Rob Mills quickly became a household name way back in 2003 on the first season of Australian Idol. Since then, he has continued to win the hearts of the masses with TV appearances, gig hosting and his leading roles in blockbuster musicals.
Rob is currently touring the country with a brand new show that celebrates the life and music of Bon Jovi. Glam Adelaide spoke to Rob ahead of his Adelaide performance about the show and his incredible twenty-three years in the entertainment industry.
“I remember after Australian Idol being asked what I wanted to do with my career when the competition was over, and I distinctly remember saying that I wanted to do everything in the media and entertainment landscape. I feel like I have achieved a lot of this. I’ve hosted TV shows, hosted events all around the country, sung in bands, had lead roles in musicals and acted on one of my favourite TV shows, Neighbours, for three years. It’s been a pretty incredible journey and I’m engaged to one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. Life is really good and the last few years have really treated me well. I’ve also written a book about something I’m super passionate about, which is men’s health and mental well-being.”
Earlier this year, Rob was playing the role of William Shakespeare in the smash-hit musical & Juliet.
“I think & Juliet has been my favourite show of all time to work on. It’s not every day you get to be raised up out of the floor on a lift singing a Backstreet Boys song, or doing Backstreet Boys choreography. Also being able to be a part of a story that celebrates diversity, equality, joy, and love. I remember talking to the resident director who had just come off the back of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She’s said that we sometimes forget that in order to get our story, to get the message across, it doesn’t have to be super dramatic and full of pathos. It can also be done with love and joy. That’s also just as powerful, if not more so.”
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Bon Jovi’s music and Rob shared with us what it is about the music that he loves.
“My brother and I grew up with Bon Jovi’s music. I remember he brought home the album Cross Road, which became an instant hit with us and I just loved it. Those power ballads, those rocky anthems – it’s all so good. Then I watched a documentary earlier this year and went back through his back catalogue – Bon Jovi has an incredible volume of work. His story too is amazing. There’s a real synergy there between his life and mine. Before Australian Idol and before being in musicals I was singing in pub bands, and Bon Jovi’s songs were always high on my set list rotations. So for me, shows like this one I am doing at the moment, it’s going back to my roots for me.”
With so many hits to Bon Jovi’sname, we were curious to find out from Rob how he was able to whittle down the set list to what’s included in the show.
“It’s been tough to reduce the set list to what it is. Luckily for me, my drummer and producer for the show, Joe Torre… I would have to say he’s in the top 10 biggest Bon Jovi fans of all time. He knows the songs that will work. He did ask me if we needed to include as many of the power ballads that I wanted, but they are all iconic, so we’ve scattered them throughout the two sets. The final set is a wonderful cross selection of Bon Jovi’s greatest works.”
Adelaide audiences have the chance to rock out with Rob this Friday night September 6 at The Regal Theatre.
“I think I’m most looking forward to people just coming out and having a night of escapism. In a musical, you’re part of the storytelling and the long narrative, which I love. But sometimes it’s actually just really good just to go and rock out with your mates. There’s a real energy that happens on a stage, whether it’s a theatre or a live rock band, that passes between the audience and the band. The show has been getting a wonderful reception so far around the country and I really can’t wait to come and share this with Adelaide. The band I’m touring with is exceptional and we can’t wait to rock it out at The Regal Theatre.”
Very limited tickets remain to see Rob Mills Performs The Songs of Bon Jovi.
One show only — Friday 6 September at 8pm at The Regal Theatre, 275 Kensington Rd, Kensington
Further details and tickets can be found at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1214035
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