As frontman for Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, Ross Wilson wrote such enduring Australian hits as "Eagle Rock" and "Come Said The Boy", as well as "Touch of Paradise" (later covered by John Farnham). Also a successful solo artist and a producer who made his mark with Skyhooks albums, Ross is brimming with valuable advice for our Idols ahead of 80s night this Sunday.

“Most of the contestants were born either at the end of or after the 80s. The 80s to them is sort of like the 50s to me - something in the past that has nostalgic value,” laughs Ross.

This veteran of the Aussie music scene says the musical legacy of the 80s involves more than just synthesisers, novelty hits and some very special haircuts. “I think that the 80s was a good time for Australian music, it was a pretty interesting and fertile period,” Ross observes. “Crowded House, political bands like Midnight Oil who were fantastic musicians as well, and Men At Work were having international success. Australian music was starting to get out into the wide world.”

When Ross was starting out in rock music as a school boy, it was pretty much a do it yourself affair. “If you wanted to play electric guitar you sort of had to figure it out for yourself. There weren’t any teachers around to do that in those days,” he explains. “I was just lucky that I came across some other likeminded people at the time and we grew together.” 

“The thing about Australian Idol is they’re very lucky because they’re on a kind of an accelerated learning curve,” says Ross of the contestants’ path. “You can rehearse and rehearse but when you get out on the stage you learn what works and what doesn’t. So they’re doing it in the spotlight, but they’re very lucky because they’re playing with excellent musicians. They may have to endure being picked to pieces after they sing their song, but while they’re doing it they’re in good hands.”

So will Ross be doing some picking of his own as guest judge after the Idols perform on Sunday? “Well, I don’t like to be nasty! You never know, I might have to say a few harsh words, but we’ll wait and see.”

Ross says he was more than happy to join in Australian Idol's 80s extravaganza. “It’s nice to be a part of it. I had seen a fair bit of this series of Idol because my kids are right into it and I was already fairly impressed by some of the contestants. I think it’s a really high quality year.”

Tune in as Ross and Idols head back to the 80s, Sunday night at 7.30pm!