It has been 30 years since Mark Lizotte, more popularly known as Diesel, literally stepped off the bus after making the journey across the Nullarbor to Perth with his band Johnny Diesel and the Injectors.
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It was a “hobby” band, made up with the remnants of an imploded previous band.
Arriving in Perth with just $95 between them, the band had to play nine gigs a week for many months to get by. But the hard work paid off.
By 1988, after playing everywhere and supporting everyone, including a fortuitous slot with Jimmy Barnes on his Freight Train Heart tour, Johnny Diesel and the Injectors were poised to make an impact when their debut eponymously titled album dropped.
The slot with Barnes also had an impact on Diesel’s life. It was the beginning of a long relationship between Diesel and Barnes, who would later become brothers in law when Diesel married the sister of Barnes’ wife, Jep, in 1989.
For their debut album, Johnny Diesel and the Injectors won ARIAs for best new talent and highest selling album.
Diesel decided to go solo and disbanded the group in early 1991. Open and honest, quietly spoken, sensitive and kind, Diesel is not your typical rock ‘n’ roll musician – even though with eight studio albums and six ARIA Awards to his name, he is one of Australia’s most accomplished rock guitarists and singers.
To mark his 30 year career, Diesel is playing solo shows around the country. The 30 Year Thang tour will hit Wests Nelson Bay Diggers on Friday, April 6.
The solo show is one that combines a 25th anniversary celebration of his breakthrough number one solo album Hepfidelity and hits from his 30 years in music.
Tickets to see Diesel in Nelson Bay, available from Diggers or online at westsnewcastle.com.au, cost $40 for members and $45 for non-members.
The Examiner has one double pass to give away to the Nelson Bay show, which begins at 8pm. To win, send your name and contact details in an email titled “Diesel” to portstephens@fairfaxmedia.com.au. The winner will be notified by 5pm on March 28.
