I had the pleasure of talking to Dean Bourne who is presently touring Australia with his Roy Orbison tribute show. For the first time Dean is bringing the show to Tasmania. Dean is however no stranger to Tasmanian having been a tourist 3 years ago. He was impressed then by the beauty of the state and hopes to spend a bit more time enjoying Tassie this time around.
Dean has been working as a Roy Orbison tribute artist for 14 years and has in that time researched much about the legendary man and incorporated many of Roy’s nuances into his own act including assuming the physical appearance of Roy, black suit and ray bans included.
Dean grew up with a love of music and it was always part of his home life. His dad was a singer and his mum a pianist.
It was the show ‘Follow that Dream’ that really fixed Deans future career.
In a wonderful piece of serendipity another act couldn’t compete and Dean was secured. Many people had commented on Dean’s uncanny Orbison voice so that was the tribute act he decided to portray on the show.
It isn’t just that Dean ticks all the boxes in his likeness to Roy, he also loves the music of the era and has a particular appreciation for Roy’s music.
‘Crying’ is his favourite Roy song with it’s the true story of Roys experience with a girlfriend lost.
A song that Dean includes at his concerts is ‘Danny Boy’ and audiences may be surprised to know that Roy
actually wrote two other verses to this classic song.
Not comfortable with all the accolades, and in spite of being the recipient of multiple nominations for the ‘Mo’ & ‘Ace’ awards, Dean is a modest man that lets his remarkable voice do the talking.
Dean’s show is of two hour duration and features Roy’s greatest hits right through his career. You can see Dean in concert at The Theatre Royal on Saturday 5th November at 8pm and at The Princess Theatre Launceston on Friday 4th November. It is guaranteed audiences will not be disappointed.
Paula Xiberras
