Rob E.G. / Robie Porter

[RAM]

I was sadden to read the following on the Rob E.G. / Robie Porter Facebook page...

"Robert George Porter OAM passed away on December 16, 2021 at the age of 80 following a battle with dementia. An acclaimed performer (known to many as Rob E G) and award winning producer, Robie made it his life’s work to bring Australian talent to global fame, being awarded the Order of Australia medal for his accomplishments. While the world will remember his music, his children will remember his tremendous work ethic, wit, top-notch scrambled egg culinary skills, and love of ice cream and a day at the races.  He lives on in his children Kristopher and Geordana and grandchildren Alexander and Luke.

A memorial service will be scheduled in Sydney in early 2022 pending the status of Covid-19.  In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Dementia Australia Research Foundation."

Another foundation of my youth.... gone. As Rob E.G. he was a truly unique part of the early stages of Australian pop music. No one else could make a Hawaiian guitar sound so cool. Then as Robie Porter he brought many great acts to us, including Healing Force, Daddy Cool, Rick Springfield and Marcia Hines through the Sparmac and Wizard labels.

RIP,
RAM

[johng]

Remember him doing a TV series  in the mid 60s - while playing the steel guitar he would often look up and give the audience a wink ....  apparently his mother bought the guitar from a door-to-door salesman (may have been an urban myth!) - the rest is history .................