Bob Yates at Paperchain Bookstore

Join us at Paperchain to hear Bob Yates talk about his book Confessions of a Pub Rock Promoter.

As a special treat, Nightbeat - consisting of singer Julienne Moslyn (Flaming Hands) and guitarist Warwick Gilbert (Radio Birdman) - will perform some songs live in the store.

There was a time before social media, streaming and mobile phones, when Australian pub rock was built on guts, instinct and a willingness to risk everything. It was loud, unpredictable, gloriously chaotic - and Bob Yates was right in the middle of it.

From smoky pubs and sweat-soaked venues to managing bands, promoting unforgettable gigs and helping shape one of the most exciting eras in Australian music, Bob witnessed it all from the inside. These are the stories only someone who lived them could tell - raw, hilarious, outrageous and at times, almost impossible to believe.

Featuring the people, places and moments that defined a generation, this memoir takes readers behind the scenes of Sydney's legendary live music circuit and the rise of the bands that became Australian icons.

Praised by musicians and industry legends including members of The Angels, Midnight Oil, Mental As Anything, AC/DC's management and many others, Bob Yates' memoir is more than a collection of memories - it's a front-row ticket to the wild, untamed heart of Australian rock 'n' roll.

If you were there, Confessions of a Pub Rock Promoter will bring it all flooding back. If you weren't, here's your chance to experience the madness, the music and the magic that created a golden era.

Bob Yates drifted into the music business when he opened a folk club in early 70’s and started managing singer/songwriters. This led to running packed out concerts and dances in Balmain and Paddington Town halls with bands such as Skyhooks, Radio Birdman, Captain Matchbox and various other major names of the day. During the mid 70’s Bob worked with a number of major tour promoters as publicist, including for John Harrigan and Abe Saffron on their various tours of international artists.

By 1977 he had become the booker and promoter of three popular Sydney pubs during the ‘golden era of pub rock’; The Civic Hotel in Sydney’s CBD, The Kings Cross Rex and the huge Royal Antler hotel on the Northern Beaches. With his keen eye for booking emerging talent such as the young Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and The Angels, these venues saw packed audiences night after night. Bob went on to manage NZ band Mi-Sex who found huge success after scoring the #1 song Computer Games in ’79, followed by numerous other top 10 songs. Yates toured Mi-Sex through the USA opening for the likes of Iggy Pop and The Ramones, plus headlining their own shows, including sell-outs at LA’s Whisky and NYC’s Mudd and Hurrah’s clubs and concerts in Canada where ‘Computer Games’ was #2 nationally.

This event is free but as space is limited please book to secure your place.