Ian Moss is heading to Kryal Castle to perform.
IF legendary Australian musician Ian Moss has one regret of his iconic career, it is the fact Cold Chisel didn’t try harder to make it big in America.
Moss was the lead guitarist and occasional singer for Cold Chisel, most known for his vocals on Saturday Night and Bow River.
The band toured the United States in 1981 – but they they should never have left, Moss told The Courier.
Instead, Cold Chisel came back to Australia and missed what Moss said was an opportunity to become one of the biggest bands in the world.
Describing himself as the only “single” band member at the time, Moss said families and wives came as a priority for the others.
“I went back there myself in ’84 and probably didn’t do myself any favours with some under-prepared demos,” he said.
“When we were there the first time, we had a singer (Jimmy Barnes) that could sing the hell out of anything...
“We had the one good crack and it went well, but if we stayed over there, we could’ve really been something.”
Now performing with Kerry Jacobson and Adam Ventura, Moss says he is as passionate about music as ever.
He will play in Ballarat on Saturday as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour, returning to the city for the first time in years.
With the concert to be held at Kryal Castle, Moss said there was an air of uncertainty about the venue.
“It sounds like it’s going to be really interesting – definitely something different,” he said.
“It’s great to get back out in the rural areas and play in different towns.”
Now aged 57, Moss said there was no end in sight to his musical career.
“I just love playing and am constantly trying to learn and improve,” he said.
“It’s that joy you get from it. I’ll keep doing it as long as I can.”
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
