UPDATE: ROCCO AND THE HOT POTATOES

Since many of you asked us about Rocco we would like to add to the previous post that Roco is a truly eclectic artist and his works include music compilations, fashion clothes, books etc. He also took part in several advertisement campaigns. The most famous one was broadcast on national Italian Tvs a few years ago raising strong controversy in a peculiar country where it is normal that the Prime Minister meets the Pope on a day and prostitutes on the other... Ironically, it was for a brand of potato chips. Here's the whole story:

ROCCO AND THE HOT POTATOES

AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG - BLACK ICE TOUR - PROVERB OF THE MONTH

"Addò c'è gguste, nen g'è pperdènze." (Dove c'è gusto non c'è perdenza)

Translation:"Where there is enjoyment there is no loss." The enjoyment of something (e.g. a sport, hobby, music etc.) is its own reward regardless of whether it leads to money, success, fame etc.

HARD AS A ROCCO!!! By AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG

“Her hot potatoes will elevate you.
Her bad behavior will leave you standing proud”

HARD AS A ROCCO!!!!

We know it's HARD to believe!! But it's true! Among our world tour adventures and amazing meetings, Matteo and Stefano of AC/DC Abruzzo had the privilege to meet one of the most charismatic and iconic Italian movie stars in the world... ROCCO SIFFREDI!!!

As most of you know, Rocco has gained worldwide fame thanks to his stunning 20-year career in the adult film industry collaborating with more than 5000 "business partners", starring in more than 1500 movies and becoming undoubtedly THE BEST in his field. Now that he has retired as an actor he works as a producer. A.lways keeping his STIFF... STIFF UPPER LIP!

However, most of you probably don't know that Rocco is from the ABRUZZO region, just like AC/DC Abruzzo staff!!

AC/DC Abruzzo met him during the world tour and had the opportunity to have a nice friendly chat with him about a wide range of subjects... from XXX to AC/DC.



Here's an excerpt of AC/DC Abruzzo's exclusive interview with ROCCO SIFFREDI!

Hello Rocco, thanks for being with us. We are from Roseto, Abruzzo just a few kilometres from your hometown Ortona. And since we are here in Budapest following the band we wanted to express our respect and admiration by meeting and offering you a special bottle of wine selected by our sommelier!

Thank you guys! It's very nice of you. And thank you for the bottle. Next time you're in town give me a call and we'll meet in a nice restaurant.

Rocco, as you know we are on very tight schedule due to AC/DC world tour. But it meant a lot to us to be here to thank you in person, even briefly, for all your work which we admire a lot. Especially the early days... Above all, you proved that the "strong and gentle" attitude combined with the stubbornness of people from Abruzzo can lead to success and excellence, in any fields.

Yes it's true, but I was also lucky... If I didn't go to Paris when I was 20, despite my big talent and strong character, I would have probably ended up in Pescara repairing public telephone booths with my uncle as you can read in my autobiography. Life is about seizing the opportunity at the right time, but you also have to put yourself in the right place. This goes for everything in life.
But you guys are really touring Europe with AC/DC? You must be crazy HARD CORE fans! Don't you guys have a job??

Rocco, we just love to combine business and pleasure, just like you! AH AH AH AH

You're funny guys! And I like your flag... Let me sign it.

Thanks Rocco! What do you think of AC/DC? Are you going to the concert?

I love AC/DC and I'd love to go to their concert but unfortunately I have a very important film casting to supervise in these days. Being a movie producer is really a HARD job! Do you guys want to COME to the casting by the way?

WOW! We’re flattered, Rocco. But this time we’ll have to pass. We must go to the show! There are rumours that AC/DC are going to change the setlist tonight…

As you want! CIAO to AC/DC Abruzzo fans.

Sì ragazzi! E' proprio lui! Rocco Siffredi! Uno degli abruzzesi di maggiore successo, tra i più ammirati e invidiati del mondo! Il Rocco nazionale, icona del MADE IN ABRUZZO. AC/DC Abruzzo ha avuto l'opportunità e il privilegio di incontrare Rocco e di parlare con lui di diversi argomenti: dalla musica degli AC/DC (che conosce e apprezza) fino alla sua recente autobiografia, fonte di ispirazione anche per il tour di AC/DC Abruzzo. Venuto a conoscenza del nostro progetto Rocco si è mostrato molto incuriosito ed è stato subito lieto di apparire in foto con noi per il nostro blog. Il suo carisma "forte e gentile" e la sua energia contagiosa ci hanno dato un ulteriore impulso nel proseguio del nostro tour. Ringraziamo di nuovo Rocco e gli auguriamo un in bocca al lupo per il proseguio della sua carriera di produttore!

Thanks to Istiboy&co for intelligence and logistics and to The KOSP for external consulting.

AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG - BLACK ICE TOUR AMARCORD SERIES

AMARCORD meas "I remember" in several Italian dialects, including the Abruzzese! We will use the title of this Fellini's movie for a new series of entries regarding the cities we've visited, the people we've met and the things that we've seen during our AC/DC European tour! We hope you enjoy this retrospective rock'n'roll journey through Europe with AC/DC and AC/DC Abruzzo!

GERMANY March 2009! Dusseldorf-Oberhausen (7-9 March)

As you probably remember AC/DC Abruzzo Stirring Committee added these 2 dates last minute to our European Indoor Tour. The official reason was the cancellation of the second Antwerp tour. The real reason is you never get enough of AC/DC live!! 

So the President ended up in the Northwestern part of Germany. An industrial-working class area that has always had a strong passion for AC/DC since the early European tours. Lots of Dutch fans had also the opportunity to join the party. According to the news received from Orangus, Brian was back in action, full throttle in Leipzig, so we were happy to be part of AC/DC come back to Germany after the legendary 2003 gigs. The expectations were incredible. Needless to say that getting tickets outside the venue for these shows was pretty tough, despite the announcement of the summer stadium tours. AC/DC Abruzzo Vice President and the other guys from the AC/DC Italia crew were also there for the show. Unfortunately, the Secretary General was unable to make it.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

The shows were just perfect! Orangus and I still agree that Oberhausen and Dusseldorf were some of the best performances of the band in indorr arenas (but the audience was too weak in both cases). In Oberhausen, in particular, the band seemed to master the stage perfectly providing an amazing performance, technically and artistically. Brian's voice was still sounding extremely powerful, almost like for the first US leg of the tour. Angus looked in perfect shape, very accurate and more energetic than before. It would be interesting if there is a video bootleg around.... Unfortunately, as said before, the crowd was really disappointing... Coming from Paris or even Antwerp you could tell the difference.

During these 5 days we met some interesting historic fans who had lots of stories to tell us, from the Bon Scott era, to the '80s to the Ballbreaker and SUL tour. We had some real fun together. Being a bit disappointed with the nightlife of the cities (Dusseldorf and Oberhausen are really small cities, especially Oberhausen which could be compared to Pescara! Can you imagine AC/DC live in Pescara! AH AH AH) Orangus and the President headed to Cologne for a quick tour of the city including a stop in some renowned Italian restaurants. The Italian community here is huge, especially the Calabrese community and it is probably easier to find people speaking Italian than English, which is quite unusual for Germany. We also interacted with the local people, sometimes using the body language like in the video below (where some Germans underline the resemblance between football player Luca Toni and AC/DC Abruzzo's President). The magic word was "Campioni del mondo!"

Last but not least HAPPY BIRTHDAY To Brian!!! CIN CIN!

THE ROCK'N'ROLL NONNO!!!

Today AC/DC Abruzzo is glad to be with a legendary fan who’s been following the band for ages. He’s a piece of history of AC/DC and you will find his name even in books such as AC/DC Maximum Rock’n’Roll. In the last year we met him several times on the road, from the R'n'R Train video shoot in London to the Open air Stadium Tour and he's a good friend of ours. His name is Alan but AC/DC Abruzzo likes to call him Alano or ... ROCK'N'ROLL NONNO!

The President, Alan and the Secretary General in Dublin last April

1-Hi Alan, it’s a pleasure to be with you again. Last time we met was in Paris after the Stade de France show. How are you?

Hi guys, how are you both? It seems a long time since Hampden Park, I don't know why we didn't catch up in either Wembley or Dublin... I am fine and in good health, enjoying the rest of the summer and going up to Manchester to see my beloved UNITED and also doing lots of gardening and decorating to earn some 'pocket money' and really looking forward to my trip to Australia for another 11 shows, they will take me up to 47 for this tour!

2- WOW! GRANDE ALANO! If we remember correctly, we met for the first time in the lobby of our hotel in Wilkes Barres, PA last October just one day before the secret/private show, 5 years after AC/DC’s last gig in London. We were both checking in in the hotel. We remember the levels of excitement for the historic come back of AC/DC and for the world tour. What are your memories of that wonderful experience in that small Pennsylvania town in the middle of nowhere?

My first memories of Wilkes Barre (after meeting you fine italians) is rain, rain and more rain. As you know I was with Michel and although we were drowned we laughed. I will tell you about our trip to Mcdonalds later. The afternoon of the show, meeting up with old friends and making new ones was great. The actual rehersal show was not one of the most memorable but still great to see the guys again.

Alano in Wilkes Barres

Yes, it did rain a lot the day before the show. Then sun and the following day, snow! At least for those who were coming from NY... After Wilkes Barre, you continued for a mini tour in the States and you met several times with the Vice President Andrea and Marco from AC/DC Italia. How many shows did you attend? How was to see AC/DC back in action after so much time? And what was your favorite show in the US?

I was travelling with Michel (another huge fan from Belgium) at the time, on to Chicago and then I continued onto New York on my own. Flying some of the time and Greyhound the others. Indianapolis was great as it was really warm there and there was also an American football game in town the day before the concert and the town was full of football fans from both teams--with NO trouble-. I saw 9 shows on this leg of the tour and it was great to see the guys again as they began to get into their stride as the tour progressed. I think my favourite show was the first show at the Garden, not only for the show, but meeting up with Arnaud (Durieux), Alex and Brian after. As you know we had a good time again lots of laughs.

Great! Going back to the AC/DC come back last year. Our Secretary General Stephano reported your presence also at the video shoot in London back in August, for the first public appearance of the band. You are everywhere! If AC/DC is doing something important somewhere in the world prepare to see Alan!! How did it go in London?

London was a bit of a panic at first because we didn't know if we were going to get 'tickets' but then we managed to be put on the guest list so all was well in the end. It was so good to see the boys and the set, but a disappointment not to be able to get to see the boys during takes. I guess we were spoilt at the ' Hard as a rock ' video shoot when we spent about 12 hours there and the guys were happy to sign autographs between takes all day. But things have changed for sure, so we have to change with them.

Then the European indoor tour began and we met again in Stockholm last February (you had skipped the opening date in Oslo!). Like us, you are a big fan of indoor shows as opposed to Stadium shows (much more intimate). As you know the best shows for AC/DC Abruzzo were, in order: Paris Bercy, Milan and Dublin O2 Arena. Which were the best shows of the indoor tour for you and why?

Stockholm was great, all that snow, as where I live in England I hadn't seen as much snow as that for about 30 years. My favourite shows in Europe (excluding UK and Ireland) would have to be Madrid, Bilbao and Milan. for me the fans were really into it and the band respond to the crowd so I must hand it to the fans.

Going back to your “career” as a AC/DC fan. How many shows did you roughly see? Which tour is your favorite? Any interesting/funny stories from the road and/or with the band members you can tell us?

I have now seen over 100 Ac/Dc shows, going back to 1978. My favourite show was in New York at Roseland (!!!!!!) when they were in town for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Again went over with no tickets and didn't know i was going to get one until the morning of the show. That afternoon we went down to the theatre to see if we could catch any of sound check. Tickets were changing hands for hundreds of dollars and I realised how lucky was I. When the boys arrived they stopped for a chat and as with Brian, a hug. Also with Ellen, which I will tell you about one day.

One really funny thing happened in Wilkes Barre. After the show myself and Michel were alking back to the hotel and were extremely hungry, to our surprise only Mcdonalds was still open so we walked round to there, as you know all of about 50 metres only to be told that we could only be served at the drive thro' as we were not in a car they wouldn't serve us. No way. We walked back to the hotel still hungry and moaning about the service. As we got to the entrance a taxi dropped a couple of guys off. I asked the cabbie if he was free, 'sure guys- where to' -- 'Could you take us to Mcdonalds' explaining our predicament. 'No problem guys in you jump' so off we go to get our Mcdonalds 50 metres away. This guy was a life saver and didn't want to charge us for the privilege. And i bet he still tells the story, as we do. There are many more to tell, but not right now as they take too long....

That's AMERICA! During the last European tour we remember we were on the same early morning flight from Milan to Budapest. You were with Michel who made you confess that you actually saw the Stones and Jimi Hendrix live back in the SIXTIES! We hadn’t slept the previous night so our recollections might be wrong? Is that actually true?

On that flight from Milan to Budapest you were in a coma I think... ah ah ah. (After 2 Milan shows in the pit with that crowd and no sleep you bet we were!) But, yes it is true that i saw Jimi Hendrix and the Stones in the 60's, so many more, Cream, 'Little Stevie Wonder', the Who, the Kinks, all the English groups along with the touring american bands on the 'stax tour' even Otis Redding and he was expensive, if I remember it was 10 shillings to see him, that's 50 pence now!! Wilson Pickett, Lee Dorsey there were so many... Remember that all these were shows where you stood and people would be dancing whilst they played. But Hendrix was special, he done things with a guitar that we hadn't seen before, I'd never seen anyone set fire to one up until then. It's not all bad being 60!

WOW! You a are a lucky man! Your biggest passions are rock music, AC/DC and football. And we know you’re a Manchester Utd fan. Last year was not very succesful, was it?

Yes I am a Man United fan and last year was not so good we only won the Premier league for the third year on the trot and also the league cup and as you are hinting at, I think , is losing in the final of the Champions League. I have had two season tickets for about 15 years now and still go to nearly every home game-560 kms round trip. We are looking forward to playing an Italian team in the final this year unless we knock them out before.

Mhm... Not so sure.... Anyway, in Manchester, after the shows you showed pictures of your grandchildren? You’re proud of them, although you told us they’re not into rock music. Tell us something about them.

My four grandchildren are a real treat to me. Three girls and a boy. 10,11,12 and 13 years old. My eldest grandaughter is a good footballer and i try to see her play whenever i can, unfortunately she is a Norwich fan. They help to keep me young and give me a lot of pleasure.

Grazie mille, Alan. Hopefully our paths will cross again at an AC/DC show. Probably in the Southern Hemisphere…

Looking forward to seeing you guys in OZ in 2010!

Alano, Michel and the Italian bosses

GET WELL BRIAN!

AC/DC Abruzzo learned about the postponing of 6 October shows in US (Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee ) due to Brian being hospitalised. Reportedly, he will get a 15-day break to get some rest before he gets back on stage for the continuation of the World Tour. From Abruzzo "Auguri di pronta guarigione a Brian".

MALCOLM SPEAKING ABOUT THE SETLIST

Many of you have been asking AC/DC Abruzzo about the setlist problem and about mentioning it to Malcolm... On the very few occasions we met with him we discreetly tackled the subject, also with Brian, and despite our polite requests we understood that changing the setlist and playing rare songs was not a priority of the band. The most important thing was to carry on with this ambitious 2-year world tour, filling up stadiums and reaching as many people as possible around the globe. AMEN.

Here's a recent video (apparently genuine) of a fan chatting with Malcolm about the setlist, next album/CD release etc. 

SHTATEVEBBON.

Thanks to Marcom from BS.

NEW FACEBOOK PROFILE

While waiting for the continuation of the tour AC/DC Abruzzo has created a new FACEBOOK profile with more exclusive content directly from the President's secret archives. Join in!!

Matteo Acdc Abruzzo

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