dates can be found at www.rosetattoo.com.au 

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