The Rob Tognoni story began in '83 when a 22 year old guitarist from Turners Beach, Tasmania decided to start a band with the intention of his own style of song writing and guitar playing.
With the influences of Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC and blues masters of the likes of BB King, Rob and some local musicians started Skidrow Boys. The band enjoyed the chance to gig in clubs around Tasmania, but within 2 years Rob felt the need to move on to improve and gain the much needed experience that has been honed into his style and playing today.
In late '85 Rob moved to Melbourne and managed to secure a job with a touring covers band playing chart material. Not used to playing this style he decided to quit the band as soon as a replacement was found. The replacement was found in Queensland so Rob and his family settled in the cane growing town of Nambour.
At this stage of his career he had never sang and was forced into the position when the new band that he was putting together could not find a suitable singer - The Outlaws formed.
Within 4 months The Outlaws had gone on to collect 3 categories at the 20th Annual Queensland Rock Awards in Brisbane at the end of 1986. (Best guitarist, best drummer and best band) In '89 the band changed their name to the Desert Cats.
The Desert Cats moved to Melbourne in late '89 and were invited by cult Australian band The Angels (Angel City) who inspired bands such as Guns 'n' Roses, to place a then recent demo song of Rob's, I Got You / You Got Me on The Angels upcoming EP release, The Dogs Are Talking in May '90 along with The Hurricanes and the then newly formed Baby Animals.
Backed by a 4 week national tour the bands played sell-out gigs and achieved # 7 on the National ARIA Charts. The release achieved gold status. Previous to this, Rob and the band were approached by management to form the Baby Animals with Suze DeMarchi. Believing in his own music he respectfully turned it down.
The Desert Cats disbanded soon after and Rob re-assembled the Outlaws but the band failed to gain industry attention so it disbanded in '92. During their career the band had played with many greats including Lonnie Mack, Joe Walsh & the late Roy Buchanan.
Rob was fully depressed with the mainstream music industry so he decided to head back to Queensland where he played acoustic guitar in restaurants for the following years to scratch out a living. A friend by the name of Mark McCormack who owned a studio back in Melbourne convinced Rob to make the 24hr bus journey back to Melbourne to record a few songs.
Rob, over a week, wrote The Good Die Young (a tribute to his father) & Itty Bitty Mama which were the two songs he eventually sent to Dave Hole. Mark's punt with Rob had paid off and he went on to engineer Stones & Colours as well as co-produce the Headstrong CD.
Band Profiles
- Rob Tognoni lead guitar, vocals
- Richard Davis rhythm guitar, b.vocals
- Mark Williams bass
- Rick Lloyd drums
