He was a familiar face on the famous children's television show Play School from 1960 to 1967, and a rock and roll star behind the scenes.
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Before performing his show, 'Bob Dylan Revisited', at the Dubbo RSL Club on November 1, prestigious actor, singer and songwriter, John Waters, sat down with the Daily Liberal to answer some of our most in-depth questions.
The English-born Aussie sensation rose to fame through the likes of popular tv shows such as Playschool, All Saints, Offspring, Rush, Rake, Mystery Road; The Series and more.
'Bob Dylan Revisited' presents a tribute to Bob Dylan with Waters bringing a unique perspective to the work of the late folk-rock singer and songwriter.
I don't have to get into character, I just get to be me.
- John Waters
Q: What can people expect from the 'Bob Dylan Revisited' show?
A: A lot of people know me from my last show, 'Lennon Through a Glass Onion'. That one was a lot darker, a lot more thought out. I started the show off in a straight jacket. This show, 'Bob Dylan Revisited', I'm just being me. I don't have to get into character. I find that very liberating. I love this show, the band is great and the songs are unbelievably good. Just me and a great band doing Bob Dylan songs. We will be playing all of Bob Dylan's biggest hits and we end the show with 'Knocking on Heavens Door'.
Q: Do you want the songs to be authentic to the original Bob Dylan versions?
A: I want it to be a balance. People want to be able to recognise the songs they're listening to, but nor am I trying to copy Bob Dylan. I'm not in any way suggesting the show produces better songs than the original versions, that would be presumptuous.
Q: Did you want to be an actor first or a singer?
A: Musician. I started as a guitar player at 15. I grew up in London's south west, my father was a theatre actor so I was always surrounded by the entertainment industry, but I wanted to sing rock and roll.
Q: What kind of music do you like listening to?
A: I listen to a lot of different stuff. I enjoy performing songs from the influences of my youth. Blues, 60s influenced rock and roll, pop, The Rolling Stones, obviously John Lennon and Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan is a great songwriter, his poetry is so great and his songs are beautiful. Hearing them live is a really great experience.
Q: How did you get into acting?
A: When I moved to Australia I played in a lot of garage bands and things like that. I was actually encouraged to act through my music.
Q: Out of all the tv show characters you have played, who do you think you relate to most?
A: I played a character called Sergeant Mackellar in a tv show called Rush back in the '70s. It was a show about Australia's gold rush. Sergeant Mackellar was someone who had a morally good nature but doesn't care for himself. He became the template for a lot of the other characters I've played, dark, but good people.
Q: What is it like on the road touring with a group of other men?
A: It's great, it's a way of life. We all get on really well, we're all good friends. It's a good bonding process, learning songs together, and hanging out and laughing.