Rob Whitmore is our first AC/DC fan of the month for 2012, Rob lives in a small village located on the Isle Of Wight in the United Kingdom.
Rob has been an AC/DC fan since 1977, when he was first introduced to the music of AC/DC that summer by his bass guitar tutor at the time who insisted that he listened to an album he had just purchased. “That particular album was called ‘Let there be Rock’ and after just one listen I was instantly hooked by the no nonsense simplistic approach and the devastating power I could hear rumbling away through my speakers ..... I had never heard anything quite like it before !!! I remember saving all my newspaper delivery-round salary every week until I could afford to buy my own copy!!!” Says Rob.
Rob has been to 39 AC/DC concerts to date, the earliest being in 1978 “The very first time that I saw AC/DC on stage was at the Southampton Gaumont on November 7th 1978,the day after my birthday!!! I was only a young teenager at the time and the ticket was given to me as a birthday present by my parents!!! I remember being so excited at the prospect of seeing them perform live ..... I took no interest at all in the support act, I just wanted AC/DC on that stage!! Then the lights dimmed and the opening strains of ‘Live Wire’ filled the theatre, the whole place went crazy and my initiation into the AC/DC family was complete!!! We were also treated to a rare live version of ‘Gone Shootin'’ which was the only time I ever saw Bon sing that particular song live! But the show that will always remain closest to my heart was the one which took place on January 27th 1980 at Southampton ... not just because it was Bon's last show but the fact that I actually got to meet him in person along with Angus after the show!! They both signed my tour program, and my tour t-shirt which I was wearing at the time and to this day they are still my two favourite pieces of AC/DC memorabilia that I have collected through the years!! I always remember that during our whole conversation, Bon had this really impish cheeky smile on his face, he seemed a very genuine honest man who really enjoyed spending time with his fans!!!! At that particular time I would never have thought that in just 10 months time I would be going to see the band again, only this time with a different vocalist !!...”
Rob continues sharing his personal experience of AC/DC history “On November the 7th and 8th of November 1980 I was to experience AC/DC with Brian on vocals for the very first time!! Bon was a big boyhood idol of mine so I went to these gigs with just a hint of trepidation in my mind, and after the first night my doubts had increased ! The band were on good form and performed with real real hunger and desire but Brian looked really uncomfortable on stage and he made a bit of a mess of ‘Bad Boy Boogie’ by forgetting so many of his lines..... thank goodness the crowd gave him a helping hand by singing it for him!!! I was really unsure as to whether I should attend the second night or night, but thankfully my friends persuaded me to go! What a transformation in just 24 hours.... the show was stunning, the sound was perfect and Brian was absolutely incredible!!!! Brian had won me over in the space of a couple of hours, and I have never looked back since (he spent time after the show to talk to us outside in the pouring rain as well which we really respected .... a lovely man with a great sense of humour) In my honest opinion I think that Brian's performance that night was one of his finest vocal displays that I have ever seen!!!”
Rob has also attended the 3 AC/DC headlining appearances at the ‘Monsters of Rock’ festival in 1980,81 and 91..... “each time with a different drummer on the stool !! I am really hoping that they tour again real soon so I can make the big 40 !!” says Rob.
Rob was also fortunate enough to be invited to appear in AC/DC’s 1986 “Who Made Who” promotional video as an Angus clone, complete with the cardboard Gibson SG guitar along with various other fan club members and radio contest winners.
As expected like most all die-hard AC/DC fans, it poses much difficulty in choosing just one favorite AC/DC song “Picking a favourite song is much too difficult, there are just so many to choose from but ‘Live Wire’ ,’Shoot To Thrill’ ,’Gone Shootin'’, and ‘Let there be Rock’ would all be right up there !!” though Rob quickly names his favorite AC/DC album as being ‘Powerage’ he says “My favourite AC/DC album is ‘Powerage’ ..... which in my opinion is the greatest rock and roll album ever recorded!! I just love it's fierce raw power and boundless energy, with just a hint of the blues thrown in for good measure!! Absolutely brilliant album!!”
When asked what makes AC/DC such a special band to him, Rob cites being part of the AC/DC family as being part of his admiration of the band “One of the things I enjoy most about being an AC/DC fan is meeting other fans from all over the world!! They are the most loyal, genuine, honest and passionate bunch of people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! I have made some wonderful friends through the years, and I have AC/DC to thank for this! I am proud and honoured to be a part of the AC/DC family!!...AC/DC have been a very big part of my life for nearly 35 years now and my enthusiasm and love for the band is still as strong today as it was back in 1977!!! And let's be honest, no one does, did or ever will play rock and roll quite like AC/DC!! They are one of a kind!!!”
